This is a big week for the Church. The Seminary is on Spring Break this week, so there will not be any of our regular Chapel services. We experienced Holy Week in Community Last Wednesday. You can watch that service here.

While the Seminary may be going quiet this week, I know that many of you will be working triple time as you lead and participate in Holy Week Services.

This week we sit with Jesus in the upper room as he shares his last supper with his disciples. We follow him to the garden where he asks his disciples to stay awake with him while he cries out to God to take this cup from him. We watch in shock as he is arrested and dragged to a midnight trial with the high priest. We stand in horror as he is executed like a common criminal, hanging naked and humiliated in the public eye while the crowd taunts him.

We sit in the cold, numb darkness of Saturday as the disciples are huddled in shock and fear.

waiting.

waiting.

My prayer for you this week is that you will be able to bring all your fears, anxieties, longings, pain, and suffering into these stories. Allow yourself to grieve with the disciples.

And then…

it will happen.

Resurrection!

I look forward to next week when we can regather as a Seminary community and imagine together what new life looks like for us in the power of the Holy Spirit in the coming season.

Until that day, walk this week well, knowing that our loving creator is with you every step of the way.

Where Did the Palms and Hosanna Go in Luke?!?

This Sunday is traditionally called Palm Sunday. The event is called the Triumphal Entry. If you grew up in the church then you probably have fond memories of children parading around the sanctuary waving palm branches while the congregation sings “Hosanna!” People are generally smiling and the tone of the word is joyful and light.

This week, as I’ve studied the story in Luke’s version, a few questions have popped up.

• Where are the palm branches?
• Where are the “hosannas”?
• Why are we so happy when Jesus is so somber?

I invite you to meditate on two images. read more…

Coming Up in Chapel This Week

All chapel events are at 11:00am except Thursday evening

• Monday text study on Zoom
• Tuesday Contemplative Practice in OCC Meditation Chapel and on Zoom
• Wednesday Experience the events of Holy Week through scripture and song with Holy Communion in the Chapel of the Incarnation and on YouTube. Stay for treats at the Chapel Cafe afterwards.
• Thursday 11:00am – Lunch Church. The Society of Stewards join us this week in Dining Room A.
• Thursday 7:00pm – Virtual Vespers on Zoom
• Friday intercessory prayer on Zoom

We will not have chapel service next week since we will be on Spring Break, so we will be working through the story of the Passion in Chapel this Wednesday. Here are the texts from the RCL.

This is our last stop on the road to Jerusalem. When I meditate on all the lectionary texts, on the spirit of Lent, and on the events in our world of this week–including the massive earthquake in Myanmar–I am drawn to one word.

Tears.

One of the messages of the Gospel is that we cannot get to Easter without the cross. Joy does not exist without tears. Evil seems to win again and again. Good people suffer at the hands of selfish tyrants. Innocent people die in the rubble of tectonic shifts.

Life is hard. Jesus told his disciples that if they want to follow him they would need to take up their cross. They would need to be willing to lose it all.

Lent is not a happy journey. But, it is a true one. Be strong, my friends. If the land seems dry and barren, if your heart is full of sorrow, if the race seems overwhelming, press on. Jesus is walking with you.

For the Revised Common Lectionary

• Isaiah 43:16-21 – Water in the desert
• Psalm 126:1-6 – sowing in tears, reaping in joy
• Philippians 3:4-14 – press on
• John 12:1-8 – Mary anoints Jesus’ feet

Coming Up in Chapel This Week

All chapel events are at 11:00am except Thursday evening

• Monday text study on Zoom
• Tuesday Circle Practice, led by Dr. Mary Hess. in OCC Meditation Chapel and on Zoom
• Wednesday Traditional ELW service of Holy Communion in the Chapel of the Incarnation and on YouTube. Our preacher is Dr. Mark Tranvik. Stay for treats at the Chapel Cafe afterwards.
• Thursday 11:00am – Lunch Church led by the RIC Advocacy Group in Dining Room A
• Thursday 7:00pm – Virtual Vespers on Zoom
• Friday intercessory prayer on Zoom

A Reflection on the Reading

Jesus continues his journey to Jerusalem and we continue our journey through the season of Lent. Each week the reality of the cross becomes more intense and the stakes get higher. This week we pause in Luke 15. Jesus is scorned by the Pharisees because he “welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Jesus responds to their disdain with a series of parables that runs all the way to Luke 17:10 (See page 18 of A Cartoonist’s Guide to Luke to see them all in context).

The RCL only asks us to read one of these parables–the lost son–and then leaves the Gospel of Luke next week. It is easy to lose sight of the purpose of this familiar parable when it is plucked out of its context like this. Perhaps it would serve us well to read all of the parables in this section together to see why Luke collected these parables of Jesus in this moment on the journey.

Here is the order: A lost sheep found, a lost coin found, a prodigal son welcomed home and a brother who is jealous, a dishonest manager who uses money to build relationships, a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus who end up in Hades together, a reminder to always forgive one another, faith like a mustard seed, and a reminder that Jesus’ disciples are servants.

It seems to me that, in this collection of parables, Jesus is criticizing the Pharisees for the following lapse in leadership: First, they have made harsh boundaries in order to keep “sinners” out and maintain their own identity as “God’s chosen people.” Second, they love money more than they love people. Third, they have turned their position of spiritual leadership into a way to lord it over people that they consider inferior to themselves.

The parable of a father who welcomes home a repentant son, in this larger context, is a reminder to all of us–especially those who may identify with the jealous brother–that God’s love is for everyone. God’s arms are open wide. We who are church leaders, or who consider ourselves “the faithful ones” are called to love all and “eat with sinners” as we are servants of Christ’s love for the whole world.

For the Revised Common Lectionary

• Joshua 5:9-12 – The Manna stops because the people have arrived
• Psalm 32:1-11 – Happy are the forgiven
• 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 – Jesus became sin so that we might become righteousness
• Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 – Parable of the Father and Two Sons

Chapel this week…

• Monday Text Study – 11:00am Zoom only
• Tuesday Contemplative Practice – 11:00am OCC Meditation Chapel and Zoom
• Wednesday Holy Communion – 11:00am in the Chapel and on YouTube. It is the fourth week of the month, so it is time for Contemporary Worship Style. Our musicians have put together some Summer Camp Favorites to lead us into a time of worship in community. I am preaching this week and Dr. Elton will preside. Chapel Cafe is open immediately following Chapel, so come for treats and fellowship!
• Thursday
  • Lunch Church. 11:00am Erin DeBour-Moran, the director of music for the Chapel, will lead us in a spiritual practice of singing circles this week. Dining Room A.
  • Virtual Vespers at 7:00pm on Zoom.
• Friday Intercessory prayer – 11:00am on Zoom.

Jesus’ words are alarming this week. He says, “I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.” What’s going on here? Is Jesus playing the part of the Pharisee? Is Jesus presenting a God who punishes sinners and only accepts those who have their act together?

I don’t think so. 

We must always keep in mind the fact that Israel went to war with the Roman Empire in the year 66. It ended in the year 70 when Rome destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus is warning the people that their current political attitude toward their enemies will bring destruction. He is playing the part of the Hebrew prophets that came before him. 

Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem during this season of Lent is a call to his beloved siblings (and to us) to remember that God’s promise to Abraham was never about amassing wealth and power to become a political empire. It was about being a holy priesthood that shined the love of God to the world. 

Jesus demonstrated the heart of God by the way he treated the outcast, reached across boundaries, and ultimately gave his own life rather than returning evil with evil. Be sure to read all the texts this week to get a fuller picture of how warnings come from a loving parent who does not want the children to suffer the consequences of their unwise choices.

For the Revised Common Lectionary

• Isaiah 55:1-9 – Seek the LORD while He may be found
• Psalm 63:1-8 – My soul thirsts for God
• 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 – God will not let you be tested beyond your strength
• Luke 13:1-9 – Watch out!

This week in Chapel

Monday – Text Study on Zoom at 11:00am

Tuesday – Contemplative Practice in OCC Meditation Chapel or on Zoom

Wednesday – International Students lead Worship!!

On the third Wednesday of each month our International Students Association leads worship. Join us as we experience a variety of international perspectives on worship that draws us together as one body around the bread and wine of Communion. And, don’t forget, The Chapel Cafe is open afterwards with sweet treats from Emily!

Thursday Morning – Lunch Church. 11:00am in the Dining Room

Stanley Ayashim, our Residential Life Program Coordinator, is presenting his answer to the question, “Why Jesus?”

Thursday Evening

At 7:00pm we gather for Virtual Vespers on Zoom.

Friday – Intercessory Prayer on Zoom

A Reflection on the Gospel Text

The Gospel this week is Luke 13:31-35

Jesus is traveling toward Jerusalem. He knows what will happen to him when he gets there. He knows how much fear and hatred have gripped the hearts of its citizens. He knows that they will take out all of their fear on him, to the point of merciless, unjust execution. 

And still, he stops. He looks to his beloved people.

And he weeps.

Oh, that we might have the compassion of Jesus for those who lash out in ignorance and fear.

This week in Chapel

Monday – Text Study on Zoom at 11:00am

Tuesday – Contemplative Practice in OCC Meditation Chapel or on Zoom

Wednesday – Special Edition of LUNCH CHURCH!!

Yes, you heard it correctly. We are having lunch together AS OUR SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION at 11:00am on Wednesday. We thought it would be a fun experiment to begin our Lenten Journey by gathering in a different space and sharing conversation around the table. Don’t worry. We will have a liturgy of communion with bread and wine at the tables to end our time together. Please come and share this experience as a community…and have Emily’s treats for dessert!!

Thursday Morning – Lunch Church…as usual. 11:00am in the Dining Room

Rachel Postler is leading us in a very special creative prayer practice in which we will make stained glass windows! Learn about her stained glass art in this Faith+Lead article.

Thursday Evening

At 7:00pm Dr. Cody Sanders will host our second Virtual Vespers on Zoom.

Friday – Intercessory Prayer on Zoom

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The Lectionary Texts for This Week

The echoes of a wonderful RFS bounce around the halls of our campus. A Winter storm looms on the horizon, reminding us that Spring has not yet arrived. We begin our Lenten Journey with Ashes on Wednesday…

Special Notes about Ash Wednesday

• Rev. Tim Coltvet, our Director of Contextual Education, is preaching and will also help to offer ashes to all you wish to receive them.
• This will be a Contemplative Liturgy with lots of candles and lots of silence.
• The Chapel Cafe Opens!! The Chapel and Community Life have partnered to run an experiment during Lent. We will offer coffee and freshly baked pastries every Wednesday in the Narthex immediately following Chapel. Come to chapel to be fed spiritually, physically, and relationally!

Virtual Vespers Begins on Thursday

I am excited to announce that we are running another experiment during Lent that is designed to cultivate a space for the Luther Seminary community to gather on Zoom every Thursday evening at 7:00pm Central Time. This Virtual Vespers will be a very casual environment where we will spend 40ish minutes in a simple scripture reading/contemplation practice and then break out into small groups for conversation and prayer. We hope this will allow a space for distance learners who are not able to attend the daily morning practices to have an opportunity to participate in the communal spiritual life of Luther Seminary. All are welcome. See the Community Announcements email for the link.

An Ash Wednesday Reflection

Our Lenten Journey begins on Wednesday where we hear the sobering words, “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.” This can seem morbid, especially in a society that lives in stark denial of our mortality. Yet, it is important for us to remember that our life is not the central theme of the story. Each of us are important, but we are all supporting characters in the larger story of the universe.

I invite you to meditate on this image. What does it tell you about yourself? God? Our place in the story?

On this Monday morning we look forward to the final day of Spring RFS 1. We’ve had 70 students on campus all weekend and it has been wonderful to connect in chapel, over meals, and in class. Today we have a special Monday Chapel service. Pastor Jon Anderson will preside over our contemporary style Holy Communion service and Rev. Dr. Terri Elton will preach. Note that our normal Monday text study will not happen today in lieu of this chapel service, but you can watch on the livestream.

Chapel in RFS 2

We look forward to welcoming 60 students on campus for RFS 2 this Wednesday – Friday. It is such a wonderful time to have students, staff, and faculty interacting on campus in real time. Here are the opportunities we have to worship together.

Wednesday Transfiguration

We are pulling out all the stops to celebrate the Transfiguration of Jesus in Chapel on Wednesday with an organ-led ELW Liturgy of Holy Communion. Pastor Joyce Ngandango will preside and Rev. Dr. Kathryn Schifferdecker will preach. Be sure to tune in on YouTube if you are not on campus.

Thursday Why Jesus in Lunch Church

We welcome visiting lecturer Dave Male, Co-Director of Vision and Strategy for the Church of England, to offer his Why Jesus? story in lunch church on Thursday. This is the only time we livestream lunch church. Be sure to check out the zoom link to hear this powerful story.

A Missional Sending on Friday

We close out our week of chapel services on Friday with a simple service of singing, prayer, and a sending message. Dr. Dwight Zscheile will preach and offer us a vision of our missional call. Be sure to tune in on YouTube

A Glimpse!

This week in our journey through the Gospel of Luke we come to the climactic turning point in Jesus’ story. His time of ministry in Galilee is finished. He is ready to turn his eyes to Jerusalem and take his death march. He is warning his disciples that following him will lead to their own crosses. It will be dangerous and difficult.

So, he gives them a glimpse. Peter, James, and John get to see the glory of the Lord. They get to see how Jesus stands with Moses and Elijah. They get to hear the voice of God speak, “This is my son, my chosen, listen to him.”

Sometimes, when things get difficult, we need that reminder that there is something deeper, bigger, and beyond this present darkness.

For the Revised Common Lectionary

• Exodus 34:29–35 – Moses’ face shined with God’s glory
• Psalm 99:1-9 – God speaks from the holy mountain and from the pillar of cloud
• 2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2 – We all reflect God’s light to the world
• Luke 9:28–36 (37–43) – Jesus is transfigured

The Winter term is over. We spend this week preparing for the Spring term. We look forward to greeting over 80 students who will gather on campus for intensive classes on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (and don’t forget open mic night on Friday!)

Oh, and it is the seventh, and final, week of Epiphany. We follow the Revised Common Lectionary and the texts this week are challenging, given the current political climate in the USA.

International Worship on Wednesday

It is the third Wednesday of the month. That means our International Student Association is in charge of leading our service of Holy Communion. This is a monthly opportunity to lift up the rich cultural diversity of our student body and be reminded that we are part of a global movement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We welcome Pastor Saleem Akhtar to preside and Ruth Ibrahim to preach. Be sure to tune in on the livestream.

Chapel This Weekend

We are pleased to offer chapel services during RFS at 11:00am.

• Saturday – I will lead a simple service of welcome, worship and prayer.
• Sunday – All students are invited to attend worship services in local congregations, or online with Pastor Terri Elton.
• Monday – Rev. Dr. Terri Elton will preach, and Pastor Jon Anderson will preside over a contemporary service of Holy Communion.

You Want Me to Love Them?!?

The Revised Common Lectionary this week takes us further in Jesus’ sermon on the level place where he says to “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” These are especially difficult words for our LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC students right now. It seems that the USA is turning to tyranny and seeking their harm.

As Dean of the Chapel I have two things to say to our vulnerable students right now. First, know that you are loved at Luther Seminary. Each of you is a beloved child of God, filled with the dignity that comes by the grace of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Second, it is a valid feeling to be afraid and a real temptation to allow your fear to turn to hate. Jesus’ words are extremely difficult, and utterly necessary for our world today. I invite you to read my extended post here.

Oh God, grant us the courage to love our enemies and show mercy to all people in the way that you have shown mercy to us. Heal our country. Protect the weak.

I encourage us all to spend time soaking in the texts for this week:

• Genesis 45:3-11, 15 – Joseph forgives his brothers for leaving him for dead
• Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 – Trust in God’s justice, not our own vengeance
• 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 – Death is not the end, but the beginning of a new thing
• Luke 6:27-38 – Love your Enemies

Why Does Jesus Speak So Harshly to the Rich and Comfortable?

The Revised Common Lectionary takes us to Jesus’ teaching in chapter 6 this week. We will be here for two weeks. This is Luke’s version of Matthew’s sermon on the mount. Instead of going up on a mountain and proclaiming beatitudes, Jesus comes down from the mountain to stand on a level place. He heals everyone in the crowd–rich, poor, Jew, Gentile. Then he speaks stark, clear words of blessings and warnings, much like Moses did in Deuteronomy.

Notice who is blessed and who is warned. Blessed are the poor, the hungry, the mourners, the hated on account of the Son of Man. They are in the company of all the prophets of God.

Woe to whom? Who are the ones in danger? The rich, the comfortable, the ones who seek fame and popularity more than God’s love and justice; these are the ones who should beware.

It seems Jesus is saying, “When Rome destroys Jerusalem, who will be crying then? When the city that was built up on the backs of the poor and outcast comes crashing down, who will be laughing then?”

It could be easy to let these words sow a spirit of spite and hatred toward the rich and powerful oppressors of our world. But, stay tuned. Next week Jesus reminds his disciples to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them.

For now, let us consider our own hearts. Where do you fall on this spectrum? Are you among the poor, the sad, the mourning, the oppressed for the sake of Jesus? Or, are you among the rich, comfortable, and status-seeking-self-protecting crowd who dehumanizes, uses, and dismisses the “lower” classes?

As a middle-class American, I find myself caught in the middle. I am not rich, but I am comfortable. I am protected by the culture built on the backs of the oppressed. Oh Lord, forgive me for the ways I embrace the heart of riches and chase after comfort. Give me courage and wisdom to stand in solidarity with the poor and vulnerable, for your name’s sake. Read my commentary on this HERE.

For the Revised Common Lectionary

• Jeremiah 17:5-10 – Blessed are those who trust in the LORD
• Psalm 1 – Blessed is the one who is rooted in the Torah
• 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 – Resurrection is the ground of our hope
• Luke 6:17-26 – Blessing and Warnings

Contemplative Liturgy This Wednesday

This is the second week of February. That brings us to our Contemplative Worship Style for Holy Communion on Wednesday. Join us for a time of silence and contemplative stations of intercession, confession, and communion on the level place. May these difficult words of Jesus’ sermon work deeply in our souls.