Flashy Thingy: Forgetting on purpose (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

Remember the "flashy thingy" from the Men In Black movies, that cigar-shaped tech used by the agents to make people forget extraterrestrials are living on Earth? Well, the time has come when we may not need Will Smith or Tommy Lee Jones to flash away our memories.

Apparently, we can forget.

Oh, I don't mean accidental forgetting; we all know we can do that and most of us wish we could make it stop. Nor do I mean repressed memories associated with traumatic experiences (such as often exists in patients diagnosed with PTSD). It is quite common for people to repress bad memories.

What I mean is this: we can decide to forget ... and then do so.

Several promising studies over the past few years have shown that, instead of psychological repression, we can actually trigger memory suppression. I know those terms seem similar, but they are actually very different. The first one, repression, happens without conscious decision, and is almost always associated with having experienced a traumatic event. It's the second one, voluntary suppression, that is our focus.

Just as a person may use certain techniques to ensure the remembering of something, there are ways in which a person can intentionally forget. Most of the research in this area is aimed at helping people who have been crippled (for lack of a better term) by traumatic memories; people who have developed psychoses, neuroses, depression, etc., because they cannot forget.

All of this is still experimental. We humans are still a long way from having a "flashy thingy" we can wield with surgical precision to erase troubling memories. One big plus in all this, however, is that our brains tend to heavily lace the memory process with creativity; in fact, the two are almost welded together. As I wrote five years ago, we don't so much "Save" our memories as we "Save As." Even as we are making our memories, we tend to recast them in creative ways.

So, what would that mean for the Creator of all creation? Does God possess the ability to forget at will? Can God's creativity trump His memory? Can love really cover a multitude of sins?

Anyone reading this week's Lectionary passage from Jeremiah would have to wonder.
_________________________

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 24 (29) (October 16, 2016)
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=284

First reading and Psalm
Jeremiah 31:27-34
Psalm 119:97-104
Alternate First reading and Psalm
Genesis 32:22-31
Psalm 121
Second reading
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Gospel
Luke 18:1-8
_________________________

Can you join us Friday morning for Lectionary Breakfast? We would love for you to meet us at the Waco "Egg and I" restaurant for food, fellowship, and, yes, fun. We start 8:00-ish and are gone by 9:00-ish. In between, we read scripture, eat whatever we order from the menu, discuss, and (I know I keep reporting this, but its true) there is an almost unbelievable amount of laughter.

Join us.

Enjoy the week!
Steve

The Treasures in the Box (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

I got a surprise ---well, surprises--- this week.

I looked out the front door and saw a small box snugged up against the brick wall. That wasn't surprising; we get quite a few boxes. The surprise, the first one anyway, is that it was addressed to me. There are many boxes arriving at our door, but few of them are addressed to me.

I have a small confession. I love it when a box is addressed to me; feels like Christmas or my birthday all over again. I thought that might diminish as I grew older, but it hasn't. It's one of the ongoing joys of my life. As soon as I see my name on the box, I feel the endorphin rush and that goofy grin spreading across my face. Every single time.

I already loved it and I hadn't even opened it.

The second surprise, and definitely the bigger surprise is what I found inside: letters, 30 or 40 of them, and all of them from the mystery that was my father.

You could get to know Dad, but only the pieces he chose to reveal. As father and son, Dad and I occupied the same residence for about two decades. Then I knew him, adult-to-adult so to speak, for almost three more decades. All of those years, and yet, I knew very little about him. It seems like other people can rattle off tale after tale of each parent's childhood, school years, romances, and careers. And I can do some of that, but there is a very, very limited supply of those stories about Dad. He just didn't share much with us.

Maybe he was, as I have always assumed, just a very private person. He definitely personified the saying, "Still waters run deep." He was also, in my view, the kind of person who, "kept his own counsel." In recent years, I have concluded Dad may well have been an introvert, living deep within himself and only surfacing from time to time to interact with the rest of us as needed.

The period of Dad's life of which I know the least is his service during World War II. Dad rarely talked about the war. This puzzled me as a child; many a childhood friend told me tales of their father's service. But as I became an adult, and several of my own friends were returning from the Vietnam War, I gained some understanding. Some things are too hard to recall, much less tell to children. In time, I just packed away all my questions about that time in his life, accepting that he might never be able to tell me more than the very handful of stories he had already shared.

The box was from my cousin, the daughter of one of dad's sisters. The letters? Almost all from Dad during World War II.

I immediately opened the letter on top. Dad's handwriting was difficult for me to read. But I could understand enough to realize just what a treasure I now possessed. Here was a young man with a lightness of spirit I never saw in my Dad. He was having a little fun with my aunt and uncle. My Dad, funny. Funny! Mind-blowing. And then, not three sentences in, he referred to his "wife."

Wait. What?!

Dad didn't meet my mother until AFTER the war. Who was this wife? And where did she go? I checked a couple more of the letters; all referenced his wife. After the shock, I found myself experiencing something else, a kind of hope. I will learn something new about my father, and from his own hand.

I am amazed to have such a treasure appear at this point of my life. In time, we will transcribe them and share their content with my sister and the rest of the family. Thousands of questions have resurrected themselves, now; questions I had long ago decided could never be answered. I can no longer ask Dad. It's likely I will never, "understand all mysteries." But at least now, I may get some answers.

And get to know him a little better.

____________________________________

See more reflections at
http://steveorr.blogspot.com
____________________________________

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (January 31, 2016)
First reading
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm
Psalm 71:1-6
Second reading
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Gospel
Luke 4:21-30
____________________________________

Winter continues, but it's warm at Lectionary Breakfast! Can you gather with us Friday morning at the Waco "Egg and I" restaurant? We start at 8:00, enjoying an hour (ish) of food, friendships, and illumination from God's word.

Mysteries are revealed.

Enjoy the week!
Steve

Remembering Mrs. Rudolph (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

What was I doing in a remedial English class?

The full answers are complicated and must be saved for another time. The short version: my prior year English teacher had recommended it. Granted, it was a first-world problem (like all of my problems), but as a freshly minted high schooler, I was in shock.

Just to be clear, this was not a language class like Spanish or French. This was the U.S. schools version of English (i.e., grammar): a class about reading literature, identifying themes, writing papers, crafting declarative sentences, etc.

I had always loved reading, and in recent times had begun to enjoy writing, as well. With each passing year, school had become more interesting to me. I was excited about the new adventures I supposed were coming my way at the high school.

But, no. At least not in English.

It was a very difficult year for me. Despite realizing pretty quickly that I was improperly slotted, my English teacher was unable to correct the situation, though she tried. I stayed the entire school year. I lost hope. Things got so bad, I actually considered dropping out of school (which was allowed at age 16). I came to think of that year as my "low year."

And then, just when I had decided that school, at least school like that, was not for me, Mrs. Rudolph rescued me.

In the church calendar, November 1st is All Saints Day, the time set aside to remember those who have gone before; fathers and mothers of the church, martyrs, our own loved ones, and, not incidentally, those significant others who helped shape our lives. And so I pause to remember Rosemary Rudolph, teacher extraordinaire.

I had known her since my early childhood; she and her husband lived directly across 21st Street from us. So, perhaps when she heard about my unusual predicament through the English teacher grapevine, she recognized my name. I'm not sure how she came to be involved. I just know that at the critical moment, I was directed to go to a certain room and there was Mrs. Rudolph offering a possible way out.

The room, a precursor to today's reading labs, was intended for people who had problems reading. But Mrs. Rudolph explained to me that we (oh, how I cherished that word!) would be using it to measure and document my reading ability. She told me it would cost me a study hall twice a week, but promised me that if I could perform well there, I could have a chance to move into an English class more suited to my abilities. I don't know if she knew just how at-risk I was. Maybe. Or maybe she just wanted to collect some assessments more objective than the opinions of one individual.

There are many fine teachers toiling away in our public schools; low pay, little spare time, working far more hours than most of us. And I am privileged to know a few of them. These folks deserve our thanks and more. There are many stories about sacrifices teachers have made for their students.

Mrs. Rudolph was NOT my teacher; on her own, she came up with a scheme to use the reading lab assessment tools to prove I was a good reader and writer, and she arranged with who-knows-how-many in the faculty and administration for me to spend two study halls each week working there. That seems above and beyond to me. It was remarkable that anyone, especially a teacher who did not have me in class, was taking time away from what I know was a packed workday to try to fix the problem!

I did my part: I delivered good work in my English class, gave the reading lab my all, and made good grades in my other classes. And Mrs. Rudolph did hers. When the next school year rolled around, I found I was assigned to an English class more commensurate with my skills and abilities:

Mrs. Rudolph's.

We read a lot in Mrs. Rudolph's class, and we wrote a lot. Yes, I found it challenging, especially following an entire year where the greatest challenges were not academic, but rather boredom and depression. Oh, don't think I considered my "low year" a wasted year. What one may have meant for ill, God meant for good. I learned several lessons that "low" year in English, just not a lot on the topic. From my classmates, I learned that a person's value is not related to their academic performance; that some people just need a little help to move past the thing that's holding them back; and, perhaps most importantly, I learned that friendships need not always be with people who are like us. Different is good.

Mrs. Rudolph has passed from this world. But she is well remembered, and not just by me. In her obituary, I read that the Board of Education conferred on her the coveted "Most Inspiring Teacher" Award a few years ago. Mrs. Rudolph loved the Lord, and that relationship was the energy that moved her through this world and the compass that guided her actions. She embodied, and not just for me, the commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself."

A saint, indeed.
_____________________________________

I am including both the regular Lectionary readings and this for All Saints Day; readers choice.

http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 26 (31) (November 1, 2015)
First reading and Psalm
Ruth 1:1-18
Psalm 146
Alternate First reading and Psalm
Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Psalm 119:1-8
Second reading
Hebrews 9:11-14
Gospel
Mark 12:28-34

All Saints Day (November 1, 2015)
First reading and Psalm
Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 24
Second reading
Revelation 21:1-6a
Gospel
John 11:32-44

_____________________________________

We're having a great time Friday mornings at Lectionary Breakfast. Join us and spend some time with saints-still-becoming. We read, discuss, nosh, and laugh (not necessarily in that order). We meet at 8:00 at the Waco "Egg and I" restaurant for about an hour.

You would love it 😇

Enjoy the week!
Steve

Ask, Seek, Knock: Are We Getting This Wrong? (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

I was taught early on that there was a right way and a wrong way to do things; that included asking. It was rare for me to receive, well, ANYTHING if I asked without saying "Please." We had to say, "May I?" instead of "Can I?" And if we failed to say "Thank you," we ran the risk of having any approvals cancelled. It took a while before I learned all the rules, particularly the rules for asking. In fact, being an *ahem* "experiential learner," I often got it wrong.

But, my errors were my tutors. Eventually, much like all of us, I learned how to conduct myself in an appropriate way.

And that brings me to the James passage in this week's Lectionary selections. One of the key points James makes is, "You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures." (James 4:2b-3 NRSV)

On reading this, I thought of Jesus' exhortation (or is it a promise?): "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭7:7-8‬ ‭NKJV; also in Luke 11:9-13‬‬)

I can't help but wonder: If there is a wrong way to ask, is there also a wrong way to seek and a wrong way to knock? Are we getting this wrong? Are we supposed to tap out a special tattoo to gain entry? Or could we be knocking on the wrong portals? Are we supposed to apply orientation and mapping skills when we seek? Or are we just looking for stuff in all the wrong places?

Some see conflicts between what Jesus taught and this message in James. Personally, I think the gospel passage and the James passage go together, hand-in-glove.

The James passage is part of a longer piece about the problems that keep popping up when we want what belongs to others; bitter envy and selfish ambition; covetousness that leads to contentiousness (even murder!) among believers.

What James writes about "asking" is intended to help them (and us) understand they have gone about things backwards. Instead of coveting and then battling to obtain what they desired, they needed to go to God with their requests; but they also needed to realize that asking God to give them something that belonged to another was not going to work. They could apply the correct process (ask God), but still not receive it because they were only asking for selfish reasons.

The Matthew passage culminates in the Golden Rule ("Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

It is exactly the same context as the James passage: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (‭‭James‬ ‭4:7-8‬a NKJV‬‬)

Turns out: there IS a right way and a wrong way to ask, seek, and knock.

We are to ask, seek, and knock while IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD. That means we are to be praying and listening, being still before God. AND, if we ask, seek, and knock while living the Golden Rule ---i.e., seeking for others what we wish for ourselves; just another way of saying, "Love your neighbor as yourself."--- we will receive, find, and enter . . . as promised.

_________________________________

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

Proper 20 (25) (September 20, 2015)
Proverbs 31:10-31
Psalm 1
Jeremiah 11:18-20
Psalm 54
James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a
Mark 9:30-37

_________________________________

What are you doing Friday morning? Can you join us at Lectionary Breakfast? If you're in the area, make some time to join us at 8:00 at the Egg and I restaurant. The gathering is an hour like no other. We come away refreshed and fortified.

If you're not in our area, consider starting a group to discuss the scriptures. It's not hard. Ask a few friends, contact a restaurant that will let you order À la carte, and then agree on a day and time. Everybody pays for their own food. We use the Lectionary (it's a convenient organizational structure that we can follow every week), but it is not the only one out there. Find an approach that works for you.

Enjoy the week!
Steve

The Riverwalk (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

I'm sitting on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. My objective this morning was to wander along these paths, enjoy the relative coolness of being below-street, take in the beauty, and then, maybe, find a spot to sit and think (and write).

Mission somewhat accomplished.

After a lazy meander, I am now sipping iced tea and nibbling on fresh berries (with just a smidge of cream) at "Ostra," a pleasant eatery on the banks of the San Antonio River. Across from me is La Mansion, one of SA's finest hotels for several decades. We stayed there on our honeymoon.

I am sitting here under a large market umbrella and happy for it: the sun is merciless, even down here. It is much warmer at street level, but even down here the shade is very welcome. I am surrounded by greenery.

All would be ideal but for one thing. When I set out on this little jaunt, I had forgotten something important, failed to take into account something critical

Jackhammer season.

Yes, even in Texas, summer is when we repair our streets. It is a factor one might forget when planning a vacation. Or a stroll along the banks of a river. In my defense, all was ideal when I sat down. The cacophony started about the time my berries arrived, and continues still. Everything else is as expected and desired. Still, even the accumulation of every other positive factor is not enough to overcome the one negative factor of the jackhammer.

One change can change everything.

That's the situation we encounter in this week's Lectionary selection from 2nd Samuel. As promised to David by God, in response to David's evil actions connected to Bathsheba, one of his grown sons has led a rebellion to overthrow the kingdom. The intrigues led to war, and, at the time of this passage, the war has moved in the "forest of Ephraim."

It was the final battle.

Scripture reports, "The forest claimed more victims that day than the sword." (2Samuel 18:8 NRSV)

We could speculate about the possible outcomes of those battles, that war; and many have. Some take the scripture at face value, believing the thick undergrowth, steep ravines, pits, and precipices were directly responsible for the rebels' deaths. Even the Targum (Rabbinic opinion; e.g., THE source in the days Jesus taught) states they were devoured by the beasts of the forest. Others, though, believe the thick forest prevented them from outrunning their pursuers, resulting in deaths by sword, just not on the "field of battle." But, just about everyone agrees on one thing: when those rebels moved into that forest, they made a fatal mistake.

Our takeaway? There are many, potentially. Environment matters. Planning needs to account for as many factors as possible. Choose your battles. No battle plan ever survives actual contact with the enemy. Know your terrain. Wicked friends lead to wicked ends. I'm sure you can think of others.

For me, it's this: align yourself with God's chosen.

Circumstances will vary (you never know when a jackhammer will start up), and some will be bad, but they all pale in comparison to eternity.

Choose wisely. And if you're not sure how to do that, then choose love. You can't go wrong with love.
_________________________________

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

Proper 14 (19) (August 9, 2015)
First reading and Psalm
2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33
Psalm 130
Alternate First reading and Psalm
1 Kings 19:4-8
Psalm 34:1-8
Second reading
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Gospel
John 6:35, 41-51
_________________________________

Friday's coming! Will you be with us for Lectionary Breakfast? We're continuing to meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Waco "Egg and I" restaurant. Our time together, though brief, sets the tone for the whole day. Join us for food, scripture, a "robust exchange of ideas," and some hilarity (seriously) 😊

Enjoy the week!
Steve

The Bricklayer (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

Recently, I recounted an oft told story about two men working with bricks. One was surly and perceived his work as only laying bricks. The other was joyful and perceived his work as building a cathedral. The story is often told as a way to illustrate that a positive attitude toward work can do wonders. We come away from the story thinking better of the "Cathedral man" than of the man who is simply laying brick. The story is designed to have that effect, to convey the idea that the surly bricklayer is missing something very important.

There is an another important point, however, that I never hear anyone state: the QUALITY of the surly man's work is never questioned. In fact, based on what we know, attitudes aside, when the two men finish their work, there will be a cathedral where once there was none.

There is nothing to say that we must always be happy, whistle while we work, or sing, "Hi ho, hi ho; it's off to work we go" every morning. Sometimes, maybe often, we just aren't in the mood for all that. Who knows, maybe the surly bricklayer was just having a bad day. All other factors aside, what matters in the final evaluation is the answer to this question: did each do his job correctly? If the answer is "yes," then, the cathedral gets built.

That brings me to this week's passage from Romans. People sometimes refer to this as the OTHER Love Passage, sort of lumping it with 1st Corinthians 13. But, these two passages could hardly be more different. The Corinthian passage is definitely the "Cathedral" perspective on love, while the Romans passage is, without doubt, the brick-by-brick approach. Corinthians provides us with the broad strokes about love, while Romans gives us the day-to-day nuts & bolts we need to put it into practice.

Perhaps you have wondered exactly HOW love is patient, is kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. The next time it crosses your mind to wonder about the PRACTICE of loving, jump over to Romans 12:9-21.

Then, you just DO IT, one brick at a time.

###############################
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 17 (22) (August 31 through September 6, 2014)

Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28

###############################

Don't miss this opportunity to "discuss the sermon in advance" (so to speak) at Lectionary Breakfast. As usual, we will gather Friday morning at the Waco "Egg and I" restaurant at 8:00 for food, fellowship, and thrashing about in the Bible.

It's not holy ground; so, please, keep your shoes on. :-)

Enjoy the week!
Steve


Stephen C. Orr
Sent from my iPhone

Why Do They Call It Maundy Thursday? (by Steve Orr)

Growing up in a very uncomplicated christian tradition, we didn't celebrate Biblical events as distinct days or nights of the year. We didn't have a church calendar to follow. We didn't divide the year into periods of Advent, Ordinary Time, Lent, etc. There was no Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, or Good Friday.

And every Sunday was Easter.

Oh, I eventually came to understand that others celebrated Easter as a special day to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. But it was a long, long time before I developed any understanding of all those other dates and events. It was high school before I learned about Ash Wednesday. And I was married, a father of a teenager, and living in New England before I ever even HEARD the term, "Maundy Thursday."

I remember that day, clearly. Upon being told we would be gathering at the church building to have an evening meal on "Maundy Thursday," I immediately asked what that was. I got the strangest look . . . followed by one of those "you know!" kind of answers people give when they only know part of the answer.

On "Maundy Thursday" christians gather on the evening before Good Friday to share a meal and recall the last meal Jesus shared with His disciples before His arrest, "trial," and death on the cross. We christians tend to refer to that as "the last supper," and, by imitating the breaking of the bread and the drinking of the wine, it is the model for our communion.

So, I quickly understood WHAT it was and why it was on Thursday evening. What no one could tell me, though, was why it was called "Maundy." Here is what I eventually learned: "Maundy" has nothing to do with "last suppers" or foot-washing (something else that occurred at that last meal). What it references is something Jesus said to them near the end of the meal: “I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.” (John 13:34, 35 NCV)

The term, "Maundy" derives from the French word for mandate or command. We've been celebrating the "last supper" (or as I call it: "The Feast of the New Covenant") for millennia. But I can't recall the last time someone pointed out during a communion service that we are also celebrating "The Feast of the New Commandment." Each time we partake, we are to do so in remembrance of Jesus, and that includes His new command, His mandate.

Love each other.

The Kessel Run (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

You might be surprised to learn that real scientists can be upset by what is said by fictional characters.

Oh yes, it's true. In fact, they can get in quite a tizzy about the most arcane things. They get into heated debates about the accuracy, and more specifically, the likelihood, of such things.

Case in point: in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (the first movie), Han Solo boasts that his spaceship, the Millennium Falcon, is more than fast enough to meet the needs of Luke and Obi-Wan, claiming, "It's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs."

Astronomers everywhere blanched.

A Parsec, it turns out, is a measurement of distance, not time. One Parsec is roughly 3.26 Light Years or 19 trillion miles (that's close enough for our purposes).

So, if Han wasn't bragging about the speed of his ship, what did he mean?

Well, the Internet is FULL of answers.

Many serious scientists have weighed in on this, and their answers run the gamut. A sample: one theory suggests that Han took a short-cut through a dangerous region of space to reduce the distance, went where a more risk-averse pilot would not. Another scientist talked of wormholes (or hyperspace). One even wrote a very learned paper on why it HAD TO BE time-travel.

The situation is somewhat akin to what happens when we read the statements of Jesus, especially when he tells a parable. We often get caught up in the details of the parable, completely missing the reason why Jesus told it.

In the case of Han Solo, it is unlikely there will ever be an answer that is acceptable to everyone. However, George Lucas is on record (there's a note in the script) that Han was "obviously lying." The reactions to Han's claim, especially that of Luke Skywalker, strongly support Lucas' answer.

And who knows better than the author?

In this week's Lectionary passages, we have "the parable of the unjust judge" told by Jesus to his disciples:

"Then Jesus told them a parable to show them they should always pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people. There was also a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but later on he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor have regard for people, yet because this widow keeps on bothering me, I will give her justice, or in the end she will wear me out by her unending pleas.’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says! Won’t God give justice to his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay long to help them? I tell you, he will give them justice speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:1-8 NET)

The debates about the various particulars associated with this parable are, seemingly, infinite. How much of a role model is that judge for us? Are "we" the widow in the story? Who is her adversary, in "real life?" And what is Jesus trying to tell US with that last statement about faith? On and on.

All of it, in my opinion, missing the point.

If you read it and come away with any conclusion other than we "should always pray and not lose heart," then you have drifted from the purpose of the parable. It's right there in the very first line of the passage.

And who knows better than the author?

###############################
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 24 (29) (October 20, 2013)

Jeremiah 31:27-34
Psalm 119:97-104
Genesis 32:22-31
Psalm 121
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Luke 18:1-8

We're continuing to meet for Lectionary Breakfast every Friday morning at the Waco "EGG AND I" restaurant. Join us at 8:00 for some excellent earth-based foods and some celestial discussions.

Astrophysicist are welcome, but must limit themselves to language we can all understand ;-)

Enjoy the week!
Steve

Shade Number 14 Welder's Glass

(a brief Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

Looking directly into the sun, even for a few seconds, will destroy your retina. You would not immediately notice that damage. Your retina has no pain receptors. But the damage occurs. And it is permanent.

Sadly, many people discover this truth after trying to watch a solar eclipse through inadequate filters; sun glasses, photographic film, smoked glass, etc. In fact, the safest way to watch a solar eclipse is through reflection; not look directly at it, at all. The irony here is that it is perfectly safe to view a TOTAL ECLIPSE with the naked eye. It is the minutes before totality and those immediately after that hold the greatest threat to vision. In those minutes, many of us feel safe to look directly at the sun presuming enough of the harmful rays are blocked because the moon "covers" much of the sun.

One filter that DOES provide adequate protection for direct viewing of the eclipse before and after totality is "shade number 14 welder's glass." Have you ever looked at the glass in a Welder's helmet? At SN 14, the glass only transmits about 3 millionths of the visible light striking its surface. It is designed to protect the eyes of the wearer by keeping out all but the very brightest of lights, and it only allows a small amount of that through.

So, what do you see when you look at a Welder's helmet fitted with SN 14 glass? You see yourself. Yes, under certain circumstances you can see THROUGH it, but mostly you just see a very dark reflection of yourself and whatever is around you.

It makes me think of 1st Corinthians 13:12. I have always liked the rendering in the King James Version "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV)

Still, whether it is THROUGH a dark glass or into a dim mirror that we see, the effect is the same: an imperfect vision of reality.

The point of the 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians is this: we are to love, and we are not to allow ourselves to be distracted from that charge by ANYTHING. We all are curious to one degree or other about the great mysteries. What does the future hold? What follows death? Is there another age to come, and if so, what will it be like (and will I be there)? But we are not to know those answers just yet. And until that time, we are to be very actively engaged in faith, hope, and love.

As for me, I am happy to "see through a glass, darkly" as I sojourn here. Because, what's on the other side of that glass is very, very, very bright.


###############################
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu
READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (February 3, 2013)

Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1st Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30

The Ring and The Book

The Ring and the Book
(a brief Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

"So, let him wait God’s instant men call years;
Meantime hold hard by truth and his great soul,
Do out the duty! Through such souls alone
God stooping shows sufficient of His light
For us i’ the dark to rise by.
And I rise."

The first time I read these lines---on a stained glass window at Baylor University's Armstrong Browning Library---I felt a frisson of thrill run through me. It still hits me that way. Nothing would make me happier than if, someday, these words could truthfully be said of me. To live a life worthy of such words is definitely something I desire.

Here's the story behind the words.

After the death of his beloved, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Robert Browning wrote those lines as part of "The Ring and the Book," which, though written in verse, is actually a novel based in fact. Shakespeare would have loved this: Pompilia, a young Italian noblewoman, flees her much older, abusive husband to travel to Rome with a priest; her husband later accuses Pompilia of committing adultery with the priest; subsequently, Pompilia is mortally wounded and her parents murdered; Pompilia dies and her husband is found guilty of these crimes. Long before Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood," Robert Browning wrote a true crime novel.

The words on the window are Pompilia's, who, while dying, speaks of her spiritual advisor, a man much in contrast to the husband, a man of God, a man falsely accused. She praises this young Pastor for preparing her to "rise" to Heaven by allowing God to shine through him, and she encourages him to continue doing as he did with her until his own time comes to "rise."

On another level, I know these are Robert Browning's words. And I suspect this is what he imagines Elizabeth might say to him in the wake of her death, encouraging him to continue "fighting the good fight" until he can join her in due time.

These are my thoughts as I read this week's Lectionary selections; particularly the Genesis, Mark, and Job passages. But more than these, even, I see in the Hebrews passage such a man as could be described by the words on that window.

And I rise.

###############################
READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt

Proper 22 (27) (October 7, 2012)
Job 1:1, 2:1-10
Psalm 26
Genesis 2:18-24
Psalm 8
Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12
Mark 10:2-16

Can you join us Friday morning? We'll be at Cafe Cappuccino at 8:00 (downtown Waco, on 6th near the Courthouse). We would love to have you with us for some great food and some of that illumination we all seek.

Enjoy the week!
Steve

The Atheist and Me

The Atheist and Me
(a brief Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

Scientist and renowned atheist Richard Dawkins has said and written quite a bit about religion, especially christianity. For example, in his book, The God Delusion, he wrote "One of the truly bad effects of religion is that it teaches us that it is a virtue to be satisfied with not understanding.”  The amazing thing about that statement is that I can, ALMOST, agree with him. If only I could switch a few of those words around. 

A statement I COULD agree with would read like this: "One of the effects of truly bad religion is that it teaches us that it is a virtue to be satisfied with not understanding.” See what I did there? 

But, to be clear, Richard Dawkins and I do NOT really agree on this point---or, for that matter, on almost all points---because he lumps all religions together. He has no use for any religion. Whereas I most certainly have a use for a particular religion.

But, I find that I am sometimes at odds with others over what is meant by the term "christianity." Quite often people claiming the label of "christian" seem to start on the wrong end of the continuum, elevating process over people, caring more about the "rules" than about relationships, being quick to judge and slow to forgive. Sometimes it seems as if the very LAST thing on their minds is loving their neighbor; when---if we are in fact following the teachings of Jesus---loving our neighbors as ourselves (that "royal law" Jesus quotes from Leviticus) should be way, way out near the front, right next to loving God.

And in THAT sense, I find Richard Dawkins and I may be in agreement on one point: "Nothing is wrong with peace and love. It is all the more regrettable that so many of Christ's followers seem to disagree." It is sobering to find that an atheist sees us so clearly, sees us for how our human-ness has "over topped" what we have been taught concerning such fundamental spiritual matters.

But don't take my word for it. Get THE word on the matter. Read the "Sermon on the Mount" or the response Jesus gave to the question: "What is the greatest commandment?"

Or, check out this week's Lectionary selection from the letter of James:

"So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.  For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.  What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works?  Can that faith save him?  If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?  Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works."  Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.  You believe that God is one.  You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.  But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? (James 2:12-20)

One last comment. Instead of "you foolish fellow," the Orthodox Jewish Bible addresses these matters to "oh hollow man." 

Shudder, indeed.

###############################
READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt

Proper 18 (23) (September 9, 2012)
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
Psalm 125
Isaiah 35:4-7a
Psalm 146
James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17
Mark 7:24-37

I hope to see you all Friday, September 14th. In the meantime, join the group THIS WEEK at Cafe Cappuccino (downtown on 6th, near the Courthouse) at 8:00 for breakfast and Bible . . . and some big servings of love, grace, and mercy :-)

Enjoy the week!
Steve

New Every Morning

New Every Morning
(a brief Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

This week's selections are so full of interesting, thought-provoking scriptures. And there seems to be a theme of hopefulness running through them. If not for a stroke of luck, I would be hard pressed to focus on just one of them. As it turns out, though, one of my favorite passages is included.

One day while in college I overheard some of my friends singing a song (as a round) all about the dependability of God's love for us.  The song was really easy to learn, and I found myself singing it often. So upbeat and affirming were its lyrics, it quickly became a favorite of mine.

Imagine my shock when someone told me it was based on a passage from the book of Lamentations!  At that point I had never read Lamentations, having already judged that book by its title. I could only imagine the kind of gyrations the songwriters must have gone through to turn some lamenting into such a great song.

Then I read the passage. Shocked again! The song was verbatim from Lamentations 3:22 through 24. I can still sing that song, and do, because the message is so stunning: God's love is steadfast (i.e. constant, un-moveable) and every single day---rain or shine, good mood or bad, win or lose---God has a full supply of mercy for me. And it never stops; not for anything or anyone, including (or maybe even especially because of) my own stiff-necked, obstinate, willful rebellion. 

Stunning.

###############################

Lamentations 3:22-33
3:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; 
3:23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
3:24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
3:25 The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.
3:26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
3:27 It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth,
3:28 to sit alone in silence when the Lord has imposed it,
3:29 to put one's mouth to the dust (there may yet be hope),
3:30 to give one's cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults.
3:31 For the Lord will not reject forever.
3:32 Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love;
3:33 for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.

###############################
READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt

Proper 8 (13) (July 1, 2012)
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
Psalm 130
Lamentations 3:22-33
Psalm 30
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43

What You Wrote in My Yearbook

What You Wrote in My Yearbook
(Edited and transcribed by Steve Orr)

To those who shared time in "good ole' PTHS" with me, do you recognize yourself? Could you have really written that? Oh, yes, my friends. Here are your own words just as the appear in that beloved book that still sits on my shelf. Hard to believe that, after all these decades, I still enjoy taking it down and thumbing through the pages, seeing the way we were ... way back then.

Granted, not all of you, dear readers, wrote in MY yearbook. But you wrote in SOMEONE's yearbook, didn't you? There is something universal about the things we write in yearbooks. And even though these were written by the hands of those I called friend, those I idolized, those who taught me, and those with whom, sadly, I've lost contact, I bet some of YOUR words are here, too.

And if some of it reads a little strange, well . . . it WAS the '60s ;-)

INSIDE THE FRONT
"Well, I'm finally getting out, but I know our friendship will not end here. I'll always remember you and Algebra. Good luck as an upper class-man next year. Love and Lollipops, Lois T"

"I may not know my algebra, but you don't know your sports. So we can both learn from our friendship. Don H"

"Although I have only known you for a short time, we have become great friends; our friendship will last through many of our activities. Carl C"

"To a real great kind. Good luck always. Love Ya, Linda R"

"Good luck always. Remember me. Love, Martha"

"My love. My dearest darling. I will miss you so next year. My life will be so dull and miserable without you. Remember always as your One and Only. Gloria XXX"

"You're a great guy. Stay cool & uptight. Good luck & God bless. Danny"

"Now you can say a G.I. signed your annual. Good luck, Randy B"

"Bleache! Mike R"

"You're a great person -- someday I know I'll be able to say 'I knew [you]' -- Good luck in life and of course -- your writing! Luv Ya! Bettina"

"It's been a fun two years at PTHS -- only one more to go -- You're a real Doll & I hope I have a class with you again next year. Luck to you in the future & always! Love Ya, Sara"

"Sorry about that office! Good luck in all you do. See ya next year. Barbara H"

"It has been great. Take it easy and stay out of trouble! Be good! Be careful, then have fun! RJ"

"You are a great person! Best of luck always! Love Ya, Kay Loves Mike"

Tappercoom, Man has it been fun! Let's do it again! Skipps"

"My greatest critic! Remember, someday when I'm 'published' you can be my agent. Or really, you don't need to work -- you can sell the 'original copies' and live off the income! Won't that be great? I've enjoyed you so much and I'm glad you're my friend. You're quite a poet yourself -- stay that way! Always, Susan M"

PAGE ONE AND OPPOSING PAGE
"It's been a lot of fun working together in Thespians and I hope that next year we can make our plays the best ones yet. Good luck in everything. Love, Liz"

"Remember all the Chemistry antics. The crowded water fountain (Sink! ha!), your nerves, broken test tubes, etc. Good luck next year at good ole' PTHS. Love Ya, Donna C"

"Here's the 'snob' signing your annual! Actually, I'm not one at all. It's been a blast in Speech this year, but we're sure gonna miss all those 7-10 minute speeches! PTHS is gonna miss Mr. Miller, too. Good luck in all you do. Love Ya, June C"

"It's been a great year for 'playing' around. Hope you do a lot of that next year. Good luck. Debbie K"

PAGE 76
"It's been nice having you in class. See you around next year. That's nice, too! V.S."

PAGE 78
"To my former neighbor and former student. Keep in touch. Mrs. Rudolph"

PAGE 82
"Hello and how are you? Have YOU planted a tree, a shrub, or a bush? Once upon a blush -- We are at Frisch's. Remember? Barbara F"

"You've been a brick and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Best luck, J. C. Miller"

PAGE 94
"Best wishes to you. Sincerely yours, L. J. Bryant"

PAGE 100
"I certainly have loved knowing you this year -- you sure brightened up many dull Chemistry lab days. You're such a nice boy & I hope can stay that way always. Best of luck and I could never forget you! Love, Mollie"

PAGE 103
"What am I gonna say if you don't be QUIET! Now have a blast next Fall and don't work too hard. Congratulations on being a Rep. at Large -- Great!!! Love, Ann"

PAGE 104
"It has been a real pleasure knowing you and working with you, esp. in Thespians. Keep up the good work. Best wishes -- Juliette"

PAGE 107
"I'll always value our friendship as one of the finest, sincerest, and Bestist (ha ha) that ever was! Good luck always -- Keep the Thespians going. Love Ya, Leah Bear"

PAGE 122
"This year at PTHS has in many ways been great. English class for instance -- what about Algebra. Mrs. Smedley is one character we shall never forget in our lives. Good luck next year and have fun in all you do. ----- Susan S"

PAGE 137
"Good luck next year. God bless you in everything you attempt to do. Just promise to make next year your best and your last. Willa W"

PAGE 150
"Don H"

INSIDE THE BACK
"Let's face it. A Poet you ain't! No really, you're a great buddy & you will be a writer, maybe! Have fun next year. We'll both be the GRADUATE next year 'bout this time. Have fun in Stand! Mike R"

"To a very special friend who I'll never understand. Don't ask me why coz I don't know. Anyway, I never know what to say in these things so I'll just say Green lights, Blue skies and so long for now! Donna P. (P.S. Mike R don't know nuthin anyway!)

"This year has been fun. Fun? Well, anyway I'll never forget our swinging Chemistry class and 6th period Algebra. Good luck in the future. Love, Judy"

"One thing I can say about you is you are very unusual. Like playing drums on the biology cabinets and other associated things. But I guess you're still a good friend. Good luck next year. Holly"

"It's been great knowing you this year! You're a great guy! Never change! Good luck thru the future in everything you attempt! Love ya! Pam"

"From an old friend who adores your poetry. Keep it up. It's been great knowing you. Good luck. May you always be happy. Love ya, Judy J (P.S. Remember Thespians and remember me.)"

"A very nice guy. Good luck in all you do. Jerri M. (P.S. Be a good Thespian)"

"You are one of the best friends I have and I hope it's always that way. Remember all the great times we've had since 9th grade. Good luck in the future. Paula M"

"What could I have done without you this year? You've helped me a lot, spiritually and emotionally. Thanks for being my friend. Good luck always and may God be with you. Love, Judy"

Mighty Waters, Mighty Love

MIGHTY WATERS, MIGHTY LOVE

By Steve Orr

Scripture is full of stories and references to “Mighty Waters.” There are the obvious ones, like the crossing of the Red Sea in during the Exodus from Egypt, Jonah being tossed into the sea before being swallowed by a great fish, and Jesus coming to the disciples during the terrible storm on the Sea of Galilee. And, of course, the granddaddy of them all, THE FLOOD that God used to wipe out all but those sealed in Noah’s ark.

With events like the Genesis flood firmly planted in the histories of almost all peoples, and the record of the Red Sea drowning Pharaoh’s army, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that later Biblical writers came to use phrases like “mighty waters,” “many waters,” “great waters,” and “deep waters” as a kind of metaphor for serious trouble. We see them using that phrase in the Psalms and the prophecies on a regular basis; even in the Song of Solomon. And it always refers to big trouble, overwhelming trouble, the kind of trouble you really can’t get out of by yourself, the kind of trouble that just might be the end of you. Mighty waters.

But there is a countering force to mighty waters. In the song, “Mighty Love,” a great, thumping, toe-tapping piece of music, Todd Rundgren and his group contrast lesser love (in this case, what the Greeks referred to as “Eros”; romantic love) with a lasting, mighty love. The song recounts how the lesser love does not last, even though deeply sworn and strongly intended, because, as the song says, “that’s the way love goes.”

Now, as some of you are old enough to recall, Todd Rundgren is not known as a “Christian” singer; you won’t find his music listed on any of the “Christian top 40.” But, as with other “secular” performers like The Pretenders in “I’ll Stand By You,” Anne Murray in “You Needed Me,” Josh Grogan in “You Raise Me Up,” and Carole King in “Way Over Yonder,” he sometimes strays into deeply spiritual territory … if only we have the “ears to hear.” And I think we can put on our spiritual ears and hear that Todd Rundgren’s “mighty love” is actually what the Greeks called “Agape,” an unconditional love, one that always acts in our best interest, one that lasts; or, as one of my professors put it: “love, in spite of.”

Still, the mere existence of such a “mighty love” is not really enough, is it? There must be someone on the other side of that equation, someone who not only cares about us, but who has the power to act on our behalf in even the direst circumstances; not just love, but a mighty love. And, praise God, there is such a rescuer; there is a deliverer, someone to save us from being overcome by the overwhelming. In Psalms 32:6, David says about God, “Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Now that is a clear picture of Godly protection and deliverance; an example of God’s mighty love in action.

But a caution here; I’m not saying you won’t ever get wet. Remember the language of the parable Jesus told about building your house; “when the storm comes” you want to be sure your spiritual house is on solid ground, not shifting sands. There is a storm coming in each of our lives; perhaps even multiple storms, but there is also deliverance if we are willing to recognize it and accept it. In 2 Samuel 22:17-19a, David praises God saying, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out to a spacious place…” Not just protection, but also rescue. Whether we blindly led ourselves into such danger, or are being tested and tried, God can, like in the story of Jonah, exercise His mighty love to bring us through the experience and back to the place where we can choose to do his will in relative safety.

As it says in the book of James, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” No, being near to God is not a safe place in the same way we usually want to think of safety, because we don’t worship a “safe” God. He is powerful beyond our ability to understand, and he is jealous in his strong love for us. It is not “safe” in the sense that there will be no challenges, no trials; rather it is the kind of safety that comes with being next to the most powerful being there is. Do you have “ears to hear” this? No other power or force can overcome God’s mighty love for us. As it says in the Song of Solomon, “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.”

I think the take-away points are these: God’s “mighty love” cannot be successfully assaulted by “mighty waters.” Scripture says “the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” He has told us he loves us, and his servants have written of how he draws us out of “deep waters” because of that love. So, when all appears to be lost, when you can see no way out, when things are at their darkest, don’t waste time and energy with other responses; call upon God to exercise His mighty love and rescue you. There is only one truly good place to be; as near to God as possible.