Steve Aves - My Thoughts #Church

Maundy Thursday

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 08:13:51 -0600

The Plot to Kill Jesus

1 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover was near. 2 The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people.

3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; 4 he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers of the temple police about how he might betray him to them. 5 They were greatly pleased and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present.

The Preparation of the Passover

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.” 9 They asked him, “Where do you want us to make preparations for it?” 10 “Listen,” he said to them, “when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The teacher asks you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” ‘ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.” 13 So they went and found everything as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves, 18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. 22 For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” 23 Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this.

Luke 22:1-23 (NRSVue Strong's Bible)

What does Maundy mean?

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 08:08:12 -0600

The term “Maundy” comes from the Latin “mandatum;” it is from a verb that means “to give” or “to order” — command. After Jesus and the disciples finished the Last Supper and walked toward Gethsemane, Jesus taught them a new commandment — “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34).

The Last Supper

On the first Maundy Thursday, after they had eaten, Jesus gave the disciples his body and blood together with the bread and wine for the forgiveness of their sins. Called Holy Communion or the Eucharist, Lutherans believe this to be one of two sacraments — gifts from God. Most worship services focus on the meal and communion as a way to commemorate this day.

https://www.livinglutheran.org/2013/04/three-days-traditions-maundy-thursday-good-friday-vigil-easter/

Lenten Reading

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 08:20:16 -0600

During the season of Lent, I deliberately take time in the morning to read the Bible using the Lectionary as a guide. Investing the time reading gives me a sense of wholeness, and direction.

I notice common themes. For example, the word "light" is a very important descriptor for the early Christians:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

John 1:1-9 (NRSV)

8 Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. 10 Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.

1 John 2:8-11 (NRSV)

For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 (NRSV)

Peace,

Steve

Grandson Is Confirmed at Church

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 08:44:06 -0600

I'm a proud grandfather

Below is the video of the complete church service. I have it starting at the point where the confirmands are joining in the "children's sermon." Then I marked highlights if you don't want to view the entire service, though I recommend you do.

5:11 children's sermon
14:01 sermon. Good sermon, particularly if you are not familiar with the Lutheran traditions.
34:02 confession. The confirmands AND the church make the confession of faith.
37:10 Markell is confirmed.
49:35 photos of the confirmands

Easter is Not Over; or The Lectionary Continues Part 6

Wed, 25 May 2022 10:49:06 -0500

There is a fine line between boasting about yourself and informing others of your qualifications. Paul has been accused of being arrogant and a braggart, I do not believe this is true.

I have been in a sales position most of my adult life. That experience has taught me that people need to know if I am qualified to do, or know what I claim. They want to hear what my qualifications are from me. That's a fact. Paul needed to inform the people, repeatedly, what his qualifications were - which becomes a double-edge sword with one side appearing to be bragging.

Being a Swedish Luuuuuuutheran, I am predisposed to downplay my qualifications (see this video about Swedes HERE).

So, when reading one of Paul's letters, we must read the whole letter to get the full context. Nothing new with that, we need to do that with everyone.

For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.
Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord’s brother. In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, “The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.
Galatians 1:11-24 (NRSV)

I am using the Narrative Lectionary this year. You can learn about this lectionary HERE.

Easter is Not Over; or The Lectionary Continues Part 5

Tue, 17 May 2022 07:31:04 -0500

There are many reasons Jesus chose Paul (Saul) to be "my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel."

Acts 9:15 (NET 2nd Ed.), but his sales ability has got to be number 1.

Paul inspects the city of Athens first, to see what religions he would be confronting, and the viewpoints of the Athenians.

He praises their religious interests first, then makes his sales pitch.

Paul is the consummate salesman.

So Paul stood before the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in all respects. For as I went around and observed closely your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: ‘To an unknown god.’ Therefore what you worship without knowing it, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives life and breath and everything to everyone. From one man he made every nation of the human race to inhabit the entire earth, determining their set times and the fixed limits of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move about and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’ So since we are God’s offspring, we should not think the deity is like gold or silver or stone, an image made by human skill and imagination. Therefore, although God has overlooked such times of ignorance, he now commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has set a day on which he is going to judge the world in righteousness, by a man whom he designated, having provided proof to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

Now when they heard about the resurrection from the dead, some began to scoff, but others said, “We will hear you again about this.” So Paul left the Areopagus. But some people joined him and believed. Among them were Dionysius, who was a member of the Areopagus, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Acts 17:22-34 (NET 2nd Ed.)

I am using the Narrative Lectionary this year. You can learn about this lectionary HERE.

Easter is Not Over; or The Lectionary Continues Part 4

Sat, 14 May 2022 08:57:21 -0500

Some things just do not change. New ideas begin spreading and those who do not like, or feel threatened by those ideas, work to quash them. Reminds me of the FBI's COINTELPRO project that targeted "groups and individuals the FBI deemed subversive."

See my post about the film "1971."

After Paul and Silas had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three sabbath days argued with them from the scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This is the Messiah, Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.” Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews became jealous, and with the help of some ruffians in the marketplaces they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar. While they were searching for Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly, they attacked Jason’s house. When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some believers before the city authorities, shouting, “These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has entertained them as guests. They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus.” The people and the city officials were disturbed when they heard this, and after they had taken bail from Jason and the others, they let them go.

Acts 17:1-9 (NRSV)

I am using the Narrative Lectionary this year. You can learn about this lectionary HERE.

Easter is Not Over; or The Lectionary Continues Part 3

Mon, 09 May 2022 07:41:40 -0500

I am using the Narrative Lectionary this year. You can learn about this lectionary HERE.

This one paragraph describes much of life back then, and Paul's personality.

Paul and Silas were beaten with rods (ouch!)! Beating Roman citizens was illegal (According to Roman law, Roman citizens were assured exclusion from all degrading forms of punishment: beating with rods, scourging or crucifixion), everyone else though, it's OK.

Paul forces the local authorities to apologize to him. Paul is a gutsy dude.

After the physical abuse Silas and Paul suffer, they stayed focussed on what their purpose is; to spread the "Good News."

When morning came, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” And the jailer reported the message to Paul, saying, “The magistrates sent word to let you go; therefore come out now and go in peace.” But Paul replied, “They have beaten us in public, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they going to discharge us in secret? Certainly not! Let them come and take us out themselves.” The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens; so they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. After leaving the prison they went to Lydia’s home; and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers and sisters there, they departed.

Acts 16:35-40 (NRSV)

Easter is Not Over; or The Lectionary Continues Part 2

Wed, 04 May 2022 08:07:14 -0500

I am using the Narrative Lectionary this year. You can learn about this lectionary HERE.

This is such a great start for the Book of Acts. The Disciples still do not understand how Jesus defines "the kingdom of God." To them, it is a kingdom like David ruled.

Boy, are they in for a surprise!

After his suffering, he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:3-8 (NRSV)

Amen.

Easter is Not Over; or The Lectionary Continues

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 07:35:35 -0500

I am using the Narrative Lectionary this year. You can learn about this lectionary HERE.

Easter is NOT over. As John wrote:

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:30-31 (NRSV)

Amen.