What did you go out into the wilderness to see?

Matthew 11:1-15 with commentary for three readers.

First and Third Reader share the scripture (CEB), the Second Reader offers commentary. Prepared for the TUMC 2023 church retreat at Silver Lake Mennonite Camp.

First Reader:

When Jesus finished teaching his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
² Now when John heard in prison about the things the Christ was doing, he sent word by his disciples to Jesus, asking, ³ “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”

Second Reader:

Was I right? Are you the promise of the true reign of God – or not? My life’s work was to find the one that God chose for the rescue of the world. From this prison cell, the only thing I can do now it ask – is it you?

Third Reader:

⁴ Jesus responded, “Go, report to John what you hear and see. ⁵ Those who were blind are able to see. Those who were crippled are walking. People with skin diseases are cleansed. Those who were deaf now hear. Those who were dead are raised up. The poor have good news proclaimed to them. ⁶ Happy are those who don’t stumble and fall because of me.”

First Reader:

⁷ When John’s disciples had gone, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John: “What did you go out to the wilderness to see? A stalk blowing in the wind? ⁸ What did you go out to see? A man dressed up in refined clothes? Look, those who wear refined clothes are in royal palaces. ⁹ What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ He is the one of whom it is written: Look, I’m sending my messenger before you, who will prepare your way before you.

Second Reader:

I asked Jesus to tell me who he is. He responds by telling people who I am. I tried to live my life in service to the people, responding to the call of God. How have you responded to God’s mission through your life and work? Where has the wild Spirit brought you?

Third Reader:

¹¹ “I assure you that no one who has ever been born is greater than John the Baptist. Yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven is violently attacked as violent people seize it. ¹³ All the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came. ¹⁴ If you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. ¹⁵ Let the person who has ears, hear.

Second Reader:

So now the question is – who are you? Why did you come to this place? Who are you following, and who are you seeking? Let the person who has ears, hear.

Sacred Animal Stories

An online meditation and sharing workshop.

• Developed 2020 06 11 for The Chaplain Is In series
  
• Adapted 2020 08 11 for Rendez-Vous

As people enter, invite them to put their name and location in the chat, naming the Indigenous territories they call home. As people arrive I offer a few notes of what to expect – a meditation, a story, and then space to share stories on the theme of wisdom, sacred lessons, relationship or assistance from animals to humans, either from a tradition (spiritual, religious, cultural or secular), or personal experience.

Advent II Bearing Light: Shiprah & Puah, Peace

2019 12 08 Toronto United Mennonite Church
Bearing Light: Shiprah & Puah

Advent II (Peace) introducing ‘Bearing Light: Women in Scripture’ series. Children’s Time and Sermon.
Exodus 1: Midwives foil Pharaoh’s genocidal plan
Lectionary – Isaiah 11:1-9: A ruler with the spirit of Wisdom shall come to transform the world into God’s peaceable kingdom.
Matt 3:1-6: People from all Jerusalem and Judea come to hear from John the Baptist

Christ the King: You Just Want to Destroy Traditional Monarchy

2019 11 24 Metropolitan United Church
Christ the King Sunday: You Just Want to Destroy Traditional Monarchy

Lectionary texts: Jeremiah 23:1-6: God will raise up a good shepherds and a righteous king
Colossians 1:11-20: Christ the firstborn of all creation, in whom all things hold together.
Luke 23:33-43: Jesus is Crucified under a sign that names him as King of the Jews.

The last week has been a challenge to carefully ration my consumption of the Netflix show The Crown which explores the 20th century through a dramatized telling of the trials and tribulations of the Royal Family. Since this Sunday is set aside in our Church Calendar to explore ‘Christ the King’ or ‘The Reign of Christ’ I decided that it would be permissible to watch an episode of the new season as research on monarchy. The third season covers the years 1964 – 1977, long before my birth, but offers me some perspective on the stories of my family, the lives of my parents, and the events that they lived through.

I don’t know that I got much insight into what it means for us to name Jesus as King. Are we saying that Jesus is like a king? What aspects of kingship are we claiming for him? Or is it more that we want to relate to Jesus as subjects? Or is it a more direct political statement – Jesus is King in a way that replaces, or challenges, earthy rulers? That is certainly how King Herod understood it. More significantly – what does this mean for us, for our work for justice and peace?