Book of Faith

When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs– in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” . . .

Acts 2:1-21 NRSV

Monday I was home. I mowed the lawn. We have a fairly large front lawn which we’re in the process of naturescaping. Someday, Lord willing, no more grass.

There are lots of problems with lawns from an ecological standpoint. First of all they’re a mono-culture and nature is decidedly diverse. So, you always get weeds. Secondly it grows too fast in the spring and you have to waste gas mowing it. In July it will turn brown because it’s too dry. God didn’t design ryegrass for the Pacific Northwest, or for the North American continent at all for that matter. Bluegrass belongs in Kentucky, with fast horses and twangy music.

As I mowed the lawn I was looking at the weeds around the perimeter. My instinct was to pull them out. Of course they’re what God designed to grow in this region. Among the “weeds” are large patches of Miner’s Lettuce. You can actually eat that. I made a salad for dinner with it. It’s seems stupid to name food plants that want to grow in my yard “weeds” and a lawn which is decidedly unnatural and a resource waster “good.” What does this mean?

I think Pentecost is about God calling out what actually wants to grow. Answering the call is a wonderful diversity of life, the right people for the right place. Maybe we should stop fertilizing the church with Miracle-Gro® Weed and Feed that selects for northern Europeans at the expense of folks we don’t recognize.

When you cultivate lawns you end up talking about what you’ve done. When you walk through the rain forest you’re amazed at what God’s done. Pentecost is sort of like that.

Bishop Dave Brauer-Rieke

“And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent…. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.” — John 17:3, 11

In the Acts lesson for today, we see Jesus ascending to heaven. In the gospel lesson, we hear his prayer for protection and unity. Part of the Easter Season is to bask in the love of God. As we conclude this season, we give thanks for our Teacher’s prayer for protection and unity. We’ve been working for 20 centuries to become one church, but it is a hard task.

Lutherans are seen ecumenically as a church that helps to build bridges. Conversations between denominations are an important part of our work as a church. We also need to participate in conversations with other Christian denominations and religions on the local level. It is only by talking with one another, that we learn to appreciate our own heritage and understand our neighbors.

Monica, mother of Augustine is remembered May 4th as well. She is the saint for parents who are find parenthood, “a vexed privilege and a blessed trial (W. Berry, poet).” She lived in the 4th century. She was devout. Augustine was later.

Pastor Susan Kintner
Assistant to the Bishop

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, who will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, whom the world neither sees nor knows. You know the Spirit, because the Spirit abides with you, and will be in you. “

I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you will also live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me, will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” –John 14: 15 - 21

The Ascension of our Lord is celebrated this year on Thursday, May 1st. Our gospel this week anticipates Jesus ascension. In 1990, I visited Jerusalem. On that ascension day, we climbed every stair in Jerusalem! We know this rhythm, Easter, then the promise of the Holy Spirit, the ascension of Jesus to heaven, and then the birth of the church with the coming of the Spirit on Pentecost. The words in John use the preposition “in,” over and over. We abide in Jesus, who abides in God the Creator and now, we will come to know the Spirit. I love the image of the Trinity as the three persons of God dancing together. We’ve been invited to join the dance in our baptism. We prepare to receive again the Holy Spirit.

April 29 we remember Catherine of Sienna, 1380. She is a doctor of the church, and this is one of her prayers.

Power of the eternal Father, help me. Wisdom of the Son, enlighten the eye of my understanding. Tender mercy of the Holy Spirit, unite my heart to yourself. Eternal God, restore health to the sick and life to the dead. Give us a voice, your own voice, to cry out to you for mercy for the world. You, light, give us light. You, wisdom give us wisdom. You, supreme strength, strengthen us.
Amen (ELW 357)

Pastor Susan Kintner
Assistant to the Bishop

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one come to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know and have seen my Father.”
John 14: 1- 7

I have read this scripture at the bedside of many, at home, in the hospital or care center. I have read this scripture many times at funeral services. I have learned from those preparing to die (and isn’t that part of our discipleship?) that they need to do at least 2 things- lighten their load and prepare for the final journey home to God. Obviously we lighten our load by getting rid of things, and by saying what needs to be said- I love you, I’m sorry, I forgive you, You are precious to me.

The final journey according to John is going to the place Jesus has prepared for those he loves, and we find it by following Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth and the life. Part of our Easter Life is continuing to follow the Teacher.

Earth Day is April 22. Our care for creation reflects our faith, particularly our stewardship.

O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen (ELW 431)

Pastor Susan Kintner

Assistant to the Bishop

“The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.  The gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd, and the sheep hear his voice.  He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.  They will not follow a stranger, but they will run away because the do not know the voice of strangers.”  Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.  

So again, Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.  I am the gate.  Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” - John 10:2-10

Good Shepherd Sunday is celebrated today!  Have we learned to hear our shepherd’s voice?  Do we know that Christ is the gate?  We remember Dietrich Bonhoffer on April 9th.  He knew the shepherd’s voice.  Everyday he spent time with scripture, often the psalms.  When he was teaching the seminarians, he required they spend time each day in scripture and prayer as well, because he knew that the disciplines they developed then would need to carry them in their ministry during a time of war and violence.  In the pastoral letters he sent them after seminary, he encouraged them to hold fast to God’s promises in a dark and despairing time.  Our psalm for today is psalm 23, probably the first one most of us memorized.  It is a psalm of care and trust. Return to it often, to learn the shepherd’s voice, and for strength for your discipleship. 

Pastor Susan Kintner
Assistant to the Bishop 

“But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this. it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then Jesus said to them, “Oh how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.”

Luke 24: 21- 27

Luke gives us some astounding women and an impressive lesson in history and scripture from the Master. This favorite passage reminds us that when we are grief stricken, we often don’t see Jesus next to us. We need the community’s support. We also never graduate from learning in the faith– we need to keep hearing the Master interpreting to us all the things in scripture. In your faith journey are you walking slowly to Emmaus, or are you running back to Jerusalem with the good news of recognizing Jesus in the breaking of the bread? We will walk both paths many times in our discipleship. Let us care for our companions and rely on the presence of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Susan Kintner
Assistant to the Bishop

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it in my side.  Do not doubt but believe.”  Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”  

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book.  But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.  John 20:26-31 Dear Thomas.  In John 11:16 Thomas said to the other disciples “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” Lazarus had died, and Jesus was going to Bethany, in great danger from the authorities.  

Now, we are in chapter 20, and Thomas has declared that he needs to see Jesus to believe.  Well, don’t we all?   The saints help us see the resurrected Christ and his wounds.  St. Joseph’s Day is March 19, but transferred because of Holy Week to March 24.  Oscar Romero (1917-1980) is remembered March 24.  A feast of Mary, the Annunciation, is March 25– when Gabriel announces God’s invitation to her to bear the Christ child. Joseph teaches us how to be guardians of families and faith.  Oscar Romero teaches us God’s sacrifical love for the poor and oppressed.  Mary teaches us to say, “fiat,” let it be to me according to your will.  Her “YES!” led to a life transformed by grace.  I think of her often during Holy Week and her broken heart.  She shows us the way through betrayal and pain, and finally will witness Pentecost.  May Joseph, Oscar, and Mary accompany you now.  

Pastor Susan Kintner
Assistant to the Bishop 

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. but she did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sit, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher).

Jesus said to her, Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that Jesus had said these things to her. John 20:11-18

Today is the day we can shout Alleluia, and repeat it often! Alleluia that in Mary’s deepest grief, Jesus called her by name. Now we have received that promise too.

Alleluia, that as Mary stood on the threshold of wanting to go back to the old ways, but was called to a new life, to be a preacher of the good news, she bravely stepped forward!

Alleluia that we have her proclamation, “I have seen the Lord!”

Alleluia that we have a companion now who can help us navigate when to hold fast and when to let go.

Alleluia that the New Life God promised us in Jesus is all around us in creation, reminding us of God’s amazing abundance!

Pastor Susan Kintner

Assistant to the Bishop, Oregon Synod, ELCA

March 22, 2008
Resurrection of Our Lord, Vigil of Easter

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing , but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping, Whom do you seek?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” ( which means Teacher). John 20:1-18.

Maybe it was the tears that blinded her from identifying Jesus, or again maybe it was her own expectations. It is fascinating to realize that even in her sorrow, she has plans ” to take him away”.

It is not until Jesus asks : “Whom do you seek?” and calls her by name, that she knows who he is. Her response “Rabboni” confirms that she continues to seek him and his leading. As for her earlier plans, they are no longer revelant. So it is with us, when we seek Jesus and hear him calling our name, our plans have a tendency to change. Amen, Halleluia!

Deaconess Deb Mantey

March 21, 2008
Good Friday

Then Jesus, knowing all that was to befall him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to the, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When he said to them, ” I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, ” Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, ” I told you that I am he; so, if you seek me, let these men go.” John 18:4-8.

What were they expecting? This “band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees” who went with lanterns and torches and weapons? ( verse 3 ) Whoever they were expecting, it obviously was not the calm presence before them saying “I am he”. Was it their expectations which caused them to “draw back” and fall to the ground?

Whom do you seek? It has been the question for many of us to struggle with this Lent. Our journey is almost over. If we continue to read through the rest of the text for the day ( through 19:42 ), it will take us through the trial, the denial, the mocking, the crucifixion and the death of Jesus. We will see the depth of his love for us and for the world. Will we seek him there, too? Can we bear it?

Deaconess Deb Mantey