Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.                                                                                                           Matthew 17:4

“And I tell you that you are Peter. On this rock I will build My church. The powers of hell will not be able to have power over My church.                                                                                                                   Matthew 16:18

I noted with interest the response Peter had to Jesus when Jesus was shown in glory to the apostles along with Moses and Elijah. The Hebrew tradition was often to memorialize great events when God had provided a great victory or miracle to the Israelites. They would stack stones or build an altar to keep the miracle in mind and in sight.

I am not blaming Peter- he was responding out of his cultural roots. He also was acting out of his human nature. It is part of us to want to put “movements” into a system to sustain them. We see this in the evolution of the Church. The early movement of Christianity gradually yielded to a system of theology, worship, governance and liturgical practices. It became a sustaining system.

I don’t blame the practice of trying to sustain a movement with governing and practice standards. Some guardrails are needed in any human movement. The problem becomes when we start to worship the system and lose sight of the movement. We work hard to protect a system, and loyalty goes to the system, not the reason the system was established.

Church denominations sprang up as a way to have some uniformity of theology, and as an attempt to guard orthodox beliefs. Good intentions to be sure. Yet, historically those denominations have sparred with one another, and at times, literally killed one another.

So, I try to be kind to impetuous Peter. He just did what we failed Jesus followers do in different ways. We turned a movement into a system that, while well-intentioned, is flawed.

Prayer: Lord, you know our frailty, and we trust that your Church will prevail and that the “gates of hell” will not overcome it, Amen

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Hebrews 13:1-3

Almost all Americans have an immigration story. I am the grandson of immigrants. On my father’s side, his father came to America in the mid 1890’s from Germany. On my mother’s side, her family came from the Alsace-Lorraine area of Germany (or France, depending on the year you look at) in the 1840’s. My family immigration story is probably pretty typical.  Unless you are Native-American, your family immigrated (or was brought) to America at some point in the last 350 years or so.

Now the United States faces an “immigration crisis” on the Mexican border. People from South and Central America, as well as Mexico, and really, many countries around the globe, are desperately trying to get into America to escape poverty and violence in their home country. What is the response of Christians to this?

Well, not surprisingly, the Christian response may not line up well with the political response. Obviously, this is a difficult problem, one with no simple solutions. Yet, Christians must adhere to the mandates of their calling and tradition- we are to welcome the stranger and the oppressed as much as we are able.

As I said, there is not a neat answer to this, at least not one that squares with America’s political and national aims. Yet, simply putting up high barriers to people who need refuge is not the response expected of Christian charity. Are we not obligated to try to meet the needs of those oppressed and marginalized?

When our ancestors arrived in America, immigrants were not always warmly welcomed either, because they were considered a threat to jobs. My German/French ancestors did not receive the overt rejection that had accompanied the arrival of some earlier immigrants, or those who later emigrated from southern Europe or Asia. Indeed, because of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, immigrants from China were legally excluded until 1943. Yes, we have a history of exclusion as well as inclusion.

When immigrants are defined in dehumanizing ways, it is easier to discriminate and exclude them. Unfortunately, this is an old practice that, sadly, continues to this day. People desiring admission to this country- the vast majority- are those simply seeking a better life. Indeed, many come in order to save their life and that of their children.

So, I simply suggest that as we consider how to respond to immigrants seeking asylum in America, we need to decide what might be the Christian response versus the political response.

Yes, that is a tough one. In some future blogs, I will speculate about what we as Christians might do to respond.

Prayer: Lord, give us wisdom to determine how to treat people as you would have us do that, Amen

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.                                                                                                                                                            Philippians 4:8

One of my guiding beliefs is that it is better to go toward the good rather than simply avoid the bad. This concept is applicable to many situations in life. The general principle is that we are energized by striving toward a goal rather than trying to avoid bad situations.

I recently discussed this concept with a client who is recovering from a divorce in a marriage that lasted over 30 years. This client needs to redefine herself, because for so many years, her identity was tied to her husband. It is understandable that this takes time for healing- but healing is possible as long as she can keep her eye on the prize ahead, and not get bogged down in past pain.

Of course she is grieving, and certainly she is in emotional pain, but there is hope ahead for her. As she looks to see her life in view of how God will use her in the future, she will be OK.

It is something that everyone in pain needs to hear.

Prayer: Lord, help us to keep our eye on the prize ahead, Amen.

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.                                                                                                                                    Jeremiah 31:3

Sometimes we just have to learn to accept things before we can begin to understand them. Sometimes, we will never understand. We are wired to be curious, to try to figure things out. That is a good thing. It drives us to learn, to grow. However, there are some things we just need to accept.

In addictions, the addicted individual may never really understand the biological dynamics of their addiction. Understanding the addiction won’t likely help to overcome the addiction. Only abstinence from the substance will give the addict the needed space to heal and get some recovery under his/her belt, but they may never really understand why they became addicted. They simply accept that their best efforts left them addicted, and that acceptance of the help of friends, family and sober support is what they need to stay clean.

Only after acceptance can understanding begin.  Grace works that way. We do not really understand grace, we simply accept that it has been given to us. If we can accept the beauty of grace, unmerited favor, we can enjoy its benefits.

I’m not sure that we will ever understand why God loves us as he does. But just because we don’t understand it doesn’t mean it isn’t true. (Yes, there are a lot of double negatives here, but hang with it!) Some people try to overthink this because they feel unlovable. “How can God love me when I don’t love myself”, some may say.

I say, don’t try to understand that- just accept it.

Prayer: You have made us to be curious, to try to understand. Thank you for that. More than that we need to accept your love for us, extravagant as it is, Amen.

 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

Philippians 1:3-5

It is now April. We are headed toward Summer, as Easter and Spring Break are behind us. What a glorious time of year! Today, however, I want to reflect upon yesterday, Easter Sunday.

I had the opportunity to attend Easter Mass with my family at the church where I grew up- St. Martin Church in Cheviot, Ohio. I have heard it said that you cannot go home again, but let me tell you- yes you can! My experience at my old church, the Mass being said by my brother who is a Franciscan priest, assisted by my nephew who is a Catholic Deacon, being surrounded by cousins, nieces, nephews, life-long friends- yes, you can go home again and love it.

I was touched, as always, by the Catholic liturgies and timeless Easter hymns. I was able to receive communion from the hands of my brother, and the family and spiritual connection was powerful.

I cruised around the neighborhood of my youth, and while there were changes to be sure, some things never change. I could pick out the houses where my grade school friends lived. I parked in the playground of my old grade school, and memories flooded back.

I think it is good for the soul to revisit and honor our roots. I know it was good for mine.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power of memories and family, Amen

Just a short message here on Easter Sunday. Easter is an annual reminder and anniversary of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. But let’s remember that this Sunday, while an anniversary, is also a promise of resurrection. Jesus overcame death, and he has given us eternal life. It is not just a one-day celebration- it must be celebrated in our lives daily by the way we live.

If we truly believe that Jesus has overcome death, that he has secured for us an eternal life, then we have the security to live for him boldly, not in fear. Living life out loud in the service of others as our response to his death and resurrection is the message of Easter.

So my dear readers, enjoy your life, live it out loud!

Happy Easter!

One of the men with Jesus pulled out a sword and slashed off the ear of the high priest’s servant.“ Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those using swords will get killed.  Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?                         Matthew 26: 51-53

We are familiar with this passage from the book of Matthew, outlining a scene from the Garden of Gethsemane when Jeus was betrayed by Judas. Peter, (presumably) drew his sword and slashed the high priest’s servant, severing his ear. Jesus rebuked Peter, telling him that if he chose, he could summon thousands of angels to wipe out the puny force arrayed against him.   

Peter had not gotten the message that Jesus was here to shed his own blood, not the blood of others. This is what Jesus did with power- he sublimated his own power so that others would benefit. That same resurrection power, to be displayed just two days later, could have been used to destroy all who stood against him. Jesus chose to use his power to give life to others, not death.

So, let us consider what we do with power. Do we use it for our own benefit, and to subdue others, or do we give it away to benefit others.

That is the fundamental message, and question, of Easter.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the expression of real power and how to use it, Amen

I apologize in advance for this self-serving paean to the Opening Day of Major League Baseball. Some of my readers will get this and appreciate it. Some of my readers will be perplexed, even disappointed that I have not come through with a more serious and edifying blog.

Well, for me, Opening Day of baseball, particularly Opening Day (yes, it is always capitalized where I come from) for the Cincinnati Reds is like a magical holiday. Winter is over, and Spring/Summer is here. Decades of memories are instantly conjured up on this wondrous day.

Baseball for me, and many others, is a reprieve from the dreadful realities of the evil we see all around us. It calls us to a more pristine time when baseball was king (alas, it is no longer) and people could come together and cheer for their favorite heroes of the diamond. Wins would give oxygen to us, while losses would deflate us just a bit.

We knew all the players, and they stayed on the same team for years at a time. But that was a simpler time, and it is no more. Yet baseball is back today!  Our team is in first place (OK, they all are today) and Summer begins.

So, my friends, let’s celebrate Opening Day! If you don’t share the same energy for this, I understand, but find something else to celebrate today. I hope you have the same joy that I do today!

This suffering is all part of the work God has given you. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps                                                                                               I Peter 2:21

This is Holy Week my friends, a time that we recall the last week of Jesus on earth (for a time) before his sacrifice on the cross. We are called to be more sober and thoughtful this week, and indeed, we find a suffering and broken world as we consider our state this week.

The people of Ukraine are suffering at the hands of the tyrant Vladimir Putin whose Russian troops continue their aggression. The people of Gaza are starving to death due to a war they did not choose. People around the world face oppression, starvation and suffering because of the decisions of governments that are corrupt and uncaring about their fate.

Here in the United States, political failures leave us baffled as to how we got to this place. All these instances, and so many more, remind us that political solutions will never save us. When the crowds in Jerusalem cried out for their political leaders to crucify Jesus, they were unaware of how profoundly wrong they, and their government, could be.   

The message of Holy Week is that there is power in reliance upon God alone. Even when failure and death seem to carry the day, salvation is right behind it, on Easter.

So friends, we are surrounded by pain, suffering and evil actions, but God is in control. Our hope is in him, not temporal government.

That is the good news.

Prayer: Lord, in you alone we trust for our salvation, Amen

For I will show you lessons from our history, stories handed down to us from former generations. Psalm 78:2-3 (Living Bible)

This past week, I shared one of my daughter’s blogs titled “Stories”. I am always thrilled to share her work because she is a talented and thoughtful writer. I was especially happy to share that one because it brought to mind for me the times that I would tell stories to my kids, often at bedtime. Sometimes it was a story of family history, sometimes a fable, and sometimes it just took the form of “This is what you can dream about tonight”. Of course, I would always come up with a pleasant diversion for them to dream about. It was just a suggestion that I hoped might stick in their unconscious mind.

The point however of storytelling is powerful. Family history can be shared so that kids can have an anchor to the past and a sense of stability. It can also help shape identity in them, both emotional and spiritual.

The early church lived on stories. There was no written Bible for the very early Christians- only stories about Jesus, his life and message. There were also testimonies from Believers about the power of Jesus in their life. Nothing can refute the testimony of a person who has had a God experience.

So, let’s keep telling stories to our children, even when they are adults. They will pass them on to grandchildren and beyond.

 Nothing can top a good story, right?

Prayer: Lord, you have given us experiences that should be carried on. Give us the strength and ability to carry on such traditions, Amen