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Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes | Devotional:

          You all know how important music is to my life. Whether it is a camp song from my youth that produces a sense of nostalgia to a song heard at a concert for the first time music, of nearly every genre possible, lifts me up or meets me where I am in the moment. I don’t know where I would be without it. Despite this affinity I will admit that I have not always appreciated poetry as much as I should. Put poetry to music and I’m in but put a book of poetry in my lap and I struggle to sit still. I’m hoping this changes, especially as I find pieces the speak to our current days of unrest. I’m also hoping that as we spend the next four weeks studying the Bible’s most prolific poetry that we all can appreciate how timeless some poetry is. The psalms are a collection of sacred poetry that I think we often take for granted. Many of us have a favourite psalm or are familiar with one or two, maybe we can even recite a psalm word for word, and yet, I sometimes think we misuse the psalms. Which is why I have decided to spend the next four weeks to talk about one of the most treasured and timeless books of the Bible.

The psalms are also poetic liturgical prayers. My former professor Dr. Art Van Sitters said, “the power of the Psalms is to enable people to give voice to their deepest anguish and their highest ecstasy.” I will admit that there are some psalms I avoid because there is also a dark side to the psalms. There are celebratory psalms that give great praise to God but there are also laments psalms that accuse God or others of great violence.  The psalms are a liturgical cry that is both a declaration of faith and a statement about reality which is why I think it is important that we spend some time learning about these hymns, poems, and prayers.

Along with being a masterpiece in poetry the Book of Psalms is also a great piece of history. Just as Shakespeare’s works can tell us a lot about culture and language in England in the 15th century the Psalms tell us a  lot about the history, experience and worship life of an ancient people. The psalms express emotions and the relationship with the divine in ways that narratives and prose can’t. The psalms were used in the temple for worship but also the book of psalms is one of the few books in the Old Testament that traces the entire history of the Israelites. But it is not done as a chronicle of events rather the psalms express the history of the Hebrew people through emotional experiences. By studying the psalms one enters the worship life of Judaism at its best. We know that Jesus had intimate knowledge of the psalms in part because he quoted them twice while being crucified. The psalms deal with matters of serious import from love and death to alienation and estrangement to hope and eternity.

Psalm 1 introduces this entire work. It is a wisdom psalm in which the people of Israel have two options to choose from, the can act for God or against God. In this psalm the option is to live in the lay of the Lord or walk in the way of the wicked. That’s a pretty heavy starter! But as we travel through t he book we discover what the consequences are when one chooses to live according to the lave. There are numerous psalms that challenge such a decision, that challenge God and even accuse God of being unjust in that decision…but that’s for another Sunday. Psalm 1 begins the book with a choose your own adventure option but only one option leads to happiness.

We will weave our way through this book, not reading all 150 psalms but studying snapshots of what happens throughout this relationship as the people follow the law and then fall out of favour with the law, as they sing joyous songs of praise and as they cry out in anguish. This is going to be a truly emotional roller coaster. But today we not only hear the first psalm but one of the last psalms. So, take heart- we know how this book ends. At the end of it all, throughout all these ups and downs, the last five psalms end in theological fireworks. The last five psalms sun up what all of our spiritual journey’s are about. Albeit that our cultural experiences may differ, our faith journeys are very similar to those of ancient Israel.

Psalm 149 in particular, helps us realize that everything results in greater praise. Psalm 1 we were given an option to be righteous or to be wicked. Through the book there will be internal battles about whether God really will reward the righteous, whether it is really worth it, will God protect us and grant us happiness? And all of those questions come to a peak and are answered in Psalm 149, because God has taken pleasure in God’s people, the faithful are exulted in glory and those God defying nations better watch out because their kings are chained and hauled off to jail. The judgment on them is carried out as it was decreed in psalm 1.

Psalm 149 is a celebration and victory psalm. The Israelites have united together in communal praise because God’s goodness prevails. It begins with “Praise the Lord, Sing to the Lord a new song.” This is a 2nd personal plural imperative. The English language doesn’t quite capture this but if we lived below the Mason-Dixon line we might read it as “y’all must praise!” The whole nation is being commanded to sing together.

We’re kind of in the eye of a storm right now. There are challenges, frustrations, and definitely uncertainties there are psalms that express just that and we will look at them in the coming weeks but there is also praise. Sometimes we are so busy focusing on all that’s going wrong in the world that we forget to sing to the Lord a new song. We were given the option in the first psalm and we have chosen to do our best to live as God’s people. Which means not only doing our best to make choices according to God’s law but a command to praise. We chose to live as God’s children and even though we have our own person roller coaster rides at the end of it all is our objective to praise. Sing to the Lord a new song, because God delights in God’s people!

Bible Text: Matthew 13:31-33, and 44-52 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes | When I was about 12 I took a book out of the library called, Unsolved Mysteries for Kids and for an entire summer I obsessed with the content which included stories about the Bermuda Triangle, the Loch Ness Monster and Crop circles in the US. But the mystery that captivated me the most was the buried treasure on Oak Island, Nova Scotia. Apparently treasure hunters have been coming to this island since the 1700s because it was rumoured that Captain Kidd buried treasure there. In fact,  some even think that Marie Antoinette’s jewels were hidden there. There is indeed a large pit on the island that seems to be booby trapped and floods occur on a regular basis and there is even a reality TV show called The Curse of Oak Island on the History Channel. But as of yet, aside from a few random artifacts like a coin, brooch and coconut fibres no real “pirate treasure” has ever been found on Oak Island. That did not stop me from at least going to the island when visiting family just a few years ago- but it was a wet and blustery day and I’m a fair weather treasure hunter so I didn’t stay long. Whether it is the classic movie The Goonies or the more recent block buster franchise Pirates of the Caribbean we seem to have some fascination with the notion of buried treasure. Which is why I find the reference to it in the Gospel lesson for this morning so strange. It used to be that “x” marked the spot for treasure on a map, now “x” marks the 2 meter  distance we are to maintain between people outside our bubble.

The parable of the treasure is just one of five parables that we hear this morning. What is perhaps essential to understanding all five is that while these images help us get an idea of Jesus’ analogies it is important that we don’t focus so much on the item that Jesus is using to compare it to the kingdom but rather what the item does. Jesus does not say, “the kingdom of heaven is like such and such” and leave it at that. Rather Jesus says, “the kingdom of heaven is like such and such, which does such and such”. Meaning, it is of the utmost importance that we realize it is not the object itself that is like the kingdom but rather what that object does that is like the kingdom.

For example, the first two parables, the parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the yeast explain that the kingdom is like something small that grows and becomes great over time. I will point out that the idea that a mustard seed turns into a great shrub or tree is a little incorrect. In fact, the mustard plant is considered a weed by many- yet, if you recall from last week’s theme not all weeds are bad. And, the plant is not meant to grow into some massive cedar tree- in fact, by using the mustard seed Jesus is pointing out that God’s kingdom is not meant to stand so high above us that we can not appreciate it’s beauty. Rather, God’s kingdom is to be accessible and subtle. I will also point out something curious about Jesus’ second parable when he compares the kingdom of God to yeast in bread.  Throughout the Old Testament, following the Passover, unleavened bread was sacred while leavened bread was for the everyday. Which means Jesus is telling his listeners that the Kingdom of Heaven is found in the everyday, not just in the ritual gatherings or symbolic liturgies but in everyday actions.

Both the parable of the treasure and the pearl point to the fact that once we have caught sight of the kingdom of heaven we should give up everything else and focus our attention upon living as subjects of this kingdom or living under God’s reign. Since these parables touch on the idea of selling all of one’s possessions to obtain the items I want to use some of that same language. We are to invest in our lives together as a congregation. Things are pretty strange right now but that should not change our commitment to being the church. Gathering in this building is only one piece to a much larger truth. We are the church as we connect with one another, as we provide for one another, as we pray for one another, as we care for one another and truthfully, some of that costs money. I’m not asking you to sell all of your possessions but I am reminding you that investing all that we are, our time, talents and treasures is what makes us a church.

Then we have the parable of the net. Like the mustard seed, this actually links well with last week’s theme. Notice that the net does not discriminate between catching the good fish or the bad fish- it simply catches all the fish and then God discerns the difference. We are to cast our nets and share our faith but it is not up to us to determine who is in and who is out.  In fact, I think we are the net in this parable.

This brings me back to the parable of the treasure in a field. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. As a former archaeologist I can tell you that most of our fields have treasures of some kind in them you just have to know what you are looking for. All of these parables allude that while the kingdom of heaven is everywhere it is often hidden from our sight, like buried treasure. The mustard seed is buried in the ground before it can grow. Yeast is hidden in the flour, yet it is the agent that makes the bread grow. A pearl is just a piece of shell that grows into a precious stone. A net works below the surface, unseen it catches all the fish. The kingdom of heaven is so abundant that it is actually part of our everyday yet because it is here, now, we often do not see it.  This reminds me of the many people who quietly do little things for their church family. Whether it is sharing the devotional over the phone with a friend, putting touches on the banners or floral arrangements, calling and checking in because it’s been awhile since you’ve seen someone. Those things are our hidden treasures- and there are so many more. The kingdom of heaven is like a church who isn’t meeting in a building but is gathered as a congregation- unseen by the minister but mighty in their faith. Amen

Bible Text: Matthew 13:2-30, and 36-43 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes | Devotional

I call myself a bio-dynamic gardener. I tend to plant things and them leave them to their own devices. Some might call me a lazy gardener. One look at the patch of dirt in our backyard would demonstrate that. A few years ago I planted Rosemary, Lovage, and lavender in an effort to have an herb garden.  I did nothing with it after that.  The Lovage now reaches higher then the fence and the Rosemary and lavender are crowding each other and some how I have also discovered, parsley, cilantro, chervil, oregano, mint, lemon balm, and even strawberries among the original plants. Say nothing of the chickweed, dandelions, and clover now found in the garden. I decided that this Spring I would attempt to remove the weeds so I did a little research and this is what I discovered. Not only do all three attract pollinators but each has a helpful purpose in soil health.  Chickweed is said to accumulate potassium and phosphorus and is edible. Leaving chickweed actually enriches the soil. Dandelion roots accumulate not only potassium and phosphorus but also calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and silicon. The leaves, roots, and flowers are all edible and can even be made into some homemade wine. Clover is a nitrogen fixer. It even transfers airborne nitrogen into the soil to be used by neighbouring crops and guess what, the flowers of white clover are also edible. This tells me that some weeds are rather beneficial to my garden and as a result instead of weeding I made use of the edible options in this hodgepodge garden. I realize entirely that this is not the point Jesus is making in his parable of the weeds and the wheat. In fact, Jesus is really clear that weeds are evil-no ifs, ands or buts about it. But this knowledge that some weeds are beneficial to the garden has given me a slightly new perspective on this passage.

Jesus is continuing to use parables to explain the kingdom of heaven. Prior to this passage we have the better known story of the Parable of the Sower which Keltie preached on last week. Like that first parable this one includes a private interpretation for the disciples a little later on. Today’s parable also continues that sowing theme but instead of one sower there are two.  There is the sower who plants good seed and then there is the enemy who comes and plants weeds among the wheat. I will point out that in some translations instead of the word weeds it is tares or darnel. If any of you have the King James version memorized it uses the term tares. Why this is relevant is because a tare or darnel was a specific kind of weed that looked like and even tasted like wheat but was actually poisonous, causing drowsiness and nausea. So, if we were to use the word tare, then most definitely this is not one of those beneficial weeds. It was hard to distinguish between the two as they grew, until the ears where developed. The ears of wheat are heavy and droop while the ears of tare stand up straight. However, it is possible that the original weeds were not tares because the weeds that do grow among the wheat are distinct enough that the labourers can tell that someone has planted weeds among the wheat.

The dialogue between the master and the labourers is also rather interesting. I suspect that it was a pretty odd thing to have a labourer accuse the master of planting the wrong kind of seed. Then the labourers are anxious to deal with the matter right away. Even I know that it is better to pull weeds as soon as they appear rather then let them take root. But the master says that he will allow them to grow up together and only at harvest time will the weeds and the wheat be separated. The master is essentially saying it is not up to the labourers to decide what is a weed and what is wheat.

This is an important observation when we get to Jesus’ explanation of the parable. Jesus clearly states that the master who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man, meaning Jesus himself- what he plants will produce good wheat. While the weeds are planted by the enemy, or evil one- there are numerous ways of interpreting who or what that is. I prefer to think of it as all those things that influence or distract us from being the wheat we are meant to be. But then, notice how Jesus doesn’t say who the labourers are, or as it says in the NRSV translation who the slaves are.

I suspect that the slaves in this story represent the disciples- including those disciples that have come generations later. Here’s why I think this. The labourers wanted to get rid of the weeds as soon as they showed up but the master said it is not up to the labourers to decide what is a weed and what is wheat.  That job is up to the reapers. It is not up to us to decide what is wheat and what is a weed because some of the things that appear to be wheat may actually be tare and some of the weeds may actually be beneficial. Plus, the master is very clear that uprooting the weeds would uproot the wheat, meaning that the roots of both are so intertwined that uprooting one would destroy the other. This is similar to a theme that comes up often in the Psalms, that it is not up to us to judge the actions or behaviour of our sisters and brothers that is God’s burden alone. It is not our responsibility to ever decide who is in and who is out.

Now this leads me to a dualism in this passage that makes me uncomfortable. It implies that there are two types of people in the world, children of the kingdom and children of the evil one. However, my own personal experience is that sometimes I am a wheat, I’m growing pretty good,  and sometimes I am a weed, distracted by things that  drive me away from God,  and sometimes I’m a good weed trying to be a benefit to those around me. I don’t think this is about two different groups of people but rather the the roots within ourselves, roots that are so intertwined that sometimes it is hard to decipher between them. But that is where grace steps in because every time my weedy side steps in I know that I can transform, thanks to God’s grace, the Holy Spirit’s guidance and Jesus’ example, into something beneficial that helps me and those around me to grow.

In closing, I want to point out that as serious as the parable sounds, with images of masters, slaves and enemies all working in the same field, with the weeds being collected and thrown into the fire, with the reference to weeping and gnashing of teeth,  Jesus actually has fun in this parable because he finishes it off with a pun. Remember both wheat and tare have ears and Jesus says, “let anyone with ears listen!” This pun is not only hilarious but points to the idea that anyone-bad wheat or good weed has ears and has the potential to grow into the people God intends us to be. Amen

Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes | Devotional: Holy Humour

Around the world there has been an effort to remain optimistic about humanity during these strange times. One of my favourite examples of this comes out of Calgary where a group of students from a local high school launched a hotline for seniors in isolation. It is called the Joy4All project and each day there are a series of options including jokes, stories, and poems shared by the students. Their desire is to provide a  healthy dose of joy each day. There is also the option of leaving them a message and to their surprise, one day, comedian Billy Crystal phoned and shared some of  his favourite jokes. I tried it, and chose to listen to the jokes of the day. Why are frogs always happy? Because they eat whatever bugs them. How do celebrities stay cool? They have many fans. Why can’t melons get married? Because they cantaloupe.  It can be reached by calling 1-877-JOY-4ALL. Along with staying connected in our various ways, laughter is an important ingredient to maintaining positive mental health. So it is actually rather surprising when we find out how little laughter is mentioned in the Bible. Perhaps that is because, like eating, it is a given that God’s people laugh. I need to laugh at  least once a day. Today we hear two variations on laughter in Scripture. Because sometimes we need to have a good laugh.

When God called Abram, who is now known as Abraham, God promised that he would have many descendants and become the patriarch of a great nation. However, the chances of said descendants is beginning to dwindle as both Abraham and Sarah are getting older. Now, I have to be honest about the story of Abraham and Sarah, there aren’t a lot of reasons to laugh in their narrative. It is a rather tumultuous story. Even Coronation Street can’t compete with the drama that these two are exposed to. There are often points in the story when the people are in need of God’s healing or intervention or simply grace. Including the time Sarah was taken as one of Pharoah’s wives or the story that happens just prior to our passage, in chapter 16,  which is the awkward story of Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian slave, giving birth to Ishmael, Abraham’s first son. A fascinating piece to that story is that an angel of the Lord finds Hagar and tells her that her offspring will be so great in number that they will not be able to be counted. She is one of two women in Scripture who gets a personal visit from an angel regarding a birth. As we know Sarah hears about the child she will conceive from messengers but she doesn’t get a personal private visit.

Our reading begins with the Lord appearing to Abraham while he is sitting by his tent. It would have been a strange sight to see three people travelling in the middle of the desert. However, Abraham’s behaviour is typical of Middle Eastern hospitality. He doesn’t question their business or even whether they are friend or foe. He simply offers them rest, water and food, A LOT of food. In that moment he transforms them from strangers to guests. Culturally this also meant that Sarah, despite assisting in preparing the food, remains inside the tent. But this doesn’t preclude her from listening in on their conversation.

Another important part to hospitality is that the host should never insult the guest. When one of the guests says that he will return in due season and Sarah shall have a son, Sarah thinks about their age and laughs. We can interpret this laugh as a skeptical laugh. Rolf Jacobsen says, “Sarah, made cynical by the passing years, exhausted by God’s un-kept promises, afraid to start to hope again, clearly thinks that there are plenty of things too wonderful for the Lord.” But as someone who laughs a lot, especially when they don’t know how else to react, I think Sarah’s laugh is maybe a nervous laugh or one of shock. It is for this reason that Sarah denies laughing when questioned. While this passage can teach us a lot about hospitality, about transforming strangers into guests I think it also teaches us to not take things so seriously. When Sarah is caught laughing to herself and in turn denies it, the messengers don’t storm out or rescind the blessing, they simply affirm that indeed she did laugh.

Now, I want to point out that this is not the first time Abraham and Sarah are hearing about their son Isaac. In Chapter 17 God not only changes their names, not only signs a covenant with them but says to Abraham that even in their old age God will bless them with a son. God says, “I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” And you know what Abraham does? It says, “He fell on his face and laughed.” It is then that God gives this son the name Isaac.  In Hebrew it is pronounced Yitzchak which comes from the word “Yitshaq” which means “laughter.” Like Sarah, Abraham laughs at the shock, laughs at the ridiculous notion that a man at 100 and a woman at 90 will have a child, laughs because there is nothing beyond God’s ability.

Laughter returns to the story, but this time it is an unabashed joy-filled laughter when their son is born. Laughter is infectious and Sarah says, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.”  Quite honestly there is nothing more infectious then a Baby’s laugh. There are numerous videos online of baby’s having a good chortle over the silliest of things and you can’t help but laugh in return. But this passage also reminds us that sometimes the best way to praise God is to laugh. Is to be so joyful that laughter is the best response. In chapter 21 Sarah laughs because this crazy promise has been fulfilled, because nothing is too wonderful for God! And everyone who hears Sarah’s story will know that God can do some pretty crazy things.

This reminds me that even with all of our own drama God is always bigger. In fact, God sees us at our weakest, at our most vulnerable, at our least likeable and God still chooses to love us and fulfill promises. If that isn’t a reason to laugh with pure joy and relief, laugh with gratitude and praise, I don’t know what is.

Why are spiders so smart? Because they can find everything on the web. What do you call it when a  group of apes start a company? Monkey Business. How do you row a canoe full of puppies? You bring out the doggy paddle. This last one comes from Billy Crystal himself, “Did you hear about the claustrophobic astronaut? All he wanted was a little more space!” Sure, you can groan all you want and maybe on this Father’s day these are more like Dad jokes then praise worthy fun but find those reasons to laugh because God loves holy humour. Amen

Bible Text: Genesis 18:1-15, Genesis 21:1-7 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes | Devotional: Holy Humour

Around the world there has been an effort to remain optimistic about humanity during these strange times. One of my favourite examples of this comes out of Calgary where a group of students from a local high school launched a hotline for seniors in isolation. It is called the Joy4All project and each day there are a series of options including jokes, stories, and poems shared by the students. Their desire is to provide a  healthy dose of joy each day. There is also the option of leaving them a message and to their surprise, one day, comedian Billy Crystal phoned and shared some of  his favourite jokes. I tried it, and chose to listen to the jokes of the day. Why are frogs always happy? Because they eat whatever bugs them. How do celebrities stay cool? They have many fans. Why can’t melons get married? Because they cantaloupe.  It can be reached by calling 1-877-JOY-4ALL. Along with staying connected in our various ways, laughter is an important ingredient to maintaining positive mental health. So it is actually rather surprising when we find out how little laughter is mentioned in the Bible. Perhaps that is because, like eating, it is a given that God’s people laugh. I need to laugh at  least once a day. Today we hear two variations on laughter in Scripture. Because sometimes we need to have a good laugh.

When God called Abram, who is now known as Abraham, God promised that he would have many descendants and become the patriarch of a great nation. However, the chances of said descendants is beginning to dwindle as both Abraham and Sarah are getting older. Now, I have to be honest about the story of Abraham and Sarah, there aren’t a lot of reasons to laugh in their narrative. It is a rather tumultuous story. Even Coronation Street can’t compete with the drama that these two are exposed to. There are often points in the story when the people are in need of God’s healing or intervention or simply grace. Including the time Sarah was taken as one of Pharoah’s wives or the story that happens just prior to our passage, in chapter 16,  which is the awkward story of Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian slave, giving birth to Ishmael, Abraham’s first son. A fascinating piece to that story is that an angel of the Lord finds Hagar and tells her that her offspring will be so great in number that they will not be able to be counted. She is one of two women in Scripture who gets a personal visit from an angel regarding a birth. As we know Sarah hears about the child she will conceive from messengers but she doesn’t get a personal private visit.

Our reading begins with the Lord appearing to Abraham while he is sitting by his tent. It would have been a strange sight to see three people travelling in the middle of the desert. However, Abraham’s behaviour is typical of Middle Eastern hospitality. He doesn’t question their business or even whether they are friend or foe. He simply offers them rest, water and food, A LOT of food. In that moment he transforms them from strangers to guests. Culturally this also meant that Sarah, despite assisting in preparing the food, remains inside the tent. But this doesn’t preclude her from listening in on their conversation.

Another important part to hospitality is that the host should never insult the guest. When one of the guests says that he will return in due season and Sarah shall have a son, Sarah thinks about their age and laughs. We can interpret this laugh as a skeptical laugh. Rolf Jacobsen says, “Sarah, made cynical by the passing years, exhausted by God’s un-kept promises, afraid to start to hope again, clearly thinks that there are plenty of things too wonderful for the Lord.” But as someone who laughs a lot, especially when they don’t know how else to react, I think Sarah’s laugh is maybe a nervous laugh or one of shock. It is for this reason that Sarah denies laughing when questioned. While this passage can teach us a lot about hospitality, about transforming strangers into guests I think it also teaches us to not take things so seriously. When Sarah is caught laughing to herself and in turn denies it, the messengers don’t storm out or rescind the blessing, they simply affirm that indeed she did laugh.

Now, I want to point out that this is not the first time Abraham and Sarah are hearing about their son Isaac. In Chapter 17 God not only changes their names, not only signs a covenant with them but says to Abraham that even in their old age God will bless them with a son. God says, “I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” And you know what Abraham does? It says, “He fell on his face and laughed.” It is then that God gives this son the name Isaac.  In Hebrew it is pronounced Yitzchak which comes from the word “Yitshaq” which means “laughter.” Like Sarah, Abraham laughs at the shock, laughs at the ridiculous notion that a man at 100 and a woman at 90 will have a child, laughs because there is nothing beyond God’s ability.

Laughter returns to the story, but this time it is an unabashed joy-filled laughter when their son is born. Laughter is infectious and Sarah says, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.”  Quite honestly there is nothing more infectious then a Baby’s laugh. There are numerous videos online of baby’s having a good chortle over the silliest of things and you can’t help but laugh in return. But this passage also reminds us that sometimes the best way to praise God is to laugh. Is to be so joyful that laughter is the best response. In chapter 21 Sarah laughs because this crazy promise has been fulfilled, because nothing is too wonderful for God! And everyone who hears Sarah’s story will know that God can do some pretty crazy things.

This reminds me that even with all of our own drama God is always bigger. In fact, God sees us at our weakest, at our most vulnerable, at our least likeable and God still chooses to love us and fulfill promises. If that isn’t a reason to laugh with pure joy and relief, laugh with gratitude and praise, I don’t know what is.

Why are spiders so smart? Because they can find everything on the web. What do you call it when a  group of apes start a company? Monkey Business. How do you row a canoe full of puppies? You bring out the doggy paddle. This last one comes from Billy Crystal himself, “Did you hear about the claustrophobic astronaut? All he wanted was a little more space!” Sure, you can groan all you want and maybe on this Father’s day these are more like Dad jokes then praise worthy fun but find those reasons to laugh because God loves holy humour. Amen

Bible Text: Matthew 9:35-10:8, Romans 5:1-5 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes | Devotional

          There was a time in my life when I thought I might like to try my hand at WWOOFing. Now before you start to imagine that this is some bizarre activity in which one imitates a dog, WWOOF stands for the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.  It is an international organization that normally offers room and board to travellers who then work on farms usually planting or harvesting crops. There’s something romantic about sitting in a field, under the hot sun, carefully picking strawberries. And then I go to our local U-Pick berry farm on Dove Creek Rd and spend less then an hour crouched over in the dirt and decide that WWOOFing is not for me. Of course, we have read numerous reports this year about the challenges most farmers are facing as the usual migrant workers who labour in their fields are unable to come due to border restrictions. This year, Jesus’ phrase, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few” could actually be taken literally- that is if plants were able to be planted in the first place.  Of course, as an individual my berry buckets are pretty small but when Mike and I work together,  sometimes switching between berries when the seasons coincide, our harvest is great. Admittedly that’s just because Mike has more patience for picking then I do but the point is that working together reaps greater benefit.

Notice how the Gospel story this morning begins with Jesus doing all the work on his own. Jesus goes about all the cities and villages, teaching, proclaiming and curing every sickness. This passage begins with Jesus working as an individual but as the crowd grows, as his flock becomes too big he summons his disciples and makes them  labourers or co-workers who will have the ability to work alongside Jesus. Now, in Matthew’s Gospel the disciples have already been called. In chapter 4 it says that Jesus turned to the fishermen and said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” So this was always the plan but they needed training first. Jesus spends time teaching them things like the Beatitudes and the Golden Rule, and then Jesus heals a bunch of people like a leper, a paralytic and even brings a girl back to life.  The disciples have observed all of this as they follow him throughout the countryside. But now it is time for this training to turn into action.

This is one of the few times when the lectionary moves us between two chapters. Chapter nine ends with this comment about a plentiful harvest but a shortage of labourers while chapter ten moves to Jesus giving the disciples the authority to do as Jesus does. Last week we talked about the commission given to the disciples at the end of Matthew, when Jesus says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations”. What is interesting is that the commissioning this morning comes early on in the Gospel and unlike the commission at the end which calls for people of all nations, this one focuses on what Jesus calls the lost sheep of Israel. Start with the people you can best relate to and then work out from there. The disciples- while they still follow Jesus- are to be extensions of Jesus’ ministry. They are to do what they have witnessed Jesus doing.

Throughout Scripture, naming people signifies that the person is important. Other than the geneology listed at the beginning of  Matthew this is the longest list of names in any of the Gospels. While the details about the disciples are limited their names give them status in this text.  Then Jesus raises this status by empowering them to do the work that Jesus has begun. One commentary stated, “effectively Jesus makes the twelve disciples brokers of God’s power over spirits and disease just as Jesus is.” I, however, like this image of co-workers, working in co-operation for the kingdom or kin-dom.

Jesus then instructs them on how to be co-workers. This mission, should they choose to accept it, is not that they must work on their own, as individuals. Jesus gives them specific instructions on where to go and whom to visit. Later on in the chapter it goes on further to describe how they should even enter someone’s house or what they should or should not pack. Jesus will even remind them that they need not fear or worry even when they are persecuted or unsure of what to say because the Spirit of God will speak through them. We also talked about working in relationship last week and this is a perfect example. God, the creator, empowers Jesus to reveal God to the people, Jesus empowers his disciples to reveal God to the people, and the Spirit surrounds every aspect through the work of the people.

This is where the Romans passage connects with the Gospel. Paul states that we have obtained access to the grace in which we stand through this incredible relationship.  Through Christ we obtain access to God’s grace and God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit . It is an ever dynamic movement between the Trinity and us.  Yet Paul also says that sometimes we will have to endure suffering but to be grateful for this suffering because it produces endurance and endurance builds character and character produces hope. And Paul knows a thing or two about suffering. When Paul wrote this letter he expressed how he hoped to visit the church in Rome. Not only was the visit to Rome delayed for about three years, but when he finally managed to make it to Rome it was as a prisoner awaiting trial. Then, after 3 years in a Roman prison he was tried and convicted. Paul knows what he’s talking about but even in prison he managed to become one of  Jesus’ most prolific co-workers.

I mention this because there have probably been moments when it felt like this time of distancing and isolation has felt like living in prison and it is hard to imagine being co-workers or labourers in God’s field at this time. Yet, if Paul can do it from a literal jail cell and still have hope because of his confidence in the grace of God then I’m pretty sure we can figure something out. Sometimes the work is hard- backbreaking even- but we have a pretty incredible boss. A boss that will never fire us, the retirement plan is amazing, and the people we get to work with are incredible. We have been given the authority to continue the work of Christ in today’s world. To bring healing where there is pain, hope where there is despair, and to cast out darkness and bring light. Maybe it’s not like WWOOFing at all, but the harvest is worth it. Amen

Bible Text: Matthew 28:16-20 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes | Devotional

This week was supposed to be one of the most challenging, perhaps contentious, and definitely divisive meetings in the history of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Today, the 146th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada was supposed to begin. And following a year long process of voting by presbyteries on two important remits, the PCC was supposed to finally vote on both the allowance of performing same sex marriage and ordination of ministers who identify as LGBTQ+. Many of us were holding our breaths as results from the various presbyteries came in and we hoped that the denomination would find a way to move forward in unity. In fact, the Pentecostal statements I made last week about unity in diversity was the slogan at last year’s Assembly. And then the world changed in a period of months and for the first time in the denomination’s history, since 1875 the Assembly council made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Assembly. Some breathed a sigh of relief, some breathed sighs of pain that it would be another year of waiting, some see this as an opportunity to live in the space of the Spirit. Regardless, it is difficult when a future that one envisioned, no matter how challenging, changes and when those changes are completely out of our control. For most of us, our summers look completely different then what we had thought. Today is called Trinity Sunday in our church calendar and both of the Scripture passages not only acknowledge this Trinity and what it is but, help us understand how we live in relationship with the Trinity even when our future is uncertain or we are troubled.

First for some context regarding Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. The church in Corith gave Paul, more trouble than all his other churches put together. As we know from the first letter, no sooner would Paul get one issue straightened out that three more would show up. But you know, for all their problems the two letters to the Corinthians are some of Paul’s most profound pieces. While first Corinthians has words of kindness and wonderful language about love it also does not mince words. Some of what he wrote to them was hard for them to hear which results in a response from this congregation with basically, “who are you to tell us what to do?” Clearly they forgot that he was their founding pastor! And so, this second letter is filled with Paul defending and defining his leadership. What we heard this morning, however, is his final salutation. I presume that the reason it is included this Sunday is because it is one of the few passages in the entire Bible that articulates the Trinity. In fact, most of the other times when Paul or any of the other Epistle writers write a send off they neglect to mention the Holy Spirit. Thus this sign off fits in well with our celebration of Trinity Sunday. But what is important to me is Paul’s summation of the letter.

After Paul’s description of what Christian leadership looks like he tells the church in Corith how to move forward with this information. The future will still be challenging but here’s what you do. First you put things in order. Paul might as well had said, get your ducks in a row, create a list, or policy and work from there. That step seems easy enough. But then Paul says, listen to my appeal and agree with one another. Ok, but what if we just can’t.  Perhaps we need to think a little differently about what it means to agree with one another.  In First Corinthians Paul uses a similar turn of phrase but adds that they should be united in the same mind and the same purpose. I don’t think this is an appeal for uniformity. We can be diverse in our expressions and opinions but that they are always rooted in Christ.   As it says in Philippians to have the same mind as Christ when he humbled himself and died for the sake of the world. We should have a humility about our opinions that allows us to find common ground. This unity then helps us with the third step in Paul’s summary which is to live in peace. As a result of those first three steps, putting things in order, agreeing with one another and living in peace, God’s presence will be felt and known, even in the chaos of an uncertain future. Unfortunately the final step that Paul’s tells this congregation to do is to greet one another will a holy kiss. Maybe not. But it is not about the kissing- it’s about the greeting and we can still greet one another with holiness. It reminds us that just as the Trinity works in relationship so do we. And sometimes relationships are hard.

This brings me to the Gospel reading which is another closing and summation. But it is that first sentence in our passage that comes with heartache. The disciples lived in relationship with Jesus and each other for approximately 3 years. They likely knew how to push each other’s buttons and how to lift each other up. Yet, Matthew 28:16 says, “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee.” In Matthew, Judas’ betrayal affects Judas so much that he tries to take it back. He goes to the chief priests and tries to return the money but they refuse it. The remorse is so deep that Judas hangs himself. This line in Matthew 28 is the only acknowledgement that the disciples are no longer 12 but 11. Regardless of how they felt about Judas’ betrayal, his death would have affected them. Not to mention that they would still be grieving Jesus’ death. At this point in Matthew the disciples, have only heard rumours of Jesus’ resurrection.  Calling the disciples “bewildered” doesn’t even begin to describe what they are going through. We hear that, when the next verse states that even as they see Jesus in person, some worship while others doubt. In their vulnerability and uncertainty Jesus shows up and “gets them sorted”- gets them organized for their future- as uncertain as it may be.

Jesus commissions them to make disciples, to baptize, to teach and obey and he finishes it all by saying, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  In the chaos of their future, Jesus is with them. In the uncertainty of our future as a denomination or as a people living during a pandemic Jesus is always with us. Joanna Love, who works with Wild goose publishing, the Iona community’s publishing company puts it like this, “The eleven disciples cannot possibly have been all on the same page in processing these life-changing events. At this devastating ending that also led into a remarkable beginning, they were not the finished article, but had to continue to learn, relearn, make mistakes, take risks, get it right, get it wrong, fall out, fail, and keep going. The only sure things for them and for us are that we belong to God and will never be abandoned.” We’ve got this, because the Trinity, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit has us. Amen

Bible Text: Acts 2:1-21 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes | Devotional:

Many of you know that in 2017 Mike and I went to Wittenberg, Germany to participate in the celebrations of the 500 years since the reformation. We went during an annual celebration called Luther’s Hochzeit or wedding, a festival that celebrates Martin Luther’s wedding to Katarina Van Bora. As part of the festival, on the Sunday morning, the City Church, one of two churches associated with Luther’s ministry in this small village, performs a couple’s blessing.  Midway through the worship service, anyone who is in a committed relationship is invited to come forward and receive a blessing from one of the elders. Now, as a none German speaker I sat through the service, recognizing most of the tunes to the hymns and at one point I figured out that the preacher was not actually the priest but the mayor but overall I didn’t really know what was going on. Thankfully, Mike does know some German was able to follow along so when it came time for the blessing I followed him up to the altar and we stood in front of an elderly woman who reached out and said something to us…I have no idea what she said but I think it was special because Mike squeezed my hand and looked lovingly into my eyes. So, I maybe didn’t understand the actual words but I got the gist of it. And the fact that this service took place a week after Pentecost was not lost on me. The Christian church is diverse, truth be told I have attended services in other denominations that were in English and I had trouble understanding what was going on.  But then, I am also always amazed at how the Spirit speaks through the language barrier, or the cultural gap, or the different expressions and provides some enlightenment. For me, that is a big part of the lesson from Pentecost- unity in diversity.

A few years ago our Bible Study group focused on the book of Acts and a portion of the curriculum came from William Willimon’s Interpretation Commentary. I’m leaning heavily on this commentary this morning because it does an incredible job of explaining this fascinating and chaotic story.

While we have split the Easter, the Ascension and the Pentecost stories written by Luke it is likely that Luke intended for them to be read together because each story informs the other. “At Pentecost the power of God, made manifest at the resurrection and ascension of Christ, [which if you recall from last week, happened on the same day] is bestowed upon the People of God.” It is important for us to see how, throughout history and today, that power which has been bestowed upon the people has been used, sometimes abused, by the church.

Today we hear the story of the formation of the church. Yet, what impresses me with this formation,  is that the community itself, the disciples do very little to make it happen. “The community, rather than taking matters into its own hands, getting organized and venturing forth with banners unfurled, has withdrawn to wait and to pray. The next move is up to God.” Just think of that, the apostles have witnessed some pretty incredible things but they have also been instructed to wait. But before we begin to think that they were sitting on their hands doing nothing as they wait, it is important to note that Acts 1 says that they were “constantly devoting themselves to prayer”. Never ever underestimate the power and work of prayer. Prayer can happen and does happen while we are waiting. It is not about doing nothing but actually doing one of the most important actions of our faith- praying.

It is into this time of prayer that Holy Spirit literally bursts in.  They thought it would be just another day of waiting and praying and worshipping together and then there is an eruption of sounds and incredible sights.  What is interesting is that we hear the Spirit before we see it. It is a sound like a rushing violent wind. This is the same wind that shows up in Genesis 1:2 that sweeps over the waters just as God is about to create something new and wild and good. Following the sound of wind comes something like tongues of fire which rests on the disciples. Again, perhaps this harkens back to the burning bush or as we discussed a few weeks ago how fire was used by the prophets to explain how faith is refined. Finally, added to this great eruption of sights and sounds is speech. As all the apostles are filled with the Holy Spirit they begin to speak in various languages. Think about that for a moment, the first gift that the Spirit gives is speech and not just words but the ability to communicate in various languages so that there is opportunity for everyone to understand. I feel that in some way this hits at one of those abuses of power that I alluded to earlier. Historically, instead of the church going into communities and learning the language of the community the church has often insisted that the people learn the language of the missionary. Yet here, in this story it is the apostles who speak the people’s language. The Spirit gives us the power to speak.  We pick up once again on the commission Jesus gave at the ascension that they are to be witnesses, to speak to what they have heard, seen and experienced. Notice this unity in diversity. The Spirit is not speaking to a monoculture but speaks to the diversity of people.

However, the crowd, which comes from various corners of Luke’s known world, are in shock. In their own language they hear these Galilean disciples speaking of God’s deeds of power. While some are amazed, many are perplexed, while others explain it away as inebriation. Willimon says, “The in breaking of the Spirit is profoundly unsettling and deeply threatening to the crowd in the street, and so it must devise some explanation, some rationalization for such irrationality.”  So the Spirit gives us the power to speak but that doesn’t always mean that those words will inspire the listener. I think instead of relating to the apostles, who have gathered once again for prayer while they wait, at this moment I relate best to the diverse crowd. We not only come from a multitude of backgrounds but we also represent a multitude of interpretations. Sometimes the Word of God inspires and fills me with awe. Sometimes the Word of God causes me to be filled with concern. Sometimes the Word of God seems so irrational that I try to rationalize it with nonsense. Sometimes I am more like the confused crowd then the enlightened apostles.

However, out of this confusion one of the apostles becomes a preacher. I think it is also important for us to remember that Peter wasn’t exactly the best orator of the group. Jesus was often chastising him for misunderstanding what Jesus was saying. “Yet here, before the half enquiring, half mocking crowd, Peter is the first, the very first to lift up his voice and proclaim openly the word that only a few weeks before he could not speak.”

I think that often the historical church relied too much on its own instinct and was not open to the Spirit’s guidance. I think the modern church struggles with that too. However, on Pentecost Sunday we are reminded that the Spirit helps us to get the gist of it. Helps us to experience God’s mercy even when we barely understand the language. Helps us celebrate the diversity of God’s people while also remaining unified in Christ. That is one powerful Spirit. Amen

Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes | Every year, except for this one, the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington holds an Eagle release day in which one of the Bald Eagles that has spent time recovering at the centre is released into the wild. The public is welcomed to this event and we have been able to take it a couple of times. We gather along a track, like a landing strip, and one of the staff comes out with the eagle in a cage. We are told to sit quietly and to not make any sudden movements. Then the cage door is lifted and we all hold our breath. Usually there is a timid hop from the cage while the Eagle tests out it’s freedom and then in a big swoop it takes off into the trees. We all gasp and clap and then there is a mix of emotions. For many of the staff this is a bitter sweet day. The reward for all their hard work in rehabilitating this eagle is that it leaves them and yet there is the knowledge that this was the ultimate goal. With gratitude the eagle flies off while the crowd is left below looking up. You know the comparison is coming- I bet the disciples can identify with the staff at Wildlife Recovery Centre. They were gathered on a hilltop as Jesus had instructed and it is a bittersweet moment as Jesus ascends in front of their eyes. Jesus rises as they are left below looking up.

Today we are spending time celebrating the Ascension. The day in which Jesus ascends, goes up, leaves, in fact, if some of the neo-classical paintings are correct it looks as if Jesus flies off into heaven. And yet there is a lot to unpack from this short passage in Luke that steps into much deeper territory then the idea that Jesus ascends- that is only part of the story.

First we have to acknowledge the astonishing truth that Luke is the only one to record the ascension. Matthew alludes to it. In Matthew Jesus meets them on the mountain and commissions them but it doesn’t say what happened after. Matthew’s story is more about a resurrection appearance then an ascension. In John, Jesus mentions that the beloved disciple must remain until he comes again- presupposing that Jesus has to go somewhere in order for him to return and Mark never mentions it at all. And yet the ascension is an important part of our theological understanding of who Jesus is. Then, as if the fact that it is only mentioned by Luke isn’t enough, Luke gives two different accounts of the ascension. Today we hear the version that ends the Gospel but Luke also begins the Book of Acts with a slightly different version of events. The version we heard completes the Gospel and thus Jesus ministry whereas the version in Acts begins the book and thus begins the work of the Apostles.         Another important detail to remember is that while it has been seven weeks since we celebrated Easter this story takes place on that first Easter day. Thus far in Luke, for the disciples, they awoke to the women telling them of their visions of angels. Peter affirmed that he saw the linen cloths by themselves. Two followers have run back from Emmaus to say they have broken bread with Jesus and then Jesus, himself has shown up, offered peace. Jesus has spent the evening with them and as night comes he takes them up to a mountain where he blesses and ascends. That’s a lot to take in on one day.

We also see some links between the story of the two disciples walking to Emmaus and Jesus appearance to the whole group. In both Jesus’ primary objective is to teach about the fulfillment of Scripture. He opens the dsiciples’ minds to understand the law, the prophets, and the psalms- naming the three important parts of the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible, or what we call The Old Testament. This helps the disciples understand his death and resurrection within their own religious context and it is what informs the modern church. For Luke’s original audience this was essential, they need to learn how to read Scripture through the lens of Jesus. And that isn’t just a tool for the early church but one we employ often. They are to hold onto their roots, know where they came from, but they are to live it within a modern context. This is what also sets the stage for the book of Acts in which the Gospel begins within the Jewish community but quickly spreads beyond that to include Gentiles, and all nations.

Along with opening up the disciples minds, there are two other important acts which Jesus does in this conversation. First, like in Matthew, Jesus does indeed commission them to be witnesses. They are to wait in Jerusalem until they are given such power but with that power they will be able to witness, tell of the things they have learned. We will touch upon this further next week when we celebrate Pentecost but remember this word witness. Jesus does not commission them to be judges, does not commission them to be prosecutors, does not commission them to be defence lawyers, Jesus commissions them to be witnesses- simply share what they have seen, heard, and experienced.

Second, Jesus’ last act on earth is to bless the disciples. Jesus isn’t just saying goodbye. To bless someone or something is to make it holy.  Jesus’ final gift  is a blessing. In many ways this is a reciprocal blessing because as Jesus blesses them they in turn and go to the temple. After Jesus ascends his followers return to Jerusalem with great joy- I am sure that they are saddened to see Jesus go but they have also been given such great gifts that they go to the temple to continually return blessings to God. Here’s an interesting point, Luke’s Gospel narrative begins with Zechariah in the temple and ends with the disciples in the temple. Gathering for worship is important to Luke.

So how does this all apply to us particularly during a pandemic? The ascension is not so much about where Jesus has gone but rather who Jesus is. The historical, physical Jesus may no longer be here but the work of Christ is lived out through his disciples. The ascension firmly establishes Jesus as God’s right-hand man, or in fact, more than that, Jesus is an equal part of the Trinitarian God. Therefore we read scripture, all of scripture, through that lens. I would also argue it means that we live in our modern context with that lens- continually looking to Christ for the example. We are witnesses- what better time to witness to the grace, love, and mercy of God. But maybe the most relevant and important message from the ascension today is the blessing, making holy. In February, if you had told me that I would be preaching to an online congregation I would have said, “there is no way that could replace the sacred act of gathering together in worship.” But you know what, through your encouragement and prayer- we have managed to make it holy. In all the ways we are gathering together- online, over the phone, in texts and emails- we are taking what used to be mundane and making in sacred. We cherish this time together. It is bittersweet. It is hard. But we aren’t just standing around looking up. God lifts us up on Eagle’s wings. We are blessed. Amen

Bible Text: John 14:15-21 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes | Devotional: Comforter, Advocate, Lover

In 1973 country star Dolly Parton decided to end a 7 year business partnership with friend and mentor Porter Wagoner. This was a particularly challenging break up because it was Porter who had introduced the world to Dolly on his television show in 1967. Like many singer-songwriters, Dolly opted to write a song about this heartbreaking decision. That song became one of her biggest hits and the best selling single of 1974. Later the song made a comeback in 1992 when it was produced by David Foster and covered by Whitney Houston for the film The Bodyguard. Now, there is no way you want to hear me try to sing the song, “I Will Always Love You” . The song is about a break up but instead of it being a song about revenge or anger it is about parting with respect. And it was named one of the top 10 best love songs of all time by Billboard Records. While I haven’t done a lot of research on this I’m pretty confident that love is the predominant theme in most songs. Often it is about lost love but sometimes it is about found love or love a job or love of family. Even most of our worship songs are about love for God.

Did you know that love is mentioned 57 times by Jesus in the Gospel of John alone?  Jesus uses two Greek verbs throughout John to describe love, agapao and phileo. Phileo is often described as “brotherly love” or friendship. Agape love is the highest form of love, love between God and humanity and vice versa. Our passage this morning begins and ends with statements about love. Jesus begins in verse 15 with “If you love me you will keep my commandments” and ends verse 21 with “and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them.” In both of those instances Jesus is referring to agape love- a high love. This is not a sentimental love song kind of love but a love that is active, alive even. Today we continue to hear words from Jesus’ Farewell discourse. Last week it was about dwelling or feeling at home in God’s presence but also about doing the work to build that relationship. This morning Jesus builds on what that relationship will look like.

The word “keep” in this passage, as in “keep my commandments”, can refer to obeying or following. When we follow Jesus’ commandments we are actively engaging in a high love. It is also important that we understand that the commandments Jesus is referring to here is not really the 10 commandments rather it is the new commandment that Jesus gave to the disciples back in chapter 13: 34 “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  I know not all of us like schmaltzy, honeyed, or sappy talk of love but this is not what Jesus is talking about. This is daily discipleship! Doing the impossible task of loving one another as Christ loved us.

But before we begin to feel discouraged because it is impossible to live this high love on a daily basis.  Jesus assures the disciples that they will get a little help living this love.  Jesus will ask God to send another Advocate, the Spirit of truth. Note that Jesus says another advocate, implying that he was the first advocate. As we heard last week the disciples are anxious that Jesus is leaving them and that they will be without him to guide and teach them. Here Jesus assures them that while he is leaving, they will not be left alone. And the astonishing thing is that the Spirit of truth will be able to accomplish more than what Jesus did in his ministry. Whereas Jesus could only be in the flesh at one place at one time, by the Spirit Jesus will be with all of his followers all the time.

This Spirit will help them become the leaders and revealers of God’s love that they are meant to be. This sentiment is also meant to give hope to anyone of us who have not had a one on one encounter with the historical Jesus. We, who have come millenniums after Jesus  are not at a disadvantage because the Spirit continues to advocate, guide and comfort us.

Again knowing the Greek word used in this passage is helpful- and any of you who speak Greek know that I am butchering the language. Often when the Holy Spirit is referred to throughout the other Gospels they use the Greek term pneuma meaning breath or soul. But John and only John uses parakletos to describe the Spirit and that is often translated as advocate (as it is in the NRSV), or comforter, or encourager or helper. It can even mean defence lawyer.  Instead of picking one of these definitions I think it is important that we understand all of them and how this plays into our understanding of agape love. The spirit advocates for us- gives voice when we are voiceless and pleads our case. The Spirit defends us and gives us the words to say in our defence.  The Spirit comforts us-gives us sustenance when we struggle to support ourselves and others. The Spirit helps us overcome our ignorance. The Spirit encourages us- lifts us when we are discouraged. The Spirit pushes us to have the courage and confidence we need to express our faith.  The Spirit helps us- gives us guidance when we are having trouble staying on track. The Spirit reminds us of what we have learned and leads us into truth.  I dare say that, that is how Jesus also wants us to keep his commandment to love one another, to advocate, to comfort, to encourage to help.  The three of us who are leading these devotionals have certainly felt your encouragement and the Spirit’s guidance as we bumble along. I know many of you are reaching out to those within our community without internet to ensure that they too can feel connected. You are bringing them comfort. There are numerous ways as we continue to worship and live in this manner in which we can be open to the Spirit and keep Christ’s commandments.

Craig Koester, New Testament Professor at Lutheran Seminary, says “Coming to faith is similar to falling in love. One cannot fall in love in the abstract. Love comes through an encounter with another person. The same is true of faith. If faith is a relationship with the Living God, with the living Jesus, then faith can only come through an encounter with them. And the Spirit is the one who makes this presence known for us.” Feel this presence even as we are physically separated. And know that Jesus promises to always love you.  Amen