Endurance is an Act of Faith, Not a Deodorant

REFLECTIONS
November 14, 2010

Community is born of the belief that we are not alone in our endeavors. While we may have divergent beliefs, goals, and backgrounds, none of us except religious ascetics or hermits lives in true isolation. From family, to work, school, sport or social clubs and formal religious expression, each brings an element of what community is or can be.

So what is the how, when, and why of community? The how of community begins with the intentional act of looking outside ourselves. Self-care experts tell us the art of selfishness is essential in terms of emotional wholeness and balanced living. Self-centeredness is another matter altogether. Writing on the pitfalls of self-absorption, the poet Longfellow said, "Whenever nature leaves a hole in a person's intellect, she generally plasters it over with a thick coat of self-centeredness." In a similar vein, yet more pointedly, the English cleric, Hare, wrote, “Many people spend their lives gazing at their own shadows, and so dwindle away into shadows thereof.” The modern parlance would be something like, navel gazing gets us nothing but bellybutton fuzz, for which no useful purpose has been found.

We live in a time of individuality and self-reliance so why should we be concerned about community? The spirit of individuals and the soul of society hinges on the notion that we matter both as individuals and as members of a community. When our lives are only about ourselves as individuals, the narrowness of focus can stifle both individual and community. Though all the world’s great religions teach the sacred value of individuals, each teaching, be it Buddhist, Christian, Hinduism, Islamic, Judaic, or Sikh places the higher value on the Holy art of moving beyond one’s self. Stressing the importance of creating kinship, of reaching out in the name of help and hope in concert with and toward others.

The second chapter of James is a call to not just community but a friendship covenant rooted in sacred loving care. If we are to take community seriously, the fundamental operating principle by which we live will then be a conspiracy of kindness. The contagion of such an attitude can warm hearts, but if left unchecked it can light the world.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

When Hope Is Home, Fear Won't Call

REFLECTIONS
November 7, 2010

Fear has become a very large industry. I read in a recent article that while other holidays have remained flat in terms of growth in the last five years, Halloween has grown. This holiday dedicated to fright is becoming ever more popular. Resorts and amusement parks have created destination vacations. Scary movies are released as near to October 31st as possible. Then of course there is the costumes and the candy. Though all in the name of good fun we embrace fear.

The prophet Haggai was one of the so called latter prophets. Scholars tell us that the message of these prophets followed or rather continued the thought of the former of a unified nation for the people of Israel along with the ushering in of the messianic age. In 589 B.C.E. the Babylonians conquered Israel and took their captives to Babylon. In 538 B.C.E. after defeating the Babylonians, Cyprus issued a decree which allowed the Jews to return to their homeland. This decree also encouraged the people of Israel to unify their leadership and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem which had been destroyed by the Babylonians. Nearly two decades after being freed, the Jews had not begun the work on the temple and were not unified politically. The primary reason? The people are paralyzed by fear. Whether fear of failure, fear of success, or fear of being conquered again is not stated, however the prophet addressed the issue head on in the second chapter.

“Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, and say, “Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now?” (Verse 2) The prophet goes on to ask whether there is enough memory of their former worship and lives together to find the energy to rebuild again. Using words in the form of an oracle from God, Haggai writes “Yet now take courage, ...take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord; work, for I am with you says the Lord of hosts, according to the promise I made to you... my spirit abides among you, do not fear.” History records somehow this worked. The temple was started in 520 and completed in 515. The political and worship life of the people restored. What the text reminds us, is that faith and fear are not new at all. More importantly still the words of the old prophet ring just as true today as they did two and a half millenia ago. To be afraid, even in the name of entertainment, requires effort. In the presence of a holiday celebration not a bad way to spend some time. However, with the rest of the time we have, how much better as people of faith to work and live in the presence of Hope?

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Earning Salvation or Responding To It

REFLECTIONS
October 31, 2010

There is an old adage that says, "You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink." The meaning, of course, is meant more for humans to illustrate how in our animal-like stubbornness, we can harm ourselves by refusing help. This is perhaps even more true in terms of people responding to the experience of faith. Luke 19:1-10 tells the story of Jesus traveling to Jericho. As he arrives, Zacchaeus, the local tax collector comes to hear him speak. It is important to remember that in those days tax collectors were more like robbers sanctioned by the government to take your money. Tax collectors were allowed to add penalties if they chose as long as they paid the governor the agreed upon rate. What makes this interesting is the fact that a crook as Zacchaeus would have the desire to hear the itinerant preacher Jesus speak. Scripture records that his was a life changing event for Zacchaeus.

Keeping the concept of leading, in the face of strict resistance, albeit in a different context, consider the words of Paul in II Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12. Here the apostle shares the joy he, Timothy, and Silvanus have over this community’s openness to their teachings about the life of Jesus. Paul and his ‘Sons’ knew how resistant some communities have been, and want to affirm the people of Thessalonica. So impressed with their willingness to learn and grow in faith, the letter is written as a boast on this community and passed on to the other churches in the region, holding them up as a model.

Where Zacchaeus responded to salvation as it was offered by Jesus, the Thessalonians would seem to have earned it by possessing attentive spirits. In the horse analogy one had to be drug to the water then invited to drink. The other upon hearing the good teachings realized they were thirsty.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601