WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
August 15th 2010
Rev. Mark R. Bradshaw-Miller
Luke 12:49-56
“Bad Influence”
I do not know about you but the words of Jesus seem pretty inflammatory and not really in character. They are exactly the sort of words that those will ill intentions could use to prove that Christianity is a religion of war and violence. “I came to bring fire to the earth,” and “Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” How do we explain that away? What are we supposed to do when the person we call; “The Prince of Peace,” claims his mission was NOT to bring peace on earth?
The truth is that the whole concept of division makes no sense at face value. We love to believe that Jesus is welcoming and bringing people together. But this notion of division cannot be easily dismissed. Division can come in many forms. Out of this passage we can justify the belief that only “we” are the chosen ones of God. But this interpretation, while tempting to some, is not the Jesus we come to know in the Gospels. But what then are we to do with division?
A clue to what might be going on is to look at the framing of the parings. Jesus is not saying that he came to bring division among people of different faith or nation. Jesus did not say he came to bring division between neighbors or communities. The division that Jesus brings is in families and more specifically among generations. Look closely at the divisions and it comes in a family. Mothers and daughters, Fathers and Sons, mother-in-law, and daughter-in-law, each one of these pairings provide a specific familial and generation struggle.
Frankly, this does not provide us any better ground on which to stand. At the heart of the passage is still this issue of division and division between generations. However, it is a story we actually know well. Today there is a great deal of struggle between the generations and the church needs to study these carefully. There are seismic changes afoot, from the political, economic, religious, and cultural landscape. If you look at the generational attitudes on race, politics, gender, sexuality and economics, it is clear that our world is not going to look the same in a few short years. Most of the arguments that dominate the headlines under the topic of the “cultural war,” do not matter to those under forty-five. In other words, the culture war is over but those most vocally fighting just do not know it yet.
These changes, as changes often do, have led to a backlash of fear and anger. This is true inside as well as outside the church. So what does that mean for us? How should we respond? The first thing to remember is that this sort of seismic shift is not new and it will not be the last. That does not mean we can put our heads in the sand and believe the church has always and will always be around. While that is true, the church as we know it, is an endanger specie and will not last.
On a more accessible scale, right here at Westminster, it means that we need not just to recognize our differences in all its forms, but to investigate what they mean. Everyone is not the same nor do they have them same experiences, understandings, tastes, desires, and hopes. When we worship, some of us believe worship is a solitary quiet experience that is well ordered so that speech is to happen at “proper” times. Others feel the movement of the spirit and are moved to respond in speech or with clapping. There has to be a place for all these expressions of faith. Each comes from a deep spiritual well that needs to be acknowledged, and welcomed so that each can exist in side-by-side. In doing so we can move beyond the surprised look that gets interpreted as condescension of lack of welcome. We have to listen and share with one another.
However, with all the talk of change, the good news is that many things have, and will, stay the same. At the heart of our faith is the sharing of meals, study of scripture, serving others, being generous with our resources, and worshipping God. While the shape and form has been in flux for two-thousand years, the content has remained the same. As we face these new seismic shifts we need to make this our central focus. Being disciples is our sole responsibility and our calling. And when Jesus talks about bring division; I believe it has everything to do with the flexibility of shape and the constancy of content. He knows that divisions will arise and we need to figure out what is essential and what is worth our energy and passion. Jesus says, look out… every generation is going to come along and stir things up. Our job is to make sure they get the content. Worship, shared meals, scripture, generosity and service. Change is coming… let us make sure we have a hand in passing along the most enduring parts of our faith and not another example of generational strife. That is the best of what Westminster really is all about. And for that, I give thanks and say: Amen.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Keeping the Light On
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
August 8th 2010
Rev. Mark R. Bradshaw-Miller
Luke 12:32-40
“Keeping the Light On”
“Keep your lamps trimmed and burning.” The old spiritual is a powerful reminder of the need for endurance in the life of faith. And every time I read this scripture I am drawn back to that song. It has been in my head all week. But, for the first time something new occurred to me. I am actually not sure that the image of keeping a lamp burning is simply a metaphor for endurance in discipleship. Instead, I think keeping the burning lamp is about something deeper.
A few years ago the Purpose Driven Life was all the rage. The appeal of that series was the way it fed the hunger many people have to live more fulfilling lives, lives of purpose. The size of the self-help section in most bookstores is a testament to this. But this hunger is more than simply a modern fad. Sewn into the fabric of our being is the need for purpose. This hunger is not foreign to our faith. When Jesus said keep your lamps burning, he is talking about our purpose and passion.
That may seem like I am accommodating to the modern desire for self-fulfillment and self-knowledge above all else. John Calvin, one of the early reformers and foreparent of the Presbyterian tradition, begins his great theological work, the institutes, with what might sound rather trendy. The knowledge of God begins with the knowledge of self, and the knowledge of self begins with the knowledge of God. The journey to self understanding is not a selfish journey. In the process of this journey, we learn that we are made to be in relationship with others. The greatest commandment is that we love our neighbors as ourselves. So in order to love and serve our neighbors we have to begin by loving ourselves. It really is about keeping our lamps burning. But how do we do that?
We do this by taking time to get to know ourselves better. Being a child of God means we have been created to be ourselves. We are not called to be anything other than who God created us to be. But, all our lives life we are told we are not enough simply as we are. As a result we learn to put on masks: Masks of arrogance that cover our insecurities, masks of joy that cover deep pains, masks of energy that cover a flame long since extinguished. We all wear masks and we all play roles and the problem comes when the masks we wear and the role we play no longer resembles the person we are inside. But that is not the calling of our lives; we have been created for more.
Finding and nurturing our flame does not involve a major life change or a journey around the world. It usually begins with simple yet profound questions: Where is your heart? Where is your joy? What puts a smile on your face? In the answer to those questions is the answer to a greater question. And that question is this: What is your treasure? The answer to that question makes feeding our flame a great deal easier. So if it is so easy, why are we all not doing it? I think the answer lies in the fear, fear of what we might find out. That is why Jesus begins by saying: “Do not fear!”
Jesus knew the result of a life based on fear. Lives based on fear become small. Fear makes our lives small, it makes our actions, and our thoughts small. Fear preys upon our energy our lives, our vitality. Fear will lead us to fight and to defend the really insignificant. Fear blurs our vision so that we end up spending our lives are in the service of other treasures and other masters. It is not something that happens all at once. Mostly it is a step by step, year by year happening and then, one day, that little flame, the light, the energy, the passion is gone. It has been snuffed out by all the insignificant things, ideas, and turf we are trying to protect.
Writer Anne Rice has left the institutional church. Her reasons are simple. She is disgusted by a church which has become small. The church she knows operates out of fear. It fights over money, leadership, custom, race, sexuality, worship style, clothing choice. The Jesus she met in church has been pushed out in favor of turf war and purity. The church which is called to nurture the flame, the passions of the faithful is instead busy sorting out who is faithful, who is pure, who is worthy, who is welcome. As a result all of our energy is spent carving out our turf, collecting allies in the parking lot after a meeting, and making sure everyone knows WE are right.
People are hungry for meaning and purpose and Jesus knows that. It is the church that has a hard time with this message. Instead of waiting faithfully for Jesus return our lights have gone cold and we have gone to sleep. But the good news is that there is more to our faith than what gets published in the news. God has created each one of use for a purpose. The calling is a journey of joy and fulfillment not of self denial and boredom. We are called to live big lives doing great things – even doing what some might think are routine things. But routine things done with a purpose are great. We are not destined to be stuck on the small and insignificant stuff.
Keep your flame burning… What is your great joy? Where do you find energy and passion? When you seek those questions and feed those hungers, it is then that you will come face to face with the one who is coming again. This is the calling, this is our purpose. So let us challenge one another to put aside the small ways, and things for the greater joy. Amen? Amen!
August 8th 2010
Rev. Mark R. Bradshaw-Miller
Luke 12:32-40
“Keeping the Light On”
“Keep your lamps trimmed and burning.” The old spiritual is a powerful reminder of the need for endurance in the life of faith. And every time I read this scripture I am drawn back to that song. It has been in my head all week. But, for the first time something new occurred to me. I am actually not sure that the image of keeping a lamp burning is simply a metaphor for endurance in discipleship. Instead, I think keeping the burning lamp is about something deeper.
A few years ago the Purpose Driven Life was all the rage. The appeal of that series was the way it fed the hunger many people have to live more fulfilling lives, lives of purpose. The size of the self-help section in most bookstores is a testament to this. But this hunger is more than simply a modern fad. Sewn into the fabric of our being is the need for purpose. This hunger is not foreign to our faith. When Jesus said keep your lamps burning, he is talking about our purpose and passion.
That may seem like I am accommodating to the modern desire for self-fulfillment and self-knowledge above all else. John Calvin, one of the early reformers and foreparent of the Presbyterian tradition, begins his great theological work, the institutes, with what might sound rather trendy. The knowledge of God begins with the knowledge of self, and the knowledge of self begins with the knowledge of God. The journey to self understanding is not a selfish journey. In the process of this journey, we learn that we are made to be in relationship with others. The greatest commandment is that we love our neighbors as ourselves. So in order to love and serve our neighbors we have to begin by loving ourselves. It really is about keeping our lamps burning. But how do we do that?
We do this by taking time to get to know ourselves better. Being a child of God means we have been created to be ourselves. We are not called to be anything other than who God created us to be. But, all our lives life we are told we are not enough simply as we are. As a result we learn to put on masks: Masks of arrogance that cover our insecurities, masks of joy that cover deep pains, masks of energy that cover a flame long since extinguished. We all wear masks and we all play roles and the problem comes when the masks we wear and the role we play no longer resembles the person we are inside. But that is not the calling of our lives; we have been created for more.
Finding and nurturing our flame does not involve a major life change or a journey around the world. It usually begins with simple yet profound questions: Where is your heart? Where is your joy? What puts a smile on your face? In the answer to those questions is the answer to a greater question. And that question is this: What is your treasure? The answer to that question makes feeding our flame a great deal easier. So if it is so easy, why are we all not doing it? I think the answer lies in the fear, fear of what we might find out. That is why Jesus begins by saying: “Do not fear!”
Jesus knew the result of a life based on fear. Lives based on fear become small. Fear makes our lives small, it makes our actions, and our thoughts small. Fear preys upon our energy our lives, our vitality. Fear will lead us to fight and to defend the really insignificant. Fear blurs our vision so that we end up spending our lives are in the service of other treasures and other masters. It is not something that happens all at once. Mostly it is a step by step, year by year happening and then, one day, that little flame, the light, the energy, the passion is gone. It has been snuffed out by all the insignificant things, ideas, and turf we are trying to protect.
Writer Anne Rice has left the institutional church. Her reasons are simple. She is disgusted by a church which has become small. The church she knows operates out of fear. It fights over money, leadership, custom, race, sexuality, worship style, clothing choice. The Jesus she met in church has been pushed out in favor of turf war and purity. The church which is called to nurture the flame, the passions of the faithful is instead busy sorting out who is faithful, who is pure, who is worthy, who is welcome. As a result all of our energy is spent carving out our turf, collecting allies in the parking lot after a meeting, and making sure everyone knows WE are right.
People are hungry for meaning and purpose and Jesus knows that. It is the church that has a hard time with this message. Instead of waiting faithfully for Jesus return our lights have gone cold and we have gone to sleep. But the good news is that there is more to our faith than what gets published in the news. God has created each one of use for a purpose. The calling is a journey of joy and fulfillment not of self denial and boredom. We are called to live big lives doing great things – even doing what some might think are routine things. But routine things done with a purpose are great. We are not destined to be stuck on the small and insignificant stuff.
Keep your flame burning… What is your great joy? Where do you find energy and passion? When you seek those questions and feed those hungers, it is then that you will come face to face with the one who is coming again. This is the calling, this is our purpose. So let us challenge one another to put aside the small ways, and things for the greater joy. Amen? Amen!
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Possessed by Possessions
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
August 1st 2010
Rev. Mark R. Bradshaw-Miller
Luke 12:13-21
“Possessed by Possessions”
… greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of humankind.
These words come from the movie Wall Street which meant to show the excesses of the market speculation of the early 1990’s. The character who spoke these words, Gordon Gecko, was a ruthless man who did whatever was necessary to accumulate more wealth. These words are the very antithesis of our scripture from this morning.
The easy thing to do with interpreting this scripture would be to lift up people who fit in the model of Gordon Gecko. We could look for modern day Robber Barons. There are many. However, in doing so it becomes easy to throw stones at those who have a lot of money. In the process the scripture is then used as a tool that other people need to listen to and it carries little message for us.
The great danger for those of us who claim to follow Jesus is not that we are misers with our money. And neither is the man who asked Jesus to intervene on his behalf. We have no indication that this gentleman is asking something so terrible. And yet, Jesus tells this story which makes it seem like all wealth is bad. Is this what Jesus is doing? If so, it is a story that means little to any of us other than as a rock to hurl at others. I believe Jesus has a deeper story to tell which has very implications for our lives.
If there is a driving theme in this scripture it is that we are called to use and understand our resources as tools for serving and glorifying God. When the man asked Jesus for help, he is asking that the money be given to him. While he might be well within his legal right, he is doing so from the wrong perspective. The money is mine, I am entitled to it, and no one else better touch it. His way of thinking is based on a flawed theology which says that God is clearly on the side of making sure people keep their own money. The motivation behind this request is self-serving. And that is what Jesus is challenging.
In the parable, a man works very hard and receives a huge abundance. He has so much stuff that he has to build bigger barns. All of his energy and creativity goes into protecting what belongs to him. Once this task is accomplished he decides to live out his days enjoying himself in leisure. A lifetime luxury vacation is his goal. The mindset of this man is completely driven by self-interest. It is his grain, his land, his work, his to do with what he wants. And no one is going to tell him otherwise. Again, the motivation is self-serving. It is the elevation of self that Jesus is preaching against.
Jesus, in this text, does not say that money is evil or that we should not plan well with our resources. What he is saying is that we must do so out of a sense of the common good. Being rich in God is the term he uses. In order to get this point we need to spend some time there. The comment is not simply about protecting ones’ soul; it is about living out kingdom values on earth. Jesus’ ministry of healing and restoration focuses on bringing the individual back into community. Solitary individuals do not fare well and Jesus seeks them out and brings them back. Acting out of self-interest alienates one from others and in the long run is not really in ones’ best self-interest.
A modern contrast might be the difference between billionaire Warren Buffet who seeks to give away his entire fortune to good causes before he dies and the first billionaire who was able to, during the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression, pass his fortune to his family tax free. While Buffet is not doing his work because of faith, he is an example of the importance of the common good. Jesus does not stand against planning for the future. He is not saying money is of no consequence. Instead, he is saying it is of little consequence particularly when its accumulation is driven by self-interest.
As Christians, the purpose of our resources and possessions are to glorify God. That is a statement I am sure we can all agree with. However, what will that look like in action? Sit down this week with your check book, or online if you no longer use paper. Look over the last month, three months, six months, and a year. As you look back over how you use your resources just ask this simple question: “Does this expense glorify God?” Sometimes the answer will be clear. Other times you may have to ponder a bit. I would focus most on the areas where you have to stop and think. It is in those places where we have the most to learn.
This is true in all areas of our financial lives. Not just in our expenditures but in our saving as well. Jesus is not saying that money should not be saved. But saved for what purpose? Is it to provide for you needs as well as the needs of others? That should be the goal. Just remember, the man in the parable saved only so that he could rest comfortably without a thought to giving to others. The calling is not to deny ourselves but to move beyond ourselves and care for others.
Yesterday I took my oldest daughter to see Toy Story 3. If you have not, and do not intend to see it, that is alright you will get the point. The basis of the story is that a young boy, Andy, has grown up and no longer plays with his toys. These toys are worried about what will happen and hope that they will be placed in the attic where at least they will be safe. However these toys, that come to life whenever humans are not in the room, really want to be played with more than anything else.
In the final scene of the movie Andy is preparing to go off to college. Instead of placing the toys in his attic he does something rather simple yet amazing. Andy takes this box of his favorite toys, to a young girl who will love and care for them. The girl is ecstatic when Andy begins to share his prized childhood possessions. However, Andy had intended to keep his favorite toy Woody. Unknown to Andy, Woody had placed himself in the bottom of the box when he was not looking. When the little girl finds Woody at the bottom she is filled with joy. At this point Andy is conflicted. He wanted to keep this one favorite toy as a memento even though he would not play with it anymore. But seeing the joy on this girls face, and remembering the joy he received from this toy Andy decides to let her have Woody. It is a moment of maturity, of moving beyond his wants and desires he releases his favorite possession so that this young child might also know joy. To this modern parable, Jesus would say: Amen!
August 1st 2010
Rev. Mark R. Bradshaw-Miller
Luke 12:13-21
“Possessed by Possessions”
… greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of humankind.
These words come from the movie Wall Street which meant to show the excesses of the market speculation of the early 1990’s. The character who spoke these words, Gordon Gecko, was a ruthless man who did whatever was necessary to accumulate more wealth. These words are the very antithesis of our scripture from this morning.
The easy thing to do with interpreting this scripture would be to lift up people who fit in the model of Gordon Gecko. We could look for modern day Robber Barons. There are many. However, in doing so it becomes easy to throw stones at those who have a lot of money. In the process the scripture is then used as a tool that other people need to listen to and it carries little message for us.
The great danger for those of us who claim to follow Jesus is not that we are misers with our money. And neither is the man who asked Jesus to intervene on his behalf. We have no indication that this gentleman is asking something so terrible. And yet, Jesus tells this story which makes it seem like all wealth is bad. Is this what Jesus is doing? If so, it is a story that means little to any of us other than as a rock to hurl at others. I believe Jesus has a deeper story to tell which has very implications for our lives.
If there is a driving theme in this scripture it is that we are called to use and understand our resources as tools for serving and glorifying God. When the man asked Jesus for help, he is asking that the money be given to him. While he might be well within his legal right, he is doing so from the wrong perspective. The money is mine, I am entitled to it, and no one else better touch it. His way of thinking is based on a flawed theology which says that God is clearly on the side of making sure people keep their own money. The motivation behind this request is self-serving. And that is what Jesus is challenging.
In the parable, a man works very hard and receives a huge abundance. He has so much stuff that he has to build bigger barns. All of his energy and creativity goes into protecting what belongs to him. Once this task is accomplished he decides to live out his days enjoying himself in leisure. A lifetime luxury vacation is his goal. The mindset of this man is completely driven by self-interest. It is his grain, his land, his work, his to do with what he wants. And no one is going to tell him otherwise. Again, the motivation is self-serving. It is the elevation of self that Jesus is preaching against.
Jesus, in this text, does not say that money is evil or that we should not plan well with our resources. What he is saying is that we must do so out of a sense of the common good. Being rich in God is the term he uses. In order to get this point we need to spend some time there. The comment is not simply about protecting ones’ soul; it is about living out kingdom values on earth. Jesus’ ministry of healing and restoration focuses on bringing the individual back into community. Solitary individuals do not fare well and Jesus seeks them out and brings them back. Acting out of self-interest alienates one from others and in the long run is not really in ones’ best self-interest.
A modern contrast might be the difference between billionaire Warren Buffet who seeks to give away his entire fortune to good causes before he dies and the first billionaire who was able to, during the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression, pass his fortune to his family tax free. While Buffet is not doing his work because of faith, he is an example of the importance of the common good. Jesus does not stand against planning for the future. He is not saying money is of no consequence. Instead, he is saying it is of little consequence particularly when its accumulation is driven by self-interest.
As Christians, the purpose of our resources and possessions are to glorify God. That is a statement I am sure we can all agree with. However, what will that look like in action? Sit down this week with your check book, or online if you no longer use paper. Look over the last month, three months, six months, and a year. As you look back over how you use your resources just ask this simple question: “Does this expense glorify God?” Sometimes the answer will be clear. Other times you may have to ponder a bit. I would focus most on the areas where you have to stop and think. It is in those places where we have the most to learn.
This is true in all areas of our financial lives. Not just in our expenditures but in our saving as well. Jesus is not saying that money should not be saved. But saved for what purpose? Is it to provide for you needs as well as the needs of others? That should be the goal. Just remember, the man in the parable saved only so that he could rest comfortably without a thought to giving to others. The calling is not to deny ourselves but to move beyond ourselves and care for others.
Yesterday I took my oldest daughter to see Toy Story 3. If you have not, and do not intend to see it, that is alright you will get the point. The basis of the story is that a young boy, Andy, has grown up and no longer plays with his toys. These toys are worried about what will happen and hope that they will be placed in the attic where at least they will be safe. However these toys, that come to life whenever humans are not in the room, really want to be played with more than anything else.
In the final scene of the movie Andy is preparing to go off to college. Instead of placing the toys in his attic he does something rather simple yet amazing. Andy takes this box of his favorite toys, to a young girl who will love and care for them. The girl is ecstatic when Andy begins to share his prized childhood possessions. However, Andy had intended to keep his favorite toy Woody. Unknown to Andy, Woody had placed himself in the bottom of the box when he was not looking. When the little girl finds Woody at the bottom she is filled with joy. At this point Andy is conflicted. He wanted to keep this one favorite toy as a memento even though he would not play with it anymore. But seeing the joy on this girls face, and remembering the joy he received from this toy Andy decides to let her have Woody. It is a moment of maturity, of moving beyond his wants and desires he releases his favorite possession so that this young child might also know joy. To this modern parable, Jesus would say: Amen!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Why This Prayer?
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
July 25th 2010
Rev. Mark R. Bradshaw-Miller
Luke 11:1-13
“Why This Prayer”
Prayer –
At the time of the reformation few people could read. As a result most were at the mercy of those who were educated and had power. Most religious education came through rote memory. The early reformers recognized that the church had moved away from what they understood as the basic message of the bible. As a result, the first order of business was to educate people so that they could have access to the teachings of the faith rather than rely on the word of someone else.
Part of the basic foundation of that education was indeed the bible. To teach the basic message of the bible often included the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount. And, to teach people how to pray, the Lord’s Prayer was used. The use of this prayer with the reformers was about teaching the basics, the foundation for prayer. They were not interested in simple memorization. Given that most religious language was not in the common language of the area, the reformers were often concerned about words spoken in worship for which little thought was given.
As the Reformation spread, the Lord’s Prayer began to be translated in the common language wherever it travelled. As it spread the prayer took on many different forms and styles. However, the basic message remained the same. We are invited to pray to a God who wants to be in relationship with human beings. We are called to pray that the current arrangement of injustice of the world come to an end. We are called to pray for our basic needs and that we will travel the right way.
I have been looking at the many different forms of this prayer. Since the inception of the Anglican/Episcopal tradition there have been six English different versions, three since the founding of our country alone. While the language of the prayer has changed the basic message which Jesus shared with his disciples remains the same. And within the reform tradition the most important issue is that people come to understand the importance of and the ways in which we can pray.
Despite this essential message many of our churches continue to use the Kings James English. What we are now using in worship is a version of the prayer known as the ecumenical version. The purpose of this change is not simply for change sake or to change a prayer that has come to have deep meaning for many. However, as people of the reform faith, we must always be looking for ways to live out our calling to share the gospel so that all might hear in their own language.
For those in our midst for whom English is not the first language it is not uncommon to pray this prayer in their mother tongue. And while we use debts and debtors some people use sins and others trespass. What is the right way to pray this prayer? Well, if we begin to ossify our use of this prayer around language and not on message then we have missed the point. But seeking to use language that is common to our time we are living out the best of our reformed heritage.
In the search for more contemporary versions I was struck by two. The first one comes from Eugene Peterson’s the Message. It goes like this: “Father, Reveal who you are. Set the world right. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil." Another comes from the Good News bible which reads:
Father: May your holy name be honored; may your Kingdom come. Give us day by day the food we need. Forgive us our sins, for we forgive everyone who does us wrong. And do not bring us to hard testing.
Each of these prayers is rather basic and work well in versions from which they come. You might even find they would be a welcome addition to your own prayer life. Or, you may not like these versions at all. That is the beauty of personal prayer. If the use of thy and thou is an important part of your spiritual journey and if praying to God only as a Father is as well, let it continue to be so. However, in worship the printed version will continue with the ecumenical version and will be simply a guide to your prayer.
This fall we will have the opportunity to study prayer more deeply through a small group opportunity. Following the session retreat, there was a clear desire and need in the life of the church to encourage and to teach prayer. If you are interested in learning more or if you have a hunger to go deeper in your prayer life, or if you simply are unsure of the point of prayer at all, this opportunity is for you. If you enjoyed the fellowship and time of sharing of the small groups with our study of Unbinding the Gospel then you will really love this fall small group. Keep an eye out for more details in the next couple of weeks. And until then, continue to pray the prayer that Jesus taught. Amen.
July 25th 2010
Rev. Mark R. Bradshaw-Miller
Luke 11:1-13
“Why This Prayer”
Prayer –
At the time of the reformation few people could read. As a result most were at the mercy of those who were educated and had power. Most religious education came through rote memory. The early reformers recognized that the church had moved away from what they understood as the basic message of the bible. As a result, the first order of business was to educate people so that they could have access to the teachings of the faith rather than rely on the word of someone else.
Part of the basic foundation of that education was indeed the bible. To teach the basic message of the bible often included the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount. And, to teach people how to pray, the Lord’s Prayer was used. The use of this prayer with the reformers was about teaching the basics, the foundation for prayer. They were not interested in simple memorization. Given that most religious language was not in the common language of the area, the reformers were often concerned about words spoken in worship for which little thought was given.
As the Reformation spread, the Lord’s Prayer began to be translated in the common language wherever it travelled. As it spread the prayer took on many different forms and styles. However, the basic message remained the same. We are invited to pray to a God who wants to be in relationship with human beings. We are called to pray that the current arrangement of injustice of the world come to an end. We are called to pray for our basic needs and that we will travel the right way.
I have been looking at the many different forms of this prayer. Since the inception of the Anglican/Episcopal tradition there have been six English different versions, three since the founding of our country alone. While the language of the prayer has changed the basic message which Jesus shared with his disciples remains the same. And within the reform tradition the most important issue is that people come to understand the importance of and the ways in which we can pray.
Despite this essential message many of our churches continue to use the Kings James English. What we are now using in worship is a version of the prayer known as the ecumenical version. The purpose of this change is not simply for change sake or to change a prayer that has come to have deep meaning for many. However, as people of the reform faith, we must always be looking for ways to live out our calling to share the gospel so that all might hear in their own language.
For those in our midst for whom English is not the first language it is not uncommon to pray this prayer in their mother tongue. And while we use debts and debtors some people use sins and others trespass. What is the right way to pray this prayer? Well, if we begin to ossify our use of this prayer around language and not on message then we have missed the point. But seeking to use language that is common to our time we are living out the best of our reformed heritage.
In the search for more contemporary versions I was struck by two. The first one comes from Eugene Peterson’s the Message. It goes like this: “Father, Reveal who you are. Set the world right. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil." Another comes from the Good News bible which reads:
Father: May your holy name be honored; may your Kingdom come. Give us day by day the food we need. Forgive us our sins, for we forgive everyone who does us wrong. And do not bring us to hard testing.
Each of these prayers is rather basic and work well in versions from which they come. You might even find they would be a welcome addition to your own prayer life. Or, you may not like these versions at all. That is the beauty of personal prayer. If the use of thy and thou is an important part of your spiritual journey and if praying to God only as a Father is as well, let it continue to be so. However, in worship the printed version will continue with the ecumenical version and will be simply a guide to your prayer.
This fall we will have the opportunity to study prayer more deeply through a small group opportunity. Following the session retreat, there was a clear desire and need in the life of the church to encourage and to teach prayer. If you are interested in learning more or if you have a hunger to go deeper in your prayer life, or if you simply are unsure of the point of prayer at all, this opportunity is for you. If you enjoyed the fellowship and time of sharing of the small groups with our study of Unbinding the Gospel then you will really love this fall small group. Keep an eye out for more details in the next couple of weeks. And until then, continue to pray the prayer that Jesus taught. Amen.
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