March 18thFive Minutes on Friday 21
LENT
“I imagine Lent for you and for me as a great departure from the greedy, anxious anti-neighborliness of our economy, a great departure from our exclusionary politics that fears the other, a great departure from self-indulgent consumerism that devours creation.” [Walter Brueggemann]
CYRIL OF JERUSALEM – March 18
Cyril of Jerusalem lived in the fourth century. His gift to the church was his refusal to separate good doctrine from good living, insisting that orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxis (right living) must be married. He was accused of selling some gifts from the Emperor and giving the money to the poor. Cyril was condemned and forced into exile. He died at age 70 in 386 A.D. Of his thirty-five years as a bishop, nearly sixteen were spent in exile.
UKRAINE
“No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel,
can avail against the Lord.
The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.”
Proverbs 21:30-31
As I write these lines we are three weeks into the Russian invasion into Ukraine. Thus far the war has been filled with surprise and unpredictability. Thus far Ukrainian resistance has been tougher, stiffer, and more resilient than expected. Thus far the Russian military (with its fragile supply lines) has been less effective than expected. Thus far world opinion in rejecting the invasion (including protests in Russia, restraint in China, and ambiguity in fascist Hungary) has been more nearly unanimous and vigorous than had been expected. Of course no one knows the outcome of the war, and events will surely evolve and surprise before hostilities cease or intensify.
Let us continue to pray for peace, for resilience, and for safety for people living in the affected regions. Lord, have mercy!
STORIES
“A people are as healthy and confident as the stories they tell themselves. Sick storytellers can make nations sick.
Without stories we would go mad.
Life would lose it’s moorings or orientation... Stories can conquer fear, you know. They can make the heart larger.” [Ben Okri]
SUNDAY – John 10.1-10
‘I AM the Gate.’ This metaphor again conjures up images of exclusivism but again I invite you to remember that John is writing to a community of faith under siege to comfort and strengthen them. He is reminding them that it is through Jesus that they gain entry into the beloved flock of God and gain access to the abundant life intended by the Creator.
We might ask ourselves if we have ever played the part of hirelings by shutting the church doors against those seeking abundant life. The Gospel reminds us that Jesus, the Gate always has the welcome mat out!
For Reflection:
Who and what are the thieves, bandits, strangers, and wolves that threaten you as a fold/church?
What sort of "abundant life" does this "beautiful" shepherd bring to the life of your church?
PRAYER
The
shepherd
knows his sheep.
They trust his gentle voice,
and he calls them each by name.
O Christ,
we cry out to you: please shepherd us now.
We long to hear you call our names,
to heed your gentle voice,
to follow you out of
this sick world
to a safe
place.
Walk ahead of us and we will follow.
Let us offer to one another
your abounding life
and love.
[Anne M. Osdieck]