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“I just can’t find any peace” she said, so I ask her, “where have you been looking?”
For years I have tried to find peace within myself and one thing I am sure of, it does not exist. Self-produced peace is impossible, though many have claimed they have it. I am sure many are thinking now about swami’s or meditation gurus who claim inner peace as obtainable through study and reflection. In this I would agree, it is indeed possible to obtain a level of inner peace through the process of exclusion and avoidance. This type of inner peace is far from the universal and all encompassing peace that Jesus promises us. This type of inner peace, if you will notice, always results in the practitioner removing him/her self from common society, avoiding places of conflict and cloistering in order to control their surroundings. This type of peace is fragile and defensive and can be easily overpowered by the environment or by thoughts and emotions. This view of inner peace is based on the premise that it is the world around us that drives peace away. Through study, reflection and repetition the individual trains their mind to relegate, denigrate or ignore the world to control the emotions. While this provides a level of derivative peace, it cannot produce true peace because it is actually the war within that makes peace impossible. We were created to be in constant fellowship with God (Genesis 3:8, Gen. 5:1) and St. Paul reminds us that, apart from Christ, we are “far from God” (Colossians 1:21). Separation from God distances us from true peace in the same way that separation from each other robs of true fellowship. True peace can only be found when we are in fellowship with Christ. St. Paul reminds us that the “peace which passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) is found only in Christ Jesus, not in ourselves. Without a depth of relationship with Jesus, our own sinful actions leave us “without hope and without God” (Ephesians 2:12) and certainly without peace. To find the peace we so desire we must not look within, there we will only find transitory, fleeting glimpses of peace rocked and swayed by emotion and opinion. No, we must seek fellowship with Jesus, the Prince of Peace, through whom we are united with the Father (John 3:16-18). Jesus came to earth to bridge the gap between sinful man and a Holy God, “For He Himself is our peace, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall” (Ephesians 2:14). This union with Christ will obliterate our false view of peace, as Jesus said, “I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It is not like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” (John 14:27) The Peace of Christ does not require that we avoid conflict or seclude ourselves away. The Peace of Christ is peace in the midst of turmoil, strife and pain, it is peace in the face of fear, foreboding and uncertainty. The Peace of Christ is peace in all of our relationships and encounters and is a gift that is to be shared in the midst of conflict. As you learn to walk each day turning to Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, you will begin to experience the peace that is promised as part of the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22; Isaiah 32:17). As your relationship grows, “God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand” (Philippians 4:7). Let us Pray: “Dear Lord Jesus, I am lacking Your perfect peace. Please help me to turn my heart and mind toward You. I know that I am involved in a spiritual battle and that the enemy seeks to destroy the peace I can only find in You. Forgive me, Lord, for seeking peace apart from You and strengthen me according to Your Word. Amen.” In the Peace of Christ, Fr. Bill+
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“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
John 15:1-2 As Jesus was preparing for His impending execution on the cross, He took some time to intentionally teach His disciples critical things about the nature of what it means to have a genuine relationship with Him. And as He did in other conversations, He used analogies and illustrations to help His followers understand what He meant. In this passage, Jesus referred to Himself as "the true vine." Vineyards were common in the area where these words were being spoken, so Christ's disciples could mentally envision the example Jesus was using. Jesus also described God the Father as "the vinedresser" or the one who would intentionally care for the branches in order to enable them to bear plentiful and good fruit. Jesus was using this analogy to help His disciples understand the importance of having a fruitful relationship with Him. That concept should catch our attention as well when we read these words. Jesus said that unfruitful branches would be taken away. I think Judas is a good example of what Jesus was speaking about. Judas appeared to be a devoted follower of Christ, yet it eventually became clear that his heart was quite distant and hostile toward Jesus. In time, Judas was taken away. He was removed because he wasn't bearing spiritual fruit. But Jesus also teaches that the Father will prune fruitful branches in order to make them even more fruitful. At first glance, I'm sure that statement sounds fine and logical, but have you ever experienced the Lord's work to prune your life? When He does so, the end result is wonderful, but frequently the process produces short term pain or discomfort. In His pruning, He may remove certain people from your life. He may completely alter your career. He may place you in a location that's unfamiliar. He may take away some things that you've developed an unhealthy reliance on. But why does He do so? He does so because He's invested in your growth. He wants you to have an abundantly fruitful relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. This passage isn't the only place in Scripture that speaks of the Lord's work to nurture and prune His people. Another good example is given to us in the book of Isaiah... “Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.” Isaiah 5:1-2 In Isaiah 5, we're told of someone who clears a fertile hill of stones. We're also told that he planted choice vines on that hill, built a watchtower to guard it, and hewed out a wine vat in it with the expectation that this carefully cultivated vineyard would yield delicious grapes. But the vineyard yielded wild and sour fruit instead. Its produce was essentially useless and disappointing considering how much had been invested in it. Jesus seems to be alluding to this passage from Isaiah when He speaks of Himself as the true vine. Isaiah's passage was prophetically speaking of the Lord's work to cultivate the people of Israel and Judah. He established them, blessed them, protected them, and provided for them, but unfortunately, they rejected Him, ignored His word, and coveted the false assurances that come with idolatry. Ironically, the same issue is often present among those who call themselves Christians right now. Jesus has invested in our fruitfulness in every way possible. When He ascended to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell us. He gave us His word. He empowers and protects us, yet we also struggle in the same ways the people of Israel and Judah did, and I'll give you proof that what I'm saying is true. “Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:3-4 When we talk about abiding in Christ, we're talking about remaining connected to Him. To abide in Christ involves living in a close relationship with Him instead of walking away from Him. A branch won't grow if it isn't connected to the vine. Likewise, we won't grow if we aren't living in a healthy relationship with Christ. So what does our union with Christ entail? What does a healthy relationship with Him look like? I think there are several characteristics worth noting of a person who abides in Christ.
If we abide in Him, the true vine, we will bear much fruit, quality fruit, meaningful fruit, lasting fruit. But apart from Him, we can do nothing at all, and certainly nothing of lasting value. As Jesus spoke of Himself by saying, "I am the true vine," He was trying to help us understand the value of being connected to Him by faith. A deep and growing relationship with Him will result in peace in all circumstances, hope in trials, strength in adversity, and joy that cannot be taken from you. The full portion of scripture which contains this passage is our Gospel reading for this coming Sunday, it reads, “Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” Where are you seeking sustenance, and where do you expect to find peace? Jesus tells us that for all who believe, the answer can only be Jesus Christ, the true vine. Faithfully in Christ, Fr. Bill+ Easter is a time of celebration, of new life, of hope and of forgiveness, ours by Christ and others by us. Under the direction of God in Old Testament, people would bring bulls, goats, doves, or a spotless lamb to the temple priest to be sacrificed as a sin offering. This was not a private event, this took place in the temple in front of everyone else even as their sacrifice was. This was an act of devotion and obedience to God as much as it was an acknowledgment that sin and corruption were a part of everyone’s life, no one was sinless. God had instructed the people to act, to DO the process of the sacrifice in order for them to confront their need for forgiveness and their need to forgive others.
When God became flesh and dwelt among us God continued this teaching to the people. Flesh was frail and the spirit was weak, yet God became flesh to show us that redemption was indeed possible. The people who cried out, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” did not realize that Jesus was the sacrifice they needed, that He was the forgiveness that would set them free. That freedom was twofold as it was in prior days, the forgiveness that I received and so was set free from my guilt and the forgiveness that I could give to others and be set free from my anger and hurt. Jesus didn’t simply pay for our sins, He gave us the example that we must make sacrifices for others—for their sake and ours. The Jan. 9, 1984 Time magazine cover story titled “Why Forgive?” spoke of forgiveness as a necessary act for health and wellbeing for the community as well as the individual. Focusing on Pope John Paul's forgiveness of Mehmet Ali Agca, the man who tried to assassinate him, journalist Lance Morrow wrote: The psychological case for forgiveness is overwhelmingly persuasive. Not to forgive is to be imprisoned by the past, by old grievances that do not permit life to proceed with new business. "Not to forgive is to yield oneself to another's control. If one does not forgive, then one is controlled by the other's initiatives and is locked into a sequence of act and response, of outrage and revenge, tit for tat, escalating always. The present is endlessly overwhelmed and devoured by the past. But to forgive is to be free from the past. Harboring anger, hate, resentment, or blame is a very real impairment in the present physical, mental, emotional and spiritual life. Steven Lucas MBACP, professional counselor and therapist writes how the past, concretized and lived in the present, will cause mental, emotional, and spiritual degradation and harm: When we are unwilling to forgive, resentment builds and anger is displayed. Resentment refers to the mental process of repeatedly replaying a feeling, and the events leading up to it, that goad or anger us. We don’t replay a cool litany of “facts” in resentment; we re-experience and relive them in ways that affect us emotionally, physiologically and spiritually in very destructive ways. The inability to overcome resentment probably constitutes the single most devastating impediment to repairing a disintegrating intimate connection, family rift, or severed friendship. “Living with resentment is like taking poison and expecting the other guy to get sick.” This makes vivid one of the most crippling aspects of resentment – one you may be experiencing right now. If you’re thinking about ways to get even and prove to another person that you’re right and they’re wrong, you need to remember that the person who is the focus of your animosity may be feeling just fine, enjoying life, and perhaps not at all troubled by any of the interactions that are renting space in your brain. Ultimately, resentment hurts you far more than the person toward whom you bear a grudge. Jesus said, "If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15) How can God forgive my sins when they are more real, more important to me than God? An unforgiving spirit locks me into myself, wounded and blaming the other for my pain. An unforgiving spirit makes it impossible to truly accept Christ and the peace that Christ gives, for they are one in the same. Jesus forgave those who Crucified Him and that example set us free to do the same. It is important to remember that, even though He forgave them, that did not mean they all accepted Him. Our responsibility to forgive the other may not lead to the restoration of the relationship, for the other must accept forgiveness even as we have. Jesus showed us what we are to do regardless of what others are doing, He did this because He knew the effect the alternative would have on us; “Living with resentment is like taking poison and expecting the other guy to get sick.” We no longer need a goat or bull or lamb, we have received forgiveness and have been set free to forgive—to be free. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:12-13) Accepting and giving forgiveness in Christ, Fr. Bill+ Are “We are all children of God”? (1 John 3:1b) It is no secret that our use of language changes over time. Words and phrases once used daily are lost or barely known with a generation. Do you remember the phrase “mum’s the word?” If you do, you know it means “don’t say anything.” But, do you know where the word “mum” comes from? The word "mum" is a variation of the Middle English word "momme", which was used between 1350 and 1400 and meant "be silent; do not reveal". "Mum" may also come from the word "mummer", which refers to someone who acts without speaking. The English word "mime" is similar to "mum" and means "silent actor" or "imitator." So, if you know this phrase “mum’s the word,” you were using a paronym (mum) of “momme” or “mummer,” both of which were already lost to English usage. Most young people today do not know “mum’s the word”. It is well on the way to being lost.
How about the phrase “Blood is thicker than water?” This phrase is used to suggest that family relationships are more important than any other relationships. Would it surprise you to hear that our usage of this phrase is exactly OPPOSITE of the original meaning? The phrase “blood is thicker than water” is a derivative of the longer phrase stating, "The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb." How this, and many other phrases got turned around is unknown. It can be assumed though, that over the years misquoting took its toll until all that was left seemed to have a logical meaning. Simply put, no one remembered the original phrase. OK, one more. “Sweating like a pig!” It’s 98 degrees and you have been walking quickly (with the group) to make that tour bus. Now, waiting at the bus stop, the exclamation is heard, “I’m sweating like a pig!” In actuality, the person making that proclamation is actually saying, “I’m cooling off.” If you think about this phrase, “sweating like a pig,” doesn’t make sense, pigs don’t sweat. The only way for a pig to cool off is to roll around in water, or preferably in mud! So, could there be another kind of pig? In fact, yes--pig iron. In order to extract iron from ore, the ore is super heated, a process called smelting. The crude, unrefined iron produced by smelting is called pig iron because it is cast into nuggets roughly the shape of a pig. As the pig iron cools it begins to form droplets of condensation. The droplets are a sign that the cooling pig iron is cool enough to be handled and safe to move and package. So, if you’re “sweating like a pig,” you are actually cooling off. So, what is the point of all this, aside from the fact that learning it is just fun? We are now better aware that there are processes at work that have altered and corrupted much of our language over time, and biblical language is not immune to them. Are “We are all children of God”? (1 John 3:1b) The phrase “children of God” is always used (at least in my experience) to roughly mean, “we are all related (children) because we are created by God,” as in, “We should help them. After all, we’re all children of God.” But is this correct? Is everyone a child of God? In general, the biblical answer is simple: no. Specifically, St John illuminates in chapter 3 of his 1st letter See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-4 The phrase “children of God” is part of a large and rich group of New Testament phrases that describe people who have come to faith in Jesus Christ. As I point this out, I am aware that this may be difficult to hear, but please keep reading. Modern usage, as in the phrases above, has altered our perception enough that drilling down to the actual meaning of this phrase may have emotional repercussions. I suspect this may sound as if I am saying that someone who is not a child of God (as understood in the Bible) has no fundamental worth or relationship with God, this is not true. The issue isn’t who is not called a child of God, rather, it is why you are. What does it mean to be children of God? When St. John and St. Paul wrote that we are the “children of God,” they were describing our transition into a person of faith in Jesus Christ. John and Paul were not describing our value or worth as a created person beloved and sought after by the Father, they were describing our relationship to the Father through our faith in Jesus. As children of the same parents share both a nature, relationship, and certain rights that come from being born to specific parents, John and Paul want people to understand that becoming a child of God meant the willing embrace of the specific lineage through Jesus Christ, …that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. We receive a nature, relationship, and an inheritance from God, eternal life, through the specific sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. At the time this phrase was originally used, it would have been familiar to those who heard it. Various religious traditions of that day understood faith in familial terms as well, for instance, people who grew up in Greco-Roman culture would have known Zeus as “father.” Those who came to Christianity from other religious traditions would have been ejected by their “family” of believers, isolated, even abandoned by their biological family. In fact, Jesus told his disciples that faith in Him would create divisions for them. He said that their faith would even divide their biological home, “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Luke 12:49-53 St. Paul tells those who have converted from Judaism, I mean that as long as the heir is not of age, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything, but he is under the supervision of guardians and administrators until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were not of age, were enslaved to the elemental powers of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption. As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. Galations 4:1-7 Imagine how this language would be received by a person who had lost their friends and family by accepting the truth of Jesus. Once alone without familiar connections, now through faith in Christ they are a child in a family of believers. For such people, finding their new sisters and brothers would be of great comfort. All human beings are created by God in God’s own image and loved so much that God became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14) Jesus, Immanuel, lived and died for all that everyone might come within his loving embrace. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 101) This witness of extravagant love is accepted and revered by those who accept this as truth, the children of God. Both St. Paul and St. John declare that we have the ability to become the children of God only through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Those who are wounded and isolated, who have lost their friends and family need the Good News. We need to reclaim what was meant by what was said and share it. No matter where they are now, they can be fulfilled and made whole as … brothers and sisters in God’s family because of the blood of Jesus, and he welcomes us to come into the most holy sanctuary in the heavenly realm—boldly and without hesitation. (Hebrews 10:19) A child with the Children of God, Fr. Bill+ Dear Creator Family, Greetings to you from high atop Molly’s Knob in Hungry Mother State Park near Boone, North Carolina. It is a joy to spend some time with Jenny and Will, climbing to such a place to meld with the beauty and wonder of God’s creation. I pray that you all are having a beautiful, miraculous Easter week. I found this short inspirational video a little while ago and want to share it with you. God bless you all and may the Resurrection of Our Lord inspire you through His companionship along the way. Glorying in the Resurrection, Fr. Bill+ |
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September 2024
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