"Show me your glory, I pray.”
That’s Moses’ request of the Lord in the desert in Exodus 33:18. The people of Israel have followed the Lord and Moses from Egypt into the desert on their way to the Promised Land. At this point in the story they are in between. They are not in Egypt and they are not in Promised Land. They are in the desert and it’s hard. It’s hot and resources are limited. Sonic is not open yet. A long journey (and long lines) awaits us. “Show me your glory, I pray.” 2020 has felt like time in the desert. There haven’t been very many oases (that’s plural for oasis). 2020 has been one surprise after another. Hospital stays, changes in life, COVID-19 pandemic followed by shutdown, followed by mandates, followed by guidelines, followed by businesses closing and layoffs. “Show me your glory, I pray.” Followed by delays and postponements and a new normal. Followed by job losses, multiple wildfires, mostly peaceful protests, riots, looting and repeated hurricanes. “Show me your glory, I pray.” Houses of Worship (including churches) closed, moved to online or virtual only, to small gatherings, to limited return. “Show me your glory, I pray.” Social distancing, asymptomatic, contact tracing, and facial covering / masks are becoming the “new normal.” “Show me your glory, I pray.” We pray for people in need and grieve (profoundly grieve) friends and family we’ve lost. The “most important election in modern history” will soon be upon us with uncertainty, chaos, and confusion promised to follow. “Show me your glory, I pray.” What are we to do as we approach this election, in the midst of this pandemic, with so much uncertainty? Pray! What to pray? “Show me your glory, I pray.” I won’t tell you how to vote, but I will tell you to vote. Too much is at stake for you to stay home (or at work) instead of voting. American servicemen and women have fought, sacrificed, and died in defense of our great nation. You can honor their service and sacrifice by taking a moment to vote. And you can pray. What else can you do? You can reach out to friends, neighbors, and strangers. You can talk on the phone or on the internet. You don’t need to argue, instead you can help. Who can you help? You can help people in need including those you haven’t spoken to in some time. What about the widows and orphans? You can help. You can do more than just pray, you can ask how you can help and find ways to safely do so. 2020 has been a crazy year of constant challenges. Yet we have not lost our humanity. You will not catch COVID-19 by talking on the phone, text, or email. In helping you just might be the answer to someone’s lonely prayer by reaching out to help. We’ll get through this year (and this election) by helping one another. “Show us, all of us, your glory, I pray.” The Rev. Stephen Reed is pastor at St. Paul Church on Farmers Loop next to Mushers Hall. Chaplain, Police and Fire. This Insight Article is sponsored by Tanana Valley Christian Conference Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section October 16, 2020. I awoke Saturday morning to a phone call informing me that a very close and longtime friend had died suddenly just hours before. My friend’s daughter was calling to let me know. We (Laura and I) have been heartbroken ever since.
I learned that on Friday afternoon my friend had been working on a sermon when suddenly her chest hurt like never before. Her husband rushed her to the hospital. They ran tests and determined that she was suffering from a dissecting aortic aneurysm for which little could be done. She called family and shared her love for them and the situation. She was given pain medication and died in the midst of hymns, prayers and friends a short time later. She and I were in ministry in a small Episcopal Church in Colorado. We attended Diocesan parish leadership classes and were in Clinical Pastoral Education for a few years together. Her daughter (who called) had babysat our kids. She was happily married, an active member of a Celtic Franciscan order, and pastoring a church in East Texas. Things were going well for her and we were so happy for her. And then she dies suddenly having recently turned 54. She suddenly experiences excruciating pain while writing a sermon to preach on Sunday. Her funeral was Tuesday at 1 p.m. in East Texas. She died doing the Lord’s work and in excruciating pain. Don’t wait to tell people of your admiration. Life is hard and everyone fights battles seen and unseen. Everyone struggles to some extent. I told her several times of my profound respect and admiration of her. I am so glad I told her. You never know when your last conversation with a person will be the last conversation. And don’t waste time arguing on social media about anything. I’ve done that and it just drains your life, time, and energy. Spend that time with people. In all this I am really struggling. In a job I used to have I worked daily with people who were dying, sometimes actively dying. I consoled the dying and their loved ones. I also worked with family following sudden unexpected deaths in the form of accidents, incidents, suicides, and homicides. I buried four of my co-workers. I assured all I came in contact with of God’s love and grace and tried my best to help at the worst of times. I developed deep respect for everyone on the front lines of these battles for life: nurses, doctors, police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, EMTs and dispatchers. Every one of these respond to help strangers in danger at their own risk. This time is different. This time we’ve lost a close personal friend. And it’s hard and it’s not fair, not at all. None of it ever is. I’ve been on scenes and in situations where family members ask me why God has taken their loved one? I didn’t know then and I don’t know now. Some will say loudly and proudly that it’s all part of God’s plan, which can be reassuring or terrifying. Perhaps terrible things just happen and God helps us with putting pieces of our life back together and making peace with a now empty chair. This Sunday (Oct. 4), I’ll be thinking of her as we celebrate St. Francis Sunday and have a blessing of the animals following the service (we’re meeting in person at appropriate distances and precautions). She was a long time Franciscan and enjoyed blessing of animals and the joy on the faces of young and old. I believe in all my heart that we’ll see her again in heaven, that she’s with Jesus, and that at the last day she’ll be resurrected. But right now, I just want my friend back. The Rev. Stephen Reed, pastor, St. Paul Church on Farmers Loop next to Mushers Hall. Chaplain, police and fire. This Insight Article is sponsored by Tanana Valley Christian Conference Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section October 2, 2020. Theology!
What is it? Why, as in why does it matter today? Theology is the study of God. But what does theology have to do with us? Why, especially in this crazy year, does theology matter? All good questions! There are many questions in the study of God. First lesson from my very first day in seminary, printed largely and loudly upon the chalk board: “GOD is GOD. You are not.” “God is God. You are not.” There is far more to that statement than first meets the eye. And therein lies the study of theology. When we try and figure out what God is doing, i.e. what God is up to, we first begin by recognizing that God is wholly (and HOLY) other. God is not us. God is not our relative, friend, neighbor, co-worker. God is God. It is easy to think of God as being like you, your friend who agrees with you on just about everything. Surely God roots for the same teams as you and wants the same wins as you. That must be God. And surely God has the same views on everything as you and roots for the same political party and candidate as you. Why if God were here right now, I am certain God would drive the same truck as you! No doubt about it. Okay, that’s not actually God. That’s not to say that God is driving an ecofriendly hybrid either. Perhaps God exists beyond cars and trucks and games and politics (and even time!). I used to work a job where God was invoked by loved ones in the hopes of another breath, another heartbeat and another chance. Life is just that tenuous and just that fragile. What can we say of God? How can we even begin to understand? In Anglican Theology, in which I was raised (or steeped to use a British term) there is a three-legged stool upon which we stand seeking God. One leg is scripture. Many faiths stop at this leg. Scripture is enough! “Solo Scriptura” as Martin Luther once proclaimed (that’s scripture alone). The problem (whenever people are involved there are problems….) is that scripture can say a great many things. In Biblical books of Samuel, Numbers and Judges there are passages that call for killing every man, woman and child in a given area. Really. Look it up. So back to the three-legged stool: the first leg is scripture. The second leg is tradition, defined as how the Christian faith is lived out over the centuries. To use the above example, tradition teaches us that killing every man, woman and child lead to genocide and wars and goes against Jesus command to love God with all our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbor as ourself. Some faiths emphasize tradition over scripture. Finally, the third leg of the three-legged stool, after scripture and tradition, is reason. Reason is the rational mind trying to make sense of an irrational world. Reason includes one’s experience within the world. Reason, to again use the above example, might say (scream!), “I don’t even want to go to that village. I’m going to leave every man, woman and child alone and avoid needless suffering. Or I might even try and help and thereby serve and love God. Now we’re near the end of this article and the beginning of your study. What have you learned thus far? God is God, you’re not God. Only God is God…. If you think God agrees with you on everything, well that’s your dog, not God. God doesn’t drive your preferred truck or car and isn’t consumed with self-righteousness on sports, politics or transportation. Help the people in the village and the people around you, your neighbors and strangers. Consider looking at a given issue, or maybe this crazy year, through the lenses of scripture, tradition and reason. You might find that you’ll grow in understanding and in faith. We’re going to get through this year, upcoming elections and whatever is next around the 2020 corner. We will. Together we will make a difference as we reach out to help one another and show the love of God. This Insight Article is sponsored by Tanana Valley Christian Conference Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section on September 11, 2020. Once again 2020 continues to amaze and mystify. What is God up to? I do not know.
As I write this article I do so praying for family and friends in the path of Hurricane Laura in Texas and Louisiana and for family and friends in the path of wildfires in Colorado and California. I pray as well for people in a number of cities across our country experiencing protests, riots, lootings, shootings and other unrest. 2020 continues to challenge us all on a great many levels and in a great many ways. I write this also as I recover from days spent cutting, hauling, splitting and stacking wood. Cutting, hauling, splitting and stacking wood is something I can cope with and understand. Freshly cut wood (neighbor fell a few trees) is heavy. It’s true. Hauling heavy wood over a muddy hillside is a challenge. What does all this have to do with an insight article? Good question. Let me explain. Cutting, hauling, splitting, and stacking wood is an act of faith. It’s true. It’s an act of faith that says that not only this winter will come, but next winter will also as have all past winters. The recently cut, hauled, split, and stacked wood won’t be available to burn efficiently and effectively heat our home till, at least, next winter (2021-22). There is a rhythm of life in interior Alaska and that rhythm involves seasons and the challenges each present. Summer presents the challenge of mosquitoes while winter the challenge of extreme cold. Each also involves acts of faith, big and small, every day. In the midst of all this is the reality of the (extremely!) strange times in which we live. Some fear engaging friend, neighbor, and stranger for fear of COVID-19. This plague has presented many challenges to each and all of us. Pray for our nurses, doctors, teachers, students, truck drivers, grocery store workers. They are on the front lines of the COVID battle. We are also in the midst of elections for a great many elected positions. While I will not advise you on how to vote, I will implore you to vote. Many have sacrificed in battles near and far that you can be free to participate in our representative Democracy. Pray for our elected leaders, voters and candidates. I ask your prayers for our first responders (law enforcement, fire fighters, paramedics, and dispatchers). First responders have very challenging and difficult careers. Each must make incredibly difficult decisions in mere seconds. Each serves the community and sacrifices time from family and friends to answer calls of strangers in highly stressful circumstances. Imagine for just a moment what life would be like as a first responder. The stress and situation are enormous. Pray, show respect and appreciate the difference first responders make each and every day. In the book of Exodus, Moses is called by God to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. In the Gospels, Peter is called to start the church. What is God calling you to do? I believe God is calling each and all of us to care and pray for one another. This Insight Article is sponsored by Tanana Valley Christian Conference Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section on August 28, 2020. Have you heard that 2020 is more challenging, more difficult, and/or more painful than any year we’ve ever experienced? 2020 has certainly been filled with challenges, stresses and stressors. I have lost track of all the many things that have happened or are happening. The events seem to blur into a big heap of trouble. As a nation, we’ve experienced nature’s wrath in storms, earthquakes, flooding, wildfires and more. Our military continues warfighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, South Korea and beyond! As a nation we continue to experience the pandemic and orders/mandates/guidelines/tests/quarantines, postponements and fears/anxieties. Many have lost jobs and others lost pay. Tourism has vanished. Our nation is in the midst of struggles over race, justice, law enforcement, and leadership and riots, looting, shootings and fires. And there are elections coming up for everything from school board to President of the United States.
Wow, what a year it has been, and continues to be and it’s only August. So is this the most stressful and difficult year ever? Yes absolutely! It’s never been this bad before. Never! Unless you were to look at life in the 1918 Spanish Flu and World War I or the Dust Bowl and Great Depression that followed a few years later. World War II began a few years after that and the entire world, including Alaska, was at war. Our nation has been through extreme civil unrest beginning with the Revolutionary War and continuing with the Civil War and in the 1950s and 1960s over Civil Rights and the war in Vietnam. Why do I bring all this up? I bring this historical (and at times hysterical) perspective only to say that we have made it through very difficult times before. Take some time to talk with people with experience. And listen. There are, at least, two ways to listen: Listen to respond to what is being said (that’s how many interact on social media) or listen to hear. Listening to hear takes time and focus, but the lessons are fascinating and rewarding. Finally, I think of a couple of people: Joseph (from the book of Genesis) and Peter (the fisherman formerly known as Simon). Briefly put, and there’s a wonderful musical that is far more entertaining than I am, Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob. Sibling rivalry got the better of his brothers and so they sought first to kill him and then chose to instead sell him. Several events, years and circumstances later, Joseph encounters his brothers from a position of significant power and influence. Does Joseph seek vengeance upon his brothers? No, he forgives and provides. Peter is called by Jesus (and renamed) to follow him. Jesus preaches, teaches, miraculously heals and provides, and does a great many more things. Peter acts rashly, boldly and at times stupidly (I easily identify with Peter). Later Jesus is captured by religious authorities. Peter, who had boldly proclaimed his loyalty to the end, denies ever knowing Jesus the first time a girl asks him. Jesus is crucified, dead and buried. The story, it would appear ends with his death. But no, Jesus rises from the dead and seeks out his disciples. When Jesus sees Peter, does he condemn Peter? No, he forgives him and empowers him to start his church. The Bible is filled with powerful experiences of redemption and forgiveness. So yes, 2020 is a deeply challenging and difficult year, but it is by no means the most difficult. God is at work, though we don’t always understand how. We’re going to get through this and we’ll be stronger for it. This Insight Article is sponsored by Tanana Valley Christian Conference Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section on August 14, 2020. Recently Saint Paul Church celebrated Saint Paul. Why, you might ask? Because Saint Paul (and Saint Peter) are remembered on June 29 in the church calendar. What’s so special about Saint Paul. Is it that he, like other saints, is perfect? No, that clearly is not the case. Not at all. He’s not a saint, and neither are we.
Consider this, Paul, by his birth name of Saul, is mentioned a few times in the book of Acts. He is first remembered for his participation in the stoning (read murder) of Stephen (my namesake) in the seventh chapter of the book of Acts. Saul is there as Stephen is killed. Next Saul is remembered in the eighth chapter of the book of Acts for going from house to house hunting (really) Christians. Finally, in the 9th chapter of the book of Acts, Saul seeks warrants to hunt Christians in Damascus. He is taking his quest beyond Israel. Saul is hunting Christians and there’s no bag limit. On his way from Jerusalem to Damascus, Saul is struck by a bright light, like lightening. When he asks what is happening, he hears Jesus’ voice in the midst of it all. Saul at long last realizes he’s been persecuting the very Son of God. He realizes the error of his way and follows Jesus. Why do I share this story of Saul and Saint Paul and St. Paul Church? I share this because we are living in stressful and difficult times — like those of the early church. We are living in a time in which we simply don’t know what is going to happen next. The news is full of surprises ranging from statues toppled, looting, rioting, protesting, to Russian bombers and murder hornets. We just don’t know what’s going to happen next. Yet I say to you that while we don’t know, God does! Saul did not change to a believer named Paul on his own. He changed because the Lord was at work in a mighty way. We do not gather to worship Paul. We gather to worship our Lord who works through us all, even zealous Saul who eventually became Paul. Saint Paul is a story of redemption from a bad guy Saul who hunted Christians to a good guy Paul who preached the good news of Jesus Christ who died and rose again for all. Paul wrote many of his New Testament letters from a prison cell. Hard times are not a new thing for Christians or for the world. Yet we persevere like our great nation. We shall overcome as we, all of us, gather together in Christ Jesus. May you know the Peace that surpasses all understanding, the Peace of Christ Jesus our Lord! Rev. Stephen Reed, pastor, St. Paul Church on Farmers Loop next to Mushers Hall. Chaplain, Fairbanks Police Department Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section on July 10, 2020. A Christian is a follower of Christ.
Christians are not limited to one Christian denomination, church body or faith practice. There are literally thousands of Christian denominations and churches throughout the United States and the world. Some are ancient and some begin daily. Each strives to honor and worship Jesus in a variety of ways. In this article I will discuss two key aspect of all Christian faiths: Jesus and love. Jesus commands Christians to love. Specifically, Jesus states (in the Gospel of Matthew — the first book of the New Testament) that the greatest commandment is to love God with heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37-38). Christians are also commanded to love neighbors (Matthew 22:39); love one another (John 13:34-35); and love enemies (Matthew 5:44-45). Let’s unpack that a minute. Love God, love neighbor, love one another and love enemies. Jesus’ command to love God with heart, soul and mind originates with the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (NKJV), “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” This is a total and devoted love of God. It is powerful and all consuming. Love your neighbor originates in Leviticus 19:18, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” In the Gospel of Luke (10:25-37), Jesus shares the parable of the Good Samaritan in response to a question asked by an expert in the law, “And who is my neighbor?” The parable tells the story of one person after another ignoring the victim of an aggravated robbery left on the road to die. The least likely person, a Samaritan, takes pity on the victim and cares for him. The victim did not reside next to his helper, nor was he of the same religion, nor the same nationality. Yet the helper, a Samaritan and therefore despised by Israelis, stopped and helped him and paid for additional care. As Christians we can hear Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself to include anyone. Think of it. Love one another originates in John 13:34-35, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus says this shortly after washing His disciples’ feet and predicting his betrayal. Jesus commands Christians to love one another; He does not command us to have anger, judgement, gossip, or unforgiveness. Jesus is quite clear about each of those as signs contrary to faith. Yet there are those who spend more time talking about than talking to. The commandment ends with this: “Everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” If only! Love your enemies originates in Matthew 5:43-45, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” This is, perhaps, the commandment with which I most struggle. I find it very difficult to love my enemies and to pray for those who persecute me. In a similar fashion, I struggle with the part of the Lord’s Prayer that connects my forgiveness with my forgiving others. It is not easy to be a Christian. In this article I have tried to briefly convey Jesus’ commands that we love God, love our neighbor, love one another, and love our enemies. Jesus says that the world will know we are His disciples if we love one another. Imagine for just a moment if that’s how Christians were known — as people who love. We live in hard times, many are struggling with fear and anxiety about Coronavirus and Economic uncertainty, and what, besides murder hornets, awaits us in 2020. Let us take time to love. The world, and our neighbors, need love. Rev. Stephen Reed, pastor, St. Paul Church on Farmers Loop next to Mushers Hall. Chaplain, Fairbanks Police Department Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section on May 15, 2020. Are you walking by faith or by sight through this storm we call Coronavirus? No, it’s not a judgment. I am not in any place to judge. It is instead a question I am also trying to answer.
The seventh verse of the fifth chapter of Saint Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth (this sounds like a math problem), better known as 2 Corinthians 5:7, states, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” So are you walking by faith or by sight? I have a confession to make. When I walk, I do so with my eyes open looking all around (for wolves and bears!). So I am walking by sight, not by faith. On the other hand, whenever I leave the house I do so with the faith that everything will be okay and I’ll be able to return sometime later. When I think of walking by faith alone I am reminded of a scene from “Star Wars: A New Hope” in which Luke Skywalker is on a combat mission to destroy the Death Star (spoiler alert!). Suddenly Obi-Wan Kenobi’s voice tells him to “use the Force Luke! Let go! Luke, trust me.” Luke responds by shutting off his targeting computer and related systems and instead uses the Force to successfully carry out his mission. To be clear, I am not equating the Christian faith with the Star Wars spirituality called the Force. I am simply trying to find an example of acting without seeing. Personally, I am much better at acting, or speaking, without thinking. When I think of walking by faith and not by sight, I think of farmers and gardeners. Both start out with seeds and soil. Neither have sight to see the finished produce and the time in between of rain and sun. Yet, in the end, plants grow and there is much to celebrate. As Christians we celebrate Easter and Jesus’ resurrection knowing that the early disciples wept at Jesus’ capture, mock trials, torture and death. On that first Easter Sunday, they did not go to the tomb to celebrate. They went to visit Jesus’ grave. What they found they did not foresee, but before them they saw that He who raised others from the dead was Himself risen. It is difficult in this time to walk by faith when we see and hear frequent news reports of health and economic distress. It is easy to focus on the “what if questions” that haunt the Internet and news media. It is important, as my best friend put it, to remember that though we cannot vaccinate or otherwise cure Coronavirus, we can treat anxiety, fear, insomnia, and depression. I believe it is important that we reach out and care for one another. Some are struggling intensely and looking for a way out. Call people and check in with folks. Our circumstances may vary, but we are all in the same storm. It may seem at times like we’ve lost our joy, but Sunday will come and we’ll see our Lord risen again. God’s blessings be upon you and upon us all. Remember to pray for those on the frontlines of this battle: First responders (law enforcement, fire, ambulance, dispatchers), our nation’s armed forces, nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists, emergency room technicians and staff, nursing and retirement home staff, grocery store staff, sanitation crews, truckers, postal workers, delivery people and many, many more! The Rev. Stephen Reed is Pastor of St. Paul Church on Farmers Loop next to Mushers Hall and Fairbanks PD Chaplain. Are you walking by faith or by sight through this storm we call Coronavirus? No, it’s not a judgment. I am not in any place to judge. It is instead a question I am also trying to answer.
The seventh verse of the fifth chapter of Saint Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth (this sounds like a math problem), better known as 2 Corinthians 5:7, states, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” So are you walking by faith or by sight? I have a confession to make. When I walk, I do so with my eyes open looking all around (for wolves and bears!). So I am walking by sight, not by faith. On the other hand, whenever I leave the house I do so with the faith that everything will be okay and I’ll be able to return sometime later. When I think of walking by faith alone I am reminded of a scene from “Star Wars: A New Hope” in which Luke Skywalker is on a combat mission to destroy the Death Star (spoiler alert!). Suddenly Obi-Wan Kenobi’s voice tells him to “use the Force Luke! Let go! Luke, trust me.” Luke responds by shutting off his targeting computer and related systems and instead uses the Force to successfully carry out his mission. To be clear, I am not equating the Christian faith with the Star Wars spirituality called the Force. I am simply trying to find an example of acting without seeing. Personally, I am much better at acting, or speaking, without thinking. When I think of walking by faith and not by sight, I think of farmers and gardeners. Both start out with seeds and soil. Neither have sight to see the finished produce and the time in between of rain and sun. Yet, in the end, plants grow and there is much to celebrate. As Christians we celebrate Easter and Jesus’ resurrection knowing that the early disciples wept at Jesus’ capture, mock trials, torture and death. On that first Easter Sunday, they did not go to the tomb to celebrate. They went to visit Jesus’ grave. What they found they did not foresee, but before them they saw that He who raised others from the dead was Himself risen. It is difficult in this time to walk by faith when we see and hear frequent news reports of health and economic distress. It is easy to focus on the “what if questions” that haunt the Internet and news media. It is important, as my best friend put it, to remember that though we cannot vaccinate or otherwise cure Coronavirus, we can treat anxiety, fear, insomnia, and depression. I believe it is important that we reach out and care for one another. Some are struggling intensely and looking for a way out. Call people and check in with folks. Our circumstances may vary, but we are all in the same storm. It may seem at times like we’ve lost our joy, but Sunday will come and we’ll see our Lord risen again. God’s blessings be upon you and upon us all. Remember to pray for those on the frontlines of this battle: First responders (law enforcement, fire, ambulance, dispatchers), our nation’s armed forces, nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists, emergency room technicians and staff, nursing and retirement home staff, grocery store staff, sanitation crews, truckers, postal workers, delivery people and many, many more! Rev. Stephen Reed, pastor, St. Paul Church on Farmers Loop next to Mushers Hall. Chaplain, Fairbanks Police Department Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section on May 1, 2020. Lent began on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 26). I challenge you to read this article and observe a Holy Lent. You can do this! Really.
What is Lent? Lent is a time to remember all that Jesus did for us — His journey to Jerusalem triumphal entry, His washing of the disciples’ feet, His beginning communion, His capture at the garden and subsequent torture and trials, His crucifixion and death and, later, His resurrection. Lent is a 40-day period (not counting Sundays) leading up to the three-day period prior to Easter. (Is this beginning to feel like a math problem?) Lent is a time to intentionally turn and follow Jesus. Lent is not easy. Many denominations ignore Lent. Some think Lent is just for Catholics. No, Lent is for Christians, all Christians — Lent is a challenge. I challenge you to observe a Holy Lent. People observe Lent (i.e. follow Lenten disciplines) in a great many ways. Some give up chocolate and/or other sweets. To be clear, Lent is NOT an opportunity for a divine diet. Others give up expensive and elaborate meals. That is a bit closer to the Lenten discipline of fasting – which is best done under a physician’s supervision. I want to challenge you to consider another option. What if you were to consider Lent from two perspectives: Internal and external? The internal perspective is the one most often associated with Lent. The internal calls for self-examination and repentance; prayer, fasting, self-denial and by reading and meditating on Holy Scripture. The focus is an internal one of discovery of one’s relationship with God and obstacles to give up for Lent. The external perspective calls for you to see the world around you. The external perspective calls your attention to people in need, young and old alike. The external calls you to help at places like the Fairbanks Rescue Mission, Love INC, the Door, the FYND out Free Clinic, the Interior Center for Nonviolent Living, Stevie’s Place, NA, AA, Family Readiness Groups on Fort Wainwright, Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army and much, much more! Both perspectives are important. The internal perspective can help you to face each day as a child of God, forgiven and loved. The external perspective can help you to help others to know God’s forgiveness and love. When you consider these perspectives consider Jesus. What would Jesus do? Did He stay home and read his King James Bible? (that’s a joke by the way) Or did he go out and help? Remember, Jesus took time simply to pray to His father in heaven. Don’t forget, that is our strength and our shield. In addition to praying, Jesus helped many people in many, many ways. You can do this too and make a difference in Fairbanks and the world. I invite you therefore to the observance of a Holy Lent. The Rev. Stephen Reed is a trained and ordained Episcopal Priest serving St. Paul Church on Farmers Loop next to Mushers Hall. He also has the honor of serving as Chaplain for the Fairbanks Police Department. Insight is sponsored by the Tanana Valley Christian Conference. Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith section on March 13, 2020 |
Fr. SteveMarried 27 years, 2 kids, 1 cat and 1 dog. Ordained & Chaplain for 20 years. Ministry philosophy - we're all in this together and Jesus leads the way. Hobbies: working in the woodshed, teaching, and competitive shooting Archives
April 2024
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