Easter Header

Easter Header

 

Over against all human sceptical reasoning, the Church proclaims: “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” This ancient greeting of Christians has provided comfort, hope and courage, as the good news of resurrection joy has been contagiously spread around the world.

 

My favourite story of accentuating the good news of the risen Messiah goes back to communist Russia. On Easter Sunday in 1940 in Odessa, a crowd of some 40,000 Christians gathered to worship the risen Christ, However, communist agitators harassed them by making atheistic propaganda speeches for four hours. Afterwards, a congregant begged to say a few words and was granted permission. He stood up before all of those worshippers and said: “Brothers and sisters, Christ is risen!” Then, from the mouths of 40,000 followers of Jesus the reply roared out, “He is risen indeed!

 

 

Header for Lent

Header for Lent

The present header depicts five symbols of the Lenten season, during which Christendom focuses on Jesus’ journey to the cross and the implications of his suffering and death for humankind and all of creation. The symbols are from right to left:

• A black cross, reminding us of the cross made of ashes from previous year’s Palm Sunday palms and placed on the forehead during the Ash Wednesday worship service. It is a symbol of repentance and mortality.
• A purple crown of thorns, reminding us of what Jesus wore during his Passion, as the political and military authorities mocked, whipped and crucified him. It is purple in colour, the Lenten season’s traditional colour, representing royalty, reminding us that Jesus is a different kind of King than all other kings, and his realm is far more all-encompassing than any earthly realm.
• Nails, again in purple and reminding us that during this season we focus on the sufferings of the crucified Jesus, which he took on voluntarily, out of love for the world.
• A sword, which reminds us of the sword Peter drew according to the Fourth Gospel account of Jesus’ arrest, and in Matthew’s account Jesus warns that those who take up the sword will die by the sword. Ultimately, Jesus’ way of peace-shalom shall eventually, once and for all, put an end to war, violence and the instruments of death.
• A whip, which reminds us of the cruelty of the Roman empire and Christ’s solidarity with all people who suffered the most cruel of tortures throughout history and even to this day.

May you, gentle readers, be moved to take up some worthy discipline or cause during Lent in gratitude for what Christ has done and continues to do for you. One example is prayer and letter-writing advocacy work for brothers and sisters in Christ who are unjustly imprisoned, persecuted, tortured, raped, and killed in corrupt regimes around the globe. Your prayers and advocacy work can make a tremendous difference and save lives—just as the prayers and advocacy work of Christians did in the ancient Church.

 

Header

Header

The following picture was taken from outside my backdoor. The beautiful winter snow and frost remind me of the psalmist’s words: “He (God) gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.” And concluding with, “Hallelujah!-Praise the LORD!” (Ps 147:16 & 20)

Nativity Scene

Nativity Scene

This nativity scene was created many years ago. It is an attempt to depict the humble birth of Jesus as described in Luke’s Gospel.

 

The season of Advent

The season of Advent 

In the church liturgical year, this is the season of Advent, which marks the beginning of a new year—so happy new year! The English Advent is derived from the Latin Adventus, meaning “coming.” Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and thus is four weeks long. The liturgical colour for Advent traditionally has been purple, which symbolizes royalty. However, more recently blue the colour of hope has become more common in many churches.

• We prepare for Christ’s coming into the world as a baby.
• We celebrate Christ with us now in daily life.
• We look forward with hope to Christ’s coming again.

One of the traditions during Advent is an Advent wreath, which may have originated in Germany, usually made from evergreen tree branches. The wreath symbolizes:

• Eternity and God’s love for the world.
• Consists of four candles, one for each week of Advent.
• The candles remind us Christ is the light of the world.
• The candles also symbolize: Week one prophecy or hope candle; week two Bethlehem or peace candle; week three shepherds’ or joy candle; week four angels’ or love candle.

 

I Am The True Vine

I Am The True Vine

In this last of the “I am” sayings series of headers, Jesus, in John 15:1, employing agrarian ancient Eastern imagery describes himself by saying: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower.” Then, in verse 5, he goes on to reiterate: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” Once again, Jesus emphasises that it’s all about relationship and remaining connected with him. The vine, and branches by nature, grow and bear fruit. So it is in life. Life is a journey of growth, of producing and bearing fruit. Abiding in Jesus the true vine means participation in the Word and Sacraments-worship; the community/communion/koinonia of sinner-saints; and acts of loving kindness. Shorter, pruned branches remain closer to the vine—hence; they are the most healthy and fruitful. So in our lives, pruning vis-à-vis repentance and sufferings keep us closer and more connected with Christ the true vine for the purpose of growth and bearing fruit. Vines, of course, produce grapes, which are one of the symbols for Israel. Grapes, in turn, become wine—the drink of life for Jews in the Passover and for Christians in Holy Communion.

 

I am the Way, Truth and Life

I am the Way, Truth and Life

In John 14:6, which is spoken in the larger context of Jesus’ farewell discourse with the disciples, he answers Thomas’ question about the way to where Jesus is going (his Father’s house) by saying: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” In other words, he personifies the way, and the truth, and the life. Jesus the way prevents us from getting lost amidst so many ways. Jesus the truth reveals all that we need to know concerning himself, God, others, the world, his Church, and heaven. Jesus the life provides us with everything that we need to live in this world and beyond. The universe as well as every human who is graced with faith in Jesus is given this way, this truth, and this life. Eventually, Jesus the way, truth, and life shall gather all of his followers into his Father’s house. It is with eager longing that we await that time, even as we live in the here and now.

 

I am the Resurrection and the Life

I am the Resurrection and the Life

In this fifth “I am” saying of Jesus in John 11:25, our Lord described himself with a view to the future. He speaks these words of comfort and hope to Martha who is grieving over the death of her brother, Lazarus. As the story unfolds, Jesus authenticates his claim as the resurrection and the life by revealing his power over death and raising the dead Lazarus. This sign was a foretaste of the future, when Jesus himself would be raised from the dead and promise all would-be followers that, one day; they too would be raised from the dead and be given the gift of eternal life. Each Sunday is a celebration and reminder of Christ the resurrection and the life, present and active among us. Life is graced with many small resurrections whenever the risen Lord gives hope to the hopeless; faith to the doubting; love to the loveless; new life to the dying.

I am the Good Shepherd

I am the Good Shepherd

The picture of Jesus as the good shepherd who lays his life down for the sheep in John 10:11, 14 has provided countless people of faith much comfort and confidence down through the ages. Most likely biblically literate Jews and Christians automatically think of Psalm 23 whenever they hear the language of shepherd and sheep. Jesus too certainly knew the other shepherd-sheep passages from the Hebrew Bible, where shepherds represented the political and spiritual leaders of Israel and the sheep all Israelites. As our Good Shepherd, Jesus provides for our physical and spiritual needs; protects us from danger and harm; and preserves life through the forgiveness of sin made effective through the laying down of his life—his atoning work on the cross. One of, if not “the” most moving, tender passages of the New Testament is Luke 15. Here Jesus our Good Shepherd is prepared to seek out and save a single lost sheep and leave his whole flock behind. Each sheep/person is extremely valued by Jesus—hence the feasting when the lost are found.

 

I am the door/gate

I am the door/gate for the sheep

In this third “I am” saying of Jesus, “I am the door/gate for the sheep,” (John 10:7, 9), the Greek word for door/gate is θύρα (thura), which can be translated as either door or gate—although it refers more often elsewhere to door than gate. Here Jesus is speaking on at least two levels. The first level refers to the literal, biblical agrarian world of the Holy Land. Sheep were protected from robbers and thieves by herding them into pens or sheep-folds and the shepherd may very well have served as the door/gate for the pen to keep the sheep safe inside the pen and allow them to go outside when it was time to go back into the pasture or to the nearest water source. On a deeper, spiritual level, Jesus is speaking of his authenticity as the Messiah over against false-pretender leaders, teachers and messiahs. He is also speaking of eternal life, where Jesus is the door/gate into heaven, hence the way of salvation for those who belong to and follow him. The picture/image/metaphor of a door is a most comforting one then in relation to Jesus and all of his would-be followers. A closed and locked door speaks of protection and security. An open door suggests freedom, opportunity, adventure, excitement, and growth in faith, hope and love as one follows Jesus wherever he leads us.