Look! He is Coming

Preparing for guests takes time. We want to put our best foot forward, to make a good impression and want guests to have a good time so that they will come again. At times we are anxious because it has been awhile since we have seen that special person, we have butterflies in our stomach as we anticipate the arrival. Hurrying through our last few details we hear the car in the driveway or the doorbell ringing, they are here! Imagine how many households went through this yesterday as people gathered for thanksgiving.

This Sunday is Christ the King/Reign of Christ Sunday. It is the last Sunday of the Christian year. We have told the story of Jesus in our worship and now as we close we look forward to the future. By looking forward we are able to prepare and be ever vigilant in our sharing of the gospel message. If Christ is King of all, yet unlike any King we know, then we are to be different people. The world itself needs Christians to live this reality if we are to be agents of God in the world.

In the scriptures for this Sunday we face an interesting Jesus. He is both the dying king and the one who is promised to come. John 18:33-37 tells us of the encounter between Jesus and Pilate. "Are you the king?" Pilate asks, Jesus answers "my kingdom is not of this world." In Revelation, John begins his letter to the "seven churches" with a statement of greeting, blessing, and warning, "Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen." (1:7 NRSV).

I wonder if people will get it this time. When Christ first came there were many announcements and yet people still did not believe. Then Jesus promised to be with us always and many still did not believe. Here Jesus promises to make himself seen again in body and bring about the completion of his message and I wonder if people are going to believe.

This is no "second coming." This is merely a continuation of what God has intended from the very beginning. To re-establish relationship with the created order. You and I are the bearers of Jesus to the world. There is no need to look at the clouds expecting. Christ is in us. If we live this reality in our everyday lives we will be bearers of God's imminent return. Do you understand the implications of this reality in our lives?

We are baptized people. The spirit of God has graced us with God's abiding presence. We have been sealed and sent to be Christ in the world. We are the bearers of God's kingdom right now. Just like we are the ones who prepare the feast and wait hospitably so are we the ones who prepare the "feast of the lamb" and say "Look, He is Coming."

Peace, Juan

Striving First

On most days it is hard to leave the office. It seems like every time I stand and attempt to go home something pulls me back. A phone call, e-mail, or someone stopping by give me reasons not to leave. There is also "unfinished" business, you know those items that you really need to get done. In the end the day only has 24 hours and there is little you can do. At some point, no matter what's completed or not, you have to go home.

Before I leave I like to make a prioritized "to do" list. Here I try to think of what's most important and make sure that I take care of it first thing in the morning. Making the list is an exercise in letting go. It makes me feel better to know that once I go home I can concentrate on what's there and not on what I left behind. The list is on my desk, tomorrow I'll know where to begin.

Priorities take intentionality. Whether it is family, work, or play it does not happen automatically. We have to make sure that we balance our lives. If we do not we end up spending too much time on things that we should not and too little on things that we should.

Jesus was trying to help us prioritize. In Matthew 6:25-33 he was trying to remind us that many of us spend too much time on things that do not matter. We need to trust and know that God will take care of it. Whatever the "it" is. We need to concentrate on God's kingdom, on the things of God. Once we have place this as our top priority all other things seem to fall into place. Like an important piece of a puzzle it makes everything else clearer. This is like the "to do" list before I leave my office. It helps me remember that none of those things are more important than my relationships. Striving first for the things of God helps us let go and acknowledge our frailty, especially in our time management.

This coming week is thanksgiving. We gather with family and friends to give thanks. My prayer is that you do not let anything get you distracted: turkey, football, the parade. These are good things but more important is acknowledging the giver of all the blessings of life.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday. Make church attendance and Sunday School a part of your life this holiday season. May this be a new beginning for you and those you love.

Peace, Juan

Restorer of Life

I like home improvement shows. Seeing an old house been brought back to life is amazing. The craftsmanship and time spent is a testimony to the dedication of workers and owners alike. When something is restored it is "brought back" to its old glory. Restoration is a difficult process for it seeks to preserve the core, the heart, of something while taking away layers of "junk." It takes careful attention to detail and it takes time.

In the scripture for this Sunday (Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17), God is called the "restorer of life." (v. 4:15) God takes Naomi's situation, dire situation, and makes into something wonderful into a great work of grace. Through her wisdom both she and Ruth are restored to fullness. If it wasn't for a willing stranger we would not have this story. God takes the "junk" of life and makes us, restores us, back to God's intention. This is good news!

Restoration is not an easy process. Along the way there will be chaos and a bigger mess. We will wonder whether the process will be worth it. Then, little by little, the pieces are put back and we begin to see a hint of what's to come. Setbacks will come, deadlines will be extended. Budgets will be altered. In the middle of it all God will be there guiding us, holding our hand, and helping us through. What's to come will take our breath away.

This Sunday we will gather and reflect on God's goodness to us. Although the focus might seem about money is really not about money at all. It's really about life. Are we going to let God "restore us" or not. If we say yes then we have to let God do the work. We have to let go of everything. Stewardship is about letting go and about letting God restore our priorities for all of life.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday. Till then . . .

Peace, Juan

ALL SAINTS

The church has its own time. Through its calendar we are reminded of what we believe. It provides us with a rhythm that helps us center our lives. At the heart of this calendar is Easter. The resurrection of Jesus makes it possible for our relationship with God to be restored. Then there is Pentecost, Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, and Lent. These are "seasons" that mark moments and movements in the life our Jesus. In the midst of these seasons there are special days that speak of other theological understandings. All Saints is such a day.

All Saints is a celebration of life. We do remember those that have died in the last year but is not their death that we celebrate. What we celebrate on All Saints is that those that have gone before us are still with us and have reached their final destination. Those that have died join the heavenly host in praising God and interceding on our behalf. Those still living join the "community of saints" by following their example and most of all by joining the community on the Lord's Day. When we partake of the holy meal (the Eucharist) we pray "with the people on earth and all the company of heaven."

The community of saints is a gift. They have laid the groundwork and now we continue what they have started. God gifts us with all we need to continue the work of the kingdom of God in the world. We are not afraid. We are not alone. God is with us and the saints, all around us, cheer us on as we go about God's work in the world. What an awesome task. Thanks be to God!

Look forward to seeing you in SS and worship.

Peace, Juan