Blog – Page 4 – The Pulpiteer

April 8, 2016

Breathing and Forgiving?

This past Sunday I preached from John 20:19-31, and one of the things that often happens is the passage contains several powerful points that cannot all be included in a single sermon. So I thought I’d blog about one aspect that went a different direction than the sermon did this week. When Jesus first encounters the disciples in John 20, he breathes on them and tells them to receive the Holy Spirit.
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’” John 20:21-23

Within these three verses we have some strange things going on: Jesus breathing on the disciples and then Jesus telling them they have authority over forgiveness of sins. The first part about breathing on the disciples is weird and the second part suggesting that the disciples (and church?) have any say in forgiveness is offensive to our sensibilities. What is going on here?
Continue reading “Breathing and Forgiving?”

March 26, 2016March 19, 2016

Why do you baptize people on Holy Saturday?

During Holy week we have a very special worship service on Holy Saturday called the Easter Vigil where people are baptized and others join the church. It is the evening before Easter Day and in the service is the very first proclamation of Easter. Why do we do this service and why do we baptize on that day?

Vigil comes from the Latin word, vigilia, which means “wakefulness” and is a time when people stay awake through the night to anticipate or prepare for what is coming the next day. Perhaps you have heard of or seen a candle light vigil, where people gather carrying candles after sunset in order to support a cause. In the same sense, a vigil in the church is a gather of the church in order to prepare for a specific event. In this case, it is the gathering of the faithful to prepare for the celebration of the Resurrection at Easter. The tradition of the Easter Vigil is an ancient one. I have read writings from Easter vigil traditions in the 5th Century (400’s A.D.) and it is a powerful time of worship and celebration of the work of Christ. Continue reading “Why do you baptize people on Holy Saturday?”

March 24, 2016March 19, 2016

Why do you wash feet on Thursday?

On Maundy Thursday this year, we will have a foot washing service following our Agape meal. Foot washing has not been a practice in our culture and is not only foreign to us, but uncomfortable. Why do we do it then?

The most straight forward reason for having a foot washing service is that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples on the Thursday before he was crucified. He did this in order to demonstrate to them that they ought to serve one another as he served them. Washing another’s feet was a menial task given only to servants. It was for those in the lower class. It was unthinkable for Jesus, the teacher, to do this to his followers. They were shocked. Peter wanted to stop him from doing it. Yet Jesus washed their feet. As disciples who follow Jesus, various Christian traditions have ceremonially followed Jesus’ amazing servant actions and washed feet themselves. Continue reading “Why do you wash feet on Thursday?”

March 23, 2016March 19, 2016

Why do you wear a robe?

During the seasons of Advent and Lent, I wear a robe when I am leading worship services. The robe is referred to as an ‘alb,’ and the one I wear is flax colored. Wearing the alb sets apart these seasons as different during the year and draws attention to the fact that Advent and Lent are a different time. They are set apart. This is why I wear a robe.

The alb also covers up my clothes. It is a simple garment as well, and with these two aspects it is symbolic of humility. This aspect is important to me especially during the times of Advent and Lent as they are periods of fasting and repentance. I appreciate the seasonal focus on my own need for repentance and forgiveness. I appreciate the opportunity to be shaped by the humility of our savior. The robe reminds me of these things. That is why I wear a robe. Continue reading “Why do you wear a robe?”

March 20, 2016March 19, 2016

Why do I fast?

Lent is traditionally a time of prayer and fasting for many in the Christian tradition, especially those who follow any sort of liturgical calendar.

What is fasting?
Fasting normally refers to the practice of not eating, or at least of not eating some foods for a period of time. Fasting can refer to eating nothing at all, or not eating meat, dairy, and eggs. Protestants have more recently eaten according to the “Daniel Plan” which is a diet of sorts taken from the book of Daniel. This can be fasting if done for spiritual growth purposes. Other times people will extend the term “fasting” to include non-food items, such as fasting from social media or television. This sort of “fasting” can be an opportunity to turn from something and towards God. Continue reading “Why do I fast?”

March 17, 2016March 19, 2016

Remembering St. Patrick

It’s the Feast Day of Saint Patrick, one of the Church’s great evangelists and missionaries, which we in the States of course celebrate by pinching each other and getting drunk. I really appreciate the work of God through Saint Patrick and find his missionary work increasingly relevant in our post-Christian culture. How do we reach and engage folks outside the faith and how do we reach them where they are? Patrick was not even Irish, but actually kidnapped by the Irish when he was young. After escaping his slavery, he eventually returned to those very people in order to share Christ with them. It is an amazing story and demonstration of the grace of God.

I was reading a bit from one of my church history books about this time period, and learned that this movement in Ireland became so large, the Irish then sent missionaries to other countries, most notably, Scotland. There was a well known missionary named Columba who settled in Iona and eventually a monastery was founded there that became a crucial center of missions to Scotland.

It’s amazing what God has done through faithful people and today we remember one of them, Patrick of Ireland.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Here are some other posts on Saint Patrick I have written:

This one features the well known prayer attributed to Saint Patrick.

This one features one of my favorite stories of Saint Patrick’s fearlessness in his faith.