September 14, 2014

Matthew 18:21-35

Being a Christian is not an easy identity to hold. Sure, we many times live as if it is, but for those who truly take the message of Christ to heart and earnestly seek to live it, it is a task that requires a commitment that involves every possible bit of strength, candor, hope and love that we have, and even then sometimes it seems as if we are close but just miss the goal. There are lots of difficult parts to maintaining our Christian identities. Part of the reason that a Christian life is so difficult to put into practice is the issue of forgiveness.

In 1978, a book was published called, The 100, by Michael Hart. It is a ranking of the most influential persons in history. Many of us might disagree with Hart’s opinions. For instance, he ranks Jesus third, behind Muhammad and Isaac Newton. (Buddha, Confucius, and St. Paul come next.) Despite this, it is an intriguing text, with some thought-provoking analyses. For example, Hart explains that he ranks Muhammad first because he was the sole founder of Islam, while Jesus and St. Paul share the responsibility for Christianity. Muhammad was also a great secular leader, while Jesus Christ refused to accept any worldly authority.

What is more pertinent is the author’s description of the unique message of Christ. Almost all religions adopt some form of the Golden Rule as a premise, but Jesus was alone in commanding that we forgive enemies, turn the other cheek, or walk a second mile. Hart then quotes the text from the sermon on the mount and says that if these words were widely followed, he would have no hesitation in placing Jesus first on the list.

You see, there is no legal demand that  a human being should love an enemy. In fact, it is difficult for us to love anyone unless we have the security of being loved. Except in a case of sexual infatuation, it’s just not logical to expect us to love anyone who doesn’t reciprocate our love.

It is even more difficult for us to forgive others if we don’t have the assurance of being forgiven. We feel we have to wait, until we are sure that the other person will also forgive us. all of us have probably fallen uncontrollably in love with a potential sweetheart who rejects us. But we don’t fall uncontrollably into forgiveness, especially of an enemy! Also, we can love people and not forgive them - a fact proven by the high rate of divorce in our society.

Peter heard the troubling command of Jesus and wanted to ingratiate himself with the Lord - but he also wanted to be sure he didn’t go too far. Knowing that some rabbis advocated forgiveness three times, he came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?, until seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I say not to you, ‘until seven times,’ but ‘until seventy times seven’.”

Many have computed that this is 490 times, but the command is not for me to count patiently if my wife burns toast 490 mornings and then on the 491st time I can finally condemn her! That is not the point of Jesus teaching. So, the point is not to count to 491 to finally condemn someone. We know then, also, that the point is not to refuse forgiveness the first time or the second time either. Is Jesus, then, saying that we ought to always forgive, no matter how many times we have been wronged, no matter how many times we have been burnt, no matter who is making the mistake or no matter what the mistake is? Could that be it, that forgiveness should be demanded at every opportunity, no matter what. Is it that Christians should never hold a grudge, that Christians must always forgive and just move on, knowing that the mistake, or the sin, will happen again and again?

I don’t think so. Remember, the scripture from just last week about how to deal with problems inside the church. We are to fix them, or attempt to address them before we go to the altar, but at the same time if the behavior doesn’t change, we are to cast them out of the community. That would seem to suggest that there is a limit to forgiveness. So what is that limit? One time? Two times? 7 times? 490 times? A thousand times??? What is the correct answer?

Well, the easy answer is that concentrating on a number may be the wrong approach to take. Let’s be realistic here, we all get mad. We all have those moments when we are furious with somebody for something. Sometimes, though, God has funny ways of helping us see the error in our ways. That happened to me this week.

One thing I will say about myself is that it is pretty hard to get me upset. Sure, things bother me. I get mad at people, at myself, at the world. But for me to get really hopping mad, it takes a lot. If you ever see me mad, you would understand. I can get unrecognizable. I get red in the face, I can’t find the words to speak, and I even swear. Luckily, it doesn’t happen very often. The fact that it takes a lot to get me really mad is a good quality, I guess. But, in full disclosure, Eimy will tell you there are many other not so great qualities of mine that more than offset my cool temper.

So this week, I had one of those moments when I got really upset. On wednesday’s I come home from Washington. Now, I have taken to riding public transportation to get there and back. It takes longer but I can get work done on the way and I like that. Every other wednesday, though, I have a class until 3:00pm. In order to make all the connections and get on the rabbit transit bus back to york, I have to get to union station in DC and get on the train to baltimore by 4:15. Any later, and I get stuck in Hunt Valley and Eimy has to pull Mia out of soccer practice and drive down to pick me up.

So this wednesday, I left class and went as quickly as possible to the bus stop which took me to the subway stop, which took me to union station. I got there and ran to get the train ticket and, thank God, I was just in time. I saw my train was leaving from gate C, track 16 so I ran to the track. Now MARC trains, the commuter trains, are different than AMTRAK, so it is easy to know if you are getting on the right train. On track 16, there was a MARC train so I got on. I walked into the car and it was vacant. I went up to the next car and it was vacant too. I realized then, that I was on the wrong train. Unbeknownst to me, there were two MARC trains on the same track. I went to get out of the car and I couldn’t. It was locked and I couldn’t get out. I ran to the other doors, same deal. I pushed the buttons to open the doors, but no luck. I realized my train was going to leave and I couldn’t get to it. I started banging on the doors and windows yelling for help. I tried the intercom, nothing. After a few minutes of trying to get someone’s attention and their help, I finally had someone let me out of the train. A minute too late. However, I happened to notice that there was another train leaving in two minutes a few tracks down. I ran to the train and came across two other guys doing the same thing. We ran and when we got there the train was just starting to move. The two other guys jumped on. As soon as the second guy got on, one of the attendants stepped right in front of me and wouldn’t let me on. At this point, I have sweated through my clothes, running, dragging my bags, all knowing that if I don’t get on this train, there is no way I can get to York without eimy having to pick me up. The gentleman standing in front of me refusing to let me on was the last straw. I lost it. I started screaming. I started swearing. I started jumping up and down screaming at this man who now had turned around and completely ignored me, which of course made me scream louder.

I ended up getting on the next train, but missed the bus and eimy had to come and pick me up.

Long story short, I guess i needed a lesson on the importance of forgiveness. Unfortunately, it was a lesson I failed miserably. I failed because I let my anger get the better of me and I wasn’t even thinking about forgiveness, I was only thinking about me.

Because, here’s the kicker. Forgiveness isn’t for the person we are forgiving. Well, it is but it isn’t. Sometimes they are happy to have been forgiven, but sometimes they couldn’t care. We, however, have a lot to gain from forgiving. Scriptures talk of forgiveness alot, because it is such an important action that we must take. If for no other reason than the implication in Scripture that unless we are willing to forgive others, we ourselves will not be forgiven, not only by other humans but also by God.

We are warned that our resentment of others constitutes a barrier, not only between our selves and them but between us and God. It’s a danger that we Christians need to take seriously. We need to take it seriously because, this one issue, maybe more than any other single issue can keep easily prevent us from living a God-centered life. There are many ways to sin, but in the case of forgiveness it can become so hard to even see our own sin because it means admitting to ourselves that we have not lived a life worthy of Christ’s name.

In 1984, four months after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous lung, Greg Anderson was informed that the cancer had spread from his lung through the lymph system. His surgeon gave him “about thirty days to live.”

Desperate and dying, he called organizations around the country, speaking to individuals who had lived through a similar situation. The one, constant message he received was forgiveness. Gradually, Anderson came to realize that “forgiveness was my issue.”

Yes, he possessed a “critical” attitude, but there was more. Three months before his cancer diagnosis, he and a new controller at work began a series of escalating attacks and recriminations on each other. Within thirty days of Anderson’s diagnosis, his adversary was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Anderson finally admitted that there was a “link between my toxic behavior and the onset of my illness.”

After compiling a list of people to forgive and silently forgiving these people from his sickbed for four days, Anderson knew that he must visit his adversary from work. With heart pounding and adrenaline rushing, he visited the man in his home and managed to utter, “I have come to say I am sorry. I deeply regret the hurt I have caused you.”

Struggling to sit up in his own sickbed, his adversary replied, “Greg, I am the one who needs to say I’m sorry. I’m old enough to be your father. Yet I treated you like the outcast son. Please forgive me.”

While they embraced and cried, the former adversary muttered a prayer, “Dear God, forgive us all.”

Greg Anderson, wellness crusader and successful author, identifies this one week devoted to the sincere work of forgiveness as the “absolute turning point” in his physical healing.”

Not all forgiveness stories are that dramatic, but they all remind us that God does not call us to be perfect, but to be perfect in love. To forgive and be forgiven. So, back to the question, how many times should we forgive? One? Two? Seven? 490? 1000?. I believe the answer is not a number. When we ask ourselves how many times we should forgive, the answer is glaringly simple, the answer is this time! We should forgive this time! It doesn’t matter the issue, the person, the hurt, the pain, the suffering, the anger. We should forgive this time. Because that, my friends, is what we are called to do.

Why Methodist Doctrine??

This post was written for a class on Methodist Doctrine and is designed as the text to a presentation to be given to a congregation or other group on the topic of why Methodist doctrine is important and why it speaks to the church today, especially in a world filled with churches and denominations that argue and divide more than anything else.

Of the many issues affecting the life of the church in the United States today, one of the most troubling, but least discussed is the issue of doctrine in terms of denominational identity. Over the past decades, most Protestant denominations have relied more on familial ties for the maintenance of membership than appealing to anyone's individual theology. As a result, for most parishioners in any mainline protestant denomination, there is a lack of understanding as far as what that particular denomination believes or practices. This is not a fault of the parishioners, per se, rather, the church has done little to talk about its beliefs and practices outside of traditional membership classes and the shift of importance from membership to attendance means that churches are offering less and less about denominational identity. This may not be a totally negative circumstance for the church to find itself in, since, lack of denominational identity could help forge a stronger unity between the various denominations.

Therefore, understanding the doctrine of one's church is important as it helps create an identity that links parishioners to one another as well as with God and creation. It is imperative that the point be made that there is no corner on faith that is kept by any one particular denomination or doctrinal stance, rather the work and belief of all denominations contribute towards God's will ultimately being unveiled in our communities. However, each denomination and its unique doctrines help to allow all to participate in the making of God's kingdom.

One of the great things about Methodist Doctrine, specifically United Methodist Doctrine, is that it an amazing example of combining historic traditions of the church, both Protestant and Catholic, while at the same time allowing for and encouraging the use of reason and experience to understand our faith today.

Our Book of Discipline notes this common heritage when it speaks to our basic Christian affirmations:

“We hold in common with all Christians a faith in the mystery of salvation in and through Jesus Christ. We share in the Christian belief that God's redemptive love is realized in human life by the activity of the Holy Spirit, both in personal experience and in the community of believers. We understand ourselves to be a part of Christ's universal church when by adoration, proclamation, and service we become conformed to Christ. With other Christians we recognize that the reign of god is both a present and a future reality. We share with many Christian communions a recognition of the authority of Scripture in matters of faith, the confession that our justification as sinners is by grace through faith, and the sober realization that the church is in need of continual reformation and renewal.”ⁱ

Indeed, much of our practice as Methodists is not unique to our doctrine but is shared in common with other denominations both protestant as well as orthodox. We largely use the same sources of understanding our faith, namely Scripture. This has always been the case. Charles Wesley himself lays out the central role that Scripture plays when he writes these words: “Come, divine Interpreter, bring me eyes thy book to read, ears the mystic words to hear, words which did from thee proceed, words that endless bliss impart, kept in an obedient heart.ⁱⁱ”

We practice many of the same rites and sacraments (though those terms mean somewhat different things in different denominations) such as baptism and sharing the Eucharist. While Methodist doctrine differs some in the interpretation of these rites, especially from the orthodox view, these rites are still held as essential and participation in the sacraments is seen as crucial to the whole community. Again, Charles Wesley speaks to this in his lyrics, “Come, sinners, to the gospel feast, let every soul be Jesus' guest. Ye need not one be left behind, for God hath bid all humankind.”ⁱⁱⁱ

So, Methodists share more in common with other traditions that we sometimes realize. However, there are some differences and those are just as important. One major difference, and in reality it is more of an addition than a difference, is Methodist understanding of and Wesley's teaching of the meaning of grace in our lives. The existence of grace in three forms. Prevenient, the grace that is given to us before we even were. This allows us to know we need to seek for the truth in Christ. Wesley writes, “If we take this (salvation) in its utmost extent it will include all that is wrought in the soul by what is frequently termed 'natural conscience', but more properly, 'preventing grace'; all the drawings of the Father, the desires after God, which, if we yield to them, increase more and more...showing every man to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with his God.”^iv

Wesley goes on to explain the role that justifying grace also plays in our salvation. Justifying grace is, in essence, the forgiveness of our sins, wherein God sees us as forgiven for the sake of Christ. Again, Wesley's sermon “The Scripture Way of Salvation” continues on and speaks of this idea of justifying grace. “Justification is another word for pardon. It is the forgiveness of all our sins, and our acceptance with God. The price whereby this hath been procured for us is the blood and righteousness of Christ, or all that Christ hath done and suffered for us till 'he poured out his soul for the transgressors.'”^v

Finally, Sanctifying grace, signifies, for Methodists and other Wesleyans, that God continues to work in those who have been justified. Wesley called this working towards perfection, not in the sense that one could attain perfection in the way we normally think of it. Rather, there are stages in our faith as in our life. While Wesley argued that “Christian Perfection” could be attained in this life, the jury is out on how many actually have. The importance then, is in terms of holiness. Wesley writes, “Christian perfection therefore does not imply an exemption either from ignorance or mistake, or infirmities or temptations. Indeed, it is only another term for holiness. Thus everyone that is perfect is holy, and everyone that is holy is, in the Scripture sense, perfect. So that how much soever any man hath attained, or in how high a degree soever he is perfect, he hath still need to “grow in grace” and daily to advance in the knowledge and love of God his Saviour.”^vi

Methodists, then, understand salvation to be attained by grace through faith, yet it is also not something that happens once and that is it. It is a process, a continual process through which one encounters a God who has enabled man to know to seek Him, endear to find Him, and work to love as He loves. That type of faith is not an easy thing to achieve. Charles Wesley speaks to this, “Let us plead for faith alone, faith which by our works is shown; God it is who justifies, only faith the grace applies. Let us for this faith contend, sure salvation is the end; heaven already is begun, everlasting life is won.”^vii

This, then, is how Methodists and Wesleyans understand faith and salvation. The question, one that has been debated since the early church, then becomes once again important. If we are saved by grace through faith and if our works have no import; then what relevance do our actions have in living out this faith? Methodists have answered that question in a number of ways throughout the history of the movement. Some of those ways may seem a bit ostracizing when discussed in a world that has changed significantly over the past couple of decades alone. Methodists have been associated with movements to outlaw alcoholic beverages and live lives free from tobacco and other drugs. Yet, at the same time Methodists were also actively engaged in the debate over the morality of slavery. John Wesley was vehemently opposed to this practice although the early Methodist church in the United States did split over this issue. Regardless, though, the fact is that there has always been a moral component to living an active faith in the Methodist movement. It follows from the “General Rules” which tie together how our faith is to be practiced and lived. First, by doing no harm and avoiding every kind of evil. Secondly, by doing good of every kind as far as possible and Third, by attending upon all the ordinances of God.

Therefore, there can be no disconnect between our faith, our life, and our salvation. They are all tied together through the grace that we are granted and continue to strive in towards perfection.

Finally, it should be noted that Methodism did not start as a church or a distinct denomination, but rather as a movement. It took doctrinal stances from other established churches of its time, mainly those of the Anglican church. Yet, it sought to create communities of individuals who would seek to understand their faith collectively and methodically both inside and outside of traditional worship. These small groups have always been important in Methodist practice and together, with the history of the movement and its theological development support the premise that the Church of God, the Body of Christ, is not something that can be cornered into one doctrinal corner or another. The truth of Christ is not only available to those who practice a certain understanding of baptism or the Eucharist, but for all creation, in all its diversity.

Wesley himself wrote in one of his most famous sermons, “Catholic Spirit”, these words which, I feel, provide an ending to this brief synopsis of Methodist doctrine.

“If then we take this word in the strictest sense, a man of catholic spirit is one who..gives his hand to all whose hearts are right with his heart. One who knows how to value and praise God for all the advantages he enjoys: with regard to the knowledge of the things of God, the true, scriptural manner of worshiping Him; and above all his union with a congregation fearing God and working righteousness. One who, retaining these blessings with the strictest care, keeping them as the apple of his eye, at the same time loves as friends, as members of Christ and children of God, as joint partakers now of the present Kingdom of God, and fellow-heirs of his eternal Kingdom, all of whatever opinion or worship who, rejoicing to please and fearing to offend God, are careful to abstain from evil and zealous of good works. He is the man of truly catholic spirit who bears all these continually upon his heart, who having an unspeakable tenderness for their persons, and longing for their welfare, does not cease to commend them to God in prayer, as well as to plead their cause before men; who speaks comfortably to them, and labours by all his words to strengthen their hands in God. He assists them to the uttermost of his power in all things, spiritual and temporal. He is ready 'to spend and be spent for them'; yea, to lay down his life for their sake.”^viii

i"¶ 101." The book of discipline of the United Methodist Church, 2008. Nashville, Tenn.: United Methodist Pub. House, 2008. . Print.

ii Wesley, C. (1989). Come, Divine Interpreter. The United Methodist hymnal: book of United Methodist worship. (Pew ed., ). Nashville, Tenn.: United Methodist Publishing House. #594

iii Wesley, C. (1989). Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast The United Methodist hymnal: book of United Methodist worship. (Pew ed., ). Nashville, Tenn.: United Methodist Publishing House. #616

ivWesley, John, Albert Cook Outler, and Richard P. Heitzenrater. "The Scripture Way of Salvation." John Wesley's Sermons: An Anthology. Nashville: Abingdon, 1991. 372-80. Print.

vIbid.

viIbid. “Christian Perfection” pp.70-84 (quote from p.73)

viiWesley, C. (1989). Let us Plead for Faith Alone. The United Methodist hymnal: book of United Methodist worship. (Pew ed., ). Nashville, Tenn.: United Methodist Publishing House. #385

viiiWesley, John, Albert Cook Outler, and Richard P. Heitzenrater. "Catholic Spirit" John Wesley's Sermons: An Anthology. Nashville: Abingdon, 1991. 300-309. Quote from p.309 Print.

Sermon from Special service celebrating the Children

June 22,  2014

This sermon was given to celebrate during worship the children in the congregation at Grace United Methodist Church in York, PA. The service was expertly planned and executed by my wife, Eimy and Jenn Byers, a friend and active member of the congregation. All that went into the service came from the passion that these two women and so many other people put into the lives of the children in our lives. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. Here is the text of the sermon, but the rest of the service was so much more important that I feel that these words were the least important part of the service. Nonetheless, here they are.

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

I thought to start this morning with a confession. Do you know what it means to confess something? I know usually you don’t expect the pastor to stand up here and confess. Yet that is exactly what I know I need to do. What makes this confession interesting is that it is not just a confession that I am making to you, but rather one that I am making on behalf of the entire church to you, the future of our church.

You see, our scripture today is a wonderful example of Jesus telling us exactly what the Kingdom of Heaven, what the Kingdom of God is like. And we worship here every week and we believe in Jesus Christ, that he died for our sins, that he was resurrected after three days, that he ascended to heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father. And we worship Him, but what we have here today is a perfect example of worshipping something and someone we don’t understand. We pretend that our faith is strong and that we are in tune with God’s plan for our lives, that is, until the time comes when changes in life put us in a position where we have to either accept the new and work inside of it, or refuse to accept the new and demand that the world adapt to us and our traditions. Unfortunately, we are guilty of being a bit stubborn and this has, over time, meant that the church, as a whole, has stopped speaking to those who really need to hear what God and what Christ have to offer. We say we care about the younger generation, until it comes time to put our words into actions, then well, we find one reason or another to justify our traditional way of doing things.

So, I want to confess this morning to you, the children of God’s Kingdom. I apologize on behalf of this church and on behalf of the global church. We have not tried our best to include you. We have stood by and demanded that you worship as we do, that you find our music more meaningful, that you enjoy sermons that are somewhat out of touch and fairly boring. We have turned Christ’s church into our church with no regard that soon enough it will be your church and we are doing you no favors with our stubbornness and our inability to see beyond our own wants and desires.

We, and I, am sorry. We have not been who we claim to be. So, there, I’ve said that. But, here’s the thing. We are human. And there is one thing about humans that it is important to recognize. We have limits. We, as parents, for example, have limits to how much we can let you do. We are responsible for you. Your safety and your well being matter to us because we love you and we have responsibility for you, so regardless of the freedom we may want to give you, there are limits to what we can let you do and there are limits to what we can let ourselves do.

Our world, you will find out, is full of limits. There are limits to everything. There are limits to the amount we can eat. There are limits to the amount we can drink. There are limits to the amount of cold or heat that our bodies can take. There are limits to the speed we can drive on the highway. There are limits to the amount of fun things we can buy, regardless of how many fun things we want to buy and do. There are limits! Limits everywhere. Well, almost everywhere. There is one extremely important exception and that is love. Real love is limitless. When you really love someone there is nothing you won’t do, no limit you won’t pass to show that love or to act in that love.

Unfortunately, that kind of love is not as common as we would like. It really exists only in a few places. It exists in some marriages. It exists in some friendships. But, it always exists in the love that parents have for their kids. You see, we love you. Sometimes we don’t always show it the right way and sometimes you can’t see that we are acting in limitless love, but we do love you beyond any limits.

And finally, the love God has for you is limitless. The love God has for all His children is limitless.

The scripture I read this morning tells this story of limitless love. In the verses before the ones I read, Jesus is telling his followers that God never intended for there to be limits to life. God never intended limits on the length of our lives. God never intended there to be limits to our relationships. God never intended there to be limits on how we experience God himself.

You see, in Jesus day, little children were a nuisance. They were to be kept on the sidelines. When something important is going on, the little children are to be led away, so as not to interfere with whatever important business the adults are dealing with. But, Jesus wouldn’t have any of it. Jesus received the children, he hugged them, and he blessed them. Furthermore, Jesus says that in all of this, the kingdom of God is made manifest. Do you know what that means? To make manifest? It means to make totally obvious. To see plainly. To know beyond a shadow of doubt that something is real.

So, in this moment, Jesus says that with these little children the Kingdom of God is real, plainly obvious.

So what does this mean about what God is like? God brings people together. God desires that people who, having once been brought together, ought to stay together. God is the one who refuses to send these “little ones” away. Instead, God is the one who receives and embraces the little ones.

So when we read this passage what we are seeing is the great difference between God and ourselves. We, the human race, have limits. God, thankfully, has no such limitations. When we make promises, when we try to engage each other with nice words, when we make plans, sometimes we go past what our limitations are. Our promises get broken. Our encouragement and engagement of others turns into hurtful words that leave scars that don’t easily heal. Our plans fall through for any number of reasons.

But today, Jesus makes clear that God is not like that! God is the one who, from the very beginning unites, fosters communion. God is the one who brings individuals into community. That is how we got the church. God took us as different individuals, many of us quite unlike one another, and brought us together into communion in the church.

Furthermore, God is the one who enables us not only to bring “little ones” into the world but also to expend our lives in caring for the least of these. In every congregation there are people who take responsibility for children who are not their biological children, but are theirs as an assignment, as a gift of God.

We are, of course, only human. There are limits upon our love -- limits upon our ability to stay with other people, particularly people in great need, and to keep our lives bound to theirs. But this truth must be sent alongside a counter-truth -- the love of God does not have such limits. We try to separate from each other, but God does not separate from us. God has no limits, and especially when we are talking about God’s love.

I began, confessing to you that we, the adults in your lives are not perfect. But, we ask for your patience even when we seem to have none left for you. Be patient with us as we try to live into the people God has called us to be. I plead with you to open your hearts and minds to learn from us all that we have to teach you about life, about love, and about the God who created you and knew you first and who loves you beyond limitation.

And to those who are older children in this congregation, I ask to keep open your hearts and minds to accept these “little ones.” To love them, to support them, to teach them and yes, to learn from them. Jesus saw their very worth, and we must be reminded of that from time to time as well. As we live together as a church, we must be constantly reminded that what we want is not the important thing here. The important thing is our mission. That mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. All that we say and do. Every dollar we spend. Every service we perform. Every act of volunteerism we participate in has to be done towards this goal, this mission. If we are making a decision and the most important aspect of that decision is if it is what We want or what We think will be best, then our intentions need to be questioned because we are not thinking and acting as God calls us to.

Tradition is important and our past we should pass on to our youth, but if we are asking them to be open to our tradition, we must also force ourselves to be open to their ideas, their newness, their pleas to start talking and walking and worshipping with an eye outwards rather than just inwards.

Kids, thank you for showing us today that worship and fun go together more easily than we would like to admit.

A Day in Gonder, Ethiopia

Arriving in Gonder, we are greeted with views of a beautiful city. The air feels cooler and there is more humidity in the air than there was in Lalibella and Axum. Our hotel sits atop a hill and provides us with a beautiful view of the city including the palace compound of King Fasiledes.

In fact, our first stop during our short one day stay in Gonder takes us to this compound. King Fasiledes and his family ruled in the 1600's and 1700's and the compound includes six separate castles, each built by different royals, at different times, and for different reasons. For instance, one of the castles is visibly more humble than the others and this one was built by one of the royals who had a sense of humility and intellectual pursuits, therefore he also built a library next to his humble palace.

It was almost like wandering through a medieval feudal small kingdom. Even though the castles here were not built during what the west traditionally would consider “medieval” they were built at a time when the feudal structure was similar to the feudal structure that was present in Europe during the traditional “medieval” period.

After leaving the palace compound we toured the king's bath-house. This is a small castle-like structure surrounded by a pool that is as deep as the castle is high. During the rainy season, water collects in the pool and there are also structures built in that allow water to be diverted from a local river and into the bath-house. In the present-day, there are bleachers built around the outside and the pool is filled during a certain festival and townspeople come and there is a large celebration with some swimming.

We also visited the main church that was built around the same time. The church was similar to many of the other traditional orthodox churches we have seen. One difference was that upon entering we saw a couple who had just gotten married and were taking pictures in the usual accoutrement of an Ethiopian wedding. Both the Bride and Groom wear white, and have cloaks that surround them. Each wears a distinctive headpiece, resembling a combination of both a crown and a turban.

While visiting the church, I was surprised when a group of three young children came into the church. Normally, when foreigners are present, time is spent answering their questions, taking pictures and asking for alms. However, when the three local children entered, the head Priest immediately paid attention to them, listening to them, talking with them, praying with them and ignoring our presence, allowing us to meander at our own pleasure. This was refreshing. The spiritual journey of the parishioners seemed to be the most important priority for this priest and the children seemed to be much better off in this sense, they were the priority. Is it not Christ who would ignore the needs of the cultures priorities for the sake of those without priority? Is it not Christ who would ignore the rich and powerful in order to show that God favors the poor and the outcast?

I know we say that we focus on the poor fin our churches, but sometimes I feel like that is just something we tell ourselves to make ourselves feel better, especially when many of the decisions we make, many of the plans we strategize about, especially when many of the discussions we have and memories we get nostalgic about in the church are very much a reflection of the opposite of the Gospel's tendency and God's favor of the poor, the lesser, the least.

Videos from Ethiopia

Views of the Castle of Fasiledes in Gonder, Ethiopia

Another view of the Castles of Fasiledes in Gonder

We passed a wedding party on the road around Gonder. Very different from what we would see in the USA so I wanted to put it here for everyone's enjoyment. Weddings are joyful experiences, so maybe we should expect them to be jubilant enterprises.

An amazing place. This "primitive village" is actually the housing for a seminary of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The students live in the huts - five per hut - and share everything amongst them equally. They live here for a few years.

Finally, a video of some monkeys we saw on the road outside Bahir Dar. Cute video, especially for my kids. I love you Ian and Mia!!! See you soon!!!

A few more pictures.

Pictures. Pictures. Pictures.

View from the Hotel of the Castle of King Fasiledes.

Terrace and view at our hotel in Gonder, Ethiopia.

Castle in King Fasiledes compound.

Another of the six castles in Gonder. These castles were built in the 1600's and 1700's.

Wedding Picture of a couple getting married while we visited one of the Churches in Gonder. 

This village, believe it or not, is for seminary students who live five in a hut, share all property and work together in all living tasks and expenses. Many will do this for multiple years.

Family living in a small town between Gonder and Bahir Dar who showed us how they make injera, a local bread used as a staple for most meals.

The pot used to cook the injera over a fire of dung and wood.

Carl and Jason keeping up the tempo with a cool beat!

The point where Lake Tana flows into the very beginning of the Blue Nile. The Blue Nile then meanders up into Sudan meeting with the White Nile in Khartoum, the Sudanese Capital and then flows north into Egypt and the Mediterranean.

Pastor Steve in front of Africa's second most famous falls. The Blue Nile Falls, near the very beginning of this miraculous river in an amazing landscape.

Axum: The Ancient Capital of Ethiopia

Axum

The next stop on our tour of Ethiopia took us to Axum, the ancient capital of Ethiopia. This city is in the heart of the Tigray province in the far north, about 40 kilometers from the border with neighboring Eritrea. It is hotter here, and Axum is much larger than Lalibella.

One of the Stelae at Axum

Our days were filled with seeing the sights in and around the city. Axum is famous for a number of reasons, but one the the most well known is for the stelae fields. At the time of Axum's prominence, the area under Axumite control was much of present-day Ethiopia, as well as Eritrea, part of Sudan and even Yemen, on the other side of the Gulf of Aden. The kings that ruled from Axum traditionally would construct obelisks which would, to a certain extent, serve as their tombstones. Looking at the Stelae shows the changes that took place during the reign of the Axumite kingdom. Many stelae are very old and so the those stelae are rather unimpressive. However, there are others that are magnificent, rising around 10 stories in the air and carved designs in granite which was quarried from about 5 miles away and brought to the sites with the help of elephants. Beneath the stelae are a number of tombs where archaelogists have found various treasures, pieces of pottery, and other common findings in tombs like these. During the period shortly before World War II, Italy found itself in control of what is today Eritrea and certain parts of present-day Ethiopia. In Axum, Mussolini broke one of the most important Stelae into three pieces and took it to Rome where it stood for a number of years. It wasn't until fairly recently (a little less than a decade) that this particular stelae was returned to its original place and carefully put back together. One of the interesting pieces of this history we found in the tomb area. There is a casket that has been found in one of the tombs below the stelae fields. It is unknown who is entombed in this casket, except it is assumed one of the Kings is there. However, the casket is made of granite and there is no seal. It appears to be one solid piece of Granite, no way to open it. However, the interesting thing is that it is hollow. There is something inside, but there is no real way to figure out what is inside without breaking the granite apart.

Our guide banging on the casket of one of the Kings to show us that it is hollow.

We enter the Simien mountains on the road toward the border with Eritrea.

Axum is also the purported home of the real Ark of the Covenant, the home of the tablets God gave to Moses on which are inscribed the Ten Commandments. All Ethiopian Orthodox churches have a replica of the Ark in their own “holy of holies.” However, St. Mary's church in Axum is where, according to legend, the real ark is housed. There are only a few people who are allowed to actually see it. We were lucky enough to spend some time with one of the former Chief Priests of St. Mary's. His family has been in charge of the Ark for generations. We, of course, were not allowed to see the Ark. Not suprising, but almost all Ethiopians believe that the real Ark is indeed housed here and that belief has affected the course of Ethiopian politics, society, and religion for the past couple thousand years.

We also went to a small town about 60 kilometers away to see the ruins of the city of Yeha. Here there are ruins that date back 2500 years. The temple, which has been somewhat reconstructed, is open and upon entering, one sees the outline of the different rooms, including the rooms where Ibek's, a local type of deer, were sacrificed. In addition, the site contains other interesting things to see.

The Simien Mountains rise above on the way to Yeha.

Pastor Steve at the ruins of Yeha with a camel in the town square.

A young girl selling a traditional Ethiopian Coffee Jar

The ruins of the Temple at Yeha, a pre-Christian sit

It is definitely different than seeing a horse on the side of the road.

The children here are really great, but they are salesmen and saleswomen at heart and do not take no for an answer. However, occasionally one encounters a kid who just wants to practice their English or make a friend with someone from a foreign realm. Traveling to Yeha and back to Axum took us through the Simien Mountains. Beautiful peaks that rise up at least two thousand feat and more but that are not really connected to each other. I see a flat plain with these huge rocky spikes rising up from the flatland, each one freely standing on its own. I have never seen mountains like that, it gives me a sense of total awe at God's marvelous and diverse creation.

The ruins of the palace of the Queen of Sheba

Finally, we headed out to see the remains of the palace of the Queen of Sheba. The site, apparently, is not the actual palace of this famous Queen. The ruins date back to the 5^th or 6^th century after Christ, much to recent to be from the Queen of Sheba who is believed to have lived around the 10^th century BC. However, as archaeologists have excavated the palace, they have found that below what is there now is a different foundation that is much older. One of the current theories then, is that the site is indeed the location of the palace of the Queen of Sheba, however that palace was either destroyed or otherwise abandoned and later another palace was built by another royal and that second palace is the one whose ruins are visible today.

I was taken aback while at this palace to run into an Argentine doctor who is working for a Spanish non-profit in the Horn of Africa. We talked for a bit and I had to laugh that I would come the whole way here to find an Argentine. God always has those little surprises for us, coincidences or not!

As we went back to the hotel, we were accosted by a barrage of children looking for either a sale, a handout, or a handshake. These kids, though, were very adept at dividing us up to conquer us individually and many of us fell for the ruse. However, I did help one kid who showed me his report card, proud of his good grades. However, he worried because he couldn't go to the next grade without a new uniform, so I helped him out by taking him to the tailor and paying a small amount to help him cover the cost. It wasn't much, but it felt good to help him advance his studies. I worry that it was all a ruse and that I got conned, but I am going to convince myself that what I did was the right thing to do, either way, it made me feel good, even though the act of charity was small compared with the need around us.

As I write this, we are at the airport in Axum, waiting to board our plane to the city of Gondar where we will spend the next day and after which we will drive to the city of Bahir Dar which will take us around Lake Tana (the largest lake in Ethiopia) and will provide us the opportunity to take a boat ride on the Blue Nile. I am excited to see that.  

More pictures from Ethiopia.

Local resident girl coming to see who this group of visitors is.

Inside one of the Rock-hewn churches.

Outside of the largest church.

Some churches are free standing, and others are carved into rock walls. This is one that is carved into the rock.

Monk standing at the entrance of the Church of St. Mary.

Inside carved rock and wood make for beautiful decorations, all of which are highly symbolic. This one is very rare, a Star of David with a Cross inside. Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity blends together both Old and New Testament in a very unique way.

The most famous church, Biet Giyorgis, or the Church of St. George. The church is cruciform, and highly symbolic not just internally, but externally as well there is some reference to Noah's ark.

Side view of St. Georges.

Biet Giyorgis, Church of Saint George.

Biet Giyorgis, Church of Saint George.

Pastor Steve with Biet Giyorgis in the background.

Photos from Lalibella, Ethiopia

As promised, here are some pictures from our time in Lalibella. More pictures will be forthcoming later today, provided we have no more internet problems.

Entrance to the Cave Church of Ymrehane Kristos

Front facade of the Cave Church of Yemrehane Kristos

Carved rock and wood make beautiful designs in the ceiling of the Cave Church of Yemrehane Kristos

Painted archway inside cave church, paint is original from the 12th century.

In the back of the cave church, there are the bones of 5000 faithful people who add to the sacredness of this place, even if it is a bit creepy.

The view from the trail up to the cave church.

The village of Yemhara, below the cave church. This village is over 1000 years old.

External view of one of the Rock Hewn churches in Lalibella.

External view (front facade) of one of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibella.