Good afternoon brothers and sisters,
We
read about Mordecai hearing about Haman's plot to kill all the Jews. He
sends a message to Esther asking her to use her influence with the king
to save her people. We'll see today that she is afraid, because people
were only allowed to approach the king by invitation. Fortunately, in
her courage, she is supported by her community and by God. Is there any
thing you feel like Esther about? Have you come to a certain position or
situation "for just such a time as this?"
God bless,
Sam
Esther 4:10- 5:4
10Then Esther spoke to Hathach and gave him a message for Mordecai, saying, 11“All
the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if
any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being
called, there is but one law—all alike are to be put to death. Only if
the king holds out the golden scepter to someone, may that person live. I
myself have not been called to come in to the king for thirty days.”
12When they told Mordecai what Esther had said, 13Mordecai
told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think that in the king’s palace
you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14For if
you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will
rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family
will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just
such a time as this.” 15Then Esther said in reply to Mordecai, 16“Go,
gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf,
and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids
will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is
against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” 17Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.
5:1
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner
court of the king’s palace, opposite the king’s hall. The king was
sitting on his royal throne inside the palace opposite the entrance to
the palace. 2As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in
the court, she won his favor and he held out to her the golden scepter
that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the top of the
scepter. 3The king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.” 4Then Esther said, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet that I have prepared for the king.”
Showing posts with label fasting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fasting. Show all posts
Friday, January 25, 2013
Friday, July 20, 2012
Ramadan
Good morning sisters and brothers,
Today our Muslim brothers and sisters begin the holy month of Ramadan, a time dedicated to fasting, charity, prayer and reading the Qu'ran. As you may know, my brother and sister in law have long been passionate about peace and justice in Yemen. During Ramadan the Yemen Peace Project, an organization they helped start, encourages people who are fasting to donate the money they would have spent on food to people in need in Yemen. For those of us who are not fasting, we can also participate by skipping a meal each week and donating the proceeds. There's more information about the program here; fasting of any kind can be helpful in reminding us of God's blessings and of the struggles many people around the world face.
Our passage for today is a strange one that illustrates the near chaos Israel faced at the end of the time of the Judges. It also reminds us that for many people in early Israel there may not have been a clear division between God and idols. The same can be true today: our spiritual ancestor John Calvin wrote that the human mind is a factory for idols. An idol is anything that threatens to take God's place. Sometimes even things like the Bible or a church building can become idols if they become our focus rather than a way to connect with God.
Blessings on your day,
Sam
Today our Muslim brothers and sisters begin the holy month of Ramadan, a time dedicated to fasting, charity, prayer and reading the Qu'ran. As you may know, my brother and sister in law have long been passionate about peace and justice in Yemen. During Ramadan the Yemen Peace Project, an organization they helped start, encourages people who are fasting to donate the money they would have spent on food to people in need in Yemen. For those of us who are not fasting, we can also participate by skipping a meal each week and donating the proceeds. There's more information about the program here; fasting of any kind can be helpful in reminding us of God's blessings and of the struggles many people around the world face.
Our passage for today is a strange one that illustrates the near chaos Israel faced at the end of the time of the Judges. It also reminds us that for many people in early Israel there may not have been a clear division between God and idols. The same can be true today: our spiritual ancestor John Calvin wrote that the human mind is a factory for idols. An idol is anything that threatens to take God's place. Sometimes even things like the Bible or a church building can become idols if they become our focus rather than a way to connect with God.
Blessings on your day,
Sam
Judges 17:1-6
There was a man in the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Micah. 2He said to his mother, “The eleven hundred pieces of silver that were taken from you, about which you uttered a curse, and even spoke it in my hearing, —that silver is in my possession; I took it; but now I will return it to you.” And his mother said, “May my son be blessed by the Lord!”
3Then he returned the eleven hundred pieces of silver to his mother; and his mother said, “I consecrate the silver to the Lord from my hand for my son, to make an idol of cast metal.” 4So when he returned the money to his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver, and gave it to the silversmith, who made it into an idol of cast metal; and it was in the house of Micah. 5This man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and teraphim, and installed one of his sons, who became his priest. 6In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Ash Wednesday
Good morning sisters and brothers,
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the reflective season of Lent. Seasons in the church year are great opportunities to renew our focus on our faith and discipleship. At Laurelton we're kicking off the season with two reflective (and short) worship services and a 24 hour prayer vigil. The first service and the vigil starts at noon today in the sanctuary, and the second service begins at 6:40. Folks will be taking hour-long "shifts" to pray. Feel free to come by whenever, and to pray for whatever is on your heart. I'll be at the church the whole time so you never have to be alone.
Today's reading is a good reminder for Lent, when it's traditional (and still often useful) to fast as part of our spiritual preparation. God tells the people that denying themselves isn't any good if they use it as an excuse to be cranky or to show off their devotion. The point of fasting and worship is to come closer and glorify God. All our devotion is meaningless if it doesn't lead us to work for justice for those in need. We can't praise God and ignore our neighbor.
God bless,
Sam
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the reflective season of Lent. Seasons in the church year are great opportunities to renew our focus on our faith and discipleship. At Laurelton we're kicking off the season with two reflective (and short) worship services and a 24 hour prayer vigil. The first service and the vigil starts at noon today in the sanctuary, and the second service begins at 6:40. Folks will be taking hour-long "shifts" to pray. Feel free to come by whenever, and to pray for whatever is on your heart. I'll be at the church the whole time so you never have to be alone.
Today's reading is a good reminder for Lent, when it's traditional (and still often useful) to fast as part of our spiritual preparation. God tells the people that denying themselves isn't any good if they use it as an excuse to be cranky or to show off their devotion. The point of fasting and worship is to come closer and glorify God. All our devotion is meaningless if it doesn't lead us to work for justice for those in need. We can't praise God and ignore our neighbor.
God bless,
Sam
Isaiah 58:1-12
1 Shout out, do not hold back!
Lift up your voice like a trumpet!
Announce to my people their rebellion,
to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 Yet day after day they seek me
and delight to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness
and did not forsake the ordinance of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgments,
they delight to draw near to God.
3 “Why do we fast, but you do not see?
Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?”
Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day,
and oppress all your workers.
4 Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to strike with a wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
will not make your voice heard on high.
5 Is such the fast that I choose,
a day to humble oneself?
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush,
and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Will you call this a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
Lift up your voice like a trumpet!
Announce to my people their rebellion,
to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 Yet day after day they seek me
and delight to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness
and did not forsake the ordinance of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgments,
they delight to draw near to God.
3 “Why do we fast, but you do not see?
Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?”
Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day,
and oppress all your workers.
4 Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to strike with a wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
will not make your voice heard on high.
5 Is such the fast that I choose,
a day to humble oneself?
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush,
and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Will you call this a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
6 Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.
If you remove the yoke from among you,
the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
10 if you offer your food to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
and your gloom be like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you continually,
and satisfy your needs in parched places,
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters never fail.
12 Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in.
the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
10 if you offer your food to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
and your gloom be like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you continually,
and satisfy your needs in parched places,
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters never fail.
12 Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in.
Monday, August 1, 2011
discipleship
Good morning friends,
Today Ramadan begins. During Ramadan Muslims fast from dawn to dusk to refocus their lives on God. Reflection, prayer and serving the poor are important components of Ramadan. This Ramadan, the Yemen Peace Project, an organization my brother helped found, is encouraging people to skip a meal per week during Ramadan and donate what we would have spent on food to humanitarian relief in Yemen. There's more information here, and I'm happy to answer any questions I can. I hope you'll join me in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Yemen.
Today's reading begins an important section in Romans. The first 8 chapters have discussed God's grace in Christ at length. Chapters 9-11 deal with a question close to Paul's heart, why have most Jewish people not accepted Christ and what does that mean? In this first section Paul talks about how being part of God isn't just about your family line or community. That's an important word for us too. Being a member of a church isn't what faith is about. We are called to live our faith and nurture our connection to God through active discipleship. Soren Kierkegaard puts it well: "Sitting in church doesn't make one a Christian any more than sitting in a garage makes one a car." Let's use this Ramadan to recommit ourselves to faith and justice.
God bless,
Sam
Romans 9:1-13
1I am speaking the truth in Christ — I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit — 2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. 4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
6It is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all Israelites truly belong to Israel, 7and not all of Abraham’s children are his true descendants; but “It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.” 8This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. 9For this is what the promise said, “About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son.” 10Nor is that all; something similar happened to Rebecca when she had conceived children by one husband, our ancestor Isaac. 11Even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose of election might continue, 12not by works but by his call) she was told, “The elder shall serve the younger.” 13As it is written, “I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.”
Today Ramadan begins. During Ramadan Muslims fast from dawn to dusk to refocus their lives on God. Reflection, prayer and serving the poor are important components of Ramadan. This Ramadan, the Yemen Peace Project, an organization my brother helped found, is encouraging people to skip a meal per week during Ramadan and donate what we would have spent on food to humanitarian relief in Yemen. There's more information here, and I'm happy to answer any questions I can. I hope you'll join me in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Yemen.
Today's reading begins an important section in Romans. The first 8 chapters have discussed God's grace in Christ at length. Chapters 9-11 deal with a question close to Paul's heart, why have most Jewish people not accepted Christ and what does that mean? In this first section Paul talks about how being part of God isn't just about your family line or community. That's an important word for us too. Being a member of a church isn't what faith is about. We are called to live our faith and nurture our connection to God through active discipleship. Soren Kierkegaard puts it well: "Sitting in church doesn't make one a Christian any more than sitting in a garage makes one a car." Let's use this Ramadan to recommit ourselves to faith and justice.
God bless,
Sam
Romans 9:1-13
1I am speaking the truth in Christ — I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit — 2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. 4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
6It is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all Israelites truly belong to Israel, 7and not all of Abraham’s children are his true descendants; but “It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.” 8This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. 9For this is what the promise said, “About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son.” 10Nor is that all; something similar happened to Rebecca when she had conceived children by one husband, our ancestor Isaac. 11Even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose of election might continue, 12not by works but by his call) she was told, “The elder shall serve the younger.” 13As it is written, “I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.”
Saturday, February 26, 2011
privacy and greed
Good morning sisters and brothers,
Jesus talks today about fasting and devotion to God, as well as the dangers of possessions. Like with prayer and giving to those in need, fasting is meant to be between us and God. We don't fast so we can earn credit from other people for our self-control or dedication, but so we can grow closer to God through focusing on God. Of course, there are also times to share a fast with others; much of the fasting in the Bible is community fasting, and that's still appropriate today.
Jesus warns us not to store up treasure on earth, but to invest in God's kingdom instead. He goes from there to talk about the eye. This isn't a criticism of people with vision problems. According to the New Interpreters' Study Bible, people at that time though light went out from the eye to guide our behavior. In this case having a "bad eye" (here translated, unhealthy) probably meant being greedy. If we focus on letting God be our guide and master, our whole body and life will be full of light, but if we led possessions control us, we will be full of darkness.
Blessings,
Sam
Matthew 6:16-24
16“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; 23but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
Jesus talks today about fasting and devotion to God, as well as the dangers of possessions. Like with prayer and giving to those in need, fasting is meant to be between us and God. We don't fast so we can earn credit from other people for our self-control or dedication, but so we can grow closer to God through focusing on God. Of course, there are also times to share a fast with others; much of the fasting in the Bible is community fasting, and that's still appropriate today.
Jesus warns us not to store up treasure on earth, but to invest in God's kingdom instead. He goes from there to talk about the eye. This isn't a criticism of people with vision problems. According to the New Interpreters' Study Bible, people at that time though light went out from the eye to guide our behavior. In this case having a "bad eye" (here translated, unhealthy) probably meant being greedy. If we focus on letting God be our guide and master, our whole body and life will be full of light, but if we led possessions control us, we will be full of darkness.
Blessings,
Sam
Matthew 6:16-24
16“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; 23but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
Monday, July 26, 2010
fasting and humility
Good morning all,
This morning's reading continues Paul's train of thought about finding our center in Christ, not in "elemental spirits" or in other powers. There's some uncertainty what the term "elemental spirits" means but it seems to have to do with spirits associated with stars or elements of the world (earth, air, fire, water). As we see in today's reading there also seems to have been teachings floating around in Colossae that encouraged ascetic practices (fasting, dietary restrictions, etc.).
It's interesting to see Paul's response to these ideas since he has a reputation as a pretty strict person, and elsewhere he had nothing good to say about excessive food or drink. Paul's point is that what matters is holding fast to Christ. Food is neither good nor bad; fasting is neither good nor bad in itself. The question is what leads us to lean more on Christ and to live by his light. That's a good guideline in general for us, along with how our actions impact others.
God bless you as you start the new week,
Sam
Colossians 2:16-23
16Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. 17These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, dwelling on visions, puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking, 19and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God.
20If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, 21“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”? 22All these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply human commands and teachings. 23These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.
This morning's reading continues Paul's train of thought about finding our center in Christ, not in "elemental spirits" or in other powers. There's some uncertainty what the term "elemental spirits" means but it seems to have to do with spirits associated with stars or elements of the world (earth, air, fire, water). As we see in today's reading there also seems to have been teachings floating around in Colossae that encouraged ascetic practices (fasting, dietary restrictions, etc.).
It's interesting to see Paul's response to these ideas since he has a reputation as a pretty strict person, and elsewhere he had nothing good to say about excessive food or drink. Paul's point is that what matters is holding fast to Christ. Food is neither good nor bad; fasting is neither good nor bad in itself. The question is what leads us to lean more on Christ and to live by his light. That's a good guideline in general for us, along with how our actions impact others.
God bless you as you start the new week,
Sam
Colossians 2:16-23
16Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. 17These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, dwelling on visions, puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking, 19and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God.
20If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, 21“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”? 22All these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply human commands and teachings. 23These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.
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