Bono and Eugene Peterson in conversation on the Psalter

Sermon on Rev 21:1-6

Sermon for East Central Cluster Worship & Meeting, Alberta & the Territories Synod, ELCIC, based on Rev 21:1-6 (5 Easter Yr C), by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, Bethel Lutheran Church, Camrose on April 19, 2016.

Rabbi Dr. Raymond Apple tells the story about a man from a village who came to the big city and found that everyone was staring at him. He was certain it was because he was wearing a shabby old suit, so he went to the tailor and bought a smart new set of clothes. But people still stared, so he went back to the tailor and complained.

   The tailor said, “There’s nothing wrong with your new suit, but the problem is that you’re wearing it on top of the old one. No wonder people think you look strange!”1

   The old and the new. One of our deepest longings is for the new. I think that’s why we often ask one another: “What’s new with you?” Yet, at times—even though we may not like to admit it— are we a bit like the man wearing the old suit under the new one, when we feel threatened by the new or do not like the new? Sometimes we are reluctant to give up the old. Unlike the man wearing his new suit on top of the old one, the writer of Revelation describes a newness wherein the first heaven and first earth had passed away and the sea—the ancient symbol of chaos and foreboding—was no more. He claims to have seen a vision of a new heaven and a new earth, and a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. A vision that looks a lot like what we find in the Book of Isaiah. In verse five, he quotes the one sitting on the throne, speaking these words of promise: “See, I am making all things new.” So, count them, four times in the course of these six verses he speaks of a new reality, a new type of existence, a new creation.

   Yet, according to the Greek word—kaina, not nea—employed here for new, it has the connotation of newness based on some kind of continuity with the old; newness by improving upon what existed before. That got me thinking about how we see and experience the new in our lives.

   Starting at the beginning, we were all born into this world, thanks to two human beings—a mom and a dad. I remember the day that our daughter, Anna was born. I witnessed her birth, cut the umbilical cord, and held her in my arms for the first time. For me it was a holy moment as she stared at me with her lovely blue eyes. I was filled with awe and wonder at the gift of life. The newness of her life changed both Julianna and yours truly forever—giving both of us a newfound hope for the future. 

   There is, for us Christians, another kind of new-birth, as we are brought to the baptismal font. God names and claims us as his children; we become a new creation by being baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus.

   When we observe God’s creation, the natural world, it seems that new life is also born out of the old; coming from what existed before.  New plants, animals, reptiles, etc., come from what existed before. The same is true regarding new creations and inventions of human beings. For example, the cars and computers of today were improved upon from earlier, more primitive forms of these things; even the first cars and computers had to be made with some existing materials.

   So in this vision of Revelation is there a complete newness in the new heaven and new earth and new Jerusalem, similar to the origins of creation when God created out of nothing; or are the new heaven and new earth and new Jerusalem somehow a renewed, restored heaven, earth and Jerusalem? From other Jewish apocalyptic literature and from other New Testament texts such as Rom 8:18-21 and 1 Cor 15; the apostle Paul seems to see some sort of new existence coming from what existed before. Even in the gospel resurrection narratives, the risen Christ comes to life from the crucified, dead Jesus. 

   So I find it rather instructive then that the writer of our Revelation pericope describes his vision of the new heaven and the new earth and the new Jerusalem as a new form of existence wherein God’s people will have their tears wiped from their eyes, death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more.  

   In my context as a chaplain, I think that these words of promise are very comforting—just as they likely were for the early Christians in the Roman empire facing suffering and persecution. Our residents will not have to continue to shed tears and cry over all of the personal losses and the losses of their loved ones and friends who are no longer with them. Our residents who suffer from so many different forms of disease; as well as everything breaking down and shutting down from the aging process can find meaningful hope in a future without pain; a future without drugs and their nasty side-effects to relieve them of their pain. A perfect state of existence without sin, death and evil. Such newness is what we too deeply long for. An existence of complete and perfect relationships filled with love and peace—which we already have an inkling of when: we hold a new-born child in our arms for the first time; when we say our final good-bye to a dying loved one; when the poor are fed; the naked are clothed; the homeless refugees find a new home; the prisoner and the shut-in, and the sick are visited, healed and made whole; when we are not oppressed by or preoccupied with the past; when we live fully in the present by learning from the past and look forward with hope to the future; when we gather round God’s word and sacraments and invite all sinners to join us and become members along with us of the family of God living in perfect community with one another and with our God.

   So, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, what do you see? The Good News is both gift and promise from the one who loves and graces us unconditionally, saying: “See, I am making all things new.” And let the people say: “Amen.”  

       

1 Rabbi Dr. Raymond Apple, “Two suits at once – Ekev,” July 21, 2013, at: www.oztorah.com/. 

Resurrection of our Lord

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

Friday the Good

Clergy Comment article

Here is my article published in the March 17, 2016 Camrose Canadian Clergy Comment column.

   Lent and meanings of the cross

The most prominent symbol of the Lenten season is the cross. The English word symbol comes from two Greek words meaning, “to throw together.” When one reflects on that, a light bulb comes on.

   For example, a cross consists of two pieces of material coming together—one vertical, and one horizontal. The vertical portion of the cross, of course, symbolizes our relationship with God. It is a reminder that God, through the person of Jesus, came to grace us with a relationship of unconditional love. This relationship is only possible through God’s initiative, not through anything we have to offer, or are, in and of ourselves.

   The horizontal portion of the cross symbolizes our relationships with others as together we journey in faith in response to what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross; we are called into a life of loving our neighbours. Love comes alive and is made known through serving our neighbours.

   The cross symbolizes a “throwing together” of the least likely people. For example, in Jesus’ public ministry, he associated with and called such diverse people as: a Samaritan woman, who engaged in the longest recorded theological conversation with Jesus in all the gospels; Zacchaeus who was a wealthy tax collector and likely despised by his fellow Jewish citizens; and the list goes on, the point being that Jesus’ ministry was an inclusive one; all were welcome. The cross therefore symbolizes a “throwing together” of people from every background in the church. 

   However, the cross also symbolizes a “throwing together” of all that is in opposition to God and God’s purposes: evil and sin manifested through lies, hatred, injustice, violence, suffering and death. All of these opponents of God and God’s purposes “thrown together” crucified Jesus. Jesus continues to suffer and be crucified through the multiple sufferings and cruel, senseless deaths of far too many human beings today.

   Yet, in a deeply mysterious and profoundly powerful way, the cross symbolizes God’s reversal of reality whenever evil and sin are overcome with love and forgiveness; suffering and death are transformed into new, resurrection life; and failure and defeat turn into success and victory. It’s happening all around us as God’s realm continues to increase here and around the globe whenever: the hungry are fed; the thirsty are given a drink; the stranger is welcomed; the naked are clothed; and the sick and imprisoned are visited. 

Profound Augustine quotation

The following quote, attributed to Augustine of Hippo, is quite profound and provides food for thought.

   "The

world
is a

book,
and those who don't travel only read one page."

   I personally know this to be true. In my travels to different places-whether here in Canada or other countries-I believe that it has expanded my horizons, and facilitated growth and inspiration as well as a deeper appreciation for other people, their culture and history, as well as God's creation.

   The photo of the Bible I deliberately inserted into this post also reminds me that there is a huge, wonderful world within the Bible itself-the greatest book ever written, which continues to be a best-seller. If we dig deep into the Bible we shall be deeply enriched in our faith and life journey. Augustine's quote, I think, can also be applied to the world of the Bible. If one doesn't travel much into its pages, then it is like reading only one page, and we then lose out on so much of what God wants for each one of us. So, dear readers, be sure to do a lot of travelling in the world of the Bible, there are discoveries beyond measure, just waiting for you! :-)  

Happy International Women's Day!

My daughter & yours truly beside famous 5 statues in Ottawa

Today is International Women's Day. For Canadians, many remember the famous five Alberta women (Emily Murphy, Irene Parlby, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Henrietta Muir Edwards) who succeeded in making the case for women as persons, hence giving them the right to vote. 

   This was a significant step toward equality of the sexes in Canada. Today women are able to pursue their careers in whatever field they choose in Canada. In our province of Alberta today, we have a female premier Rachel Notley, and the provincial caucus consists of an equal number of women and men. Although we Canadians are far from perfect, today is a day to remember our history, be thankful for our foremothers, and celebrate what has been accomplished, as well as bring to consciousness what still needs to be addressed, such as the abuse and disappearance of aboriginal/first nations women in Canada.