Mensch Mill Retreat

"As often as possible Jesus would withdraw to out of the way places for prayer."
--Luke 5:16, "The Message"

It is interesting to note that this passage from Luke (above) comes almost immediately after the story of Jesus leading Simon Peter to the "deeper waters," resulting in the Galilean fisherman and his colleagues
beginning their journeys of discipleship. This is Luke's way of saying that "time away" for prayer and discernment will always be an essential part of our lives as followers of Jesus.

Our retreat at Mensch Mill was an important time "away"for us prior to Pentecost Sunday. We:
-- were deeply blessed by the opportunity to be together
-- dedicated particular time to reflection and prayer and journaling as we approach Confirmation
-- continued to raise thoughtful questions and to share perspectives from our experiences "on the Way"
-- appreciated what is truly special about each of you
-- listened anew for the voice of the Lord speaking to us (Tim Wampler's example on Sunday was a powerful one!), opening ourselves to the movement of God's Spirit (this is discernment)
-- looked back at the way that we have come and anticipated God's leading for the future
-- had fun, ate bountiful meals, rolled down hills;
-- were in a wonderful place where many generations of disciples have gathered on retreat.

Immersion in the story of Jesus' baptism had us considering once again our own identities as (1) a child of God (2) deeply loved by God (3) God's pleasure (in the fulfillment of our life).

Some of the wisdom gleaned from what you shared:
-The best teachers are those who are continually learning (particularly when "fishing for people"). As followers of Jesus, we continue to grow throughout all of our lives.
-The best things can come when we don't expect them. God calls us, and acts in our lives, when we're not anticipating it. God surprises us!
-Faith is "not giving up." Amen!
-God's gracious love is always given, in all circumstances (forgiveness)
-Jesus enables us to see everything from a "whole new level," a different point of view. Disciples learn to see the world, others, and even themselves, with the "eyes of Jesus."
-the gospel is made real in our life with others. We don't just talk about the "good news;" it's what we do!
-It is our mission to be the change we want to see in the world.
-Every day will include acts of kindness and faithfulness.
-Our covenant with God is a relationship with God, initiated by God. God claims us first!
--We said that when we affirm our relationship with God, we are: cherishing that bond; declaring its importance in our lives; responding to God's promises with our own.

Why did Jesus have to die? That was among the questions that members of our class wanted to give more consideration to. Our discussion deserves a post of its own. But consider this: Jesus has made God's love real, in human form. We believe that such love (agape) is the greatest power of all , the saving power. "God is love," the evangelist John has testified. Thus, Jesus shared this love, he was this love, in all circumstances, even unto death. He even loved the people who put him on the cross. Those who took his life wanted to silence his self-giving love, they wanted to stop this movement of God that was including everybody and committed to setting everyone free from every kind of bondage. But nothing--not even violence and death-- could separate us from the love of God made real in Christ Jesus our Lord! And in the resurrection, the love of God triumphed over that violence.
We who share the life of Jesus believe that agape love is indeed stronger than death, and we live in a way that expresses that belief to the fullest. We will work for God's justice and peace even when it is difficult, trusting the Spirit to inspire us and help us.

It was a great blessing to be able to include Mrs. Corl in the retreat. She has always been deeply committed to the young people of our church, and helped me to lead nine Confirmation Retreats in the past. It meant a lot. Thanks to everyone who helped her to feel at home and to navigate all the steps at the Mensch House.

I enjoyed the whole retreat. What was most important for you?

The Community of the Spirit

"All who believed were together and had all things in common . . ." --Acts 2:44

Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-35 describe a community of faith born of, and living in, the power of God's Spirit. We read the text together, then shared the qualities we perceive in the Community of the Spirit:

--worship together
--devoted to prayer
--devoted to learning
--eat together
--distribute possessions as any have need
(no "absolute" private property)
--whole community taken care of
--thankful ( a community that practices gratitude)
--growing
--committed to spreading the good news of God's love everywhere

These were characteristics of "The Way," which was what the early church was called. The Spirit of the Lord inspires and nourishes the community, making growth possible. An apostolic community witnesses to the resurrection power of our God!!

We were then challenged to identify ways in which St. Andrew's Church might be such a community. After a significant period of silence, these were offered:
--we worship together
--we pray and sing
--we share food (The Shared Table was specifically mentioned)
--we express thanksgiving
--we dedicate offerings
--we share joys and concerns
--we share the good news through preaching
--we bring friends (at least, we can!)
--we help others
--we grow in number and expand our ministry

It will be good for us to continue to add to this list, to offer imaginative suggestions, and share where we perceive--and feel--the Spirit of God moving in our community. And where does Christian Education, and lifelong growth in the Spirit, fit in?

On Wednesday evening, we went on to explore and discuss "gifts of the Spirit." We'll continue that exploration Sunday.
At the suggestion of a class member, we sang together the hymn, "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love." An awesome way to conclude our session!

(above: Woodcut, Fellowship of Believers, Artist unknown)

"If you love me, you will keep my commands. And I'll ask the Father, and he'll give you another Advocate (Helper), who'll be with you forever: the Spirit of Truth. The world can't accept the Spirit, because it doesn't perceive the Spirit or know the Spirit. You know the Spirit, because the Spirit is always with you--and the Spirit's going to be in you."
--John 14:15-17

On the last Wednesday in April, we talked about our understandings--and more importantly, our experiences, of the Holy Spirit.
We remembered that the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus "like a dove" at the time of his baptism. It was the Spirit that filled him and led him, first in the wilderness, and then deep into the full-fillment of his identity and ministry.
We also recalled the Easter story, when (on Easter evening) the risen Jesus enters the locked room where the disciples are still hiding in fear. He draws close to them, offers them the his Peace, then breathes on them saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22)."
The Spirit is the breath of God. The creation imagery from Genesis 2:7 has God breathe the breath of life into the human being; it is God's breath that makes the person alive.
Jesus also refers to the Spirit as being like the wind. It blows where God chooses, and though you can't see it with your eyes, you can see the things (and people!) that it moves.
When we are filled with God's Spirit we are inspired, a word that means "breathe into."
The Spirit reveals the image of God in us: it is the Spirit of Imagination!
When Jesus is preparing to physically leave the disciples, he promises that the Spirit will be with them.

In discussing our understandings of the Spirit and how we realize its presence, we said that the Spirit:
--Inspires us to make right choices
--Stokes our imaginations.
--Helps us to be creative.
--Guides us.
--Broadens our view.
--Gives us hope.
--Frees us.
--Bridges distances between us.
--Joins us in Community.
--Comforts us.
--Surrounds us.
--Fills our emptiness.
--Gives us new energy.
--Offers us happiness and satisfaction.

The Spirit is:
--The Spirit of Teaching.
--The Spirit of Learning.
--The Spirit of Forgiveness.
--The Spirit of Generosity.
--The Helper.
--The Comforter.

This is a great start! Let's have each of us share more examples of the ways that the Spirit has done these things in our lives, and what we look forward to.

Resurrection Life

Jesus said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" --John 21:17

Last Wednesday evening we read the story from John 21 where the disciples encounter the risen Jesus on the lakeshore. After a fruitless night of fishing on their own, they make a great catch of fish following Jesus' direction. As they do so, they recognize their Master. No one is more excited than Peter, who still suffers inwardly from having denied Jesus three times after Jesus' arrest.
Jesus prepares breakfast for his beloved followers on
a charcoal fire. We might remember that when Peter denied Jesus three times in the high priest's courtyard, it was as he was warming himself by a charcoal fire. And the large catch of fish also reminds us of Luke Chapter 5, the calling of the first disciples, when Peter and his fishing partners gained a great catch of fish after entering the deep water with Jesus. John is suggesting that memory heralds possibility.
Rather than trying to forget his failure (which Peter can't do even when he tries), Jesus will join Peter in working through the painful history so that he (and they) can begin anew. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him. Peter responds yes three times--and he surely is telling the truth! Yet love didn't keep him from failing before. Jesus reminds Peter that love is something we DO (not just feel). He wants Peter to love Jesus' other "lambs" the way Jesus has loved Peter, to tend to their care, to nourish them spiritually. Loving Jesus means loving God's people!!! Imagine all that Peter will be able to teach others about love!! Peter will have learned from his own experience. Learning (especially from failure) is a big part of discipleship. God's love never fails, so even the painful lessons from our own lives become part of a larger story of fulfillment, community, and the victory of love over death!

The Fulfillment of God's Creative Vision

At the 7:30 am service on Easter morning, we read from the book of the prophet Isaiah, specifically Chapter 65, verses 17-25. We heard divine poetry communicating God's intention for all human life and the world that God so loves; from the very beginning. God promises that, even out of the devastation of human sin and disobedience, God is acting right now to complete the beauty that God began in creation long ago. I am moving among you to create a new earth ( a different, life-giving experience of the world), and it is almost here.
In the "kingdom of God," the "new Jerusalem," that is being revealed:
--Everyone will have a good home
--All will have healthy, nourishing food
--The health of every person will be tended to
--Child mortality will be eliminated
--There will be no more poverty
--Seniors will live to the completion of their days without having to worry about their care
--God's provision will be shared by everyone, as God has always intended
--Work will be enjoyable, and everyone's labor will be valuable to the common good.
--There will be no slave labor, enforced servitude, or working one's fingers to the bone for the endless profits of a master.
--All people will live in dignity, with respect.
--No harm will be done to one another.

When we pray in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," we are praying that God will inspire us to be part of shaping a world like the one described above. What might our contribution(s) be, with God's help, to making God's vision a reality on earth? How will we live, together, towards God's vision? Share some of your thoughts. Be as specific as you can!
On Wednesday night we discussed efforts like Habitat for Humanity, where common people work together so that even those without substantial money and resources can have a good home. We identified unclean water as the greatest source of child mortality in the world, and how, for far less money than is spent on weaponry, people throughout the world can be guaranteed access to clean water. The way is already available. The question is: Will the faith be present to see it through? We talked about the struggle this year over health care planning in the United States. We recognized that, regardless of whether a plan was "Democratic" or "Republican," "conservative" or "liberal," any plan guided by God's vision must include provision for everyone! Take a look again at the principles listed above. What can we do together?
Our Lord Jesus came proclaiming that the kingdom of God is near. His life was a human translation of God's will, a living, breathing, ever-giving expression of God's saving love. From the very beginning of his ministry, he announced good news to the poor, release to captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and the forgiveness of everyone's debts. You heard the story. The forces of power and influence in this world, those who profited from the ways things are, lined up to stop Jesus, to fend off God's loving plan. They used the cross to try to stop him.
But the proclamation of Easter is that no amount of betrayal will kill God's promise. No amount of death will overcome the life of God. No amount of hate will stay God's gracious love. The "former things" will not be allowed to carry God's day. This is the future--by God--and you and I are made to be a part of it!

Resurrection

Resurrection, by Paul Granlund

Father, Forgive Them

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." --Luke 23:34

Even as he is dying on the cross, Jesus cries out a prayer of mercy to God the Father: "Father, forgive them . . ." For whom is he praying? Is it for the soldiers, who are "following orders?" Is it for Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, who gave the order so that he might satisfy the angry crowds and at the same time make sure that no other "king" would challenge Caesar? Is Jesus praying for the religious leaders who wanted him dead so that his message of a gracious God who loves everyone might be silenced? Or is Jesus praying for the ordinary people who first flocked to him but then became upset when he offered love instead of might, community instead of victory?? Or perhaps Jesus is asking mercy for so many of his own disciples who had abandoned or denied him. What do you think?
"They know not what they do." That's what Jesus says. But surely the religious leaders knew what they were doing when they tried to get rid of him! Pilate knew he was sentencing an innocent man, but was willing to do so for political gain. The crowds knew that Jesus was the Lord of love, but they were angry when they didn't get what they wanted from him, and sought to punish him for it. The soldiers knew they were nailing a defenseless man. And the disciples surely knew they were leaving Jesus alone, even if they were scared.
Sometimes we mistake "forgiving" for "excusing." We think that when someone is forgiven, its like letting them off the hook for something wrong. But that's not it! In the Christian Scriptures, forgiveness means (1) removing barriers (2) loosening bonds (3) laying down burdens (4) setting people free (5) giving gifts regardless of merit. When Jesus prays, "Father, forgive them," he prays that God's love will transform them even after they have done terrible things. He doesn't want even the worst sin to be a barrier from God's loving presence and inspiration. He wants people set free from their fear and their hatred, because hating and being afraid are like being in jail, and they lead to us hurting other people. He wants people to learn that even when they're angry they don't need to hurt or punish other people. He wants those who have made mistakes, even really bad mistakes, to get a new start with God. He doesn't want his disciples forever stuck in the shame of failing Jesus. He wants the soldiers, who can tell right from wrong, orders or not, to have God become their ultimate authority. When Jesus says "they don't know what they're doing," he means that they don't really know why they are doing what they are doing! And they haven't yet learned another way.
But Jesus, in his intimate prayer to the Father, shows everyone that this is how God is; this is who God is! And since we are all made in God's image, Jesus wants us to live in God's image. My friend Jim McGinnis (who started TAP) used to say: In the face of escalating violence, escalate love! That's what Jesus does, and in doing so he exposes what is wrong and takes away every excuse for it ( Responding to wrong with wrong will never make a right). At the same time he shows us clearly what is right and true. And he offers hope for a very different future, because God is committed to a future of love and peace, no matter how much forgiveness it takes. And he's going to include us in that future.
The artwork above is entitled, "Father, Forgive Us," by James B. Janknegt. It speaks to our lives, and God's for-giving love in them.

He Loved Them to the End

"Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." --John 13:1

Life with Jesus was life immersed in the gracious love of God: Embracing, drenching, challenging, shocking, thrilling, strong yet tender love; destabilizing them in one way while deeply rooting them in another; moment by moment love, decision by decision love, coming their way; life-changing, transforming agape love--the kind that asks nothing in return.
When Jesus gathers with his disciples for the Passover, he knows that "his hour has come," the time he has been preparing them for is here. And how do the twelve arrive? Hopelessly wrongheaded, it would seem, their heads full of assumptions about their own privilege in God's emerging kingdom, bickering with each other over what positions each will hold in the new administration, blissfully deaf to the passion of his sharing. Later in the evening, as Jesus pours out heart and soul to the Father in prayer, the ones who share life with him fall asleep. But they are not hopeless . . .
Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. Jesus sees them quite differently than they outwardly present themselves. He knows them, and it is his commitment that they will someday know themselves as well, and as lovingly, as he knows them.
He gets down and washes their feet. Each one of them. And he beckons them to learn how to do the same for one another. John says that Jesus washes the disciples feet "knowing that he had come from God and was going to God." In other words, the humble footwashing is a deep expression of God.
The word translated "end" is telos in the NT Greek, indicating completion, fulfillment, wholeness. Jesus loved them to completion, loved them to fullness, loved them wholly.
Jesus loves us all. He loves us to the end of our misconceptions; he loves us not just in our stubborn illusions, but to the end of them; to the ends of our inattention and sleepiness, to the end of every betrayal and denial, to the end of every barrier--and beyond! He loves us into the wonder of our true, God-made, Spirit-inspired selves. God loves us beyond every end . . . to the new beginning, to new life in the risen Christ. He loves us this way,and shows us how to do the same with one another. Because such love is the defining characteristic of believers.

The Importance of the Wilderness Journey

Immediately following his baptism-- where Jesus received the names "Son," "Beloved," and "God's Pleasure"-- the Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness, where Jesus dwelt for forty days.
It was a time of clarification. The names he was given are wonderful, but what would they mean?In other words, what kind of person would Jesus really be?
In the wilderness he was emptied; he had nothing that he was used to relying on, other than God's loving power. After forty days without food Jesus was "famished" ( a great word meaning "really, really hungry!"--ask people who did the Thirty Hour Famine what it was like after only 24 hours). The story is asking us to consider what the different ways are that we are nourished in our lives: with food, obviously; but what about with love; knowledge; life experience; friendship; encouragement; community; purpose; direction; the promises of God? Isn't each of those things critical to our well-being and growth? What else can you think of?
In the story, a character called "the devil" embodies the ways that Jesus will be tempted to deny who he truly is. First of all, Jesus is challenged to prove himself. "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." Have you ever been challenged to "prove yourself" in some way? Jesus refuses: When we know who we are, we don't need to prove ourselves to other people; we just need to be who God made us to be! On top of that, why would Jesus waste time trying to turn stone into bread? You and I couldn't turn stone into bread any more than he did, because God never intended us to. We can, however, be the people of integrity that Jesus shows us how to be. We don't just live for ourselves. When Jesus quotes the Book of Deuteronomy (8:3), "Man does not live by bread alone," it is a way of remembering that God sustained the people of Israel by providing manna in the wilderness.
In the second temptation, the Tempter offers to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and authority over them, if Jesus will only worship him. But the world doesn't belong to anyone but God! Such authority is not the tempter's to give. God never meant us to control the world and have authority over it. When we worship God, we live humbly, empowered by the Spirit to love as Jesus has loved. Other people are our brothers and sisters, not objects to dominate so we can get what we want. And God gives the world's resources so that all God's children may have enough to meet their need (but not our greed!). We learn ways of dedicating and sharing blessings so that all may have daily bread. We serve only God.
In the last temptation, Jesus is challenged to demonstrate his invulnerability. But God made us to be vulnerable; it is in our blessed but fragile humanity that we love the best and look out for the common good.
The one picture above represents the kinds of things that might tempt us in our lives: power, riches, desire, applause. But they are false blessings. When we make our lives about those things, we lose sight of the blessings that are most precious and God-given. When we join Jesus in his integrity, we realize the great blessings of love,self-giving, knowledge, divine purpose, direction, community, friendship, encouragement, interdependence, wholeness, among others.
Jesus helps us to realize that we are God's children; that we are beloved; and that communion with us is God's delight. And we don't need to prove any of those things. Be-ing is blessing enough. When we are "emptied" of some of life's illusions, we get to celebrate the best of what is God-given.

What Can You Tell Me About Heaven?

Last week I asked class members to tell me everything I need to know about heaven. There were many contributions:

1) Some folks talked about heaven as a place
--"The place where God and Jesus are"
--"place of exquisite beauty"
--"good place"
--"where your soul goes when you die"
--"the home of righteousness"
--"up"
2) It was suggested that heaven is a place of healing
--"Where people who are in pain go"
--"peace and harmony"
3) Images of heaven were offered
--"in the clouds"
--"angels with halos"
--"Golden gateways and angels"
-- "light, feathery, calm"
-- "everything we can imagine"
--"wars in heaven?"
4) Heaven as a Relationship
--"When you develop a stronger relationship with God"
--"eternal life"
5) "There will be a day when heaven and earth combine"
6) "You don't have to be dead to go to heaven"
7) "have to be accepted"
Some people said they had heard descriptions of "near death" experiences, where people reported seeing a bright light.
Some questions were included for inquiry: How old will we be in heaven? Who is there? Are pets included? Will we have new bodies? Spirits? Is it real?

Some of these images and concepts have roots in the Bible. Others are popular images. It will be interesting for us to explore what the stories of Jesus reveal!

Entering the Deeper Waters

The beautiful artwork above is an image of Jacopo Bassano's The Miraculous Draught of Fishes, completed in 1545. It recalls the gospel scene from Luke 5:1-11 which we discussed in our class last week.
Very early in his ministry, Jesus is being followed by a large crowd of people eager to hear the word of God. While he is standing on the lakeshore, the people press in on him so much that he climbs into one of the fishing boats there by the shore, which is empty because the fishermen are cleaning their nets after finishing work. This particular boat belongs to Simon. Jesus beckons Simon and asks him maneuver the boat away from the shore; Jesus then sits down and teaches the crowd from the boat. When he is finished he turns again to Simon, and directs him to "put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." The fisherman protests that they have been fishing all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, he will do as Jesus asks. Simon and his fishing partner (likely his brother Andrew) catch so many fish that their nets begin to break! They signal to their companions in the other boat, James and John, to join them in the deeper waters and help to receive the catch. Bassano's painting captures an overwhelmed Simon (now referred to as "Simon Peter ") kneeling before Jesus exclaiming, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" Jesus however, does not leave, instead directing Simon not be afraid, for from now on he will be "catching people." When the fishermen come to shore, they "left everything and followed him."
In Luke's gospel, this is the calling of Jesus' first disciples. Notice that at the beginning, he is preaching the word to everyone who wants to listen. But then he calls Simon in a very particular way, asking him to serve and to take risks on behalf of the good news.
(1) Every week we hear the Word of God preached. But what comes next? How does God's word speak specifically to you? And how do you respond as a disciple?
(2) Jesus calls Simon to venture into the "deep water." How will you and I explore the "deeper waters" of faith? What kinds of questions do you have that will require deeper study and thought? In what ways do you think Jesus is calling you to risk new experiences in serving him?
(3) Simon Peter confesses his sin, but that in no way disqualifies him in Jesus' eyes. Jesus will now teach him how to "catch people." What do you think Jesus means by that? How does he take talents we already have and show us how to use them in news ways, so that we can glorify God? Is this different from "work?"
At this point in the Confirmation Journey, we are entering deeper waters of growth and discipleship. With the twelve of you, this is a great blessing!

Growing With Jesus

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor."

--Luke 2:52

(This is a reflection from the 2007-08 Confirmation Class)

Tucked at the end of the second chapter of Luke's gospel, extending from the narrative of Jesus' birth, is the one account we have of Jesus growing from a child into an adult. He is twelve years old and accompanies his family on the yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. When the family returns home toward Nazareth in the north, Jesus stays in Jerusalem. Realizing his absence, his frantic parents return to the holy city and--after searching three days--they discover Jesus sitting among the teachers, "listening and asking them questions." "And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers." The anxious Mary and Joseph overflow with angry emotion (and a great deal of relief). The young Jesus responds that it shouldn't have been such a puzzle: Don't they know that he needs to be in this place of spiritual nurture ? That he is a part of God's family? His parents don't understand what he means at first, but Mary later treasures the depth of the journey and the life of her son that is unfolding.
The Jesus of Luke 2:41-52 is roughly Confirmation-age. I asked the members of the 2008 Class: What are some of ways you want to grow with Jesus? Their responses were thoughtful and sensitive: "to grow in kindness and generosity, like Jesus;" "learning to do the right thing, especially when its hard to do;" maturing in their ability to be "helpful and cooperative" with other people; to "become wiser," which will require ongoing learning.
One said that she wanted to follow Jesus the best way that she could, to learn to be like him as much as possible, but that it is hard sometimes because he is "perfect" and we are not. Giving voice to this joy and struggle of discipleship was an important contribution for her to make and provided that class with a wonderful opportunity.
We acknowledged that "perfection," in our understanding, usually means "flawless" or "unattainable." But I was able to tell the young people that the Greek word translated "perfect" in the New Testament is teleois; it means "whole" or "complete," rather than flawless. The life of Jesus offers the promise of "wholeness" and the experience of "completion," even when we have experienced brokenness in our lives.. Jesus is "fully human," and we are called to the fulfillment of our God-given humanity, in all its wonder and difficulty. The light of Jesus can illuminate wonders in our lives that we have been unaware of or have paid little attention to, and our ongoing growth throughout life becomes the promise of God full-filled!
One of the class members said that flawlessness is "not a good thing," because we "learn from our mistakes." Wow! No mistakes could equal no learning. There's some insight! Flawlessness might even be boring. (That brought an "Amen!" from the pastor). When you think of our lives as an artistic endeavor (we are God's artwork, and in a creative partnership with God) sometimes the things you didn't plan are the most interesting.
In that regard, another member of the class volunteered that she didn't see Jesus as "perfect." A "perfect" person, she thought, would be happy all of the time and would please others. The Jesus of the gospels doesn't fit the bill in either case. We even noted his troubled payer in the garden of Gethsemane. But we were able to contrast worldly notions of "perfection" with the wholeness of Jesus' life and the movement of God's ever-creative Spirit. The Jesus of the gospels does not seek to please people, but is authentic and available; he not only opens up his own humanity vulnerably to share, but he eagerly makes space to receive the humanity fo others. He is fully himself to the end, even death on the cross. Jesus lives the life of agape love completely, and makes it available to us.
I marvel and rejoice on these Wednesday evenings when the teacher becomes the student, and vice-versa. The young folks ask great questions, and move me with their understanding and inspiration. But why not? Don't I realize that they need to be in this place of spiritual nurture?
And that as they grow with Jesus, in that wisdom that God intends, they are gracious enough to invite me along. I treasure that.

The Poetry of Jesus' Coming

FIRST COMING

He did not wait till the world was ready
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait

until hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh,
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait until the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

---Madeleine L'Engle

How does L'Engle's poem give expression to the meaning of Christmas? Are there verses that hold particular meaning for you?

Her poem has several direct references to the poetry of John 1:1-18 that we read in class. Which ones do you see?

We said that Jesus shows us who God is. What does this poem say about our God?