21st Century John the Baptist

If I were about to open a sermon in a Pentecostal gathering, I would simply say.  “I’m not here to give you something to shout and dance about, but rather to think about.”  Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that as a child of God, especially one that names the name of Christ as Savior and Lord that it is our duty to tell others not only about how he’s saved us (Episcopalians prefer the term redeemed), but that in fact, he is coming again.  We do this corporately during the Memorial Acclamation before communion.  “We remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, we await his coming in glory.”

Both the births of John the Baptist and his, carpenter turned self-proclaimed rabbi cousin are miraculous events that run parallel with the other.  John the Baptist, whose name means gracious gift of Jehovah was born to elderly parents who were beyond child bearing years.  In fact Zechariah, John’s father was struck dumb by the angel Gabriel because of his unbelief in the promise of God.  Then Jesus’ story, considered unbelievable and a farce to some and centerpiece of faith and religion to others challenges our every notion of why a supreme deity would undergo human incarnation, come and dwell among the meek and lowly and be the ultimate scapegoat of salvation for humanity.  I know it’s crazy, but I’m crazy enough to believe and share that story of my faith.

John the Baptist was a few months older than Jesus.  Nothing much is made known to us about the relationship that they had as cousins.  We do know that as adults they knew each other, after all John baptized Jesus in the Jordan.  We can tell that by his conversation with his cousin in the waters of the Jordan, that John knew Jesus, more deeply and prolifically beyond the familial bond of second or third cousins.  He knew that Jesus was the God that he had preached about.  He knew that it was in the name of Jesus that he baptized many into repentance.  

Have you thought about the fact that you are a 21^st Century John the Baptist?  Just as John the Baptist preached and made believers of Jesus before his earthly ministry began, we too have been charged by Jesus with the great commission to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”  Now we don’t have to walk around the Judean countryside, hide out in the wilderness and eat locusts and honey as John did.  However, it is incumbent upon us to share the focal points of John’s message with society prepare yourselves, clean your hearts and receive the salvation of the Lord.  

As a 21^st Century John the Baptist, we don’t have to worry about being beheaded for speaking out against the injustices of society.  Sometimes talking about and sharing our faith is not easy, but Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites make it much more convenient for us to do it with a larger audience and an even great impact than John the Baptist may have had.  Make sure that in this holy season of Advent, that you share the testimony of Jesus in your life be it in word or deed.  You are now the embodiment of the voice that cries out in the wilderness and chaos of your life. “Prepare the way, O Zion, your Christ is drawing near!”  You are the agent of God that will remind his people that as Father Bill Bennett reminded the parishioners of Good Shepherd Raleigh “We are loved by that which is above and beyond us.”

Peace,
Karsten

Proud Mary?

I must admit that every time I hear the name Mary, I automatically think about Ike and Tina Turner and the Ikettes and their energetic version of “Proud Mary.”  Which, during its peak on the charts, was the equivalence of the Beyonce “Crazy in Love” tour.  I must admit that there are several Marys (Mariahs, Marías, Miriams) and other forms in my life, from my late grandmother, the Chair on the Commission on Ministry for the Diaconate in my diocese, and the registrar at my school.  Let’s not forget that here in the South, double names are a must, so I have had my fair share of encounters with Mary (so-and-so).  

But as I sat in chapel on Friday, the Chaplain retold the story of when the angel Gabriel came to visit the Virgin Mary.  Mary’s world was turned upside down in a matter of minutes, beginning with Gabriel’s “Fear not” greeting.  Mary discovered that she would be the bearer of salvation for all humanity.  Gabriel told Mary a series of things.  You are highly favored, you will have son, you will name him Jesus, he will be great and called the Son of the Most High.  I’m sure at this point that Mary was just a confused and bewildered bundle of nerves.  As is the case in both the modern and ancient worlds, virgins don’t have babies!  Gabriel told her that the power of the Most High will overshadow her in order that this should occur.  Gabriel also tells Mary of her cousin/aunt Elizabeth, the one said to be barren who conceived in her old age.  Gabriel’s parting words to Mary were “For nothing will be impossible with God.”  Mary immediately went to Judea to find her cousin Elizabeth.  This was a very joyful reunion, in which Mary told Elizabeth the things that were to come to pass in her life.  

Proud Mary Keep on rolling?  I don’t think so.  Mary was a young, unmarried, teenager.  There was nothing prideful about this news that Mary just received.  In her time, Joseph, her fiancé would have been well within his right and Hebrew law to have her executed.  But in her most holy faith, she told the angel Gabriel “Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”  Advent is a time of expectancy.  At this time you are the bearer of something in your womb that God has promised you.  It may not be fame or riches, it could simply be temperance and a meek spirit, a little more faith for the journey.  Chaplain Bonner-Stewart reminded us on Friday that every Mary needs an Elizabeth, and every Harry Potter needs a Dumbledore, to walk with us on the journey, to encourage us when we’re vulnerable and strengthen us when we’re weak.

Beloved, “For nothing will be impossible with God.”  Let us boldly profess with the Virgin Mary and all the company of heaven “Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”  Then go find your Elizabeth or Dumbledore, whether they be local, or a day’s journey away and share with them the goodness of Jesus and all that he’s doing in,through and with you.  Saying yes to God is not easy, but his grace is sufficient.  “Proud Mary, Keep on Rolling!”

Peace,
Karsten

The Peace of the Lord be always with you...

I must admit that a lot of things pop up in my Twitter news feed.  Some things are worth a half thought, some things are quickly skimmed over dismissively, and then there are times where I have my “Oh that’s some real talk” moments.  Over a week ago, there was a tweet that popped up from a follower in Atlanta.  The tweet basically convicted me.  The tweet simply said “Make sure to intercede for the person on your left and right in church today, everyone is going through something even though it may not appear so on the outside.”  Sweet Baby Jesus!  Now comes my guilt.  When was the last time that you honestly and fervently prayed or interceded for someone?

In the Episcopal Church, there’s not much mention of interceding or making intercessions, except for during the Prayers of the People, at which time we pray for the universal church, the world, all bishops and ministers, national and local politicians, local parish clergy and staff, our family, neighbors and friends.  Perfect!  Not only have we interceded, but we’ve done so corporately as one body saying the same thing at the same time.  If we’re not careful, we can fall into the practice of just going through the motions in order to rush through the ceremonial rite.

In most churches, regardless of denomination, there is some type of love fellowship or meet, greet, shake hands and hug.  In the Episcopal Church, this is normally when we pass the peace after we’ve prayed for forgiveness of our sins before receiving communion.  At church most people look and seem to have it all together.  We put on our masks and save face as we greet our fellow congregants before we are sent out into the world to love and serve the Lord.  Truthfully, people are hurting in ways that we are completely unaware.  During this time of year, people may be plagued with memories of deceased loved ones, suffering from loneliness or on the brink of separation and divorce.  Financial distress may be setting in as someone may have to choose between paying a bill that’s due or feeding their family.  There are some that may be overly stressed out by this chaotic and overly commercialized holiday season and not fully resting in God’s presence. 

The next time you’re in church and pass the peace, remember to pray for everyone that you’ve “peaced.”  It doesn’t have to be a long, eloquent invocation.  It can be as simple as “Lord, meet them at their need, bless and keep them.”  Your prayers make the difference.  I did this last week at church.   After all, Jesus prayed for us during his final hours as a free man before his arrest, trial and execution (John 17).  Imagine a church that would intercede during the peace.  Beloveds, this can happen!  But it will have to start with us.

The Peace of the Lord be Always with YOU!
Karsten

Childlike faith

“I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.”  It’s awesome to watch the magic of Christmas unfold in the eyes of children.  It’s also entertaining to watch adults be driven by the insanity, and madness of two months of commercialism which now begins before Halloween, leaving the church in an awkward position to hastily acknowledge the fast-paced period between Thanksgiving and Christmas known as Advent. 

Advent and Christmas have always been my absolute favorite times of the year.  For me, these seasons connect me to my childhood in a very meaningful way.  I have opportunities to reflect on the memories of some who are no longer with me but carried in my heart and thoughts daily.  This past summer I did something at church that I typically shy away from, I worked with the children’s ministry and taught Vacation Bible School, with the intention of trying to diversify my spiritual gifts at my internship site.  I absolutely loved every minute of it.  Although the children left me drained on most days, I learned so much from them as I watched them learn and play.  Yes, there were tantrums, squabbles, tattling and that brutal childhood honesty that keeps most adults on their feet.  Children play with each other, love each other, and are quick to forgive each other while not judging their peers in ways that we as adults, jaded by time and experiences of life cannot, or choose not to adhere to.

I rarely hear children talking about politics, someone’s curriculum vitae, socioeconomic strata or aging parents.  There may be tears, falls and stumbles along the way, but the majority of times, a child’s heart, is filled with laughter knowing that everything around them will be okay.  The intellectual curiosity of children at times is insatiable.  Jesus encourages us to have childlike faith.  During these moments of holiday mayhem, take time to “Steal away to Jesus.”  Embrace your inner child.  Play, laugh, love and forgive without hesitation or regard of consequence.  In these times, the Holy Spirit may reveal a hidden mystery to you, because you are positioned to receive it through your childlike faith.

Peace,
Karsten

Name it and claim it...

“Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.”  Yeah, so I have a confession.  I grew up in the Baptist Church and have spent the majority of my adulthood serving and working in the Baptist Church.  I can hear my grandfather now.  “I was Baptist born and Baptist bred and when I die, I’ll be Baptist dead.”  Before I became an episcopalian, it was interesting watching my small, country Baptist church that sat on the edge of town morph into a mega church filled from the ceiling to balcony and main floor with people spread from wall to wall into that worship space.  

Since I’ve moved onwards through confirmation and began the soul seeking process for what ordination might look like for me, my former church has moved into a massive 3,000 seat edifice and currently runs multiple Sunday worship services and weekly bible studies.  I’m not bashing mega-churches.  I think that they are great.  I just prefer to worship in a smaller, more intimate space, where my pastor knows me and I can call them without having to go through a bunch of deacons, armor bearers and altar counselors. 

One thing that has been ingrained on me from the Baptist Church is the “Name it and claim it” theology.  In the eighth chapter of Matthew we see an example of this “name it and claim it” faith in action, with the story of the healing of the servant of Jairus, a Roman centurion.  Jairus’ servant fell sick and he asked Jesus to help him.  Without thinking, Jesus said “I’ll go heal him.”  The kicker is Jairus’ response.  “Lord, I do not deserve that you come under my roof.  But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”  Now this is the type of faith that even caught Jesus off guard.  Jesus commended Jairus for his faith, which Jesus had not found in all of Isreal.  Without even going to Jairus’ home, Jesus healed his servant and affirmed Jairus by saying “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.”  

During this advent season, as some of us are naming and claiming what we want on our Christmas lists, even though it’s Jesus’ birthday, let us be ever mindful that we, like Jairus are not worthy for Jesus to come under the roof of our hearts, which are simultaneously filled with love for God, peace, anger, wretchedness and bitterness.  Our salvation and adoption into the group home of faith have made us worthy.  Worthy to stand before the King of kings and be presented faultless and blameless with great joy.  Even though our record convicts us, God, through his mercy acquits us.  Our sins have been expunged by the blood of Jesus.  What miracle are you believing God for?  A restored relationship?  A closer walk with the lover of souls?  Peace in your mind?  Healing for your body?  If God through Jesus did it for Jairus, he will certainly do it for us, his beloved.

Peace,
Karsten