Brief Book Review: Forty Days with the Messiah Day-by-day reflections on the words of Handel's oratorio

Forty Days With The Messiah: Day-by-day reflections on the words of Handel's oratorio

Author: David Winter

Publisher: Abingdon Press

138 pages, including: Forward by Simon Over, Introduction, eight sections, and Notes For Group Study

Reviewed by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

David Winter, at the time of publishing this volume, was a priest in the diocese of Oxford and the author of What's in a Word: 40 Words of Jesus for the 40 Days of Lent, also published by Abingdon Press. 

   As the title suggests, this volume is a devotional-meditative work based on G.F. Handel's Messiah. 

   According to Simon Over, Messiah was often revised by Handel to suite a variety of circumstances. 

   The oratorio's text--compiled by Handel and Charles Jennens--is comprised of many Hebrew Bible prophetic passages and New Testament passages of the King James Version of the Bible, and passages from the Psalter of the Book of Common Prayer.  

   One of the concerns of the author is that many people are very familiar with Messiah, and that familiarity may lead to taking the words too much for granted, without appreciating their significance for our faith. Hence Winter endeavours to provide important information about the biblical contexts of the passages; as well as unpack meanings of a few Hebrew and Greek words. 

   The section titles are: The Coming Messiah: Promise And Warning, The Birth Of Messiah, The Life Of The Messiah, The Suffering Messiah, The Risen Messiah, The Messiah King, Life Through The Messiah, and The Triumph Of The Messiah. 

  The volume can be read by sections or as daily devotions; alone or with family members; and along with listening to the music. It could also be a resource for groups. 

   According to Winter: "The text of Messiah is a finely constructed piece of biblical interpretation, bringing together prophecy, narrative, worship, and praise to create an integrated picture of the whole scheme of redemption" (p.10).

   Although some of the devotions are quite inspirational and insightful; I would have appreciated it if the author and/or publisher of this volume had employed inclusive language. A bit more information on Handel, and the context surrounding the composition of Messiah would also have been appreciated by this reviewer.  

Book Review: Wolf Willow

Wolf Willow

Author: Wallace Stegner

Publisher: Penguin Books

306 pages, plus Introduction, Suggestions For Further Reading, Acknowledgments, paperback

Reviewed by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

Wallace Stegner was a 20^th century, award-winning, American fiction and non-fiction author, who spent several of his childhood years living in Eastend, Saskatchewan. In the novel, Stegner refers to Eastend as Whitemud.

    This volume is difficult to categorize, since it combines history of the Cypress Hills region, autobiography and fiction.

    In a conversation with Richard Etulain, Stegner confessed that he was ambiguous about his identity: “I wasn’t sure whether I was American or Canadian, so I decided I was Norwegian; I took my grandfather’s Old Country name and signed it in all my schoolbooks, which was quite preposterous except that it probably indicated a desire for a continuity that wasn’t there.” (p. xvi)

    The book is divided into four parts, each containing three or more chapters: I The Question Mark In The Circle, II Preparation For A Civilization, III The Whitemud River Range, IV Town And Country, followed by an Epilogue: False-Front Athens.

    Stegner—in contrast to a geologist who said southern Saskatchewan was “one of the most desolate and forbidding regions on earth” (p. 6)--goes to considerable length to describe the geography, ecology, etc., with awe and wonder. “It is a country to breed mystical people, egocentric people, perhaps poetic people. But not humble ones.” (p. 8) He is astounded by the wide-open prairie, the wind and sky, and birds like the meadowlark.

    The Cypress Hills were visited and sometimes occupied by the Métis, aboriginals including Sitting Bull, the Hudson’s Bay Company, and the North West Mounted Police. Stegner observes how ranchers and farmers struggled to survive in the area. He also describes life in Whitemud (Eastend): Main Street, the theatre, church, hardware stores, school, elevator, hotel, the confectionery store, the people who had ambitious dreams for the town, and those who became disillusioned and left.

    One of the deepest memories of his childhood in Whitemud was the “tantalizing and ambiguous and wholly native smell” of the wolf willow shrub. “It is wolf willow, and not the town or anyone in it, that brings me home.” (p. 19)

    Living in southern Saskatchewan during the homesteading days, Stegner states that his education was much different than growing up in Europe with easy access to art galleries, libraries, bookstores and museums. “Education tried, inadequately and hopelessly, to make a European of me.” (p. 24)

    One of the favourite childhood adventures in Whitemud was a visit to the dump ground. Here Stegner and his friends found a wide array of things that sparked their curiosity—everything from old bottles and smashed wagon wheels to bits of metal, worn-out furniture and field mice.

    Stegner admits that many of his contemporaries inherited prejudices about indigenous people without question or thought. He goes on to provide some history of several of the indigenous tribes including: the Blackfoot, Cree, Piegan, Gros Ventres, Crows, and Sioux. He also describes some of the injustices of the settlers towards the Métis and the heroism of leaders like Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont. According to Stegner, if you wanted to be accepted as one of the ‘in group,’ you had to be a white male, tough, stoic, and prejudiced against all other races, ethnic and minority groups, and all who seemed weak or too aristocratic.

    Reflecting on how Americans and Canadians crossed the 49^th parallel, Stegner observes: “Civilization is built on a tripod of geography, history, and law, and it is made up largely of limitations.” (p. 85)

    Stegner greatly admired the cowboy and ranching culture. However, the winter of 1906-07 brought about a major change from mainly ranching to more farming. Stegner describes that unbearably cold winter, which killed lots of cattle, and nearly killed the cowboys in a fierce blizzard. In spite of that Ray Henry convinces his Molly to purchase the T-Down ranch.

    Wallace Stegner was definitely a creative, accomplished storyteller. For this reviewer, who grew up in southern Saskatchewan, it was as if one was transported back in time to re-live one’s life growing up on the prairie.

Those readers who grew up or continue to live in the Palliser Triangle will likely identify with and appreciate this volume.

Earth Day 2020

Tomorrow-April 22-is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Originally, it was designed to provide environmental education. 

   As a person of faith, I am mindful that: "God saw everything that he made, and indeed, it was very good." (Genesis 1:31) God also gave humankind a huge privilege and responsibility: "...have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." The word "dominion" however does not mean thoughtless abuse and exploitation of God's creation without thinking about the consequences of our actions. No! Rather, "dominion" is better understood as thoughtful, respectful stewardship of God's creation: realizing that we human beings are all connected with and dependent upon God's creation. In destroying God's creation, we are destroying ourselves. In living a more environmentally-friendly life, God's creation will be sustained and continue to be life-giving. 

   There are many practical things we can do to celebrate Earth Day. Here are a few:

1. Offer God a prayer and/or song of praise and thanksgiving for the tremendous beauty of God's creation.

2. Go for a walk or run or bike ride-and remember to practice social/physical distancing of 2 metres. While you're walking, running or riding bike, look for different species of birds, animals, and plants, and enjoy their beauty.

3. Weather permitting, have a picnic in your back yard or some other favourite place-again mindful of social/physical distancing. 

4. Clean up your yard or, while walking, running or bike riding, stop to pick up garbage, bottles, etc. 

5. Recycle as many of your household items as possible. 

6. Avoid driving your car, truck, motorcycle, etc. 

7. Keep educating yourself about some aspect of God's creation-biology, physics, chemistry, etc. 

8. If you're an artist or photographer, draw, paint or photograph God's creation. 

9. Enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset.

10. At the end of the day, offer God another prayer and/or song of praise and thanksgiving for the gift of life today.

Happy Earth Day!

  

Brief Book Review: The Bible In 20th Century Art

The Bible In 20^th Century Art

Author: Nicholas Usherwood & Paul Holberton

Publisher: Pagoda Books

111 pages, including: Forward, Introduction, The Plates, The Artists, Glossary, and Additional Acknowledgements

   Nicholas Usherwood, at the time of publishing this volume, was a foremost British art critic and historian. He worked at the Royal Academy in London, and as Deputy Director of Exhibitions at the British Museum. He wrote an informative Introduction to this volume.

    Paul Holberton worked on many books as both art historian and editor—including Sir David Piper’s four-volume Encyclopaedia of Art, and at the time of publishing this volume, he was completing a doctorate with the Warburg Institute. He wrote a helpful commentary on the artists. The Glossary was compiled by Julius Nelki, which will be appreciated by readers without a background in art.

    This volume consists of the works of 40 artists, profiling both Hebrew Bible and New Testament stories—most of which are paintings, with a few exceptions, like the collection of wood engravings of Paul Nash, depicting the creation story of Genesis chapter one. This reviewer was not familiar with many of the artists; hence I appreciate, for the most part, the authors’ selection of artists. However, female artists are definitely under-represented in the volume—there is only one, Paula Modersohn-Becker, and her oil on paper painting, The Good Samaritan.

    With the exception of Paul Nash’s wood engravings; all of the other works are accompanied by each of the biblical texts; cited from the Good News Bible.

    During this sobering time of the coronavirus pandemic; I highly recommend reading and viewing this volume and others containing works of art in order to lift readers’ spirits; as well as appreciate God’s gift of artistic creativity; bringing joy and hope to humankind.

Brief Thoughts on Maundy Thursday 2020

Image credit: Last Supper by Hanna-Cheriyan Varghese

The Passover with the Disciples Matthew 26:17-30 (NRSV)

17 On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

20 When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve;[a] 21 and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” 25 Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

26 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

30 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Footnotes:

a Other ancient authorities add disciples

b Other ancient authorities add new

Some readers may not be aware of the word Maundy. There are actually three possible origins of the word. Perhaps the most widely held view is that it comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “command,” as in Jesus giving his disciples a new commandment to love one another as recorded in John chapter thirteen on the last Thursday evening of Jesus’ life on this earth. Others think it may come from another Latin word mundo, meaning “wash,” as in Jesus washing his disciples’ feet on the last Thursday of his earthly life. A third possibility may be that it originated from the word maund, meaning “basket,” as in providing food baskets for the poor on this day.

    Maundy Thursday this year is certainly the saddest one that I can recall. Indeed, it may go down in the annals of church history as one of the most tragic ones of all time. Maundy Thursday, of coarse, is best celebrated in the community of faith—since our identity as Christians is collective. This year, Christians around the globe will not be gathering together because of the coronavirus.

    This year, as we celebrate Maundy Thursday alone in our homes, we are mindful of a couple very sobering realities. This day, just as centuries ago when the ancient Israelites celebrated the first Passover, the angel of death passed over their homes that had doorposts marked with the blood of a lamb. Tragically, because of the oppressive policies of the Egyptians, many of their people died. This Maundy Thursday, many people around the world will likely die of COVID-19. Some of the people who die today may be our friends, neighbours, members of our faith community, and even family members.

    So there is sorrow and grief in our lives this Maundy Thursday knowing that this was Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples; and knowing that for some people whom we love it may be their Last Supper too. In this context, we are in a state of lamentation; lamenting the loss of opportunity to gather together as a faith community to celebrate Maundy Thursday; lamenting the sorrow of that first Maundy Thursday which was our Lord’s Last Supper; lamenting the sorrow and tragic deaths of those who have died; who will die soon; and who are now suffering from the coronavirus.

    Be that as it is, we can celebrate Maundy Thursday in our homes by choosing to remember the great love Jesus had (and still has) for his disciples and for all future followers of Jesus down through the centuries up until today—including you and I. Focussing on Matthew’s account of the Institution of the Lord’s Supper, Jesus taking bread, giving thanks to God, and then commanding his disciples to take and eat it, gives a new meaning to the bread. It becomes his body. Just as bread is a life-giving food for our physical body; so the body of Jesus is life-giving spiritually. By giving up his body in love for the whole world when he suffered and died on the cross; we have the gift of spiritual life; the promise of eternal life.

    After taking the cup of wine and blessing it, Jesus commanded his disciples to take it and drink from it, saying that it was his blood of the [new] covenant, which forgives sins. Blood is the symbol of life. Just as the blood of a lamb on the doorposts of the Israelites saved them from death; so the blood of Jesus shed on the cross saved humankind by forgiving sin and promising life-eternal.

    Then Jesus tells his disciples that he will not drink with them again until the life-to-come at the Messianic banquet in God’s realm.

    So, this Holy Meal is the Lord’s Supper because he is the One who instituted it; and he is the One who is present both as the Host and Guest of Honour. We also refer to the sacrament as Holy Communion—emphasising that the holiness of it is due to Jesus’ presence with us in, with and under the elements of bread and wine. The word communion also emphasises that we celebrate the sacrament together with other members of the faith community—hence the sacrament draws us closer to Jesus and one another. In addition to this, we refer to the sacrament as the Eucharist. The word comes from the Greek, meaning “to give thanks.” We are most grateful for what God does for us through Jesus in this Holy Meal—forgiving our sins, being present with us, and promising the gift of eternal life where we will eat and drink at the heavenly Messianic Banquet.

    With hope and longing, we anticipate the time when the plague/the COVID-19 pandemic is over and we can gather together to celebrate the Lord’s Supper with one another—not in virtual space, rather, in real, physical presence.

    Until then, in the midst of this sombre time of suffering and death, let us do as Jesus and his disciples did to lift their spirits and ours. Matthew tells us they sang a hymn. I encourage you dear readers to do likewise. For as Martin Luther once observed; next to the Word of God music is God’s wonderful gift to humankind.

LWF Intercessory Prayer

The Lutheran World Federation has prepared the following intercessory prayer in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Readers can also access it at the following link:https://www.lutheranworld.org/sites/default/files/2020/documents/200312_-_intercessory_prayer_in_the_midst_of_the_spread_of_covid_-_en.pdf

Intercessory Prayer in the midst of the spread of COVID-19

O God our Healer, show your compassion for the whole human family that is in turmoil and burdened with illness and with fear. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.

Come to our aid as the coronavirus spreads globally, heal those who are sick, support and protect their families and friends from being infected. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.

Grant us your spirit of love and self-discipline so that we may come together, working to control and eliminate the coronavirus. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.

Make us vigilant, attentive, and proactive in the eradication of all diseases, malaria, dengue, HIV & AIDS, and others [may benamed out-loud or in silence]... that create suffering and often result in death for many people. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.

Heal our self-centeredness and indifference that makes us worry only when the virus threatens us, open ways beyond timidity and fear that too easily ignore our neighbor. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.

Strengthen and encourage those in public health services and in the medical profession: care-givers, nurses, attendants, doctors, all who commit themselves to caring for the sick and their families. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer. Inspire, give insight and hope to all researchers focused on developing a vaccine. Hear our cry, O God,Listen to our prayer.

Sustain all workers and business owners who suffer loss of livelihood due to shut-downs, quarantines, closed borders, and other restrictions... protect and guard all those who must travel. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer. Guide the leaders of the nations that they speak the truth, halt the spread of misinformation and act with justice so that all your family may know healing. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer. 

Heal our world, heal our bodies, strengthen our hearts and our minds, and in the midst of turmoil, give us hope and peace. Hear our cry, O God, Listen to our prayer.

Hold in your gentle embrace all who have died and who will die this day. Comfort their loved ones in their despair. Hear our cry, O God,Listen to our prayer. Remember all your family, the entire human race, and all your creation, in your love. Amen!

Funeral Sermon for John Bergstrom

Funeral Sermon for John Robert Albin Bergstrom, based on Ps 23 & Jn 14:1-6, by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, at Zion Lutheran Church, Bashaw, February 12, 2020, at one o’clock.

We are gathered here today to remember John Robert Albin Bergstrom; to mourn his loss; to support one another; and to give thanks for his life as well as commend him into God’s care.

    As I met with family members earlier this week to plan this Service, they chose our two Scripture readings from the twenty-third Psalm and John chapter fourteen.

    In Psalm 23, we find some very comforting words. Indeed, this psalm contains some of the most comforting words in the Bible—and I think that’s why so many people choose it to be read at Services like this one. God is pictured as a Good Shepherd, who knows, loves and cares for his sheep in every way. God is our provider of life and all of our needs; and God is like a shepherd bringing us comfort in times of suffering and trouble.

    As the family spoke of John’s life, one of the qualities that they mentioned was his strong work ethic, which gave him a passion for his calling in life as a farmer. In doing so, John was reflecting to his family and to others who knew him something of what God the Good Shepherd does for us as our provider. God is hard at work to provide for our needs throughout our lifetime—just as a real-life shepherd does for their sheep.

    The psalmist reassures us that: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and staff – they comfort me. We all know that for many years, and especially during the last while, John had dark valleys to walk through due to several health issues. Life was not easy for John. His valley likely at times tested him to the limits. Valleys that caused John to suffer from several limitations. Yet, through these valleys, John had a strong will to live and enjoyed life as much as possible, even with his limitations because of illnesses. It would be wrong however to blame God as the cause of inflicting these sufferings upon John. It would also be wrong to pass judgement on John by saying that he somehow brought it on himself. It would be more accurate to say that God allows suffering. He does this not because he’s a bully; not because he takes delight in causing people pain; not because he likes or enjoys punishing people. Rather, he allows suffering to draw us closer to him; to rely more upon him for endurance, strength and comfort. The psalmist says: for you are with me. Even in John’s darkest valley of suffering, God was with him. God was there to share the burden of his pain, his limitations, his frustrations, and discouragements. God the Good Shepherd was there to give him the ability to endure; God was there to strengthen and comfort him. God is also with us; now and always; at all times; in all circumstances.

    That is one reason why I especially like the ending of this Psalm. The psalmist writes: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” The Hebrew word which is often translated into English as “follow” would be just as accurate if it were translated “pursue.” God is an active God—pursuing us, chasing after us, wanting us to have his goodness and mercy so much that he never gives up, making sure that he gives them to us. We will never be able to run away from God—he will always catch up to us.

    What I heard from the family about John’s life, I think that God did bless him in many ways with his goodness and mercy. God the Good Shepherd blessed John with many years of good health so that he could enjoy his work and providing for his family. God blessed John with his goodness and mercy through many loving relationships with his family members. He loved his family and showing up for his children and grandchildren’s activities, and spending quality time with them—which brings us to our passage from John’s Gospel.

    This passage gives us a comforting picture of Jesus’ promise to us. He tells us that for those who believe in God and in him: “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.” In other words, there is lots of room, so much room that it is beyond our ability to even comprehend it on this side of heaven. The promise doesn’t end there however. Jesus goes on to say: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am there you may be also.”

    What a beautiful promise this is! As the old saying goes: “There’s no place like home.” Isn’t that true? Especially if we’ve been gone away from home for a long time—it is so good to be home. If you have been away from your spouse and family, isn’t great to have them welcome you back home? Picture it in your heart and mind: Jesus who is our way, truth and life, has gone ahead of us to heaven to prepare our eternal home. He has organized everything—all that we need for the whole of eternity is looked after. WOW! Isn’t that wonderful! What a gift—that’s why we call it God’s grace.

    As you know, John enjoyed being with family and friends. Think of how much he will enjoy meeting up with his friends and family who are already in heaven waiting for him. Perhaps he’s enjoying a good cup of coffee and visiting with them now. As the psalmist speaks of God’s abundance: “My cup overflows,” and, as John might say: “More is better.”

    So, too, my prayer for each of you here today is that you believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; that the LORD is your Shepherd; that one day you too, along with John may enjoy eternal life, in God’s dwelling place, where there is plenty of room for you, and more is better! For that, thanks be to God! Amen.