February 14 Is A Lot More Than Valentine’s Day

Greetings,

      February 14, contrary to popular opinion, is actually the feast day of Saints Cyril (826-869) & Methodius (c.815-885).  Cyril and Methodius were born in Thessalonica and educated in Constantinople.  Cyril, whose name until 868 when he entered a monastery was Constantine,  was the librarian at the famous church of St. Sophia (now a Mosque, but still one of the finest structures in the world).  Cyril accompanied his brother Methodius to the Volga region of Russia to convert the Khazars; because of their success, Photius sent them to Moravia to preach the faith, and convert the Moravians.  They both prepared Slavic liturgical texts in what would subsequently be known as the Cyrillic alphabet.  Both were summoned to Rome, where Cyril entered the monastery, while Methodius was consecrated bishop of Moravia and went to Pannonia where he tirelessly preached the Gospel. Cyril died on February 14, 869. 

      Methodius suffered much from detractors, especially the Germans who wanted to control the region, but received assistance from the Roman Pontiffs.  He was imprisoned for a period by Prince Sviatopolk, but his release was arranged by Pope John VIII, and he was later consecrated archbishop of Pannonia.  As an apostle to the Slavs, he also fought for the unity of the Eastern and Western Churches.  Methodius died on April 6, 885 in Velehrad, the Czech Republic.  After his death, many of his followers took refuge in Bulgaria. 

      The memory of Cyril and Methodius is still treasured by Czechs, Croats, Serbs, and Bulgars.  How tragic that many “Christians” in those regions today fail to live by the principles of Cyril and Methodius, or the work of Methodius to bring people together across the cultural, ethnic, religious and political divisions so prevalent in the region. 

      Methodius is the link in a chain which stretches from Jesus to John Wesley.  He was born and raised in the Christian tradition of the church at Thessalonica in Macedonia, which was founded, developed and molded by Paul and Silas on Paul’s second missionary journey.   Paul, who was instructed directly by Jesus after his conversion, wrote to the new church to strengthen and encourage it, and his first letter to the Thessalonians is the earliest of Paul’s canonical letters (unless you are of the school of thought which gives a very early date of 48-49 to Galatians).  The church at Thessalonica continued to thrive for many centuries.  It was in this tradition that Methodius and Cyril were raised and trained.  It was the direct theological heritage which shaped Methodius’s thinking and actions throughout his life.  The Moravians held fast to the teachings which Methodius gave to them, and continued that theological heritage, against all odds, for a thousand years.  The Moravians had a tremendous influence on John Wesley, both on his trip to Georgia and thereafter.  It is that influence which shapes so much of the theology and practice of the United Methodist Church today.

      Methodius stands half way between Jesus and John Wesley in terms of years.  There is also a great irony that the disciplined, methodical practices of Wesley and his Holy Club at Oxford in 1729 gave rise to what Charles Wesley called “the harmless nickname of Methodist.”  It was readily accepted by John, who provided his own definition: “A Methodist is one who lives according to the method laid down in the Bible.”  Then Wesley’s theology is shaped by the Moravians and Wesley comes to stand in the heritage of Methodius.  Our apostolic succession and the nickname Methodist come out of the Church of England.  Our theological heritage and identification as Methodists comes in large part from Methodius.

      Happy Saints Cyril and Methodius Day.

Yours & His,

DED

Love Divine and Love Human

Greetings,

      We are approaching Valentine’s Day, which in America has become a focus of romance and love.

      In theology we often talk about the different kinds of love based primarily on the varying Greek words which are all translated in English as “love”, especially philos (as in “brotherly”), eros (as in “sexual”), and agape (as in “Godly”).  We tend to consider them as very distinct and separate, yet, in fact, they are all “love.”  While aspects and emphasis may differ, they are still part of a whole understanding of love.

      The poets are most helpful in reminding us that the distinctions we make are very arbitrary and rather artificial.  God who is Love certainly understands the undivided nature of love and the connectedness of all love; and that all genuine love is connected directly to God.  I always enjoy reading this poem by Goethe, and thinking of its personal and universal nature.  I find it thought-provoking.  (The translation is by John Whaley.)

Kind, and holy, famed for kisses,

You who so nearly pre-charted me

In my breathing thirsting ecstasy!

To whom should I lament if not to you!

You, whose poems were a heart’s-ease to me,

Supporting me like a warming pillow of healing herbs,

So that once again from these earthly spasms

My heart recovered to beat once more.

Oh, how to tell you that my lip is bleeding,

That it’s split and hurts so pitiable painful,

This lip of mine that is so accustomed

To swell with love’s sweet happiness

And, like a golden portal of heaven,

To take in and give out the tones of blissful delirium.

Yes, it is split!  Not from the bite of my fair one

Who, in the all-embracing fullness of her loving,

Wants only more of me, and wants the whole of me.

Split, alas, because I, cold, desolate,

Was seized by autumn winds in the cutting frost.

And now there’s the juice of grapes and the honey-bee’s juices,

Both together by my friendly fire on the hearth,

That’s there to help me!  In fact, it doesn’t help:

For of love’s healing poisonous balm

They’ve not got a single droplet between them.

Yours & His,

DED

Where Is Abe Lincoln When You Need Him?

Greetings,

            First, a correction to yesterday’s message:  my addled brain used one of my old Troop numbers instead of correctly referring to Troop 307 at the Catonsville United Methodist Church.

            Now, to celebrate and HOPE.

            As we recall and celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday today, it would be most appropriate to reread the “Gettysburg Address” and his “Second Inaugural Address” and to consider the following quotations from Lincoln:

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.

I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is not God.

To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.

I have but to say, the Bible is the best gift God had given to man.  All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book.  But for it we could not know right from wrong.  All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it.

I recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history that

those nations only are blest whose God is the Lord.

I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.  My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day.

Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it.

            Lincoln plus 41 years brought us Teddy Roosevelt plus 34 years brought us Franklin Roosevelt.

 

O Lord, we really are ready and waiting.  Amen.

Yours & His,

DED

Boy Scout Sunday

Greetings,

      This Sunday is Boy Scout Sunday.      

      On February 8, 1910, the Boy Scouts of America were chartered by the United States Congress.  The Boy Scout movement was first organized in England by Lord Robert S. S. Baden-Powell, based on his own experiences in the military and the experiences of Ernest Thompson Seton and Daniel Carter Beard in the United States.  It was William D. Boyce who officially chartered the Boy Scouts in the United States and Seton and Beard were essential leaders in the new organization.  They were joined by James E. West in 1911 and he is considered to be the man who was most responsible for the growth and success of the organization.

      In the last fifty years there has been a shift away from the military influence to a focus on the outdoors, camping and adventures.  I can remember when precision flag ceremonies, formations and troop inspections were the requirement of every Scout meeting, first and foremost.  Now, most troops are hard pressed to do a precision flag ceremony for special occasions.  I am not complaining about that, just noting the change.

      I remember when every Scout wore a full uniform, cleaned and pressed every week: shirt, pants, socks, hat, tie or scarf, belt, and dress shoes.  If a family could not afford the uniform, the Troop or its sponsor made sure they got the complete uniform.  Poor neighborhood or rich neighborhood, you could not tell by the appearance of the troops.  Perhaps it speaks well of the egalitarian nature of Scouting that the same is mostly true today, poor or rich background, troops look the same: slightly above disheveled , with the shirt being the only common element. 

      To note these things is not really to complain that this is the case.  While there may be things to regret in this shift, there is also much to approve in terms of the shift in mission and effort of the BSA.  The Boy Scouts are an effective program for the development of responsible young people.  Certainly the program is not for every boy, but is provides opportunity and challenge for many.  The changes in focus to careers, the environment, and current technologies enable Scouting to be relevant and helpful to young people today, even while maintaining an emphasis on a disciplined, productive life.

      Today the Boy Scouts are enmeshed in an ever growing controversy over not permitting homosexuals to serve as leaders.  Of virtually all youth serving organizations, the Boy Scouts stand alone in that refusal.  The position is difficult to defend and I think the organization has not presented its position as well as it might.  Even those who are anxious to support the Boy Scouts struggle to find how to do so in the face of this issue.  Nationally the United Methodist Church is still the largest supporter of Boy Scout Troops.  Yet many in the Church are distressed at what they view as a discrimination and civil rights issue.  They point out that there is no restriction on immoral heterosexual leaders, yet the Boy Scout argument is that homosexual leaders would be an immoral influence on the boys.  Our congregation, and The United Methodist Church, continues to support the Boy Scouts.  We do hope that the organization will look at its policy on leaders and do that which is trustworthy, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, brave, and reverent.

      I expect that the scouts and leaders of our Troop 245 will participate in our worship service this Sunday.  As a Boy Scout for most of my life, I am thankful to the program, and am thankful for our Boy Scouts.

Yours & His,

DED

Praying for Rain

Greetings,

      The other day we were having a discussion about miracles: what constitutes a miracle, do they really happen, why do they happen (or not happen), and do we believe in them?  February 10 is the memorial to Saint Scholastica, Virgin (c. 480-547), who was born in Nurisa, Italy.  She vowed herself to God and followed her twin brother, Saint. Benedict, to Monte Cassino, where she lived the rest of her life.  She founded and was the leader of a group of nuns at Plombario, about five miles from St. Benedict’s abbey.  This is an account from the books of Dialogues by Saint Gregory the Great, pope.

      Scholastica, the sister of Saint Benedict, had been consecrated to God from her earliest years.  She was accustomed to visiting her brother once a year.  He would come down [from his monastery] to meet her at a place on the monastery property, not far outside the gate. 

      One day she came as usual and her saintly brother went with some of his disciples; the spent the whole day praising God and talking of sacred things.  As night fell they had supper together.

      Their spiritual conversation went on and the hour grew late.  The holy nun said to her brother: “Please do not leave me tonight; let us go on until morning talking about the delights of the spiritual life.”  “Sister,” he replied, “what are you saying?  I simply cannot stay outside my cell.”

      When she heard her brother refuse her request, the holy woman joined her hands on the table, laid her head on them and began to pray.  As she raised her head from the table, there were such brilliant flashes of lightening, such great peals of thunder and such a heavy downpour of rain that neither Benedict nor his brothers could stir across the threshold of the place where they had been seated.  Sadly he began to complain: “May God forgive you, sister.  What have you done?”  “Well,” she answered, “I asked you and you would not listen; so I asked my God and he did listen.  So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery.”

      Reluctant as he was to stay of his own will, he remained against his will.  So it came about that they stayed awake the whole night, engrossed in their conversation about the spiritual life.

      It is not surprising that she was more effective than he; since, as John says, God is love, it was absolutely right that she could do more, as she loved more.

      Three days later, Benedict was in his cell.  Looking up to the sky, he saw his sister’s soul leave her body in the form of a dove, and fly up to the secret places of heaven.  Rejoicing in her great glory, he thanked almighty God with hymns and words of praise.  He then sent his brethren to bring her body to the monastery and lay it in the tomb he had prepared for himself.

      Their minds had always been united in God; their bodies were to share a common grave.

+      +      +      +      +      +      +      +      +      +      +      +

      As the recipient and the participant in many miracles, I certainly do believe in them.  I also believe that as the Greek in the New Testament indicates, miracles are “signs” from God, intended to provide some message from God for someone, at times not even for the person who directly befits from the miracle.  At the same time, I am very reluctant to attribute every unusual circumstance to being a miracle.  I am reminded of the old joke:  A man had agreed with his family that he would go on a diet, and specifically would give up donuts, which he loved to get from a bakery on the way to work.  After a few days of denying himself his pleasure, as he drove toward the bakery, which was in the middle of a busy block, he prayed, “Lord, if it be your will that I should have a donut today, please let there be a parking space right by the bakery.”  When he arrived at work carrying a box of donuts his co-workers asked, “What happened to your diet?”  He told them of his prayer and very solemnly said, “It was a miracle.  God opened up a parking space right in front of the bakery, and I only had to go around the block nine times!”

Yours & His,

DED

The Essential Truth and Position of God’s Word

Greetings,

      In preparation for a talk on a particular aspect of John Wesley’s life I was reviewing many of his writings and information about his beliefs.  While not directly related to this particular talk, Wesley’s constant focus on the Bible as the inspired Word of God constantly appeared in almost every reference or quotation which I wanted to use.  Thus I was reminded of Charles Kingsley and this passage from his Westminster Sermons (1874). 

            Charles Kingsley (June 12, 1819 – January 23, 1875) was an English priest of the Church of England, university professor, historian and novelist, particularly associated with the West Country and northeast Hampshire.  

Kingsley sat on the 1866 Edward Eyre Defence Committee along with Thomas Carlyle, John Ruskin, Charles Dickens and Alfred Lord Tennyson.   

He was sympathetic to the idea of evolution and was one of the first to praise Charles Darwin’s book On the Origin of Species.  His concern for social reform is illustrated in his great classic, the Water-Babies, A Fairy Tale for a Land Baby.  

Kingsley was influenced by Frederick Denison Maurice, and was close to many Victorian thinkers and writers, for example the great Scottish writer George MacDonald.

“The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of lebanon, which He has planted.”  (Ps. 104:16)  it has happened to me-through the bounty of God, for which I shall be ever grateful—to have spent days in forests as gread as, and far stranger thsn, that of Lebanon and its cedars; amid trees beside which the hugest tree in Britain would be but as a sapling; gorgeous too with flowers, rich with fruits, timbers, precious gums, and all the yet unknown wealth of a tropic wilderness.  As I looked up, awe-struck and bewildered, at those minsters not made by hands, I found the words of Scripture rising again and again unawares to my lips and said—Yes, the Bible words are the best words, the only words for such a sight as this.  These too are trees of God which are full of sap.  These too are trees which God, not man, has planted.  Mind, I do not say that I would have said so, if I had lot learnt to say so from the Bible.  Without the Bible I should have been, I presume, either an idolater or an atheist.  And mind, also, that I do not say that the Psalmist learnt to call the cedar trees of God by his own unassisted reason.  I believe the very opposite.  I believe that no man can see the truth of a thing unless God shows it him; that no man can find out God, in earth or heaven, unless God condescends to reveal Himself to that man.  But I believe that God did reveal Himself to the Psalmist; did enlighten his resaon by the inspiration of His Holy Spirit; did teach him, as we teach a child, what to call those cedars; and, as it were, whispered to him, through no audible voice: “Thou wishest to know that name is most worthy whereby to call these mighty trees: then call them trees of God.  Know that there is but one God, of whom are all things; and that they are His trees; and that He planted them, to show forth His wisdom, His power, and His good-will to man.”

Yours & His,

DED

Come to the Water and Drink

Greetings,

            We are coming to the close of the season of Epiphany and the beginning of Lent.  The manifestation of Jesus the Christ is made real for us by the grace of God, yet we so often are reluctant to acknowledge and fully accept it. 

            “Elisha sent a messenger to Naaman, saying, ‘Go wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean” (II Kings 5:10 NRSV).

            “[Jesus said], ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.  As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water”’” (John 5:37b, 38).

           

            In The Silver Chair, one of the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, there is the following exchange between the Lion, Aslan, and Jill, the heroine:

            “Are you not thirsty?” said the Lion.

            “I’m dying of thirst,” said Jill.

            “Then drink,” said the Lion.

            “May I—could I—would you mind going away while I do?,” said Jill.

            The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl.  And as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience.

            The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.

            “Will you promise not to—do anything to me, if I do come?,” said Jill.

            “I make no promise,” said the Lion.

            Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer.

            “Do you eat girls?,” she said.

            “I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms,” said the Lion.  It didn’t say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry.  It just said it.

            “I daren’t come and drink,” said Jill.

            “Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion.

            “Oh dear!,” said Jill, coming another step nearer.  “I suppose I must go look for another stream then.”

            “There is no other stream,” said the Lion.

                                                                                                        (From The Silver Chair, chapter 2, by C. S. Lewis; copyright ©1942 by C. S. Lewis.)

   

      Whether for the first time or the thousandth time, come and drink of the water God has prepared and offered for our benefit.  Come to the water of salvation.

Yours & His,

DED