Who is the Master of the House?

This Sunday's text is John 2:13-22. Which means I can't help but think about money and its role in a life of faith. This passage, with Jesus' righteous anger has a tendency to make us think that money equals bad. Haven't we heard Jesus also say:

         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. ~ Matt 6:24

It's easy to again hear that money equals bad, but that isn't the case. The question needs to be asked, "Is money the master or is God? Which one is primary in our lives?"

In the musical, Les Miserables, we have the over-the-top number, Master of the House. (There's some rather bawdy portions, so keep that in mind while watching, though the film did stay within a PG13 rating.)

When money for money's sake is the goal, things get ugly quickly. People are taken advantage of. Their weaknesses and vulnerabilities are exploited. Lying, cheating, stealing, etc., are all okay for the sake of the greater "good" - money.

To a certain degree, something similar is going on in the courtyard of the Temple. When the people of Israel came to the Temple, they intended to sacrifice an animal - which had to be without blemish. If they lived far from Jerusalem, it wasn't practical to bring an animal on the long trek. It made more sense to purchase one in Jerusalem. Also, one couldn't use money with "graven images" on it within the temple.*

So there were currency exchangers available. And they knew the people had to use their service, so they could charge a steep fee for providing the exchange. There were people with unblemished animals, who again knew people had to use their service, so they charged a steep fee. In The Message, Peterson uses the term "loan shark" to get the idea of their personality across.

I don't believe that Jesus opposed the fact they were making a living, but there is a difference between making a living and gouging those who have no other option. In Luke 20:25, Jesus says that when it comes to taxes, “Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

We also have the story of his meeting with Zacchaeus and asking this tax collector if he could share a meal with him. Jesus never tells Zacchaeus that he needs to stop being a tax collector. And Zacchaeus makes a promise to be fair and just in his work.

But in this setting of the Temple, those who change money and those who sell animals appear to be taking advantage of those who are coming to worship. They are neither loving the Lord their God with all their heart, mind, and soul, nor loving their neighbor as themselves. The opportunity of money comes before God and neighbor. For them, Money is indeed the Master of the House.

But Jesus reminds us - with passion - that God is the Master of the House. Not just the Temple of his day, but all houses of worship. Not just houses of worship, but the entire world. When we keep focused on the fact that God is the Master of the House, then it is easier for money to be in its proper perspective.

Money, be it straight up cash, items of value, or other, is a gift from God. We are entrusted with its good and proper use. The vocation we each have is a gift from God, entrusted to us for good and proper use. Each day we are called to ask, "Are the ways I earn money and the ways I spend money in tune with loving my God and loving my neighbor or am I making my Father's house a marketplace?"



* The Gospel and Letters of John, R. Alan Culpepper, Abingdon Press, 1998.

Lent Day 2: Clothes

I decided clothes needed to be on the early end of our 40 days, as it is a process when it comes to figuring out what fits/doesn't fit, what you wear/don't wear (and when was the last time you wore item X), getting over the guilt of those things that fit but you know you never wear, as well as owning that while you love the memories of item Z, it no longer fits/is fit for public viewing. 

I recently found a useful idea in Real Simple magazine. If you want to figure out what clothes you do and don't wear, turn all your hangers around so they are "backward". Then as you wear things and rehang them, turn the hanger so it faces the proper way. Then, after a period of time (of your own designation), you'll know what you wear and don't wear.

But once you've done that, there is still the question of enoughness. Even if you do wear it, do you need it? What is enough? Be it jeans, slacks, skirts, shirts, t-shirts, sports coats, or sweaters.

Perhaps you heard the story of the Australian morning show host who quietly wore the same blue surge suit every day for a year to see if viewers noticed, given how viewers frequently commented on his female co-host’s clothing. It was his act of protest against disproportional value put on what his co-host looked like instead of her skills. There’s a montage here, showing his outfit in its limited variations for 2014.

Now I’m not suggesting that you should have only one suit/dress. However I do think it is helpful to a) step back and ask "Is the extent of my modern wardrobe driven by the expectations of others or what I think are the expectations of others?" and b) consider going your own way and decide what enough looks like.

And as you proceed with culling your wardrobe, reflect on this text from Luke 3:9-14 and the questions that follow:

“Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” 

And the crowds asked [John], “What then should we do?” 

In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” 

Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 

Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” 

He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

What does enough look like? When do your desires for more negatively impact your neighbor? What is the relationship (or inverse relationship) between bearing good fruit and wanting & taking more than we need (even if we have legal access to that more)?

The Good News in a Cross of Ash

For out of [the ground] you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return. ~Genesis 3:19b

These are the words spoken on this day, during the imposition of ashes. Words that remind me of my very real mortality. That no matter how much moisturizer, exercise, healthy eating, nor my socio-economic status, education, faith life, etc., change the truth that I am growing older. I will die. 

Generally, I don’t like to dwell on that fact. I’m in that age group where I probably should have some sort of will, but don’t. Because I like to believe that I am too young yet. While there’s the possibility of accidental death, that won’t be me. I’ve got years and years and years. Right? 

Maybe. Maybe not. But either way, at some point I will die. The water in my body will evaporate, that which remains will turn to dust. And nothing can stop that. 

I am dust. To dust I shall return. 

And while a rather in-my-face statement, for me it is not a frightening statement. For I know that my Redeemer lives. 

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. ~Romans 6:5

It’s not just ash – dust –  rubbed on my forehead and words affirming my mortality spoken. Those ashes are in the shape of a cross. And in that cross is the implicit promise of Christ as my redeemer. 

If I keep Christ central in my life, I can face my fears. My fears of my mortality. My fears that I am not enough. My fears of being forgotten. Maybe you too have variations of those fears, or others that stalk you.

But in facing our fears, in trusting that in Christ we are claimed as children of G-d – forever, then those fears no longer run the show.

One of the things that fears do is make us cling to things. For some, buying things makes them feel alive. For others, in being able to have things it provides a sense of assurance of being alive. For others, having the right things means feeling like they are keeping up with the Jones’. At least for that one moment.

But stuff only gives us a fleeting feeling of enoughness. Too often what stuff actually does is get in the way of our relationship with G-d. So much stuff there’s no room for the Holy Spirit. 

What is a classic Lutheran truth of faith is that in letting go, we find. That is having less, we discover abundance. That in no longer hiding behind things, we realize we’re standing in the light of G-d.

One of my Lenten practices is to intentionally let go of things. I invite you to join me for your own intentional practice. If you us Facebook, you can join Giving it Away for Lent, where we share scripture, articles, and other helps, as well as what we’ve let go of in our own homes.

Come and see.

The Theology of Greetings in December

It's that time of year when the perennial conversation begins - are we keeping Christ in Christmas? Particularly, is Christmas being diluted if someone wishes me Seasons Greetings or Happy Holidays instead of wishing me a Merry Christmas? Is wishing me something other than Merry Christmas undermining the importance of Jesus Christ in my life of faith?

To the latter questions, the answer is "No." In fact, I think it is incredibly important that someone who doesn't feel called to wish me a Merry Christmas shouldn't be made to. That people who is trying to respect the diversity of their community by wishing a broader greeting of Season Greetings or Happy Holidays should be respected for it.

My reasons for this are rooted in my theology, in my understanding who Jesus Christ is, and how he chose to be present in our world. Christ comes to us as a tiny, infant child. It is difficult to be more vulnerable than a newborn. Did God need to come as an infant? No. In fact, the assumption was that God would come in traditional power and might. Instead God chose the antithesis of force, chosing to come as an infant. God chose to be incredibly vulnerable, therefor immediately connecting with all those who are vulnerable.

So in celebrating the birth of Jesus, everything I do related to that celebration should be without force. That means even something as small as not insisting that others wish me a Merry Christmas, or insisting on wishing everyone else a Merry Christmas if I know they follow another religion.

In part of that famous verse John 3:16, we hear, "God so loved the world that God gave his only son." Jesus, our Christ, came in love. Love of the all of creation, of each one of us. So for me, when I celebrate the birth of Jesus, everything I do related to that celebration should be done in love.

Part of living in the love of Christ is to meet people where they are and loving them in the now. I make a point of wishing Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends and Merry Christmas to my Christian friends and family.

If in a store and a clerk wishes me Happy Holidays, I respond in kind; if it's Merry Christmas, I respond in kind. If my non-religious friends were to wish me a Happy Solstice, I'll reply in kind. If I happened to be wished a Happy Kwanzaa, I will reply in kind as well.

If someone who doesn't know me, but assumes from my strong nose and curly hair that I'm Jewish (it's been known to happen) and were to wish me a Happy Hanukkah, I would smile and wish them a Happy Hanukkah.

In wishing Happy Hanukkah, I am joining in a small way in celebrating the miracle of God and God's unending covenant. In wishing someone a Happy Kwanzaa (which isn't a religion, BTW), I am supporting the idea of taking time to remember the African/pan-African/Black experience as they reflect on the values of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. I am acknowledging the times throughout the generations when those who are African/pan-African/Black have been incredibly vulnerable due to the actions of those with power.  In wishing someone a Happy Solstice, I am celebrating the return to light - which is why early Christians set the celebration of Jesus' birth at this very time of year, because we understand Jesus as the light of the world.

In replying in kind to the whole list of greetings one might have in December, including Season's Greetings and Happy Holidays, I am not denying my faith, I am living my faith. I am doing my best to love those around me as Jesus loves each of us. Love beyond all reason is what the birth of Jesus is about. It is the gift of joy, hope, and peace, a refuting of the sin of shame, fear, and force. It is the love of a God all-powerful who chose instead to be all-vulnerable. That is worth celebrating, however we word it.

Always Reforming

Tomorrow is Reformation Sunday, with actual Reformation Day following on October 31. I've always

People without much background on the Reformation tend to think, "How funny that Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the Wittenberg Church door on Halloween." I particularly this Lego Stop Action spoof of it. 

Humor aside, there's a really logical reason for Luther's notice on that particular night. He knew that All Saint's Day, November 1, was a day when people made a particular point of coming to worship and remembering those who had died before them. He knew they'd see his posting, as the door acted as a bulletin board for the community. (This is why, when you see the clip from the Luther movie, there are other posting on the door when he nails the 95Ts.)

A good summary with visuals for what led Luther to post the 95 Theses, why that turned out to be the start of what we now call the Reformation is here. Followed by an amusing claymation of the Pope's reaction. (Note the claymation starts out crazy loud. Adjust volume accordingly.

While all this is helpful to know, what it boils down to is that while Luther wanted open discussion about the things he questioned and wanted reformation within the Catholic church, what he got was excommunication and the start of the Protestant Reformation. Which led to not only Lutheranism, but several other types of protestant denominations, as explained by Chuck Knows Church (listen for the Star Wars references).

So while it's good to know one's history, understand why All Hallow's Eve, and not confuse Martin Luther with Martin Luther King Jr., why care enough to celebrate the Reformation?

For me it's a more than Lutheran pride, a joy of brass instruments belting out A Mighty Fortress, and seeing people where matching colors (red) when it isn't the day of a big sporting event.

I celebrate the Reformation because the church is always reforming. The Holy Spirit continues to be among us, stirring us to read our Bible, use our critical thinking skills, and ask questions. Sometimes, like with Martin Luther, reading the Bible directly lead him to question things that just weren't Biblical (indulgences). Sometimes, like during the slavery in America, reading one's Bible led to question the idea that slavery was really part of God's intended kingdom, even if it was in the Bible, leading to the Underground Railroad and the Anti-Slavery movement.

I see the Spirit at work in the fuller inclusion of gay and lesbian persons and pastors in the life of the ELCA. I also see a lot more work ahead  for the Spirit and for the church in this area.

I also know there's reformation to come that I can't yet imagine but will seem well overdue when it does happen. It may bring upheaval and disruption, but yet I know that the Spirit is not just stirring us up, but present and supporting us as we struggle to make sense of God's word in our ever changing world. In that my faith rests.

Tides, Taxes, Tithes, and Tidings of Great Joy

A line from this coming Sunday's text has been rolling around in my mind. "Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor or not?" Followed by Jesus' response of, "Give therefore to the emperor what is the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's."(NRSV)

What does it mean to be a people of faith who live in a system of taxation? It definitely means something different for myself as an American in a modern era than it did to a people who lived under Roman occupation.

For many in the United States, there is a feeling that taxes are oppressive, but for the Jews of Jesus' time, they really were oppressive. The taxes were financially crippling, taking animals, land, or forcing people into slavery if they couldn't pay.  (See first 3:09) And there certainly wasn't representation or seeing value for the taxes paid.

Knowing that, it's easier to understand how tempting it would be when asked, "Should we pay Caesar's tax?" for Jesus to say "No.The taxes are both unjust and Caesar is not God, regardless of what he claims."

But Jesus didn't.  Jesus did not come to create an uprising, to use force to battle Rome and overthrow their terrible, oppressive yoke. Jesus came to free us all by his own death and resurrection. His words of giving to God the things that are God's "assert[s] the sovereignty of God that was the basis for Israel's ultimate freedom." (Senior, Donald; ANTC Matthew)

And now here we are, living in God's kingdom, both here and not yet here. How do we deal with taxes and money? How do live into lives of justice in a complicated world?

I do believe in the idea of the common good. I believe in giving my tithe back to my church both for the ministry at Elim proper, but also for the ways we as the Saint Paul Area Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America "work for justice and peace throughout the earth." I'm sure if I took a fine tooth comb to the various budgets, I might not agree with every little detail, but overall I really do trust and believe in the work of my church on all three levels, done in the name of Christ.

I also believe that there are things that can only be achieved through combining our monies through taxes. Martin Luther often spoke of the idea that a well-run government is a blessing from God. Through government we have transportation access (from roads to mass-transit), education (from Head Start to land grant Universities), civil order (from police to courts to National Guard), protections for our most vulnerable (including the most basics of food, shelter, medical care), defense (our armed services), etc.

Do I agree with the all the choices my city, state, and national government make? No. There are a lot with which I disagree, from something as broad as how we proportion our budget to something as specific as our slowness to acknowledge, let along address the racism that leads to a disproportional number of black men being shot and killed by law enforcement. For me, my concerns are deeply informed by my Christian faith, even as I know others who share my concerns who are Jewish, agnostics or atheists. And just as I know there are other Christians whose faith leads them to place importance on matters of government that are quite different than my own.

It's complicated to be a good government with so many conflicting ideas of what government should and shouldn't be involved in. It's complicated to be a good citizen, paying my taxes when I have so many concerns about my tax money being used in ways that don't feel like they are for the common good or that work toward justice and peace throughout the earth. And yet I do pay them, and not only because I have to, but because I do think it is the right thing.

But I and my fellow citizens have options available to us that weren't available to Jews in occupation under Rome. I can vote, and do. I can read, discuss, and ponder life and policy in preparation for voting, and do. I can be a part of non-violent advocacy groups, and I am.

Above all, I can do exactly what Jews of Jesus' time did. I can recognize that Yahweh is the creator of all: skies, stars, seas, and soil; tides, taxes, tithes, and tidings of great joy; plants, people, possibilities, and peace. I can pray, and do, that God's Kingdom come, God's will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Kiva-versary

I learned via an email from Kiva that September 18, 2014 was the 5th anniversary of my first micro-loan via their organization. My first thought was, "Really? Where did those five years go?".

I started doing micro-loans because of the line from our confession in the ELW, "We confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. By what we have done and what we have not done..."


There is so much done and not done that ripples out from me. I know my standard of living was built in part from leeching money, goods, and people of other placed. That here are (unintended) consequence, even decades later, of the political and economic policies of first world countries like the United States. I may not have made the policies or had a say in the companies or even been alive multiple years ago, but I know my country directly and myself indirectly benefited.

I can't fix everything, but that doesn't mean I should give up. In participating with thousands of (now over a million) other people, things can change. My $25 and his $25 and her $25 and their $25 and so on. I like the fact that Kiva works with people in their context. People who have dreams and aspirations and plans, but who don't fit in with what a traditional bank does or wants to do.

I also started doing micro-loans because I didn't know quite what to do with honorarium monies from funerals. For me, providing pastoral care and presiding at a funeral is part of my call within a congregation; it felt odd to receive additional monies for it. However, I'm aware that not all my colleagues are compensated at guidelines and that for some, funeral monies make a difference in their budgets, paying back student loans, etc. Because of that I didn't want to create a president of refusing the honorarium.

That's when earmarking the money for a particular purpose came to mind; I particularly liked the idea of life coming from death. That those funeral honorariums helped others throughout the world have a better life. To embody one of my favorite Bible verses: " I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10

In the past 5 years I've deposited $1700 into Kiva loans. (Compared to many of my colleagues, I've presided at relatively few funerals.) As those loans have been repaid, I've relent that money multiple times. That means $5,850 has reached out to others. I'm amazed both in how little I've missed the money I've lent and how much my little bit has already done.

I give thanks for being able to see God's abundance at work in the world.