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Pastor’s Ruminations

December 6, 2018

It never fails. Every year for the past 30 years, during or as we approach the season of Advent, someone has approached me and asked why it is that the candles in our advent wreath are blue instead of purple. Oh,and what about the pink candle? I don’t mind. It makes me feel good to know that people feel that they can bring questions to me, whatever they might be. Besides, it gives me an opportunity to teach.

That said: the Advent wreath with three purple candles and one pink or rose colored candle had been around for quite a long time. The sense of the Advent season that was promoted was repentance and as such was similar to the season of Lent. The rose colored candle was tied to the third Sunday of the season and in the Roman Church was called “Gaudete Sunday,” so named for the first word of the entrance psalm prescribed for that day. “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice” (Gaudete = Rejoice in Latin). This was seen as a mid season break from the more somber seasonal sense of penitence.

In more recent times the season of Advent has undergone a shift in emphasis from penitence to anticipation, longing and hope. This change is reflected by a change in the colors used to mark the season. Instead of the purple that was shared with the season of Lent there has been a shift to a deep blue or royal blue in the candles of the Advent wreath and the various textiles that decorate the altar, pulpit and lectern. We start out the season with a focus on the promised return of our Lord and, as the celebration of the Nativity comes near, move to a recollection of the events leading up to the birth of our Lord Jesus.

Now, I expect that, given the realities of the secular celebration of the Christmas Season, themes of anticipation and longing focused on the promise of our Lord can get confused with other anticipations. Still, for those who would seek something other than the secular, the holy longing and hopefulness of the Advent season touches a deep chord in the midst of our souls. It speaks to our restlessness with the promise of a Savior in whom we can know peace for our hearts, peace for our souls.

That is the one gift that I expect every person wants. In the face of our restlessness, our anxiety, our confusion to know that peace within, that rest that resides in the depths of our being. It is this gift for which we long above all others. And it is the gift that this season of Advent, whether the candles are purple or blue, prepares us to receive

October 17, 2018

“If you could have one super-power what would it be?” Given our ongoing national infatuation with superhero’s (Superman, Wonder Woman, Iron Man and the like) it seemed like a fun question to play with  in a gathering of friends over adult beverages. Responses like super strength or incredible speed, the ability to make oneself invisible or to read minds came quickly to the floor. And with these came the expected noises of endorsement and approval or criticism and rejection.

Then came the suggestion that no one expected – “the power to make others feel loved.” No one had even thought of love as a super-power. Most folk had only thought of super-powers that would benefit themselves. This one, on the other hand, because it is focused outward and toward the benefit of others, set them back. Indeed it probably scared most of those involved because it is the one super-power that they all could have, if they really wanted it. The question is, for all of us, is this the power we want most?

For us as Christians this opens up a contrast between the way of the world versus the way of Christ. The way of the world begins with “me” as the starting point and seeking to define my identity through the status markers of the world such as money, power, popularity, position and pleasure. The way of Christ begins with God as the starting point and seeking to define my identity in response to the love and gifts God has lavishly given me.

Under which “way” would desiring the super power of “making others feel loved” fall? Obviously, it is the way of Christ.

Spiritual teacher, author and lecturer Marianne Williamson wrote, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” You have the power to make every person you encounter feel loved. Will you use it?”

Blessings, Pr Ralph

June 20, 2018

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 5:3 Continue reading → Pastor’s Ruminations