So, I was inspired by Christmas Eve and decided to try my hand at writing haikus on the concept of incarnation.  Here goes…

How low would he go?

To flesh, weakness, poverty?  

By choice?  Amazing!

Status given up,

robe of glory set aside,

picking up a towel.

Voluntarily

stoops to share our brokenness.

The way up is down.

The posture of love…

As Christ came into the world,

we are called to go.

Merry Christmas!

Reflections on this Sunday’s message, “Christmas Cold Turkey” by Ellen

Today (Sunday, December 9, 2012) was epiphany-like for me.  Pastor Ray discussed the idea that we need a purification to purge the Christmas Virus from our systems and make room for that which is Holy about this time of year. At some point, he said, we need “Less Christmas and More Advent.”

When he first said this, I was profoundly convicted and totally lost. This is the time of year I feel most lost in both my Christ-like witness and my practice of spiritual disciplines. Pastor’s statement made clear to me that I have no idea what actually constitutes the difference between Christmas and Advent. These things have been for me, and I suspect others, totally conflated. Advent and Christmas have been intertwined my whole life – we celebrated Advent as part of the liturgical calendar in the church, but we practiced Christmas and Advent together in the home and in the society as though they were the same thing (Today my husband mentioned he saw a McDonald’s commercial that said the McRib was back “for advent.” WTF?!). However, given that Christmas has become totally co-opted and in many ways empty for me, I feel an urgency now to define Advent and by defining it, to reclaim it. As I started thinking about this and talking about it with my husband (an indefinable) and a friend (a Catholic), I started to really think this question through: How is advent different from Christmas? This is what I discerned from that conversation:

Christmas is a social norm. It is defined by a variety of practices that have no spiritual meaning, but have a social and cultural meaning. Its perpetuation is bound up in nostalgia – how we remember a special time (often as children), which we seek to recreate.  Christmas is a season that builds to a single day that commemorates the birth of an important man. It is marked by ritual – songs, movies, practices, decorations, orientations and most recently consumption.  It requires nothing of you after Christmas Day.

Advent is a spiritual practice. It is defined by a variety of acts that have significant spiritual meaning, but would mean little socially and culturally.  It is living – it is not rooted in an experience of the past, but is dynamic, meaning something new each year, bringing new revelation. Advent builds for 345 days of the year of mission, not moment.  It is marked by a sense of anticipation of God with us – that these days are for recognition and preparation of that “being with” – which requires a set of activities (prayer, meditation, fast, study). It requires much of you after Christmas Day, because Advent celebrates that God entered through a man who worked to transform it and prepares us for the hard work required of those of us who follow Christ. That preparation is about sustenance – connecting with God and understanding the work for which we must prepare.

So, what does that mean?

It means that Advent is ALL ABOUT the wilderness (where God meets people throughout the scripture). It is about hearing God in those 20 some days. It’s about the spiritual practices like prayer, study, meditation and fasting that prepare us for the work that must be undertaken actively and outside the church for the other 345 odd days. It is Sabbath!

So, if it’s all about the wilderness, how does that look?

I would argue that Advent is the time that those who follow Christ withdraw from the world and worldly practice to be in some version of the wilderness – we don’t shop, we don’t participate in distracting rituals, we don’t feed cultural norms. We prepare – intentionally, deliberately, silently, and in some version of isolation.

Prepare for what?

I would argue for the Kingdom work we are called to do the other 345 days a year. Those days, we are people of the fruits of the spirit, people of engagement, people of gift and generosity, and people of justice. We engage all other days of the year in the work that Jesus model for us: The work that earned him his cross.

Advent, like Lent, is active and actively anticipates something! I would argue it prepares us to be joyful (because of the hope we have because of the gift God gave us) and impactful (because of what it means to be followers of Christ).

So, I am done with Christmas. it’s going to be hard. But in order to do Advent, I have to let it go, I think. It’s a distraction. It requires action and effort from me that takes away from the discipline of Advent. And I think that is how Christians can witness when “the most wonderful time of the year” starts November 1^st, elicits both anxiety, anger, emptiness, includes the running of the bulls at “big box” stores each year and leads to no sustained good will, good news or good intentions among (wo)men after December 26^th. For Christians, we strive that all times of the year should be the “most wonderful time of the year” and Advent is the time we take to focus, learn, grow and prepare for our part in making it that way (the Kingdom way).

Commentary by Pastor Bruce Ray

With stores opening on Thanksgiving Day for door-buster shopping for the first time, I asked myself (and others), “Is nothing sacred?”   Maybe Thanksgiving never was sacred since one could always find an open grocery store for last minute items, but there was something disturbing this year about Black Friday oozing insidiously into Thursday. Loosening our purse strings is more urgent than loosening our belts around the table with family.  Feeding the meters takes priority over feeding the homeless.  This shift made me realize all over again that Black Friday and Christmas consumption is its own form of worship in our culture.

Think about it.  We are told that through participation in the rituals of shopping, our life will improve.  In fact, everyone’s lives will improve.  The economy will stabilize, our families will be healed, peace and harmony will increase and the world will be saved.  So we head off to the temples of commerce to the strains of holiday songs.  We encourage our children to stand in line to reveal their secret desires to a mysterious father figure, who promises that their prayers will be answered.  The high priests of Walmart and Target promise special rewards to the faithful who hold vigil outside their doors.  We walk the labyrinth of aisles until we deposit our sacrificial offerings into the holy cash registers.  And we believe the hype and we trust in the hope.

Maybe I’m just a crotchety old man, but I’m going the way of Scrooge.  Bah!  Humbug!  I’m tired of the hype, and I’ve lived long enough to know the hope is false.  I refuse to worship at the Church of the Open Door Busters this year.  I want to sit in the quietness of candlelight and reflect on the Love that stooped to share flesh.  I want to be immersed in the glorious drama of light overcoming darkness and be awed by the Gift.  I want to give myself to the One of all-surpassing value and lift up what is eternal.  Amazon.com doesn’t–and never will–have what I want in stock.

Commentary by Bruce Ray, Pastor

On October 11, 93-year-old Rev. Billy Graham and his son, Franklin Graham, met with candidate Mitt Romney at Graham’s North Carolina mountain home.  Following the meeting, Rev. Graham issued the following statement, posted on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association web site.

“It was an honor to meet and host Gov. Romney in my home today, especially since I knew his late father former Michigan Gov. George Romney, whom I considered a friend. I have followed Mitt Romney’s career in business, the Olympic Games, as governor of Massachusetts and, of course, as a candidate for president of the United States.

“What impresses me even more than Gov. Romney’s successful career are his values and strong moral convictions. I appreciate his faithful commitment to his impressive family, particularly his wife Ann of 43 years and his five married sons.

“It was a privilege to pray with Gov. Romney—for his family and our country. I will turn 94 the day after the upcoming election, and I believe America is at a crossroads. I hope millions of Americans will join me in praying for our nation and to vote for candidates who will support the biblical definition of marriage, protect the sanctity of life and defend our religious freedoms.”

A week later, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association took out full page ads in national newspapers and papers in battleground states which read, “I realize this election could be my last. I believe it is vitally important that we cast our ballots for candidates who base their decisions on biblical principles and support the nation of Israel. I urge you to vote for those who protect the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman,”

While I respect Rev. Graham’s right to express his opinion and respect his storied career, I am deeply distressed by his (and his organization’s) limited definition of Biblical principals and implicit endorsement of Governor Romney.  Not once did Rev. Graham express concern for the poor.  Though he used the language of “sanctity of human life”, he did not raise the issue that 1 in 4 children in America live in poverty.  Once again, Rev. Graham as a representative of evangelical America has reduced Biblical principals to opposition to abortion and gay marriage.  Adding unconditional support for the modern nation/state of Israel as a “Biblical principle” is (in my opinion) a mishandling of Scripture.

I believe we need to re-hear the parable of Jesus regarding the separation of nations in Matthew 25.  The care of the hungry, the homeless, the immigrant, the thirsty, the oppressed are of utmost concern to our leader, Jesus Christ.  Those are the “Biblical principles” that need to guide us when we enter the polling place on November 6.  And I believe it is time for “evangelicals” to begin following the example of Jesus and truly preach good news to the poor.

http://www.wizehive.com/voting/view/space-in-between/6537/739605/0

Summary thoughts from Pastor Ray’s message on September 2, 2012

We often think of work as a necessary evil.  Yes, it pays the bills, but if we had our druthers…  We feel like the mythical Sisyphus, who is punished by the gods to the task of pushing a rock up a hill only to have the rock roll down the other side.  Every day, Sisyphus if forced to repeat the task–a meaningless, repetitive, pointless job.  Sound familiar?  Honestly, some jobs are that bad.  But that doesn’t mean that work is bad.  Work is good.  In fact, God is introduced in Genesis 1 as the worker.  God is the landscaper, the earth-mover, the sculptor, the gardener.  And God blesses the humans God has formed from the earth with a co-creating responsibility when God places humans in the garden to work it and care for it.  So, work is a gift.

Unfortunately, “the fall” changes the dynamics of work and work relationships.  So by the book of Exodus, we are introduced to the misery of forced labor (i.e. slavery) and production quotas and ruthless bosses and injustice in the workplace. And where is God?  God stands with the oppressed, acts to end the slavery, and leads the people to a new way of life through “The Law”.  A frequent refrain in the Law is “remember that you were slaves in Egypt.”  The memory of forced labor is to move God’s people toward fairness, compassion and a new work ethic.

Two laws in particular directly address work conditions–and both protect and honor workers.  The Sabbath Day law (Deuteronomy 5:12-15) ensures that workers have a day off.  It becomes a “right”.  Everyone has the right to a day of rest, refreshment, enjoyment, time with family, time for spiritual renewal.  This right extends to everyone–including those who have immigrant status.  Just because they are not “citizens” doesn’t mean they should be abused in the work place.  The right even extends to the animals who labor for us.  This law is addressed to those who control the work place and set the hours.  To paraphrase the law: “Everyone has a right to rest and refreshment–everyone who works for you including animals.  Make sure they they get one day off in seven.  That day is holy, so don’t profane it by making them work.  You remember how it was as slaves in Egypt–no time off, always on the job.  You suffered.  So make sure your personnel policies don’t cause fatigue, burn-out and suffering.”

The second law is a bit more obscure.  It is a single verse, but is quoted twice in the New Testament.  “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain.”  (Deuteronomy 25:4)  What does this have to do with work conditions?  This is what I call God’s Fair Compensation Act.  God is ensuring that the ox is compensated (provided with food) for its threshing work.   Again, the law is addressed to those who have power over the ox, setting the workplace rules.   To paraphrase the Law: “Make sure the ox can enjoy the fruits of its labor.  Those who labor have the right to be compensated fairly for their work.”  It is interesting that Paul applies the law to the compensation of humans as well (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).  Workers deserve fair wages and have the right to share in the profits.

Who says the Bible isn’t relevant?  In this economy where wages have been frozen; when workers are expected to give more time without more pay–especially salaried employees; when bosses demand that their employees be available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week by phone, email, text, and tweet; when we cannot raise the minimum wage, but executives get million dollar bonuses; we need to hear the Word of God.  Workers are not simply cogs in the economic machine.  Workers have God-given rights.  The right to time off.  The right to fair compensation.  The right to timely payment of wages (see James 5:4).

In God’s economy, need always trumps greed. Compassion (not the bottom line) drives personnel policies. So, in the words of the hymn, “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”, we will work with each other.  We will work side by side.  And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride.  Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

Kimball’s community garden continues to grow thanks to the partnership with the Spaulding Altgeld Corner Farm.  Recently, a fence was installed around the perimeter by Sol Food Mobile Farm; and Kimball was featured on a news story about Sol Food.  The Garden was meant to bless our neighbors.  It’s blessing us too.  Click the link to watch the news story.

Commentary by Pastor Buce Ray

Nobody has asked me for my opinion, but that’s never stopped me from sharing it with anyone who is interested.  This whole Chic-Fil-A controversey needs a response. 

As you may be aware, Alderman Proco Joe Moreno of Chicago’s 1st Ward said that he will not approve a CFA in his ward because of the owner’s opposition to gay marriage.  Mayor Rahm Emmanuel concurred that CFA’s values are not Chicago’s values.  The Mayor of Boston said that CFA is not welcome in his city.  So Mike Huckabee promoted CFA Appreciation Day when thousands of people–many of them church-going, Bible believing, moral people–lined up to buy a chicken sandwich in support of the business owner.  CFA had it’s biggest sales day ever.  (The company posted revenue of 4.1 BILLION dollars last year.  That’s a lot of chicken!) 

I’m sure cows and pigs are very happy about this latest skirmish in the ongoing culture wars, but I’m not.  I actually find it hypocritical and disturbing.  Christians will purchase chicken sandwiches to support a traditional definition of marriage, yet at the same time they will not hesitate to purchase a shirt made by workers that are chained to their sewing machines.  They will spend their money at stores that promise the lowest prices without thinking about the part time minimum-wage workers behind the cash register that have no benefits while the corporate boss is making multiple millions.  They will unquestioningly place retirement funds in mutual funds without considering that most mutual funds invest in companies that destroy the environment, promote addictions, and supply the weapons for violence and war.  Something is wrong (or at least inconsistent) with our morality system.  Church-going, “moral” people have a pretty narrow definition of sin.  Homosexuals are condemned as sinners, but we conveniently forget that idolaters (greed is idolatry), slanderers, oppressive employers and gluttons will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Self-identified Christians are as likely to serve mammon as self-identified gays and lesbians.  Self-identified Christians are as likely to act out prejudice (think James 2) as a transgendered person–maybe more likely. 

I have no problem with people who use their economic clout to make a moral statement.  There are certain stores I will not frequent because of their personnel policies.  I shop at the local hardware store because Im believe it builds up the community.  But I think I need to ask myself larger questions than the one being asked by the Chic-Fil-A controversy.  The question is not “Who supports traditional marriage?”  The larger question is “Does this purchase support the justice and Shalom that God desires for all creation?”  The answer demands a lot of thought, self-evaluation and research.  And the answer may result in very different economic decisions.

And for the record, I haven’t eaten at Chic-Fil-A…ever.  There aren’t any in my ward; I avoid high calorie, high fat, high sodium “fast food”; I lean vegetarian (with some fish thrown on the side).  And before I would–should the opportunity arise–I would want to do more research asking the bigger question.

Thanks to the hard work of an energetic group of neighborhood gardeners from the Altgeld Sawyer Corner Farm, our empty lot is now laid out in garden plots (no it is not a cemetery, lol!).  Our own Seeds of Hope container garden is growing abundant organic crops of basil, peppers, kale, chard and green beans.  We are blessed with healthy produce to distribute to our community.  But we continue to pray for rain!

Commentary by Pastor Bruce Ray

It’s the 4th of July!  It seems to be a good time to answer a question that I’ve often been asked: What role should the church have in politics?  Here are some excerpts taken from my sermon from July 1, 2012.

1.  While we live in the US and enjoy the freedoms that come with our residency, we remember that we are Christians first.  We pledge allegiance to the “Lamb”.  We understand that faith in Christ extends beyond the boundaries of the US, so we cannot become nationalistic without marginalizing our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in other nations—some of which may be identified as enemies of the State.

2.  However, as people of faith who happen to live in the United States, we DO have a responsibility be involved in the life of the nation. For too long, the church’s involvement has been to support of the status quo and the nationalism that has devolved into protectionism, militarism, other “isms” that deny the personhood of women, minorities, gays and lesbians, immigrants and the poor.  The church has frequently become the national cheerleader when it is called to be the national conscience.

3.  As the nation’s conscience and moral compass, the church must always be bold to speak the truth to those in power.  The model for our role is the prophets of the OT.  There are two types of prophets—the first (known as ‘false prophets’)—tell the nation and their leaders what they want to hear (Jeremiah 23:16-18).   The second type of prophet speaks the truth of God–even when the truth doesn’t win the popularity polls.

Ezekiel 34:2-4  “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?  You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.  You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.”

The true prophet reminds people of God’s heart and will and calls the nation to repentance and a return to God’s ways—especially the Law which calls the nation to care for the poor and do justice for the oppressed.  (Isaiah 58:9-12)  The true prophets speak the vision of God for the world—a vision of shalom when wars cease, when everyone lives in health and safety, when everyone has a secure home, and when oppression and unfairness has ceased.  (Isaiah 2:3-4 and Isaiah 32:16-18)   The vision is always shared against the existing backdrop of brokenness, aggression, injustice and sin so that the vision becomes a clear alternative to the way things are.

4.  In our national context, the prophetic church is called to speak the truth of our past and call the nation to repentance.  And we have plenty to repent of.  Slavery and the pervasive racism that continues to haunt us.  Our genocide of indigenous populations.  Our marginalization of women.  Our unjust wars.  Our mistreatment of immigrants.  Our desecration of the environment for profit.  And that’s the tip of the iceberg.

We must also call our “shepherds” to follow God’s way of shalom and justice.  So we contact our leaders to tell them to stop cutting programs for the poor.  On July 1, over 150,000 seniors and people with disabilities in Illinois lost their circuit breaker benefits which provided prescription drug assistance and free transportation.  Our children lost $200 million in education funding.  Medicaid cuts went into affect, removing health support for the poorest of the poor—people who are already at risk for chronic illnesses.  The Church MUST speak the truth when the shepherds take care of themselves at the expense of the flock.

And we must always point to Jesus Christ, the True Shepherd, who will one day bring the day of shalom and justice into fullness.