The Luminous Podcast

Hope or Poison | The Rev. Chad E. JarnaginJames 3:1-12 (ESV)Taming the Tongue3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers & sister, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what they say, they are perfect, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life,[a] and set on fire by hell.[b] 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,[c] these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.There are patterns of active testing throughout this short book. James 3 is a timeless piece of text. Each week we walk through a portion of Scripture that typically works with the previous and following parts. If we take the examen framework and apply the text from last week as well, we would see where the real opportunities. For those who may have missed the first week: The Ignatian Examen of Consciousness is a simple prayer rhythm directed toward developing spiritual awareness: When we approach the Ancient Text, we must explore with openness not pragmatism. The examen helps us with this:Begin:-Assume a posture of stillness & reverent relaxation-Be aware that God is with you.-Mindful and thankful to God for blessings.-Examine how you have lived the day or if in the morning, how do you hope to live today.-Confess sin & ask God for forgiveness - much like our collective confession each week.-Resolve & offer prayer of hopeful devotion.Finish:Resolve posture of stillness & reverent relaxation
James begins to warn of the strict judgement that teachers face. He talks through the means in which to be effective: the bridling of the tongue... which gains control of the whole body.The imagery of controlling a horse with a bit in their mouth, a ship by the rudder... these are actually helpful because they are small in comparison to what they control and navigate.Violent forest fires being set by the smallest of flames... As if to say the most flippant careless word can harm a large group of people or harm one person deeply. Every single one of us in this room knows precisely what this feels like... and unfortunately, we know what it is like to be the recipient and dealer.James continues to give us a broader scope of our potential affects of our words: taming the tongue is difficult... and how it can be a restless evil, full of deadly poison. All who are made in the likeness of God can be cursed by our careless words. We bless and curse with the same instrument.I would suggest that the weight of our tongue hinges on control. By controlling narratives about ourselves and others, it gives us a false sense of control. I’ll repeat James sentiment, “this ought not be so.”Have we considered that our words could have a holy purpose? Set apart from the harm and hurt that is everywhere else?

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The Eucharist | Part Twoby Fr. Chad E JarnaginLiturgy of the Table Cannon of the Eucharist: everything that happens here is a prayer to the Father.-Offering-Preparation of the Table-Eucharist PrayerEucharistic Prayer: Thanks is given in this time. Somehow we are found worthy of sharing in these gifts. Offers thanks in considerable lengths!The Apostolic Tradition (3rd Century)2 things are being offered up to God.-offering our hearts-offering our resources as tokens of thanksgivingThe Eucharist may end, but the worship doesn't. We are sent out to BE the liturgy (work of the people).

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The Eucharist | Part Onewith Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin We see that it is not the task of Christianity to provide easy answers to every question, but to make us progressively aware of a mystery. God is not so much the object of our knowledge as the cause of our wonder.― Kallistos Ware, The Orthodox WayUnderstanding the EucharistLiturgy is participation, not simply observation. If you get off track in the liturgy, don’t worry. Just relax in the moment and make yourself peacefully present to, and alert to the Holy Spirit. Allow yourself to be immersed in the community around you—in song, prayer, word, silence…"You don't think your way into a new kind of living. You live your way into a new kind of thinking." ― Henri J.M. NouwenWe tend to think that the Eucharist is something that we do, but it is more. Justin Marter doesn’t describe a Christ who lived in the past in a far off land disconnected from their reality and context. He is describing what happens everytime we worship. We encounter the true presence of our Lord as the disciples did on their road to Emmaus. This should help us see worship in a different light.
We have 1800 years of evolution of the church, and though we have many different families of the Eucharist, essentially they all bear the early form of the early Church. The patterns are found in the Orthodox Church, Catholic, and Anglican Church, as well as others.This is simply an introduction into an ancient and beautiful practice.

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Ordinary Time - Fr. Chad E. JarnaginEphesians 2:11-22 English Standard Version (ESV)One in Christ11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, [sojourners] but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by[b] the Spirit.Paul goes on to say “Therefore, remember where you came from...” and that at one point, they were separated from Christ. BUT NOW, they are no longer far off... they have been brought near (by the blood of Christ). 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility. As we look at the heart of this part of Paul’s letter, we will see something incredibly important: 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.Underneath this portion of the letter, there is a spirit of hospitality & openness.“Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines. It is not to lead our neighbor into a corner where there are no alternatives left, but to open a wide spectrum of options for choice and commitment. It is not an educated intimidation with good books, good stories, and good works, but the liberation of fearful hearts so that words can find roots and bear ample fruit....The paradox of hospitality is that it wants to create emptiness, not a fearful emptiness, but a friendly emptiness where strangers can enter and discover themselves as created free....not a subtle invitation to adopt the life style of the host, but the gift of a chance for the guest to find his own.” -NouwenIn my first exposures to evangelicalism, most of what I recall was a policy of more. More of everything. When we are conditioned to more, we retain little. Over time, I realized that the more philosophy wasn’t sustainable. Bites are more retentive. Small doses where we are mindful and open is where retention and sustainability will be. Our devotion and communion are most certainly included in this mindset. Throughout Scripture we are given permission to slow our pace, find and receive peace... it’s human society that projects unsustainable consumption and pace onto us... where we have no margin for the activities that bring us life.For those far and near: 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens [sojourners], but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

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John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15 (ESV)26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.John 16:4b-15 (ESV)4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.The Work of the Holy Spirit“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.Pentecost, the birth of the Church - The beginning of The Way.Before his ascension, Jesus is speaking to his disciples about the Spirit coming after his departure.
Jesus mentions the Holy Spirit as the Helper and the Spirit of truth, and yet the Spirit has been misunderstood almost since the beginning.A note: The Holy Spirit has already been present throughout Scripture. From the hovering over the waters before creation, to being with the prophets and the poets... all the way to the gospel stories. The Holy Spirit has always been hovering and creating, comforting and convicting.Pentecost was a new day of creation, not unlike those we read about at the beginning of Genesis.” The word "Spirit" comes from the Latin spiritus meaning “breath”. It is no mistake that this is an intimate image... breathing life into disciples of Christ over the course of history beginning at Pentecost where the Spirit rests on them as tongues of fire.7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment...It is the method the Holy Spirit takes, first to convince, and then to comfort.12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.This is strangely comforting. The idea that not only did Jesus say that his disciples couldn’t fully bear more than what Jesus had already opened them up to... and that the Spirit would guide them and us into all the truth.14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.It’s possible that the Spirit moves through those who pose the least resistance... the Holy Spirit is The Power of Heaven let loose in us. The Lord’s Prayer may have a different tone with this in mind. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.Fr. Chad E. Jarnaginmusic by Audrey Assad

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Mark 16:1-8 English Standard Version (ESV)The Resurrection16 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.There are two Gospel readings for Easter Sunday. In Mark’s portion, there is a lack of belief and resolve that resonates with me this year. Deep peace only comes after deep pain. Joy eventually returns after mourning - The resurrection of joy celebrated for an entire season b/c a single day isn’t enough. Today is the greatest feast in the Church year. It asks a total re-programming of our way of thinking, priorities, hopes and expectations. It take a process to celebrate the defeat of death. Be reassured and challenged by the fact that the first people (2 women) who heard and saw the empty town, ran away and didn’t talk to anyone about it. Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books or songs alone, but in every bloom of springtime. This is more of the beginning of a new year than January 1st.The resurrection of Christ reveals that death and darkness do not have the final say. No matter how deep your darkness, it will never be too dark for the Light of the Risen Christ to reach - This love will always transcend the weight of our humanity. This is not the end. This is the beginning.The Christ who announced God’s saving & sovereign kingdom; the Jesus who died to exhaust the power of this world’s rule and its rulers and all of our racism, evil, hopelessness, & discord... the Jesus who rose again to be crowned as king of heaven and earth.

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Ash Wednesday | The Rev. Chad E. JarnaginC. S. Lewis tells an interesting story in his book "The Great Divorce." A busload of ghosts is making an excursion from hell up to heaven with a view of remaining there permanently. They meet the citizens of heaven and one very big ghost from hell is astonished to find there a man, who on earth, had been tried and executed for murder. "What I would like to know," he explodes, "is what are you doing here, you a murderer, while I a pillar of society, a self-respecting decent citizen am forced to walk the streets down there in smoke and fumes and must live in a place like a pigsty." His friend from heaven tries to explain that he has been forgiven, that both he and the man he had murdered have been reunited before the judgment seat of Christ. But the big ghost from hell replies, "I just can't buy that!" "My rights!" he keeps shouting, "I have got to have my rights the same as you!" "Oh no!" his friend from heaven keeps reassuring him, "It's not as bad as all that! You don't want your rights! Why, if I had gotten my rights, I would never be here. You'll not get your rights, you'll get something far better. You will get the mercy of God."This is why we pray so often in the liturgy: "Lord, have mercy." This prayer, uttered with the smallest of faith, invites God's forgiveness and for the coming of His kingdom in our hearts. As our Orthodox sisters and brothers pray, "Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and repentance, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

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The TransfigurationMark 9:2-9 (ESV)2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.The Transfiguration of Jesus is recorded in all three synoptic gospels (Matt., Mark, and Luke). This year we’re looking at Mark. The Transfiguration is one of very few episodes in the life of Christ that gets substantial confirmation across the different Gospels.Though it is fairly mysterious, here are some highlights: it seems that though Christ was surrounded by his closest friends... and experiencing something of the loneliness he will feel when he is eventually abandoned. However, there is something more desolate as we realize that a constant part of Jesus’ human experience was to feel lonelier in glory than any human could in their insignificance.An overview of this text: Jesus spending time away on a mountain, communion with God, the paradoxical nearness of far-ness of God that we continue re-evaluating in our own lives...The Transfiguration of Jesus indicates what is to come: a whole new creation, starting with Christ himself as the seed that is sown in the earth and then rises to become the beginning of that new world. -NT Wright (Simply Jesus).The reference to 'a veil' appears in a number of the readings in the cycle. Today, in Corinthians, Paul contrasts those from whom the light of the Gospel is ‘veiled' by 'the god of this world', with believers in whose hearts the Gospel has shone. “To give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”.Wed. night we begin Lent at the Liturgy of the Ashes. This season provides a spiritual opportunity for re-orientation. In fact, Lent is perhaps best viewed as an extended opportunity to remove the veil that prevents us from seeing “the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”. That may be why the lectionary gives us the Transfiguration on the last Sunday before Lent begins.

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Epiphany Sunday 2018 | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginMatthew 2:1-12 (ESV)The Visit of the Magi2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men[a] from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:6“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a rulerwho will shepherd my people Israel.’”7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.The Feast of the Epiphany is one of those relatively rare days in the Christian year when the Gospel reading is always the same. Although this has long been a major feast of the Church - and of special importance in the Eastern Orthodox tradition - only Matthew makes any mention of the strange event on which it is based.Definition of epiphany:-a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.-a literary work or section of a work presenting, usually symbolically, such a moment of revelation and insight.Today we also acknowledge the Baptism of Jesus. It is in itself, an epiphany. As the Eastern Church points out, it is at this moment that we see for the first time the union of God the Creator, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We see something else as well - Christ accepting baptism by John, a sign that Jesus accepts humanity, his own and ours... in its struggles, limitations, burdens, and hope of the divine and otherly.‘Epiphanic moments' are those times when, quite suddenly, something of the greatest importance strikes us unexpectedly. At the Feast of the Epiphany we commemorate and celebrate the moment at which the universal importance of the Jewish religion is, for the first time, revealed to the whole world - when the birth of the historical Jesus is revealed to be the incarnation of the eternal Son of God. All the rumors, all the prophecies, all hope... Everything coming true.May we be open this new season / new year. Open to being comfortable with being uncomfortable... to learn, hope, and change... to be who we are being compelled and called to be.Music by The Brilliance and Stars of the Lid

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