Brief thoughts on death and the hereafter

Perhaps during this time of being plagued with the coronavirus pandemic, some people are more inclined to think about death and the hereafter. This may also be the case for seniors—including me—who are among the highest population at risk of being infected with COVID-19. I have had my days of wondering if I have the virus; or if I will get it and possibly die from it.

    Thinking about death and the hereafter reminds me of the gift of faith, being able, by God’s grace, to trust that I do not have to fear death or what happens beyond it. I, along with countless other people of faith, find great comfort and hope in scripture passages such as Psalm 23, John 14:1-7, and tomorrow’s Revised Common Lectionary second lesson from 1 Peter 3:13-22—especially vv 18-19: “He (Jesus) was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison....” Some biblical scholars and systematic theologians have interpreted this reference “to the spirits in prison” as Jesus’ descent into “hell.”

    I am of a divided mind concerning hell. On the one hand, I can see the need for God’s justice to be exercised towards humankind—especially in light of those like Hitler and Stalin who caused immense suffering for millions of human beings. On the other hand, I also believe that God is an all-loving God, and the life, teachings, sufferings, death and resurrection of Jesus truly bear witness to God’s love. So, I hold these two possibilities in dialectical tension, without a satisfactory resolution. However, I do like this quotation from popular Presbyterian pastor and author, the Reverend Frederick Buechner (pronounced Beekner), first published in his Wishful Thinking, and later in his Beyond Words:

    “Dante saw written over the gates of hell the words "Abandon all hope ye who enter here," but he must have seen wrong. If there is suffering life in hell, there must also be hope in hell, because where there is life there is the Lord and giver of life; and where there is suffering he is there too, because the suffering of the ones he loves is also his suffering.”

Bob Dylan's new song

I've always found Bob Dylan's music thought-provoking, and sometimes inspiring, as well as poetic and prophetic. 

   However, the older he gets, the worse his singing becomes. 

   This new song, "Murder most foul," reminds me a bit of a chant rather than a sung performance. Somehow his voice isn't as offensive as recent albums. 

   The song, 15.56 minutes in length, recalls the murder of President John Kennedy. Dylan also poetically and prophetically references many musicians, politicians, historical events, and even alludes to biblical motifs and the divine. Well worth a listen!

Prayer of the Day/Collect for Good Friday, Yr A

On this holy day, we remember you Jesus; as you suffered excruciating pain and a cruel death; which you freely chose in love for the whole human race to forgive their sin and promise life eternal. Today we also remember our participation in your suffering and death; we are equally as guilty as all of those who participated in sending you to the cross. Today we also remember that you continue to suffer with the whole human race as many have died and will die of the coronavirus. May everyone find strength by turning to you in order to cope with the life-threatening circumstances in which we face. May we live with resurrection hope that there will be life beyond COVID-19; just as your resurrection gives hope beyond the grave. All praise and thanks to you Jesus; our Suffering Servant; for all that you have accomplished for us on the cross.

The Weekend in B & W: March 13, 2020

Edinburgh street, Scotland

For the Weekend in Black and White

 

 

 

 

 

Ask the pastor

How do Christians observe Lent?

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent in Western Christendom. However in some Eastern churches, Lent actually begins on the Monday prior to Ash Wednesday.

   

In the Western churches, ashes from burnt palm leaves, usually mixed with oil, are placed on the forehead of worshippers to remind them of their mortality. In biblical times, ashes combined with sackcloth were worn by God’s people to express their repentance of sins before God. However, in some Eastern churches, ashes are not used on Ash Wednesday.

   

The colour for Lent is purple in the Western churches. In some Eastern churches the colour is red. In both Eastern and Western churches, purple and red are penitential colours.

   

At first, Lent was 36 days, a tenth, a tithe of our 365 day year. However, at about the end of the seventh century, Lent was extended to 40 days (not counting the Sundays), and has remained the same since then. There is something magical about the number 40. The flood in the days of Noah lasted 40 days. Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Jesus fasted for 40 days and was tempted by the devil.

   

The word Lent may have Anglo-Saxon origins, meaning to lengthen, as in referring to the longer days in the season of spring. Over the centuries, Christians have developed several traditions to assist them in their preparation for the celebration of Easter Sunday, and the resurrection of Jesus. Here are a few of them:

• Preaching, reading, studying, praying, and focussing on the New Testament Passion Narratives, which highlight the last days of Jesus’ earthly ministry; along with his journey to Jerusalem, his arrest, trial, sentence, crucifixion, suffering and death.
• Worship Services that communicate a more reflective, sombre mood by omitting (in some denominations liturgically burying) the singing or saying of hallelujah and alleluia; as well as singing hymns with tunes in the minor key, which are often inspired by and based on the Passion Narratives. In Lutheran tradition, it has been (perhaps more so in previous generations than today) common to listen to J.S. Bach’s Passion of St Matthew and Passion of St John during the Lenten season. Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Palm-Passion Sunday, and Good Friday Worship Services are especially designed to engage worshippers in acts of sincere confession and repentance of sin—both personal and collective; remembering with humility our mortality and hence our utter dependence on God; and the desire to journey with Jesus in the way of the cross.
• The practice of giving something up in a sacrificial way for Lent in order to be in solidarity with Christ and the world’s poor. In our part of the world, that might include no television, no movies, or no Internet during Lent. The operative principle for giving something up in a sacrificial way during Lent is that it needs to be sacrificial; i.e. something that you value and takes up much of your time, energy and resources. For example, it is pointless to give up chocolate for Lent if you do not eat chocolate.
• The practice of taking something extra on for Lent. For example, you may wish to spend extra time in prayer, meditation or study. Many churches offer their parishioners special mid-week Lenten Worship Services or Study opportunities or social justice projects that connect us with the world’s poor through benevolent organisations like Canadian Lutheran World Relief <www.clwr.org>.
  
  
      The Lenten season has inspired poets, musicians and
  artists alike down through the ages. Here is the first of 21 stanzas, (divided up into 7 parts to coincide with the Good Friday Tenebrae Service on the 7 last words of Jesus on the cross) one of my favourites, by the nineteenth century hymn writer, Thomas B. Pollock: “Jesus in thy dying woes, even while thy life-blood flows, craving pardon for thy foes: Hear us holy Jesus.” One of my favourite works of art is Salvador Dali’s 1951 painting, “Christ of St John of the Cross.
  
  
      Whatever you do to observe Lent, may you find meaning and purpose in it to enrich, inspire and deepen you in your faith journey. I invite readers of this post to make a comment and share how you observe Lent. A blessed Lent to you.

 

Wordless Wednesday - January 15, 2020

Winter scene

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          For Wordless Wednesday

Canadian artist Kurelek's Christmas