MEANDERING WITH MATTHEW

MATTHEW

A SERIES OF MEDITATIONS

BASED ON THE BOOK OF MATTHEW

BY FRANK A VOLLMER

 

BIRTH

IT IS THE TIME

FOR SINGING PRETTY SONGS

ABOUT EVENTS

THAT MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED

BURIED IN THE FOLKTALES

IS THE FACT

GOD HAS BECAME MAN

SO MAN CAN BECOME GOD-LIKE

BURIED IN ALL THE COMMOTION

ABOUT CHRISTMAS

BURIED IN ALL THE HULLABALOO

AND OFTEN FORGOTTEN

OR IGNORED

IS A BASIC TENET

OF OUR FAITH

GOD HAS BECOME MAN

AND MAN HAS HIS DIGNITY

AND IMMORTALITY RESTORED

CHRISTIANS HAVE A LONG HISTORY

OF TREATING THE STRANGER

AS NOT BEING GOD’S CHILD

HOW THEN CAN IT LEAD THE WORLD

TO HIS BIRTHING PLACE

HE IS IN US

MUCH AS A PREGNANT WOMEN BEARS A CHILD

MUCH AS A WOMAN LABORS

WE SHOULD LABOR TO BRING HIS CREATION

TO FRUITION

HE DOESN’T NEED THE IMAGE

OF A COLD STABLE

OUR HEARTS ARE COLD ENOUGH

HE DOESN’T NEED THE IMAGE

OF A CROWDED INN

OUR BUSYNESS

HAVE CROWDED HIM OUT

HE DOESN’T NEED SWEET CAROLS SUNG

WHEN THEY ARE SUNG BY ROTE

WITH NO MEANING

HE DOESN’T NEED HERALD ANGELS SINGING

KEEP CASH IN CHRISTMAS

WHEN CHRISTMAS IS MEASURED

BY HOW MUCH YOU GET

WHEN SHEPHERDS

WHO SMELL LIKE SHEEP

ARE KEPT OUT

HE INVITES THEM IN

AS THEIR RIGHT

WHETHER THEY ARE LEGENDS

OR FACT

DOESN’T MATTER

UNLESS HIS BIRTH

IS A LIFE CHANGING EVENT

FOR US

UNLESS WE BEHAVE

AS ONES

GIVEN DIGNITY

 BY GOD’S BIRTH

AND EXTEND THE RIGHTS

OF THAT DIGNITY

TO ALL

IF WE DON’T

GOD MIGHT HAVE BEEN

BORN IN A TRASH CAN

AND THROWN OUT

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FLIGHT TO EGYPT

THERE WERE TWO SETS OF FOOTPRINTS

A BABY'S CRY

AND ARMED MEN LOOKING FOR A VICTIM

THERE WERE SHEPHERDS AND WISEMEN

A BABY'S CRY

AND ARMED MEN LOOKING FOR A VICTIM

THERE WAS FLIGHT  THERE WAS PANIC

A BABY'S CRY

AND ARMED MEN LOOKING FOR A VICTIM

THERE WAS A GARDEN  A KISS

A YOUNG MAN'S SIGH

AND ARMED MEN LOOKING FOR A VICTIM

THERE WAS A CROSS  THERE WAS NIGHT

A YOUNG MAN'S CRY

AND ARMED MEN LOOKING FOR A VICTIM

THERE IS YOU    THERE IS I

A NEED TO DEFY

THE ARMED MEN LOOKING FOR A VICTIM

AS CHRIST CAME ONCE HE COMES AGAIN

IF HE COMES NOW WOULD WE TRY

WOULD WE MAKE A SHIELD

OR JUST STAND BY

IGNORING FOOTSTEPS AND A BABY'S CRY

THE ARMED MEN AND THE VICTIM

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WHAT DID YOU GO OUT TO SEE

THE BAPTISM JESUS RECEIVED

WAS NOT THE SAME AS THAT BAPTISM

WE RECEIVED

WHEN MOST OF US WERE CHILDREN

BAPTISM WAS RESERVED IN THE JEWISH FAITH

FOR THOSE

NOT BORN JEWS

BUT CONVERTING

THOSE SINFUL PEOPLE

NOT BORN A JEW

THE JEW BELIEVED

THAT BEING A SON OF ABRAHAM

HE WAS ASSURED OF GOD'S SALVATION

AS LONG AS HE FOLLOWED THE LAW

HE WAS ASSURED OF GOD'S SALVATION

SO HE HAD NO NEED FOR RITUAL CLEANING

BUT THERE WAS A MOVEMENT IN JUDEA

IN JESUS TIME

THAT THE NATION HAD LOST THEIR PRIVILEGED STATUS

THE NATION HAD BEEN CONQUERED BY ROME

THE PEOPLE

WERE DESPERATELY WAITING

FOR THE MESSIAH

TO FREE THE LAND

THEY FELT THAT GOD WAS ANGRY WITH THEM

ANGRY WITH THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR LIFESTYLE

THEY FELT

THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR A CHANGE

THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR A CLEANSING

THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR REPENTING

SO THERE WENT OUT INTO THE LAND

THOSE CALLING FOR CHANGE

SOME WERE CALLING FOR POLITICAL CHANGE

OTHERS LIKE JOHN THE BAPTIST AND THE ESSENES

WERE CALLING FOR MORAL CHANGE

AND THE SYMBOL OF THAT CHANGE

WAS THE WHOLE BODY PLUNGING

OF A PERSON INTO A LAKE OR RIVER

BUT THE CANDIDATE HAD FIRST TO STATE

HE WAS SORRY FOR HIS SINS

AND WOULD TRY TO AMEND HIS LIFE

 JOHN'S MESSAGE OF REPENT

AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE

WAS BEARING FRUIT

MANY WERE FLOCKING TO JOHN

FOR REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM

UNDERLYING THIS MOVEMENT

WAS THE THOUGHT

THAT IF THEY CHANGED THEIR LIVES

THE MESSIAH WOULD COME

BUT THEY WANTED A POLITICAL MESSIAH

WHAT THEY WOULD GET

WAS A SERVANT

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LENT….A REFLECTION   (MATTHEW 4)

I

WITH MANY OTHER CHRISTIANS

HAD ASHES

IN THE FORM OF A CROSS

PLACED ON OUR FOREHEAD

AS THE ASHES WERE BEING PLACED

THE MINISTER SAID THESE WORDS

REMEMBER

THAT YOU ARE DUST

BACK TO DUST

UNTO YOU SHALL RETURN

WE WERE PERFORMING A RITUAL

AS OLD

AS THE OLD TESTAMENT

WHENEVER

THERE WERE MOMENTS

OF GREAT SORROW

OR REPENTANCE FOR SIN

ASHES WERE PLACED

ON THE HEAD OF THE ONE

SEEKING FORGIVENESS

AS CHRISTIANS

WE HAVE STARTED LENT

WITH THIS GESTURE

A GESTURE

THE CHURCH USES

TO HELP US RECALL

WHO WE ARE

 WHAT PRICE JESUS PAID

TO REDEEM US

WE ARE DUST

BUT PRECIOUS DUST

AS THE POET WROTE

AFTER SEEING THE WIND

SPIN DUST IN A CIRCLE

DOES THE WIND KNOW

THE VALUE OF THE DUST

IT WHIRLS INTO A COLUMN

IS IT TRYING TO MAKE A MAN

IF IT SUCCEEDED

WOULD IT BLOW ITS CREATION AWAY

ON A WHIM

WOULD IT LOVE ITS CREATION

WOULD IT DIE FOR HIM

WOULD IT HOVER OVER HIM

LIKE A MOTHER HEN

FUSSING FORGIVING

TIME AND AGAIN

FOLDING HIM TO HER BOSOM

OR WOULD IT

AS SO MANY GODS BUT ONE

FADE FALTER

 GO AWAY

THE GOD WHO CALLS US

TO REPENTANCE

 TO SORROW FOR OUR SINS

WILL NOT FORGET US

HE HAS PAID TOO HIGH A PRICE

FOR US

NOR IS HE INTERESTED

IN OUR CONDEMNATION

BUT IN OUR SALVATION

HE LOVES US SO MUCH

HE BECAME HUMAN.

THAT HE MIGHT EXPERIENCE

ALL THAT IT TAKES

TO BE HUMAN

 PART OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE

IS FAILURE

OF NOT MEASURING UP TO THE MARK

OF MISSING THE MARK

AS THE ARCHER

MISSES THE MARK

WITH HIS ARROW

THE WORD FOR SIN IN THE BIBLE

MEANS MISSING THE MARK

SO JESUS LIKE US

WAS TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL

WAS TESTED BY THE DEVIL

 HE PASSED.

HOLD ON TO THIS THOUGHT

JESUS BEAT THE DEVIL

BY USING THE BIBLE

WHEN THE DEVIL SAID

TO THE HUNGRY JESUS

MAKE BREAD OUT OF STONE

JESUS REPLIED

MAN DOES NOT LIVE

BY BREAD ALONE

WHEN THE DEVIL

OFFERED JESUS

UNLIMITED POWER

JESUS SAID

THE ONLY POWER IS GOD.

 WHEN SATAN

SAID TO JESUS

MAKE MAGIC

JESUS REPLIED

THOSE WHO LOVE GOD

DO NOT NEED MAGIC.

ALL THESE ANSWERS

THAT JESUS GAVE SATAN

ARE FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURES

THE LAST LINE

OF THE GOSPEL TELLING THE STORY OF THE TEMPTATION

SAYS

THAT WHEN THE DEVIL

HAD FINISHED

ALL HIS TEMPTING

ALL HIS TESTING OF JESUS

HE LEFT HIM

TILL THERE WOULD BE

A MORE OPPORTUNE TIME

 TO THIS DAY

THE DEVIL GOES AROUND

LIKE A ROARING LION

SEEKING SOMEONE TO DEVOUR

PUTTING CHRIST TO THE TEST

IN THE FORM OF US

FOR WE ARE CHRIST

IN THE WORLD TODAY

TO US

IS GIVEN THE TASK

TO BE CHRIST-LIKE

IN THE WORLD

IN WHICH WE LIVE.

 THAT'S

THE PURPOSE OF LENT

TO HELP US REMEMBER

WHY WE ARE HERE,

WHY HOW

WE WERE SAVED

WHY  HOW

THE DUST

THAT THE WIND PLAYS WITH

IS SO PRECIOUS

 TO DENY SATAN

HIS OPPORTUNE TIME

BY DOING

 GIVING BACK TO GOD

OUR BEST

THIS GIVING OF THE BEST

IS WHAT IS CALLED FOR

IN DEUTERONOMY

WHERE MOSES SAYS

GIVE GOD THE BEST

THE FRESHEST YIELD

FROM YOUR GARDEN

DO THIS

BECAUSE HE HAS RESCUED YOU

FROM SLAVERY

 GIVEN YOU A NEW HOME

THAT IS WHY

WE ARE ASKED

AS PART OF LENT

TO GIVE GOD OUR BEST

BECAUSE HE HAS RESCUED US

FROM SLAVERY

 GIVEN US

A NEW HOME- HEAVEN

WE ARE ALL FAMILIAR

WITH THE LENTEN CONCEPT

OF GIVING THINGS UP

LIKE CANDY, ICE CREAM, MOVIES

BUT I SUGGEST

WE DO

WHAT WE NORMALLY DO

BUT TRY TO DO IT BETTER.

SO WHATEVER

IS A SORE SPOT IN YOUR LIFE,

WHATEVER IN YOUR LIFE

DOES NOT LOOK LIKE

CHRIST IN ACTION

WHATEVER IS NOT YOUR BEST

IN WHATEVER WAY

YOU ARE MISSING THE MARK

STOP

PRAY

 RE-AIM YOUR ARROW.

SUGGESTIONS

HUSBAND  WIVES

REDUCE FRICTION.

CHILDREN DO YOUR SCHOOL WORK

 CHORES WILLINGLY

OR LEAST WITHOUT GRUMBLING

ALL OF US EAT

WHAT WE'RE SERVED

WITHOUT GRUMBLING

ALL OF US

TURN OFF THE TELEVISION

 TALK TO EACH OTHER.

ALL OF US MAKE TIME

FOR REGULAR PRAYER

ALL OF US

READ A CHAPTER OF THE BIBLE DAILY.

REMEMBER JESUS BESTED SATAN

WITH ANSWERS FROM THE BIBLE

IN ALL THINGS

BE GENTLE WITH EACH OTHER

 WITH YOURSELVES

WE ARE PRECIOUS DUST

REDEEMED BY CHRIST

BECAUSE GOD LOVES HIS CREATION

 WANTS WHAT IS BEST FOR US.

WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU,

WHAT IS BEST FOR ME

FINALLY

THESE FORTY DAYS OF LENT

REPRESENT

THE LAST DAYS  WEEKS

OF LIFE FOR JESUS

WHEN THE FORCES OF DARKNESS

WERE TRYING

TO FIRST SILENCE HIM

 WHEN THAT FAILED

TO KILL HIM

THE CLOUDS ARE GATHERING

AROUND JESUS

AS THE ENEMY CIRCLES

MANY ARE LEAVING JESUS.

IT IS A LONELY TIME.

HE ASKS US

COULD YOU NOT

WALK

THESE LAST FEW DAYS

WITH ME

COULD YOU NOT

FOR THESE LAST FEW DAYS

THESE FORTY DAYS

GIVE ME YOUR BEST

NOT FOR PROFIT

NOT FOR GAIN

NOT FOR MERIT

BUT BECAUSE YOU LOVE ME

CAN WE SAY YES TO HIS PLEA

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FORGIVE    (MATTHEW 5)

IMAGINE IF YOU WILL

THAT YOU ARE JESUS

STANDING ON TOP OF A HIGH MOUNTAIN

ON THE NORTH SIDE

OF THE SEA OF GALILEE

YOU ARE LOOKING DOWN

AT THE SEA OF GALILEE

THE MOUNTAIN IS IN GALILEE.

LOOKING SOUTH

YOU SEE THE KINGDOM OF JUDEA

AND THE CAPITAL

JERUSALEM.

LOOKING EAST YOU SEE PEREA

LOOKING WEST YOU SEE SAMARIA

AND YOU ARE SAD

BECAUSE THERE IS MUCH HATRED

IN THE LAND

THE PROMISED LAND

HAS BEEN CONQUERED BY ROME

AND DIVIDED INTO THE FOUR PARTS

OF GALILEE, JUDEA, SAMARIA AND PEREA

THE JEWS HATE THE ROMANS

WHO ARE EVERYWHERE

ACTING AS POLICEMEN

THE JEWS HATE THE SAMARITANS

AND THE PEREANS

BECAUSE THEY WORSHIP GOD

IN A NON JEWISH MANNER

JESUS LOOKS DOWN AT THE LAKE

 AS HE DOES

HE LOOKS BACK IN TIME

 REMEMBERING THE EVENTS

Of HIS STARTING MINISTRY

HE REMEMBERS

HIS BAPTISM BY JOHN

WHERE GOD THE FATHER

DECLARED THAT JESUS WAS HIS SON

THEN THE WEDDING AT CANA

WHERE HE CHANGED WATER INTO WINE

THEN HIS FIRST SERMON AT NAZARETH

 HIS REJECTION BY HIS NEIGHBORS

THEN WE REMEMBERS THE MIRACLE OF THE FISHES

WHERE THE APOSTLES CAUGHT SO MANY

THE BOAT BEGAN TO SINK.

 TODAY HE REMEMBERS

COMING DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN

 PREACHING THE SERMON ON THE PLAIN

ALSO CALLED THE BEATITUDES

BUT BEFORE HE CAME DOWN OFF THE MOUNTAIN

JESUS LOOKED DOWN

AT THE DIVIDED KINGDOM

HE WAS SADDENED

THIS WAS NOT HIS FATHER’S DREAM

FOR THIS LAND

THIS PROMISED LAND

THIS PEOPLE.

RELIGION HAD BECOME

AN OBSERVANCE OF LAWS AND RITUALS

THE PRIESTS ARGUED

OVER SUCH THINGS AS

CAN A MAN WITH A WOODEN LEG

WALK ON THE SABBATH

BECAUSE THE WOODEN LEG

WAS A BURDEN

 ONE COULD NOT

CARRY A BURDEN

ON THE SABBATH

BECAUSE CARRYING A BURDEN

WAS WORK

THE PERFORMANCE OF RITUAL

IN THE TEMPLE WAS SUCH

THAT

ON ANY PASSOVER

OVER 250,000 LAMBS WERE SOLD

AND SLAIN IN ONE DAY

MAKING GOD’S HOUSE

MORE A SLAUGHTER FACTORY

THAN A HOUSE OF GOD

THIS IS WHAT HIS FATHER’S RELIGION

HAD BECOME

 HE WAS SADDENED.

SO HE SLOWLY COMES DOWN THE MOUNTAIN

AND PREACHES THE BEATITUDES

LUKE HAS A SENTENCE

AT THE BEGINNING

OF THE BEATITUDES

THAT SAYS

THERE WERE PEOPLE

FROM SIDON AND TYRE

IN THE CROWD

HE DID THIS DELIBERATELY

BECAUSE THE JEWS ALSO HATED

THOSE FROM SIDON AND TYRE

SO JESUS LOOKS AT THE CROWD

THAT HAD SO MUCH HATE

HE PREACHES A SERMON

ON FORGIVENESS

A SERMON, WHICH SAYS

IF ANYONE HITS YOU,

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK.

EASY TO SAY

DIFFICULT TO DO

JESUS SAYS

FORGIVE YOUR ENEMIES,

DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HURT YOU.

WHEN EVERY PART OF YOUR BEING

SAYS MAKE A FIST

 HURT YOUR ENEMY

JESUS SAYS LOVE THEM.

JESUS HAS GOT TO BE KIDDING HERE

RIGHT

BUT ULTIMATELY

JESUS IS RIGHT.

FOR WITHOUT FORGIVENESS

NATIONS WILL FIGHT

LONG PAST REMEMBERING

WHY THEY ARE FIGHTING,

NEIGHBORS WILL FIGHT

LONG PAST REMEMBERING

GOD IS SILENT

WHY THEY ARE FIGHTING,

FAMILIES WILL FIGHT

LONG PAST REMEMBERING

WHY THEY ARE FIGHTING

HUSBAND AND WIVES

WILL FIGHT

LONG PAST REMEMBERING

WHY THEY ARE FIGHTING,

BROTHERS AND SISTERS

YOUNG OR GROWN OLD

TILL NEAR DEATH

WILL FIGHT

LONG PAST REMEMBERING

WHY THEY ARE FIGHTING.

WHEN WILL IT END

AS THE SONG SAYS

LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH

 LET IT BEGIN WITH ME.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO

RIGHT NOW

AS A REACTION TO JESUS' SERMON

IS WRITE DOWN WITH YOUR FINGER

ON THE PALM OF YOUR HAND

THE NAME OF THAT PERSON

YOU FIND IT HARD TO FORGIVE.

THEN RUB YOUR HANDS TOGETHER

 ERASE THEIR NAME.

THINKING AS YOU DO IT

THEY ARE FORGIVEN.

TRY IT

LET GO THOSE CHUNKS OF ICE

WHICH WE ALL CARRY

THOSE CHUNKS OF ICE OF HATRED

WHICH WE ALL CARRY

LONG PAST REMEMBERING

WHY WE ARE CARRYING THEM

HARD YOU SAY.

TOO HARD

 I AGREE.

BUT IT IS JESUS

NOT ME

WHO IS SPEAKING

WHEN HE SAYS

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES,

DO GOOD TO THEM,

LEND ACCORDING TO THEIR NEED

EXPECTING NOTHING BACK

BE MERCIFUL

AS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS MERCIFUL

STILL TOO HARD

LET ME PAINT YOU A PICTURE.

THERE IS A MAN WHO IS DYING.

CONDEMNED TO DEATH

FOR A CRIME

HE DIDN’T COMMIT.

CONDEMNED TO DEATH

OUT OF JEALOUSY

 FEAR OF LOSING POWER.

ALL HIS FRIENDS

HAVE DESERTED HIM

OUT OF FEAR

ONE OF HIS FRIENDS

HAS SOLD HIM FOR A PRICE

ONE OF HIS FRIENDS DENIED

HE EVER KNEW HIM.

HIS HEART

WHICH IS STRUGGLING

TO STAY ALIVE

IS STILL FILLED WITH LOVE

FOR ALL MANKIND

 HE IS GIVING THINGS AWAY.

HE WILL DIE POOR.

HIS CLOTHES ARE GONE.

HE HAS GIVEN HIS MOTHER

TO THE CARE OF HIS FRIEND JOHN

NOW HE GIVES AWAY HIS ANGER.

STRUGGLING UPRIGHT ON THE NAILS

HE CRIES OUT

FATHER FORGIVE THEM

THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.

FORGIVE THE RULERS

OF TEMPLE AND STATE,

FORGIVE THE SOLDIERS

WHO WERE CRUEL TO ME,

FORGIVE THE CROWD

GATHERED LIKE VULTURES

TO SEE ME DIE,

FORGIVE THE THIEF WHO CURSED ME

FORGIVE ALL

WHO HAVE DESERTED ME,

LIED ABOUT ME,

SOLD ME FOR A PRICE

JESUS

LOOKING DOWN FROM HIS HIGH PLACE

ON THE CROSS

LOOKING DOWN THE YEARS

FORGIVING ALL WHO HAD EVER LIVED,

WHO WERE LIVING THEN

WHO WOULD LIVE IN THE FUTURE

LOOKING DOWN FROM HIS HIGH PLACE

HE COMES HERE

AND CRIES OUT

FATHER FORGIVE FRANK

AND BARBARA,

JOE AND TOM,

ALICE AND JAN,

FATHER FORGIVE ALL

AND WE CRY IN RESPONSE

FATHER FORGIVE US

AND FORGIVE THE ONE

WE FIND IT HARD

TO FORGIVE

WE

AND THEY

KNOW NOT WHAT WE DO

IN THE LIGHT OF OUR FORGIVENESS

CAN WE NOT TAKE

THE NAME OF THAT ONE PERSON

WE FIND IT HARD TO FORGIVE.

WRITE IT ON THE PALM OF OUR HAND.

RUB OUR HANDS TOGETHER

TO MAKE IT DISAPPEAR.

AND SAY TO THAT PERSON

THAT CHUNK OF ICE

THAT I HAVE CARRIED

WITH YOUR NAME ON IT

IS MELTED

I FORGIVE YOU

 JESUS SAYS

WELL DONE MY BROTHERS

AND SISTERS

WELL DONE

IN YOU

I AM WELL PLEASED.

MAY IT BE SO AMEN

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TEACH US TO PRAY    (MATTHEW 6)

FATHER
MOTHER
PARENT
PROGENITOR
JEALOUS GOD
WHO WILL NOT SHARE
 HIS CELESTIAL THRONE
WITH ANOTHER
WHO DOES NOT HONOR
RANK
WEALTH
POWER
BUT ONLY THE CONTENTS
OF ONE’S HEART
LIKE A PARENT
HE FINDS ALL HIS CHILDREN
EQUAL
MAY YOUR NAME BE KEPT HOLY
FROM PROFANE TRAFFIC
FROM HYPOCRISY
FROM THOSE
WHO HAVE YOUR NAME ON THEIR LIPS
BUT NOT IN THEIR HEARTS
MAY WE APPROACH YOUR SECRET NAME
LIKE MOSES AND THE BUSH
WHERE YOU CALL YOURSELF
I AM
MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME
WE PRAY IT OFTEN
IF IT’S AN UNREACHABLE GOAL
WE SHOULD STOP DOING IT
WE DON’T NEED PIE IN THE SKY
BUT GOD HAS GIVEN US THE PRAYER
IT MUST BE TRUE AND ATTAINABLE
HE DOESN’T LIE

GIVE US TODAY

BREAD FOR TODAY



REMEMBERING

THAT WHEN ALL OUR NEEDS ARE MET

THE NEEDS OF THE POOR

SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED

AND ACTED ON



FORGIVE US OUR SINS

OF OMISSION

AND COMMISSION

IN RESPONSE TO YOUR GENEROSITY

MY WE FORGIVE

THOSE WHO HAVE HARMED US



DELIVER US FROM EVIL

CAUSED BY OUR PROPENSITY TO SIN

GIVE US GRACE

TO FIGHT OUR LOWER NATURE

WITHOUT IT WE CANNOT COPE



REMAND US AS A PARENT

LOVE US AS A FATHER

SCHOOL US IN THE RIGHT WAY TO LIVE



AMEN

SO BE IT…. AMEN

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MATTHEW 7

A QUANDARY

ASK AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU;

 SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND;

 KNOCK AND THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED TO YOU

GOOD PR BUT DOES IT HOLD UP

VICTIMS OF HOLOCAUSTS

HAVE PRAYED FOR LIFE

GOD WAS SILENT

VICTIMS OF WAR

PLAGUE

NATURAL DISASTERS

FAMINE

DROUGHT

POOR USE OF THE EARTH’S SUPPLIES

HAVE PRAYED FOR LIFE

GOD WAS SILENT

SURVIVORS OF CAR WRECKS

THANK GOD

VICTIMS OF CAR WRECKS

CANNOT

CHILDREN GO TO BED HUNGRY

THIRSTY

DISEASED IN MIND AND BODY

OR IS HE

HE HAS GIVEN US A GARDEN TO TEND

HE HAS WRITTEN HIS LAW IN OUR HEARTS

HE IS OUR CREATOR

HE IS THE AUTHOR

IF YOUR NEIGHBOR IS THIRSTY

GIVE HIM WATER

YOU ARE THE ANSWER

TO THE PHRASE

ASK

AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU

YOU

WE

ALL OF US

ARE THE ANSWER

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MADMAN OF GERASENES  (MATTHEW 8) THE LAST THING THAT I REMEMBER WAS SEEING MY FATHER SLAIN THEN MY MOTHER AND SISTER RAPED AND SLAIN THE SOLDIERS COMING AFTER ME FRIGHTENED I RAN AWAY INTO OBLIVION THE NEXT THING THAT I REMEMBER IS TO SEE PIGS HURLING THEMSELVES OFF A CLIFF INTO THE SEA MUCH OF WHAT HAPPENED TO ME BETWEEN THESE POINTS I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY TOLD ME I DWELT AMONG THE DEAD THAT I ATE THE SYMBOLIC FOOD LEFT FOR THE DEAD OCCASIONALLY SOMEONE’S CHARITY THAT I WAS CHAINED TO A ROCK WHICH CHAIN I WOULD OFTEN BREAK I REMEMBER FEELINGS OF GREAT RAGE I REMEMBER FEELING LIKE A ROBOT RESPONDING TO VOICES NOT MY OWN I REMEMBER STARING AT WALLS REMEMBERING THEIR DEATHS FEELING ANGER AND HOLLOWNESS THEN THE STRANGER CAME SPOKE TO THE VOICES WITHIN ME WHAT IS YOUR NAME HE ASKED MOB THEY REPLIED LEAVE HIM DO NOT SEND US TO THE PIT SEND US TO THE PIGS HE DID AND THEY SWAN DIVED OFF THE CLIFF I OFTEN WONDER WHY HE CROSSED THE SEA TO SAVE ONE MAN BECAUSE THE VILLAGERS ASKED HIM TO LEAVE HE WAS BAD FOR BUSINESS I WOULD GO WITH HIM HE SAID STAY TELL YOUR STORY BE A VOICE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD IF THEY WON’T BELIEVE MY WORDS TELL THEM WHAT I HAVE DONE .@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ MATTHEW 9 THE PHYSICIAN GIVE HER SOMETHING TO EAT HE TOLD THEM GIVE HER SOMETHING TO EAT I WONDER IF HE CHUCKLED WHEN HE SAID IT I WONDER IF HE DID NOT REMEMBER MARY TELLING JOSEPH HE'LL EAT US OUT OF HOUSE AND HOME THAT ONE REFERRING TO HIM TALL AND PIMPLY WITH PEACH FUZZ ON HIS CHIN STARTING TO DARKEN AND A VOICE THAT COULD NOT FIND ITS RANGE I WONDER IF HE CHUCKLED REMEMBERING JOSEPH'S LAMENT BUT WE JUST BOUGHT HIM THOSE CLOTHES AND HE'S OUTGROWN THEM ALREADY I WONDER IF HE SMILED REMEMBERING MARY'S PRIDE HE EATS THAT ONE HE'S A GOOD BOY HE EATS RISE UP LITTLE GIRL AND BE ONCE MORE A CHILD BE GIDDY WHEN YOU WANT TO OR OLDER THAN ALL TIME BE SMARTER THAN A WISEMAN WITH A LOLLIPOP IN HAND OR GIGGLE IN A CHURCH PEW FOR HE WHO KNEW THE JOYS OF YOUTH HAS GIVEN THEM BACK TO YOU .@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ MATTHEW 10:40-42 HEAVEN IS NOT A REWARD FOR BEING GOOD IT’S AN INHERITANCE FOR BEING HIS FAVORITE WE ARE ALL HIS FAVORITE RUN TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH HE WILL PURSUE YOU HIS LOVE STICKS TO YOU LIKE FLY PAPER IT TAKES MIGHTY CONCENTRATION TO GET IT OFF WHILE GOD LAUGHS WE CAN’T EARN THIS INHERITANCE BUT WE CAN SHOW OUR GRATITUDE BY RIGHT LIVING RIGHT THINKING RIGHT ACTION GOD DOESN’T MIND OUR BABY STEPS WITH MANY A WHOOPSIE DOODLE AS LONG AS WE TRY AGAIN HE ASKS THAT ALL WHO COME OUR WAY BE TREATED AS CHRIST WITH ALL DUE REVERENCE @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ MATTHEW 11 THERE SEEMED TO BE A DISPUTE BETWEEN JOHN AND JESUS THERE SEEMED TO BE A DISPUTE BETWEEN JOHN AND JESUS DISPUTE MAY BE TOO STRONG A WORD DIFFERENCE OF OPINION MIGHT BE A BETTER WORD JOHN WHO EARLIER HAD SAID I’M NOT WORTHY TO TIE THIS MAN’S SHOE NOW SENT HIS DISCIPLES TO ASK ARE YOU THE ONE WE SEEK OR SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER JOHN WAS A CHILD OF THE DESERT WHERE THE WIND MAKES THE SAND SING AT NIGHT WHERE THE WOLF SINGS ITS MELANCHOLY SONG TO THE MOON JOHN WAS BORN TO ELDERLY PARENTS WAS BY NOW A ORPHAN HE WAS BORN TO BE A ROAD BUILDER TO BE THE ONE WHO PREPARES THE WAY HARD TIMES BREED A HARD RELIGION WITNESS SNAKE HANDLERS IN APPALACHIA JOHN PREACHED A HARD RELIGION WITH A HARD AND THREATENING MANNER BUT JESUS WHO GREW UP IN A FAMILY WITH PARENTS AND SIBLINGS WITH ALL THE TOPSY TURVY THAT COMES WITH FAMILY LIFE PREACHED A PEACEFUL GOD THE DIFFERENCE IN METHODS PROMPTED JOHN TO SEND HIS DISCIPLES TO ASK ARE YOU THE ONE WE SEEK OR SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER JOHN COULDN’T COME HIMSELF HE WAS IN PRISON JESUS REPLIED LISTEN NOT TO MY WORDS WHICH CAN BE TWISTED BUT SEE WHAT’S BEING DONE THE BLIND SEE, THE LAME WALK, LEPERS ARE CLEANSED, THE DEAF HEAR, THE DEAD ARE RAISED, THE WRETCHED OF THE EARTH. LEARN THAT GOD IS ON THEIR SIDE.

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MATTHEW 12,

A DAY LIKE THIS

MEDITATION BY FRANK VOLLMER

REFRAIN: WHEN WERE YOU HUNGRY OR NAKED OR POOR?

WHEN DID YOU ASK FOR WATER?

I WAS AT DACHAU AND AUSCHWITZ

I AM AT HANOI AND SAIGON

I AM BURIED IN EGYPT AND ISRAEL

I AM SICK OF WAR

.

I STAND WITH HUNGRY EYES

AND WATCH SURPLUS FOOD GO UP IN FLAMES

I AM A MIGRANT WORKER'S CHILD

STARVING IN THE LAND OF PLENTY

I AM THE BASTARD CHILD OF A BASTARD CHILD

I AM GHETTO BRED WITH TORCH AND STONE

NO ONE LISTENS UNLESS I AM VIOLENT

NO ONE CARES UNTIL THEY FEEL MY HATE

I AM AN OLD PERSON IGNORED AND ALONE

I AN A YOUNG MAN IN THE GUTTER ON DRUGS

I AM THE CHILD TAUGHT HATE BY MY ELDERS

I AM LOST AND DO NOT KNOW THE WA

IT NIGHT HAVE BEEN A DAY LIKE THIS THAT I WAS HUNGRY

A DAY LIKE THIS THAT I WAS POOR

A DAY LIKE THIS WHEN I TRIED TO HELP

A DAY LIKE THIS WHEN MY CHURCH BEGAN

IT NIGHT HAVE BEEN A DAY LIKE THIS WHEN IT ALL BEGAN

A DAY LIKE THIS

WHEN HE NAMED PETER... ROCK

WHEN HE GAVE IT BIRTH

KNOWING THE BIRTH PAINS WOULD NOT CEASE TILL IT WAS DEAD

TWELVE DIFFERENT MEN IN AGE AND WISDOM

TWELVE DIFFERENT MEN IN DREAMS AND HOPES

TWELVE DIFFERENT MEN RECEIVING TRUTH

TWELVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF TELLING IT BACK

TWELVE DIFFERENT MEN

IT NIGHT HAVE BEEN A DAY LIKE THIS

THAT SATAN TIPTOED UP

"DUMMY

ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT AGAIN

ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES

YOUR FATHER DID

ARE YOU GOING TO FOUND A CHURCH?

AS USUAL SATAN HAD SHOWN GOOD SENSE

HE'D TOLD THE TRUTH

FOR EVEN CHRIST WAS FINDING FAULT WITH WHAT HE SAW

I DO NOT WANT SACRIFICES BUT KINDNESS MATTHEW 12

THESE PEOPLE HONOR ME WITH THEIR WORDS

BUT THEIR HEART IS REALLY FAR FROM ME

IT IS NO USE FOR THEM TO WORSHIP ME

BECAUSE THEY TEACH MAN MADE COMMANDMENTS

AS THOUGH

THEY WERE GOD'S RULES MATTHEW 15

THEY FIX UP HEAVY LOADS

AND TIE THEM ON MEN'S BACKS

YET THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO LIFT A FINGER

TO HELP CARRY THESE LOADS MATTHEW 23

YOU ARE LIKE WHITEWASHED TOMBS

FINE ON THE OUTSIDE

BUT FULL OF DEAD MEN'S BONES MATTHEW 23

I HAVE NOT COME TO DO AWAY WITH THE LAW

BUT TO GIVE IT REAL MEANING MATTHEW 5

THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED

TURNED OUT TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT STONE MATTHEW 21

MY WEDDING FEAST IS READY

BUT THE PEOPLE I INVITED DID NOT DESERVE IT

GO OUT INTO THE STREETS

AND INVITE WHOM YOU FIND MATTHEW 22

SO HERE WE ARE

WALL FLOWERS OF THE LORD

THE LATE COMERS

THE PEOPLE HE INVITED

WHEN NO ONE ELSE WOULD COME

WHAT WERE SOME OF HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT HIS CHURCH

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE RULES

YOU HAVE HEARD IT WAS SAID

LOVE YOUR FRIENDS HATE YOUR ENEMIES

BUT I TELL YOU LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

PRAY FOR THOSE WHO MISTREAT YOU MATTHEW 5

WHEN YOU PRAY SAY

OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN

MAY YOUR NAME BE KEPT HOLY

MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME

MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH

AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

GIVE US TODAY THE FOOD WE NEED

FOR GIVE US THE WRONGS THAT WE HAVE DONE

AS WE FORGIVE THE WRONGS THAT OTHERS HAVE DONE US

DO NOT BRING US TO HARD TESTING

BUT KEEP US SAFE FROM THE EVIL ONE MATTHEW 6

IF ONE OF YOU WANTS TO BE GREAT

HE MUST BE A SERVANT OF THE REST

LIKE THE SON OF MAN

WHO DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED

BUT TO SERVE

AND GIVE HIS LIFE TO REDEEM MANY PEOPLE MATTHEW 20

DID HE NOT KNOW WHEN HE LOOKED PETER IN THE EYE

THAT HE WAS A MAN

COULD HE NOT HEAR THE DISTANT ECHO OF COCK CROW

WAS HE NOT AWARE OF THE IMPETUOUSNESS

THAT MADE HIM WALK ON WATER

OR THE SELF DOUBTS THAT LET HIM SINK

DID HE NOT SEE

WEATHERED FACE AND WEATHERED SOUL

NO STRANGER TO OUR JOYS OR SORROW

NO SCHOLAR HE

POET MAYBE

ONE IN TUNE WITH SEA AND TIDES AND WEATHER

THE CYCLE OF SEASONS THE RUNNING OF FISH

THE PATIENCE OF THE FISHERMAN

I WONDER IF THAT'S WHY HE PICKED HIM

IF HE SAW IN HIM THE SAME WORKMAN'S PRIDE

THAT JOSEPH HAD

IF HE SAW IN PETER'S WORDS AND ACTIONS

MEMORIES OF JOSEPH

IF HE DID NOT INSTINCTIVELY TRUST HIM

A MAN MINDFUL OF HIS NETS AND BOATS

MINDFUL OF HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY

WHO WOULD BE CAREFUL OF LITTLE THINGS

THE NECESSARY UNPRETENTIOUS DOING THINGS

NOT PLAYING FOR THE BALCONY

JUST DOING HIS JOB

THIS MAN HE CHOOSE

I GIVE TO YOU THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN MATTHEW 16

PETER - DO YOU LOVE ME

FEED MY LAMBS

PETER - DO YOU LOVE ME

FEED MY SHEEP

PETER - DO YOU LOVE ME

FOLLOW ME

JOHN 21

AND YOU PETER

WOULD YOU LEAVE ME

TO WHOM WOULD I GO LORD

YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE

JOHN 6

PUSH OUT THE BOATS

AND LET DOWN YOUR NETS

BUT MASTER WE HAVE LABORED ALL NIGHT

AND CAUGHT NOTHING

BUT WE WILL TRY AGAIN

LUKE 5

I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN

I WILL MAKE YOU HARVESTERS IN THE FIELD

YOU WILL TEND THE VINE AND THE FIG TREE

THE MUSTARD SEED THE COCKLE THE WHEAT

SHALL BE YOUR CONCERN

I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN

HE'D PICKED A FISHERMAN TO WORK IN HIS GARDEN

TO TEND THE SEED HE'D PLANT IN THE SPRING

STRUCK DOWN IN THE SPRINGTIME

THRUST DOWN IN THE EARTH

PLOWED UNDER BY EVIL

HE'D PICKED A FISHERMAN TO TEND TO HIS GARDEN

TO WATCH OVER THE GROWTH OF THE SEED

FROM THE SEED TO THE PLANT

FROM PLANT TO THE FLOWER

TO THE SEED TO THE PLANT TO THE FLOWER

ALWAYS RENEWING

THROUGH CYCLE OF SEASONS

ALWAYS THE SEED DOWN THE AGES

ALWAYS THE SEED TELLING THE MESSAGE

GOD IS HE LOVES HE CARES

DOWN THE AGES ALWAYS THE MESSAGE

ALWAYS THE SEED THE PLANT OR THE FLOWER

ALWAYS THE SEED

TENDED BY GARDENERS POETS FOOLS OR BY THIEVES

ALWAYS THE SEED

IF YOU LOVE ME - KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS

I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ORPHANS

I WILL SEND YOU THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

TO STAY WITH YOU FOREVER

I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ORPHANS

I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ORPHANS

I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ORPHANS

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A DAY LIKE THIS WHEN IT ALL BEGAN

A DAY LIKE THIS WHEN WE TRIED AGAIN

Stage directions;

Poetry read by narrator.

Bible verses by various members of the congregation.

Opening verses like a Sunday psalm.

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MATTHEW 13

PARABLES

SOME SAY JOSEPH AND JESUS

WERE CARPENTERS

WHICH BRINGS TO MIND

A MIDDLE CLASS HOME

WITH A SHOP OUT FRONT

PERHAPS WITH A SIGN

THAT SAYS

JOSEPH AND SON

MAKER OF EASY YOKES

SOME SAY HE WAS NOT

I TEND TO AGREE

NOT OUT OF SOME SCHOLAR DISCOVERY

BUT LIFE EXPERIENCE

I SPENT MOST OF MY WORK LIFE

AS AN AIRCRAFT WORKER

WE SPOKE A JARGON

WHICH A NEW EMPLOYEE

FOUND DIFFICULT

BUT WE SPOKE WHAT WE KNEW

READING MATTHEW 13

WE FIND

PARABLE OF THE SOWER………FARM

PARABLE OF THE TARES AND WHEAT……………FARM

PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED………FARM

PARABLE OF THE YEAST…………..DOMESTIC LIFE

PARABLE OF THE TREASURE IN A FIELD……….POOR MAN’S DREAM

PARABLE OF THE PEARL……………….POOR MAN’S DREAM

PARABLE OF THE FISH AND THEIR SORTING……………..FISHING

PARABLE OF LAZARUS THE BEGGAR…………HOPE FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD WORKERS……………..INJUSTICE IN THE WORKPLACE

THESE AND OTHERS SEEM TO SAY FARM BOY

DAY LABORER

HANDYMAN

JACK OF ALL TRADES

THERE WERE MORE OF THEM IN PALESTINE

THAN MIDDLE CLASS

WHEN JOSEPH AND JESUS LIVED

JESUS CAME TO EXPERIENCE

FULL HUMANITY

THEN WHERE ELSE

WOULD HE GO

THAN TO THE VERY BOTTOM

WHERE SUN RARELY PEAKS THROUGH

AND LIFE IS A CONTINUOUS STRUGGLE

WHERE ONE COULD WORK ALL HIS LIFE

AND DIE POOR

WHETHER JESUS WAS A CARPENTER

OR NOT

DOESN’T MATTER

WHAT MATTERS

IS WHEN WE SEE

 ITINERANT FARM WORKERS

OR

DAY LABORERS

OUTSIDE OF HOME DEPOT

OR LOWES

THEY TOO WERE SAVED BY CHRIST

CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE

WORTHY OF DIGNITY

AND HONOR

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Matthew 14:13

HE FED THEM ALL

SOME SAY JESUS FED THE FIVE THOUSAND

BY INSPIRING A WAVE OF GENEROSITY

EACH ONE SHARED WHAT HE HAD

OTHERS

THAT HE PERFORMED A MIRACLE OF MULTIPLICATION

EITHER WAY GIVES GOD GLORY

PRAISE BE HIS NAME

BUT FOR ME IT WAS A TINY THING HE DID

WHICH MOVES ME

HE HAD BEEN SUMMARILY DISMISSED

FROM HIS HOME TOWN

BECAUSE HE WAS A LOCAL BOY

HIS COUSIN WITH WHOM HE HAD A DISAGREEMENT

HAD BEEN MURDERED

WITH ALL THIS ON HIS MIND

HE HAD TIME TO DO A LITTLE KINDNESS

A MITZVAH

THE PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY

HOW SHALL WE FEED THEM

IF GOD CAN TAKE THE TIME TO FEED US

FEED ME

I AM TRULY A LAMB IN HIS FLOCK

I REST BESIDE STILL WATERS

HIS ROD AND HIS STAFF

THEY COMFORT ME

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          MATTHEW 15

WRESTLING

WRESTLING WITH GOD IS NOT A SIN

BUT A TIME HONORED EVENT

AS WHEN A SYROPHOENICIAN WOMAN

SAID TO JESUS

HEAL MY CHILD

HE SAID

BECAUSE SHE WAS A GENTILE

AND A PAGAN

IT IS NOT RIGHT

TO TAKE THE CHILDREN'S FOOD

AND THROW IT TO THE DOGS

SHE REBUFFED HIM SAYING

EVEN THE DOGS

EAT THE CHILDREN'S

CRUMBS

YOU CAN SEE HIM SMILING

HE'D BEEN BESTED IN AN ARGUMENT

AND HE REPLIED GENTLY

GO

YOUR CHILD IS HEALED

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MATTHEW 16

SEE “A DAY LIKE THIS”

CHAPTER 12

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MATTHEW 17

The Message (MSG)

“How can we picture God’s kingdom? What kind of story can we use? It’s like a pine nut. When it lands on the ground it is quite small as seeds go, yet once it is planted it grows into a huge pine tree with thick branches. Eagles nest in it.”

MUSTARD SEED

THE CITY FOLK OF JERUSALEM

HEARD THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED

SAID

MAKES SENSE TO ME

THE COUNTRY FOLK

HEARD THE SAME PARABLE

SAID

HE’S TALKING GIBBERISH

THE MUSTARD TREE IS NOT A TREE BUT A SHRUB

A WEED

IT GROWS IN THE WIILD

NOT IN A GARDEN

IT’S INVASIVE

HARD TO ERADICATE

 IT’S AN ANNUAL

IT WOULD NOT HAVE DEVELOPED

SIZE OR STAMINA

BY THE TIME BIRDS NEST

THE PICTURE

CHRIST WAS PAINTING

DIDN’T MATCH REALITY

HIS AUDIENCE LISTENED

AS THE PREACHER PREACHED NONSENSE

THAT FELLOW HAS A LOOSE SANDAL

BUT GRADUALLY

AN EARWIG DEVELOPED

IF YOU BELIEVE

YOU CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS

PART SEAS

BREAK OPEN HARDEN HEARTS

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

IS MADE UP OF IMPERFECTS

LIKE YOU

NEVER SAY I DON’T QUALIFY

HE HAS LOWERED THE BAR

THE KINGDOM IS A FREE GIFT

IT’S NOT EARNED BY GOOD CONDUCT

BUT GOOD CONDUCT FLOWS

AS A WAY OF SAYING

THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT

IF YOU BELIEVE

THE WORLD WILL BE BETTER

HE SAYS THIS

TO A PEOPLE DOWN TRODDEN

BY CHURCH AND STATE

IF YOU BELIEVE

THE SUN WILL STILL RISE AND SET

TIDES WILL EBB AND FLOW

BUT THERE WILL BE A NEW HEART

WITHIN YOU

BIRDS WILL PERCH ON THE MUSTARD TREE

OF YOUR HEART

AND SING

IF YOU BELIEVE

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MATTHEW 18

LOST SHEEP

THE PROBLEM IS

THAT WHEN THE MEDICINE

IS WORKING

IT CLOUDS THE MIND

AND PRAYING BECOMES DIFFICULT

AND SOMETIMES INCOHERENT

THE LEGEND IS

THAT THE JEWISH SHEPHERD

COMING HOME FROM THE HILLS

TO SPEND SABBATH WITH HIS FAMILY

COUNTED HIS SHEEP AND FOUND ONE MISSING

SENDING HIS SON AHEAD WITH THE FLOCK

HE RETURNED TO THE HILL

RACING THE STAR

THAT TOLD THE BEGINNING OF SABBATH

HE FOUND THE SHEEP

AND LOST THE RACE

AND TRUE TO HIS FAITH

SPENT SABBATH ON THE HILLSIDE

WITH HIS SHEEP

ON COMING HOME

HIS WIFE ASKED

HOW ARE YOU HUSBAND

WELL HE SAID

IT WAS AN INTERESTING

DISQUIETING TIME

HOW SHE SAID

I WAS ANXIOUS TO FIND MY SHEEP

I WAS HURRYING AND SWEATING

THEN THE SWEAT WENT COLD

AND THE SHEEP AND I HUDDLED BY THE FIRE

NEVER SEEMING TO GET WARM

I SAW IN THE FLAME

YOUR BEAUTIFUL SABBATH MEAL

I WANTED TO BE HOME SO MUCH

IN THE WARMTH OF MY HOME AND FAMILY

I WANTED TO PRAY

BUT THE WORDS SPILLED OUT

IN AN INCOMPREHENSIBLE KALEIDOSCOPE

OF FEELING

OF WANTING

OF DISAPPOINTMENT

SO WHAT DID YOU DO MY HUSBAND

I SAID THE ALPHABET

FIGURING GOD COULD MAKE THE WORDS

THE PROBLEM IS

THE MEDICINE MAKES THE MIND GROW DIM

A

B

C

D……

AMEN

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Matthew 19

THE CHILDREN

WHY DID I REACT SO STRONG HE THOUGHT

THEY ONLY WANTED TO PROTECT ME

THE CHILDREN WANTED TO BE NEAR ME

I WAS QUICK TEMPERED WHEN THEY CHASED THEM

I WONDER WHY I CAME ON SO STRONG

BUT HE KNEW

IT HADN'T BEEN EASY

THE FINDING OF WORK

THE FATHER AN ALIEN IN A FOREIGN LAND

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

WHILE AWAY FROM HOME

TO BE TOLD TO FLEE

NO GOING BACK

NO TURNING AROUND

NO LOT'S WIFE PEEK

JUST GO

SO THE HOURS WERE LONG

AND THE BOY WAS GROWING

AND WHILE IT WAS UNDERSTOOD

THE EMPTY SPACES WERE THERE

HAVE I NOT COME

TO FILL THOSE EMPTY SPACES

LET THE CHILDREN

COME TO ME

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MATTHEW 20

EQUAL WAGES – UNEQUAL WORK

BECAUSE NO ONE HAS HIRED US

IT COULD BE IMMIGRANT LABOR

OR RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

OR UNTRAINED LABOR

BUT THE LANDOWNER

AT THE LAST HOUR

 SAID

COME WORK FOR ME

AND EVERYMAN

AT PAY TIME

RECEIVED THE SAME

WAGES

NOW THE STORY WAS NOT TOLD

AS AN EXAMPLE OF LABOR MANAGEMENT

OR HOW TO FAIL IN BUSINESS

BUT ALL ARE INVITED

TO COME INTO THE VINEYARD

SOME

WILL BE IN THE VINEYARD

UNDER THE SUN

ALL DAY

SOME

PART OF THE DAY

 SOME WILL COME

WHEN EVENING CHILL

IS IN THE AIR

AND THE MASTER SAYS

IS YOUR EYE EVIL

BECAUSE I AM GOOD

IT DOESN’T SOUND FAIR

AND IT ISN’T

IN HUMAN TERMS

BUT GOD WANTS US TO UNDERSTAND

THAT HE WILL LEAVE

THE NINETY NINE SAFE SHEEP

AND SEEK THE LOST ONE

SO GREAT IS HIS DESIRE

THAT ALL BE SAFE

IT WOULD BE WELL FOR US TO REMEMBER

THAT WE LABOR NOT FOR WAGES

OR GOD’S APPROVAL

THE REWARD IS A GIFT FROM GOD

AND THE REWARD IS THE SAME FOR ALL

WE SHOULD REJOICE WITH THE SHEPHERD

AT THE FINDING OF THE LOST SHEEP

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MATTHEW 21

Isn't it sad, that in a time when we face so many devastating problems – poverty, HIV/AIDS, war and conflict – that in our Communion we should be investing so much time and energy on disagreement about sexual orientation?" Archbishop Tutu

I don't preach a social gospel; I preach the Gospel, period. The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is concerned for the whole person. When people were hungry, Jesus didn't say, "Now is that political or social?" He said, "I feed you." Because the good news to a hungry person is bread. Archbishop Tutu

PALM SUNDAY

WHEN JESUS RODE INTO JERUSALEM

ON A DONKEY HE’D BORROWED FOR THE OCCASION

HEARING HOSANNAS

AND SEEING THE PALM BRANCHES STREWN IN HIS WAY

HE HEARD UNDERNEATH

THE SNICKERING OF SOME

TEACHER GET YOUR DISCIPLES UNDER CONTROL

IT’S UNLAWFUL TO BE JOYFUL

IF I SHOULD QUIET THEM    

THE VERY STONES WOULD SING

BUT THE HOLY PEOPLE

THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS

THE GOOD PEOPLE

CALLED OUT

SEEING THE JOY OF THE CROWD

CRIED

IT’S OUT OF CONTROL

IT’S A STAMPEDE

WE WANT THEM WORRIED

ABOUT RELIGIOUS MINUTIAE

NOT THE FREEDOM HE TALKS ABOUT

HE MUST BE STOPPED

BEFORE ALL WE STAND FOR DIES

IT WOULD BE NICE TO SAY

THAT THE PROPHECY IS TRUE

THAT THE PHARISEES ARE DEAD

BUT THEY ARE STILL WITH US

WORRYING ABOUT MINUTIAE

WHILE CHILDREN STARVE

WHERE IS OUR SENSE OF VALUES

WHILE JESUS RIDES TO HIS DEATH

AND THE MOOD OF THE CROWD WILL CHANGE

YET HE RIDES TO BRING ABOUT OUR SALVATION

AND ASKS US TO MAKE HIS SACRIFICE WORTHWHILE

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MATTHEW 22

IMPROPERIA #1 (Matthew 22:1-14)

MY PEOPLE, MY PEOPLE

WHAT HAVE I DONE TO YOU

HOW HAVE I OFFENDED YOU

ANSWER ME

I INVITED YOU TO MY SON’S WEDDING

BUT YOU DID NOT COME

WHY

AGIOS O THEOS, AGIOS ISCHYROS,
AGIOS ATHANATOS ELEISON IMAS.
HOLY IS GOD, HOLY AND STRONG,
HOLY IMMORTAL ONE, HAVE MERCY ON US

MY PEOPLE, MY PEOPLE

WHAT HAVE I DONE TO YOU

HOW HAVE I OFFENDED YOU

ANSWER ME

I SENT MESSENGERS TO TELL OF FATTED CALVES

YOU ABUSED AND KILLED THEM

WHY

AGIOS O THEOS, AGIOS ISCHYROS,
AGIOS ATHANATOS ELEISON IMAS.
HOLY IS GOD, HOLY AND STRONG,
HOLY IMMORTAL ONE, HAVE MERCY ON US

MY PEOPLE, MY PEOPLE

WHAT HAVE I DONE TO YOU

HOW HAVE I OFFENDED YOU

ANSWER ME

IN MY ANGER I SLEW THE GUESTS

HEART BROKEN I CRIED OUT

WHY

AGIOS O THEOS, AGIOS ISCHYROS,
AGIOS ATHANATOS ELEISON IMAS.
HOLY IS GOD, HOLY AND STRONG,
HOLY IMMORTAL ONE, HAVE MERCY ON US

MY PEOPLE, MY PEOPLE

WHAT HAVE I DONE TO YOU

HOW HAVE I OFFENDED YOU

ANSWER ME!

THEN IN REMORSE

I SAID GO TO THE HIGHWAYS

AND INVITE ALL YOU FIND

MY OTHER GUESTS HAVE PROVEN UNWORTHY

GATHER GOOD AND BAD

MY HOUSE WILL BE FILLED

AGIOS O THEOS, AGIOS ISCHYROS,
AGIOS ATHANATOS ELEISON IMAS.
HOLY IS GOD, HOLY AND STRONG,
HOLY IMMORTAL ONE, HAVE MERCY ON US

MY PEOPLE, MY PEOPLE

WHAT HAVE I DONE TO YOU,

HOW HAVE I OFFENDED YOU

ANSWER ME!

HE CAME INTO THE HALL

AND FOUND A GUEST

WHO WAS NOT WEARING

THE SUPPLIED WHITE GARMENT

HE SAID TO HIS SERVANTS BIND HIM

AND THROW HIM OUTSIDE THE GATE

HE IS AS UNWORTHY AS MY FIRST GUESTS

AGIOS O THEOS, AGIOS ISCHYROS,
AGIOS ATHANATOS ELEISON IMAS.
HOLY IS GOD, HOLY AND STRONG,
HOLY IMMORTAL ONE, HAVE MERCY ON US

MY PEOPLE, MY PEOPLE

WHAT HAVE I DONE TO YOU,

HOW HAVE I OFFENDED YOU

ANSWER ME

WHAT MORE COULD I HAVE DONE FOR YOU

THAT YOU WOULD REFUSE THE WHITE GARMENT

WHY

AGIOS O THEOS, AGIOS ISCHYROS,
AGIOS ATHANATOS ELEISON IMAS.
HOLY IS GOD, HOLY AND STRONG,
HOLY IMMORTAL ONE, HAVE MERCY ON US

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MATTHEW 23

A DAY LIKE THIS

SEE MATTHEW 12

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MATTHEW 24

A BRIDGE

Jesus (peace be upon him) has said, 'The world is a bridge. Pass over it, but do not settle down on it!

THE ABOVE IS AN ASIAN QUOTE OF JESUS

FROM ITS FORMAT IT APPEARS TO BE MUSLIM

THE MUSLIMS HONOR JESUS AS A GREAT PROPHET

BUT NOT THE SON OF GOD

ALLAH IS ONE

REGARDLESS OF ITS ORIGIN

THE MESSAGE SPEAKS TRUE

WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKE THIS JOURNEY

FROM ONE SHORE TO ANOTHER

FROM BIRTH

TO THE HEREAFTER

AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO NOT WALK ALONE

BUT TO HELP

THE BLIND

LAME

SLOW

WEAK

TO MAKE THE JOURNEY

IN BUDDHISM THERE IS A PRINCIPAL

CALLED BODHISATTVA

WHERE A PERSON DEFERS CROSSING THE BRIDGE

TO HELP OTHERS ACROSS

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS AND CHRISTIANITY

IS THAT ONE IS A SAINT

THE OTHER IS A NORMAL HUMAN BEING

TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING

THOSE WHO BUILD ON THE BRIDGE

IMPEDE THE PILGRIM

BY CHARGING TOLL

OR BLOCKING THE WAY

MAKING THE JOURNEY

HARDER THAN IT HAS TO BE

THE CHRISTIAN HAS TO FIGHT

THESE HOUSES ON THE BRIDGE

THESE OBSTRUCTIONS TO A MAN’S JOURNEY

THEY ARE USELESS AND DECAY IN TIME

AND TRAP THEIR OWNERS

IN THEIR DEBRIS

WHETHER JESUS SAID THIS I DO NOT KNOW

BUT THE MESSAGE IS TRUE

AND MATCHES OTHER THINGS HE HAS SAID

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MATTHEW 25

GOATS AND LAMBS

THE GOATS WERE BROUGHT INTO THE BARN

AFTER THEIR DAY IN THE FIELD

THEY COULDN'T  STAND THE COLD

BUT THE SHEEP REMAINED OUTSIDE

WARM IN THEIR COAT

MILKING THE GOAT WAS WOMEN’S WORK

A DEBAUCHED WOMEN WAS CALLED A GOAT

THE GOATS WERE BLACK

THE SHEEP WOOL WHITE

THE GOATS WERE PROMISCUOUS

THEY SHARED THEIR MATES

THE SHEEP DID NOT

OUT OF ALL THIS FOLKLORE

JESUS SPUN A TALE

USING IMAGES THE PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD

HE STARTS BY SAYING

THE KING COMES IN GLORY

SO CRITICAL IN THE EAST

THE DEMAND FOR RESPECT

SO HE COMES IN GLORY

AND SITS ON THE GLORY THRONE

COMMANDING RESPECT

AS BEFITS A KING

AND TELLS A COMMON STORY

OF SEPARATING SHEEP FROM GOATS

SEPARATING THE GOOD

FROM THE INDIFFERENT

THEY WERE NOT COMPLETELY BAD

THE GOATS

THEY WERE INDIFFERENT

AND SAID TO THE SHEEP

WHO WERE CARING

AND HUDDLED TOGETHER FOR WARMTH

COME INTO THE KINGDOM

I HAVE PREPARED FOR YOU

AND I’LL SHALL BE YOUR SHEPHERD

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MATTHEW 26

THE KISS

I THINK IT WAS THE KISS THAT BROKE HIS HEART

NO MATTER WHAT ELSE WAS DONE TO HIM

THAT NIGHT AND NEXT DAY

NOTHING COULD MATCH THE FRIENDSHIP SIGN

AND GREETING

HAIL RABBI

PERHAPS THAT'S WHY HE STOOD SO SILENT

IN FRONT OF PILATE

EMPTY

TOO HURT FOR WORDS

OR TO EVEN CARE

THREE YEARS HE'D KNOWN THE MAN

HAD ATE WITH HIM LAUGHED WITH HIM

SHARED CONFIDENCES AND MEMORIES

HAD THOUGHT HE HAD A FRIEND

PETER JAMES JOHN THE REST WOULD RUN AWAY

THEY WERE AFRAID

HE COULD UNDERSTAND FEAR

HE WAS AFRAID HIMSELF NOW

HIS BODY WAS WET WITH NERVOUS SWEAT

HID MIND STILL ECHOED HIS WORDS

OH GOD LET IT PASS LET IT PASS

IF JUDAS HADN'T KISSED HIM FOR A PRICE

HE MIGHT HAVE DONE IT BETTER

BUT THE KISS TOOK THE HEART FROM HIM

SO THAT HE STOOD EMPTY SILENT HEART GONE OUT

LIKE A LAMB BEING LED TO SLAUGHTER

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MATTHEW 27

A POSSIBILITY

THE SOLDIERS

WOULD JUST AS SOON

HAD LET HIM ROT

SWINGING FROM THE TREE

BUT THE STRANGER CAME

AND IN A VOICE BROKEN WITH SORROW

HAD BEGGED

BURY HIM WELL

PLEASE

BURY HIM WELL

 JUDAS WAS MY FRIEND

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MATTHEW 28

RAINY DAY EASTER

IT WAS THAT KIND OF DAY

DRIVING WINDS AND PELTING RAIN

THAT SENT STREAMS OF WATER DOWN THE STEEP

AND NARROW STREETS

IT RAN IN SHEETS OFF THE TERRA-COTTA ROOFS

UPON THE WOMEN ON THEIR WAY

TO THE TOMB WHERE JESUS LAY

BENEATH A SKY OF FUNERAL GRAY

FINALLY THE GRAVEYARD REACHED

THE WIND WAS STRONGER IN THE CLEAR

IT FORCED THEM TO SEEK SHELTER BY A WALL

WHO SHALL ROLL THE STONE AWAY

PERHAPS THE SOLDIERS MAY

THEY STRUGGLED WITH THE WIND TO REACH THE TOMB

IT WAS OPEN TO THE WEATHER

OH NO NO THEY MOANED

THE WIND ECHOED NOOOO

OH NO NONONONONOOO

WHERE' IS MY LORD THEY CRIED

WHERE OH WHERE THE WIND SIGHED

WHY OH WHY OH WHY

BUT THE ANGEL SAID

WHY ARE YOU LOOKING FOR HIM AMONG THE DEAD

HE LIVES

AWAY THEY SPUN LIKE AUTUMN LEAVES IN FULL RUN

HE LIVES THEY CRIED

HE LIVES THE WIND REPLIED

RAIN AND TEARS MIXED UPON THEIR FACE

THEY WERE GATHERED NOW IN THE UPPER ROOM

ALL KNEW THE WORDS WERE TRUE

THE TOMB WAS EMPTY

TELL US AGAIN WHAT THE YOUNG MAN SAID

AGAIN AND AGAIN THE WORDS WERE SAID

TILL JOHN STOOD UP

HERE MOTHER TAKE MY CLOAK

LET ME HOLD YOUR HANDS TO MAKE THEM WARM

YOU ARE WET THROUGH

THEN PETER AND THE OTHERS

WINDED BY THEIR RUN TO SEE

HAD DONE THE SAME

FOR THE OTHER WOMEN

THEY SAT THERE NOW IN A RING

HOLDING HANDS

STARING LAUGHING GIVING TAKING STRENGTH

AND WARMTH

TILL JESUS STOOD IN THE MIDST OF THEM

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