A Lenten Reading of Matthew - Day Four

Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:1-17 (NRSVUE) 

"Bear fruit worthy of repentance" could be a theme for the Lenten season.  John's reproach of the outwardly religious people of his day (Pharisees from their daily discipline and Sadducees from a more intellectual or philosophical bent) is one that stands the test of time.  

If we profess worship of God, does this move us to be nicer people?

If we pray regularly, does the practice lead us to reconciliation with our neighbors?

If we read the Bible daily, are we more forgiving?

John also takes a swipe at the assumption of being in God's favor via genetics when he reprimands people for claiming to be insiders because of their ancestry.  

We've struggled with matters of tribe, race and exclusion since the before written history.  Tribe and race have often been coalescing factors of preference and preferred treatment.

But an applicable statement can be found from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech when he said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

When we examine the fruit of everyday people - the product of their actions - we can find virtuous behavior in every color or culture.  But unfortunately, we also know that jerks come in every hue as well.  Sometimes the same person can be both saint and sinner in the same day!  Sometimes that's me.

As we are baptized in the body of Christ, let us remember that we have become siblings with virtually every color and culture on the planet.  We may not agree with each one.  We may not vote the same way.  We wouldn't put the same food on the menu when we it's our choice.  We might raise our children differently.  

But we each love as best we can.

We likely share some of the same fears and anxieties.  

Maybe the fruit that we can exemplify during Lent can be a recognition of similarities we have with others.  What if we looked for commonality with the tenacity of a detective?

As inheritors of the mantle Christian, we might find that God would be well-pleased with us as well.

Prayer for the day:

God, lead me from death to life,
from falsehood to truth;
lead me from despair to hope,
from fear to trust;
lead me from hate to love,
from war to peace.
Let peace fill our heart,
our world, our universe.  Amen.

Prayer from the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, 20th Century

Photo by Cornelius Zane-Grey via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

A Lenten Reading of Matthew - Day Three

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-23 (NRSVUE)

This is the dark part of the Christmas story.  King Herod is a client king of the Roman Empire over the territory of Judea.  Although raised Jewish, he must have believed that his true allegiance was to Augustus Caesar in Rome.  Augustus often used the title "son of a god" as he was the adopted son of Julius Caesar who considered himself divine.

Herod likely believed that in order to retain power, he must bend the knee.  While most Judeans of that day were hopeful for the Messiah to come and free them from foreign domination, Herod becomes frightened when he hears this news.

A Jewish leader instilled with the hope of God would rejoice at the coming of the Messiah. This would be seen as synonymous with God's reign.

Instead, Herod feels threatened and massacres the infants around Bethlehem, hoping to eliminate his rival.  His actions remind of those of Pharoah who had Jewish babies killed in the book of Exodus.  So rather than ushering in freedom for the people under his charge, Herod takes away their hope by killing their children.  He is an anti-Messiah or anti-Christ.

It is easy to see and root against Herod's villainy.  But the difficult question it presents revolves around the slippery slope of maintaining one's status, power or prestige.  People may sometimes make decisions that become more and more questionable until they ask themselves, "How did I get here?"

These usually start out with minor indiscretions.

As we continue in Lent, let us take a moment to ask ourselves, "Where are we going?"  What kind of goals do we have as people?  Do we include religious or spiritual goals as a part of these?

It is never bad to review one's life from time to time and Lent is the season for this kind of reflection.  This may keep us from ending in a place we would regret.  No healthy person wants to be remembered for their bad behavior.

Prayer for the day:

Lord, be with us this day,
Within us to purify us;
Above us to draw us up;
Beneath us to sustain us;
Before us to lead us;
Behind us to restrain us;
Around us to protect us.

Amen.

Prayer by Patrick of Ireland, 5th Century

Photo by RK Bentley via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

A Lenten Reading of Matthew - Day Two

Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSVUE)

While the Gospel of Luke has more detail about the birth of Jesus, it definitely comes from Mary's perspective.  Matthew's Gospel features the view from Jesus' earthly father Joseph.  

It is important that Jesus is raised by a righteous man as named in verse 19.

I doubt if Joseph would wear this shirt!

Sometimes, when we hear the word righteous, we may think of self-righteous rather than a more positive attribute.  This is unfortunate in that Christians may have moved our thoughts in this direction.

Righteous as defined by chapter 29 of Job tells us that he was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.  He was a father to the needy and championed the cause of the stranger.

While self-righteousness is very self-serving, Job's righteousness is one who has active compassion for those who are outsiders in society.

Job's definition fits Joseph in that according to Jewish law, he could have had Mary stoned to death.  He did not let his public honor or standing (which were very important in that community) get in the way of his mercy for his fiancé.

In Matthew's Gospel, Joseph receives an angelic dream rather than a physical encounter.  This may remind the reader of the Jospeh of Genesis who also received divine dreams and later interpreted them.

It makes sense that Jesus would have had an earthly father who was righteous.  We see Jesus act with similar values in his ministry.  When he comes upon the woman caught in adultery (and on the verge of being stoned to death), would Jesus have thought of the possibilities of his own mother?  Following the example of Joseph, Jesus engages the situation with righteousness.

What are some of the examples of righteousness that you can name from past influences on your life?  Where are the deeds of mercy that made an impact for you?  What will be the example that you set for those listening to the words you say and watching the actions you take?

Prayer for the day:

God, let me put right before interest,
Let me put others before self,
Let me put the things of the spirit
before the things of the body.
Let me put the attainment of noble ends
above the enjoyment of present pleasures.

Let me put principle above reputation.
Let me put you before all else.

Amen.

Prayer by John Baillie, Church of Scotland, 20th Century

Photo by Bjorn Stromberg via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

A Lenten Reading of Matthew - Day One - Ash Wednesday

Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:1-17 (NRSVUE)

As we enter into another season of Lent, we may think about our own ancestry that have passed into death on Ash Wednesday as we hear the words said to us, "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return."

In opening the Gospel, Matthew places Jesus firmly within Judaism as a son of Abraham who was seen as the father of the faith.  He is also seen as a son of David who was the king with which Israel measured greatness.  

Note that Matthew narrates fourteen generations between Abraham and David which were important markers in history.  Then we have fourteen generations between the height of the monarchy and the exile to Babylon which would have been seen as the low point.  Now we have fourteen generations between the deportation and Jesus.  As we think of cycles moving back and forth in history, Matthew seems to be saying that we are returning to a new crest.

The Messiah would be seen as the one to reclaim the Jewish people for a new age.  They supposed that it would be a new age of independence and self-governance.  They would be able to worship God without any foreign interference.

But this Gospel is also written following the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by Rome in 70 CE.  It is apparently clear that there's not going to be any self-governance as an independent country anytime soon.  

What does it mean to have a Messiah that leads us out of exile even while we may be living as strangers in a strange land?

When the world turns upside down, what does it mean to claim faith in God even when the deck seems stacked against you?

Matthew is positioning Jesus as a Messiah who will speak to a changing world but is rooted in the faith that has stood the test of time.  

As we move into Lent and as we attend Ash Wednesday services today, how do we allow our history to anchor us in our faith?  How does acknowledging our own mortality free us from many of the pressures of life?  And how do the ashes imposed in the sign of the cross point to a Messiah that will go the distance on behalf of love?

Prayer for the day:

O God, maker of every thing and judge of all that you have made, from the dust of the earth you have formed us and from the dust of death you would raise us up.  By the redemptive power of the cross, create in us clean hearts and put within us a new spirit, that we may repent of our sins and lead lives worthy of your calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Prayer by Laurence Hull Stookey, Pennsylvania-Delaware Conference of The United Methodist Church, 20th Century

Photo from John via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

Lenten Disciplines and Discipleship

It's hard to believe that the church season of Lent is a week away.  We'll begin with Ash Wednesday on February 18 and go through Saturday, April 4th, ending on Easter Sunday the next day.

This is a period of forty days if you don't count Sundays which may be seen as little Easters.

During this time, we are reminded of Jesus spending forty days in the wilderness when he fasted and was tempted.  This followed his baptism and was prior to the beginning of his public ministry.

Many Christians choose smaller fasts during the Lenten season for their own spiritual growth.  I've heard of people giving up desserts or social media during this time.  The idea is that when we have a craving, we put ourselves in solidarity with Jesus who fasted to prepare himself for his ministry.  It may also foster compassion in us by reminding us of those who fast through no choice of their own.

During Lent, sometimes Christians also take on an extra discipline for the forty days.  I've taken to working my way through a book of the Bible during Lent and then posting reflections daily through this blog.  Notice that discipline and discipleship have the same root word which has to do with learning.  Hopefully, this Biblical journey leads to greater learning so that we further our discipleship.  It's good to know what Jesus says in order to follow him effectively!

This year, I'll be reading through Mathew since we are in Year A of the liturgical cycle and utilize this Gospel in worship throughout the various seasons.  Here's the outline of the Lenten readings - note I don't post on Sundays, and you can use those as catchup days if needed.

2/18/2026 Ash Wednesday Matthew 1:1-17 The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah 

2/19/2026 Matthew 1:18-25 The Birth of Jesus 

2/20/2026 Matthew 2:1-23 Magi, Egypt, Massacre, Return

2/21/2026 Matthew 3:1-17 John the Baptist, Baptism of Jesus

2/22/2026         First Sunday in Lent        Day of Rest

2/23/2026 Matthew 4:1-25 Temptation, Begins Ministry, Calls Disciples

2/24/2026 Matthew 5:1-20 Sermon on the Mount - Beatitudes

2/25/2026 Matthew 5:21-48 Sermon on the Mount - Anger, Adultery, Divorce, Oaths, Retaliation, Love for Enemies

2/26/2026 Matthew 6:1-18 Sermon on the Mount - Almsgiving, Prayer and Fasting

2/27/2026 Matthew 6:19-34 Sermon on the Mount - Treasures, Sound Eye, 2 Masters, Worry

2/28/2026 Matthew 7:1-12 Sermon on the Mount - Judging Others, Profaning the Holy, Ask, Search, Knock, Golden Rule

3/1/2026                 Second Sunday in Lent Day of Rest

3/2/2026 Matthew 7:13-29 Sermon on the Mount - Narrow Gate, A Tree and Its Fruit, Self-Deception, Hearers and Doers

3/3/2026 Matthew 8:1-34 Jesus Heals - stills storm

3/4/2026 Matthew 9:1-38 Jesus Heals - where the laborers at?

3/5/2026 Matthew 10:1-42 Mission of the Apostles

3/6/2026 Matthew 11:1-30 Messengers from John the Baptizer

3/7/2026 Matthew 12:1-21 Lord of the Sabbath

3/8/2026         Third Sunday in Lent Day of Rest

3/9/2026 Matthew 12:22-50 Blasphemy of the Heart

3/10/2026 Matthew 13:1-23 Parable of the Sower

3/11/2026 Matthew 13:24-58 Parables and Rejection

3/12/2026 Matthew 14:1-36 Feeding 5000, Walking on Water

3/13/2026 Matthew 15:1-39 Defiling, Changing, Curing, Feeding

3/14/2026 Matthew 16:1-28 Death and Resurrection foretold

3/15/2026 Fourth Sunday in Lent Day of Rest

3/16/2026 Matthew 17:1-27 Transfiguration 

3/17/2026 Matthew 18:1-35 Greatness and Forgiveness

3/18/2026 Matthew 19:1-30 Divorce, Children, Rich

3/19/2026 Matthew 20:1-19 Laborers in the Vineyard - followed by Death and Ressurection prediction

3/20/2026 Matthew 20:20-34 James and John - 2 blind men

3/21/2026 Matthew 21:1-22 Jesus Enters and Cleanses Temple

3/22/2026 Fifth Sunday in Lent Day of Rest

3/23/2026 Matthew 21:23-46 Parables - Two sons - Wicked Tenants

3/24/2026 Matthew 22:1-22 Parable - Wedding Banquet - Taxes

3/25/2026 Matthew 22:23-46 Greatest Commandment - Resurrection and Lineage

3/26/2026 Matthew 23:1-39 Scribes and Pharisees - Lament

3/27/2026 Matthew 24:1-28 Tough Times Ahead

3/28/2026 Matthew 24:29-51 Fig Tree, Watch, Unfaithful slave

3/29/2026 Palm Sunday Day of Rest

3/30/2026 Matthew 25:1-30 Parables of Ten - Bridesmaids and Talents

3/31/2026 Matthew 25:31-46 Judgment of the Nations

4/1/2026 Matthew 26:1-16 Anointing at Bethany, Passover

4/2/2026 Maundy Thursday Matthew 26:17-75 Institution of Lord's Supper, Betrayl, Arrest, Denial

4/3/2026 Good Friday Matthew 27:1-56 Crucifixion of Jesus

4/4/2026 Holy Saturday Matthew 27:57-66 Burial and Guard

4/5/2026 Easter Sunday Matthew 28:1-20 Resurrection and Commissioning

Although I don't post on Sundays, I make an exception for Easter because this chapter deals with the Resurrection and it seems appropriate to end the series on Easter Sunday.  If you would like to join in this reading, simply follow this blog each day.  You can also sign up for email reminders through this link: https://bit.ly/PastorsDevotional.  I also post to my social media accounts of Facebook, Bluesky and Twitter daily and I welcome comments so that we engage together in the material.

Blessings to you for a contemplative Lent as we journey toward the cross with Jesus once again.

Marching in the Tulsa Pride Parade

Here I'm handing out water in last year's parade

For a variety of reasons, Tulsa hosts their Pride Parade in October rather than June.  Of course, the weather in Oklahoma is much lovelier for a parade in October (on average that is).  

Being outside of heterosexuality has always been somewhat divisive within human culture with some societies being more relaxed and others being harsher.  Being gay still carries the death penalty in about a dozen countries worldwide and while it may not be enforced as vehemently as it was in yesteryear, that may provide little solace to someone living or traveling there.

When the United States legalized same gender marriage in 2015, it was a landmark decision that many in our country applauded while many others reviled.

The United Methodist Church has also been mixed since almost our outset in 1968 (after The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church combined).  Four years after the new beginning, legislation on human sexuality was brought before our highest legislative body, the General Conference.  The original petition didn’t support or deny same gender relationships for marriage, but it did state that God’s grace is available to all.  It also ended the statement with the language, “We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends.  We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons.”

After this legislation was passed in committee, it came to the floor of the General Conference for a vote where it was amended to include the sentence, “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.”  The amended version passed with the other above sentences left as written.

When I was coming before our denomination's Board of Ordained Ministry for credentialing as a clergyperson in the 1990’s, I argued in my paperwork that our stance was hypocritical if not schizophrenic.  How could we implore churches not to condemn gay or lesbian persons if our stance was that their relationships were incompatible with Christian teaching?  Doesn’t the amended language do exactly what we tell people not to do?  They passed me in spite of my critique which told me that there was wider agreement for a more open position.

I began to support legislation through the General Conference to delete the incompatible sentence and was happy to finally be on the right side of the vote for its removal in 2024.  This localized positions within the individual congregations.  Our denomination still has conservative churches that choose not to send LGBTQIA+ candidates forward for ministry.  They may also choose not to allow them to marry in their churches.  But many more are adopting an open stance.  Boston Avenue United Methodist Church affirms all people in their calling who are found gifted for ministry.  We meet with couples who desire marriage and do not restrict based on biology or physiology but rather counsel them in love.  

There is still biblical debate over whether same gender relationships are sinful.  I don't believe that they are and have weighed in with a series of videos outlining my own biblical and theological interpretation.  If you’re curious, you can view them here: https://bit.ly/Clobbered – feel free to pass this link (or just forward this piece) to anyone who may find the videos helpful.

My support and love of all God’s people is unwavering.  But because others still see our LGBTQIA+ siblings as incompatible with Christianity, I will be marching this Saturday, October 11th at 4 pm in Tulsa’s Pride Parade.  Fortunately, I won’t have to search for where the parade route begins – it launches from Boston Avenue’s parking lot!

Photo by Caitlin Dryke, Tulsa, Oklahoma, October 13, 2024

An American Denomination

As we celebrate Independence Day in our country once more, it is interesting that the beginnings of our Methodist roots in America coincide with the beginnings of our country.  While the Declaration of Independence from British rule was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776, the war continued until we signed the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783.

As a British colony, we often think of freedom of religion in the colonies with the pilgrims as well as other Protestant seekers of independence.  But as an empire, wherever the British established colonies around the world, the Church of England (Anglican Church) followed.  John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was a priest in the Church of England.  He spent some time in the colony of Georgia but that was not his finest moment of ministry.  Methodism was originally meant to be a method of accountability for members of the Church of England – helping them to deepen their faith in Jesus Christ.  And because it was so popular, wherever the Anglicans went in the world, Methodists soon arose.

When the fighting in the American colonies broke out, many of the Anglican priests returned to England.  Methodist members may have filled the pulpits as lay preachers, but they did not baptize or offer Holy Communion as these sacraments were reserved for the clergy.  So Wesley sent Anglican priest, Thomas Coke to ordain the lay preachers in the new United States of America in 1784 during the Christmas conference from December 24 to January 2nd.  The Methodist Episcopal Church was born as a separate denomination from the Church of England.

Wesley truncated the Articles of Religion (adopted by the Church of England in the 16th century) from 39 to 24.  One of the articles that didn’t make the cut dealt with the power of the King of England!  Instead, the new denomination added what is now article 23 which states: 

“The President, the Congress, the general assemblies, the governors, and the councils of state, as the delegates of the people, are the rulers of the United States of America, according to the division of power made to them by the Constitution of the United States and by the constitutions of their respective states. And the said states are a sovereign and independent nation, and ought not to be subject to any foreign jurisdiction.”

The fact that a new denomination put this in their own Articles of Religion shows how unique this was at the time for a government to be set up as a representative democracy.  It was groundbreaking at the time and is still powerful today.  

Since our beginnings occurred close together, we can see how we have influenced one another through the years.  United Methodism also has three branches of governance, and the United States has been influenced by Methodism’s emphasis on free will and equity.  

The United Methodist Church continues to support our Constitution’s first amendment giving freedom of religion.   We appreciate being able to govern our own affairs and believe that others should share this same right.  I’m proud to be an American and a United Methodist and believe that they each refine the other.  That is something to celebrate!