Do you know those Magic Eye pictures? They are the pictures that may appear to be random colors and patterns but if you stare at them long enough, and your eyes get out of focus enough then suddenly there appears a 3 dimensional figure that comes out of the picture.
You stare and go cross-eyed and just when you are about ready to give up – There it is!
The funny thing is that when you try to see the image that is when it is often the most difficult to see. We had one of these in the office the other day. I would look at it by myself and see a hand coming out of the picture. When I handed it to others they would try and fail to anything more than the surface pattern and when they handed it back to me to point out where the image was I couldn't see it either!
Then in the peace of my office – there was the hand!
In Luke's Gospel there is a story of travelers on the road, on the first Easter Sunday, walking with a stranger. As readers we are let in on the secret – the stranger walking with them is Jesus. “But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” (Luke 24:16)
Even after walking and talking with him they were clueless. Only in the breaking of bread with Jesus at table were their eyes opened.
Sometimes I think life is like a Magic Eye picture. We are stuck in 2 dimensional life, seeing but not really seeing – and then there he is – 3-D Jesus, in the person in need, in the person who is reaching out in love, in the face of a child or in the face of the infirm elder – even in your face as you reflect his love.
Here's hoping and praying for opened eyes that see Jesus in the world.
Grace and peace,
Jeff Silvernail
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Peace Be With You
Peace Be With You - 4/14/09
Jesus is alive and that changes everything! Apologies if you are getting tired of hearing say and write this, but it is true. It is a truth that transforms. Consider the disciples in the Gospel of John. If you follow the text of the 20th Chapter they know the tomb is empty. They have heard the witness of Mary Magdalene, “I have seen the Lord!” But when it was evening on that first Easter day the house in which the disciples had met was locked – get this -
For fear...
For fear of the Jewish leaders as the TEV translation puts it. Empty tomb or not these disciples were in no hurry to get nailed to a cross.
Was it even more? Were they in fear in spite of the report that Jesus was alive, or maybe even a bit because of it?
Sound far fetched? Remember they were no where to be found in Jesus' time of need. If Jesus has the power to walk out of the grave what will be his reaction to those who failed him?
Timidity had carried them this far and they saw no reason to change now.
And then there he was! Before they can even begin forming the words of their excuses and their apologies Jesus says, “Peace be with you.”
Peace! God's shalom to all who have failed him, God's shalom to us, from the Prince of Peace himself.
“Peace be with you.” As we share those words in church consider that this exercise is not the church's equivalent of the 7th inning stretch. We are sharing the very same peace that Jesus gave to his frightened disciples. Giving and receiving God's shalom because Jesus is alive and that changes everything!
Once was not enough. Jesus again said, “Peace be with you.” this time he added, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Fearful disciples became bold proclaimers to the ends of the world – because Jesus is alive and that changes everything. That same Jesus sends you! And because he is alive, with his peace, with his presence, with his wisdom, we can change the world.
Go in peace! Serve the Lord! Thanks be to God!
Shalom,
Jeff Silvernail
Jesus is alive and that changes everything! Apologies if you are getting tired of hearing say and write this, but it is true. It is a truth that transforms. Consider the disciples in the Gospel of John. If you follow the text of the 20th Chapter they know the tomb is empty. They have heard the witness of Mary Magdalene, “I have seen the Lord!” But when it was evening on that first Easter day the house in which the disciples had met was locked – get this -
For fear...
For fear of the Jewish leaders as the TEV translation puts it. Empty tomb or not these disciples were in no hurry to get nailed to a cross.
Was it even more? Were they in fear in spite of the report that Jesus was alive, or maybe even a bit because of it?
Sound far fetched? Remember they were no where to be found in Jesus' time of need. If Jesus has the power to walk out of the grave what will be his reaction to those who failed him?
Timidity had carried them this far and they saw no reason to change now.
And then there he was! Before they can even begin forming the words of their excuses and their apologies Jesus says, “Peace be with you.”
Peace! God's shalom to all who have failed him, God's shalom to us, from the Prince of Peace himself.
“Peace be with you.” As we share those words in church consider that this exercise is not the church's equivalent of the 7th inning stretch. We are sharing the very same peace that Jesus gave to his frightened disciples. Giving and receiving God's shalom because Jesus is alive and that changes everything!
Once was not enough. Jesus again said, “Peace be with you.” this time he added, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Fearful disciples became bold proclaimers to the ends of the world – because Jesus is alive and that changes everything. That same Jesus sends you! And because he is alive, with his peace, with his presence, with his wisdom, we can change the world.
Go in peace! Serve the Lord! Thanks be to God!
Shalom,
Jeff Silvernail
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Waiting at Gethsemane 4/8/09
Each year during Holy Week we invite people to enter into the drama of the passion of Jesus. We wave our palms on Palm Sunday; we remember the Last Supper and foot washing on Maundy Thursday; we revere Jesus on the cross for us on Good Friday, we gather around glimmers of light on the Saturday Easter vigil; and we shout our Alleluias on Easter Sunday.
We walk with Jesus through the events of the passion and on to his glorious victory in a rhythm that has gone on for nearly 2000 years. Powerful stuff!
When though do we pause to watch and wait while Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane?
“I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here and keep awake,” Jesus tells his disciples. The disciples fell asleep, oblivious to the agony of Jesus as he prayed, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” (Mark 14:34, 36)
Could you not keep awake one hour? (14:37)
Let's take a moment to watch and wait and pray.
A prayer from Ephrem of Syria a 4th century church leader:
“You love humankind, O Christ, and I glorify you for that. You are the only Son, the Lord of all things. You alone are without sin. You gave yourself up to death for me, an unworthy dinner, the death of the cross. Through this suffering, you have delivered all human beings from the snare of evil. What shall I render to you, Lord, for such goodness?
“Glory to you, friend of all!
Glory to you, O merciful Lord!
Glory to you, long-suffering God!
Glory to you, who takes away all sins!
Glory to you, who came to save us!
Glory to you, who became flesh in the womb of the virgin!
Glory to you, bound in cords!
Glory to you, whipped and scourged!
Glory to you, mocked and derided!
Glory to you, nailed to the cross!
Glory to you, buried and risen!
Glory to you, proclaimed to all humankind, who believe in you!
Glory to you, ascended to heaven! Amen."
Awed by Christ's sacrificial love,
Jeff Silvernail
We walk with Jesus through the events of the passion and on to his glorious victory in a rhythm that has gone on for nearly 2000 years. Powerful stuff!
When though do we pause to watch and wait while Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane?
“I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here and keep awake,” Jesus tells his disciples. The disciples fell asleep, oblivious to the agony of Jesus as he prayed, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” (Mark 14:34, 36)
Could you not keep awake one hour? (14:37)
Let's take a moment to watch and wait and pray.
A prayer from Ephrem of Syria a 4th century church leader:
“You love humankind, O Christ, and I glorify you for that. You are the only Son, the Lord of all things. You alone are without sin. You gave yourself up to death for me, an unworthy dinner, the death of the cross. Through this suffering, you have delivered all human beings from the snare of evil. What shall I render to you, Lord, for such goodness?
“Glory to you, friend of all!
Glory to you, O merciful Lord!
Glory to you, long-suffering God!
Glory to you, who takes away all sins!
Glory to you, who came to save us!
Glory to you, who became flesh in the womb of the virgin!
Glory to you, bound in cords!
Glory to you, whipped and scourged!
Glory to you, mocked and derided!
Glory to you, nailed to the cross!
Glory to you, buried and risen!
Glory to you, proclaimed to all humankind, who believe in you!
Glory to you, ascended to heaven! Amen."
Awed by Christ's sacrificial love,
Jeff Silvernail
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Across the Divide 4/1/2009
After what might be the costliest congressional election in history, and certainly one of the nastiest we finally have the results and the winner is – (drum roll please)...
NO ONE
The election hangs by a handful of votes. It will be weeks if not longer before the absentee ballots are counted and the affidavit ballots are challenged and resolved. For the last two months both candidates and their political parties have sought to divide us with mud slinging, innuendo, and half truths. They have succeeded admirably.
Today is April Fools' Day – how's that for irony? And the joke is on us.
My devotions this morning took me to John 10 where Jesus says that he is the door of the sheep and he is the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.
Sheepfolds in that time and place were enclosures without a gate as we know one. The sheep were gathered into the sheepfold for the night. Once all were in the shepherd himself would lay across the opening. He was the gate. Anyone who didn't enter by the gate – through the shepherd was a thief or robber. Any predator who sought to kill the sheep would have to go through the shepherd first.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15
If Jesus is the good shepherd then we are the sheep. Politicians certainly treat us like sheep but I doubt they will lay down their lives to protect us.
Jesus did. Sin and death want to snatch us away, but Jesus laid down his life for us - our good shepherd. He laid it down and he took it up again (John 10:17) – our crucified and risen Lord to lead us, his people to unity, peace and life.
“They will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16)
A question to ponder in these tumultuous, divisive and dangerous days:
Who are you listening to, who are you following?
In Christ's love and peace,
Jeff Silvernail
NO ONE
The election hangs by a handful of votes. It will be weeks if not longer before the absentee ballots are counted and the affidavit ballots are challenged and resolved. For the last two months both candidates and their political parties have sought to divide us with mud slinging, innuendo, and half truths. They have succeeded admirably.
Today is April Fools' Day – how's that for irony? And the joke is on us.
My devotions this morning took me to John 10 where Jesus says that he is the door of the sheep and he is the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.
Sheepfolds in that time and place were enclosures without a gate as we know one. The sheep were gathered into the sheepfold for the night. Once all were in the shepherd himself would lay across the opening. He was the gate. Anyone who didn't enter by the gate – through the shepherd was a thief or robber. Any predator who sought to kill the sheep would have to go through the shepherd first.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15
If Jesus is the good shepherd then we are the sheep. Politicians certainly treat us like sheep but I doubt they will lay down their lives to protect us.
Jesus did. Sin and death want to snatch us away, but Jesus laid down his life for us - our good shepherd. He laid it down and he took it up again (John 10:17) – our crucified and risen Lord to lead us, his people to unity, peace and life.
“They will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16)
A question to ponder in these tumultuous, divisive and dangerous days:
Who are you listening to, who are you following?
In Christ's love and peace,
Jeff Silvernail
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