Do Over!

Growing up in the late 70s and early 80s, I was lucky enough to experience the advent of youth soccer. It was just beginning to gain popularity in American suburbia and I jumped in feet first. In fact, I think my Mom still considers herself to officially be first "soccer mom". As Saturdays became Game Day, I absolutely fell in love with the burgeoning sport and became obsessed with every detail of the game. I practiced daily in my backyard, creating targets on the fence, often having to repair broken pickets with my own money. I would draw soccer fields on loose leaf paper, and create plays with toy soldiers, positioning them in just the right places for the perfect shot at the goal. I think that I even slept with my soccer ball from time to time. 

But despite the official games, cool uniforms and cheers of the crowd, I always loved playing neighborhood soccer best of all. There was just something about playing soccer with my buddies and the freedom that came with starting up a game whenever we wanted. No rules, no uniforms, no rain-outs and no refs. We seemed to play a little harder, get a lot more sweaty and dirty, sometimes even a little blood. But most of all, we seemed to have had a lot more fun, imaging that we were professional all-stars, following in the footsteps of Hugo Sanchez, Diego Maradona, Socrates and of course, legendary soccer deity, Pelé.      

But despite our love of the game, our soccer heroes, and the passion we had for playing, the one thing that I remember most was the amount of grace we allowed each other in our makeshift games. And we granted that grace with the ever popular "do over". A team mate would misplace a pass and someone would shout, "Do over!" The ball would accidentally go out of bounds because of wind, "Do over!" Your friend slipped while attempting to pass to your wing man, and you insisted, "Do over!" It was an intricate aspect of our games, and one of the only rules we held ourselves too with utter reverence. Not because we encouraged sloppy playing or didn't take our games serious, but simply because we all knew that at some point everyone was going to need a "do over" at some point. We all needed "do overs", and truth be told, they helped us grow and play better when we re-joined our official teams.  

As we face the early days off 2021, I assume that I'm not alone in my recollection and contemplation of the "do overs". 2020 was a historic year, filled with darkness, countless challenges, fear, chaos, injustice, hatred, disunity, pain and loss that our country has ever seen. It was a year filled with misplaced passes, countless fouls, yellow and red cards, mistimed shots at the goal and continuing to play the game when we were all aware that we were completely out of bounds. It was a year in which all of us desperately need, and deserve a "do over". 

It's part of our human nature to reflect over the last year and take inventory of our lives. One New Year's Eve and day, I found myself meditating and physically listing my intentions of the various things that I wanted to change in my life. Many things went through my mind, but the predominate thought was that I want to be a better spiritual influence for others in my life. I want to feel like I'm doing more than just going through the motions. I want to connect with people on a deeper spiritual level. I'm not exactly sure what that might mean or how it will manifest itself. Perhaps it will be being more bold in sharing spiritual insights. Maybe it will just be the sharing of the amazing things that the Divine is doing in my life. It could be that I just need to listen to others a little more. Most importantly, it may mean that I need to reflect more inwardly, connect more spiritually with my inner-self, and continue with the discipline of removing the masks of the false-self. Whatever it might be, I'm calling a "do over".

Perhaps you may not feel like you need a "do over" in these areas of your life. Despite the challenges and difficulties of 2020, you may feel as if all the pieces have fallen into place perfectly. But let me just ask you to join me in one commitment to the New Year. If you're a parent, grandparent, a teacher, life coach, counselor, a spiritual leader of any kind, or perhaps all of the above, you spend a great amount of our time with people. And this gives you a significant opportunity because there are probably many people in your lives that don't reflect too deeply on the past year. Sure, all of us have memories that we recall to mind. We share stories and discuss particular aspects of the year that stand out more than others. But how many of us deeply reflect on the past 365 days of our lives as we usher in a annual cycle? 

So, let us ask ourselves a few vital and sacred questions. What has 2020 looked like for the people in our lives that we love and influence the most? What are the obstacles they have they faced? What victories have they been a part of? Where do they find themselves on their spiritual path, and are there any particular milestones that mark their journey? 

Let us give some time to contemplate these questions. Let us ask these questions of ourselves. Let us spend some time with the Divine power in our lives and reflect. Ask yourself, "How am I connecting with my divine nature, and helping others do the same?" And if you see some things that you might have been able to do a little better with others in your life , then I officially make the call!

"Do over!!"

Advent Reflections: December 17

Joy 

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 Luke 2:9-12

Reflection

Fear of the unknown is a very common emotion these days. As our world continues to change, unknown factors of life increase as well. Our lives are filled with many uncertainties, all of which contain a litany of various unfamiliar aspects and results. When faced with the unfamiliar, many of us find ourselves reacting with every emotion from uneasiness to shear panic. Basically, most us just don’t like to face the unknown.

But with every unknown situation, there is the opportunity for joy to transcend our fears. Unfortunately, fear is one of the greatest factors that hold most of us back from accomplishing extraordinary things. Think about this for a moment. Is it not usually true that when we take a critical step of faith, trusting God even while consumed with fear, that the overwhelming joy we experience overshadows previous fears? Is it not usually worth the risk?  

As the Angel of the Lord appeared to the Shepherds, and the manifestation of the glory of God surrounded them, they were afraid. Who wouldn't be? In the presence of the unknown, fear overshadowed the joy that the Divine was about to proclaim. By the angel’s words, “Do not be afraid”, the Good News of Christ was proclaimed, and the unknown became known. Fear became joy. Truth transcended uncertainty.          

                      

Prayer

God, we face many uncertainties in this world and confess that the unknown causes great fear. But in your declaration of truth, through Christ, all fears are transcended to joy. Allow the essential truth that was declared to the shepherds to be the same joy that finds us today. 

Amen 

Advent Reflections: December 15

Joy

“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him,from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
Luke 1:46-55

Reflection

As we continue our journey into the third week of Advent together, most of us just might be finally settling into the routine of the Christmas season. There may be a last minute gift to buy, a few decorations to set in the perfect place and a few meals to prepare, but more than likely, things are probably settling down into a more consistent pace of life. Perhaps we can all finally take a breath and relax, if only for a few minutes. These are important times. The times when we can reflect and meditate on what is most important in our lives. These are the times when joy begins to fill our hearts, and anxiety slips away just a bit.

When we read the words of today’s passage, often called Mary’s Song, it’s impossible to not feel the deep joy that she must have felt in uttering these words. She cannot contain the emotions that fill her soul as she calls out, praising the God from where her joy comes. Her joy is overflowing from deep within her, and she wants all who hear her to feel the same joy that she does. Even today, over two thousand years later, her cries of joy can be felt in these quiet moments of our Advent celebrations.

As with peace, joy is often misunderstood in today's culture. Joy is a lasting emotion that rests deep in the recess of our soul. As with peace, joy is not based on the circumstances or our day to day ups and down, but transcends the external, and rest deep within the internal of our true selves.

Let us take time to reflect on the blessings that God has given us and those we love. Let us hear the words of Mary that are just as true for us today as they were with her so long ago. They are true. They are real. They are now. Let them fill our hearts, our minds and our spirits.

Prayer

God, as we settle into the Christmas Season, allow our hearts to settle as well. Let our hearts be filled with peace and the same overwhelming joy that Mary felt so long ago. 

Amen

Advent Reflections - December 14

Peace

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.”

 Hebrews 1:1-2

Reflection

Why is it that we so often feel compelled to live our lives in the past? Why do we so frequently attempt to build our current days based on false manifestation of the "perfection" of yesterday? You’ve heard the expressions: “Those were the good ‘ol days!” “Remember when…?” “Things are just not like they used to be.” "I wish I could go back..." 

I am especially reminded of this during the Christmas season because many of us are drawn to the tendency of focusing so much on tradition. As soon as the decorations come out, the festive music starts playing and we watch our favorite TV shows, we allow ourselves to be transported to another place and time. Many of us think back to Christmases that we experienced when were younger, and long for those nostalgic feelings that captured us then. In an effort to recreate memories of yesterday, we strive to re-create a Christmas that mimics those of our past. 

The problem with nostalgia is that it manipulates our focus to rest on something that doesn't exists. The past remains only in the memories of the ego, leaving us unable to relive the days that have been. The only thing in which we have control over is the present moment. The passage of time is an illusion, and ruminating on the past doesn't serve our highest good. The past is no longer. Tomorrow will be. Today is what it is.

As we come to the closing of the second week of Advent, let us remember to rest in the peace of the present. God once spoke to the people of Israel through the prophets of old, and revealed the coming of Christ. For a time God was silent, and God's people longed with nostalgia for the days when he spoke. But, it was in their present moment that God spoke again. Christ came into the world. No more longing. No more looking back. Emmanuel, God with us!        

Prayer

God, in the quiet of this moment, help us to live our lives in the all encompassing peace of your presence. Enable us to rest in the great blessing of the present moment, coming to the realization that it is all that exists. Free us from the illusion of time, opening our hearts to what is. In your presence, there is no past. There is no future. You are with us now, and that is more than enough.      

Amen    

Advent Reflections - December 13

Peace

“All this took place to fulfill

what the Lord had said

through the prophet: “The

virgin will conceive and give

birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”

Matthew 1:22-24

Reflection

Peace is somewhat of a priceless commodity these days.  Let’s face it. We live in chaotic and uncertain times with most of the circumstances that surround us inducing anything but peace. From continuing threats of political instability, terrorism and war to blatant injustice, singing “peace on earth” can seem to be empty words. Especially during the Christmas Season, peace is something that can easily elude us. Images of joyful family Christmas dinners, warm fireplaces and happy children around a Christmas tree can seem to resemble more of a Norman Rockwell painting rather than reality.

One of the greatest misconceptions in today’s culture is the misinterpretation peace. Most often, we confuse “peace” with the haphazard emotion of “happiness”. Happiness is an emotion that stems from the circumstances around us; peace is an emotion that rises above them. Peace transcends the circumstances of life and determines how we react. In fact, one could say that peace is more of a state of mind rather than a feeling or sentiment. Peace comes when we relinquish control of that which cannot be controlled. 

In the words of Matthew 1:22-24, we read of a situation that may have seemed overwhelming, confusing and filled with fear and uncertainty. Joseph could have awoken from his dream in sheer panic, argued with God and run from the circumstances that were thrust upon him. He could have legally divorced Mary and would have been completely justified by culture and faith. After all, from all earthly perspectives, she had cheated on him and was pregnant with another man’s child. Who would blame him for bailing out? 

This reveals much about how Joseph reacted to his circumstances. From our point of view, Joseph didn’t argue, question or choose to panic over the news God gave him. He didn’t run, get angry or blame anyone for what was going on. Instead he chose not to react to his circumstances, but submitted to that which could not be controlled. He accepted how his life was about to radically change, and as far as we can tell, he had peace.

 Let it be our prayer today that we react in the same manner to the sometimes uncontrollable circumstances of life.

        

Prayer

God, we confess that sometimes we react to our circumstances with fear, anger or panic. It is in these times that we lose hold of the peace that you want for each and every one of us. May we take hold of your peace and let it overwhelm us, rather than the troubles of life.

Amen 

9/11 Reflections

As I do every year on 9/11, I try to spend the day in silence and prayer. That's hard these days, but I try. I try and remember where I was that day, what was happening and what I was feeling. I also think about who I am today in comparison to who I was 18 years ago.

In many ways I'm the same person, but in many ways I'm very different. I think 9/11 was somewhat of a turning point for me in my spiritual life because it caused me to look at the world differently. It made me realize that even though our world is full of unimaginable evil, it is also overwhelmingly bursting with good, if we just choose to see the good that exists. In order to do that, we have to start with the self and look at our world from the inside out. And we have to be willing to see the world through God's perspective and not man's. I don't want to hate anymore. I don't want to be angry with the injustice, hatred and hypocrisy that I see around me anymore. And I want to love my enemies; personal and global.  

No doubt, the atrocities of 9/11 were the most horrific event that most of us have ever witnessed and God willing, ever will again in our lifetime. Watching the news coverage from that day still causes my heart to race, my throat to tighten up and my eyes to well up as I watch in helpless disbelief. It sickens me that we live in a world where such disregard for human life can be magnified on such a tremendous scale. And as I mourn for those who lost their lives, and the people who still deal with the scars of that day, I can't help but contemplate how it is that I should react in the face of such blatant evil.

Jesus says in Matthew 5:43-44 "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Those are not easy words to read when remembering 9/11, are they? Paul repeats this idea in Romans 12:14 when he says, "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them." This is not a concept that comes naturally to us when we see the images of innocent Americans leaping 1300 feet to their death, rather than burning alive. They aren't exactly the sentiments we feel when watching the Twin Towers crumble to the ground. These words from the New Testament don't instantly fill us with feelings of compassion and love, causing us to break out in prayer for those who would like nothing more than to see the events of 9/11 repeated again and again all across the world. But there they are. In black and white. We hear them over and over, read them time and time again, and yet the truth remains exactly the same as they did when Christ spoke them over 2000 years ago. And the question still remains, "How are we going to respond?"    

This morning I checked out social media for just a few minutes to read what was being said in remembrance of 9/11, hoping to hear some encouraging words of unity. At a time when our country seems to be more divided than ever, one would hope that at least for today, we might be able to let go of our differences. But within seconds, I began to read the most angry, hate filled words that I have seen in a long time being directed toward our Muslims brothers and sisters. I sat here and wondered to myself just how this kind of hatred toward an enemy can still exist after 18 years. Sure, the pain still exists. We still mourn those who were lost and are sickened by the evil that was carried out against this country. I'm the first one to admit; the pain is still very real to me. But to harbor hatred in such a fresh and passionate fervor is beyond my comprehension.  

This weekend I decided to go for a walk at a local nature preserve. I just spent the time meditating, thinking and listening to the sounds around me. I decided to explore for a while, and hiked out into the brush. When I came back to the main path and cleared a small hill, I startled a small doe causing her to freeze instantly. As she stared me down, I froze as well and waited to see what she would do. I wanted her to know that I wasn't a threat so I showed her my hands. As ridiculous as it might sound, I even waved at her, hoping that she would remain calm enough for me to watch her for a while. Man, she was beautiful!  

Not only did she remain, but amazingly she began to walk toward me. Just a few steps at first. Then a few more. She would stop for a few seconds, eating grass and checking out other sounds on her right and left. Before I knew it, she was only about 10 feet away from me. I was amazed at how calm she was in being so close to me. Just her and I, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the cool breeze that surrounded us. It was a holy moment and I thanked God for the blessing of being there. And in that moment, I found myself thinking of barriers and how easy it is to break them down. For all practical purposes, I was this doe's enemy. I mean, we all remember Bambi, right? But something bigger was going on with this animal. She remained calm. She wasn't afraid. For whatever reason, she trusted me for that moment and didn't run off until I got lazy and tried to sit down.  

I wonder what would happen if we allowed ourselves to trust one another more often. Regardless of how much evil we might be capable of inflicting on one another, if we take the first step and show love to our enemy, we might be surprised at their reaction and how willing they are to try as well. When you stop and think about it, love is really the only solution we have towards peace. I wonder what it would be like to be patriotic, but humble and loving as well. I wonder what it would be like to rise above evil and see life as precious and fragile, not only for ourselves, but each person in this world that God created. And when we do this, we might see more glimpses of what the Kingdom of God is like and the way our world was supposed to be in the first place.

    

Jesus FAIL

As I celebrated Holy Week, I found myself pondering the same things that I seem to do each year. There is almost a dark “real time” anticipation of the events that transpired over 2000 years ago. I meditate and imagine what the week must have been like. I imagine the lingering excitement from Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the great hope that gripped the hearts of the crowd. I imagine the celebration as the crowds gathered for the Passover. But I also imagine the thoughts that must have been going through the minds of the disciples in the upper room and on Golgotha. Messiah had finally come. The Roman yoke of oppression was just about to be cast off and Jesus was going to lead the way. "Hosanna!"  But then things begin to radically change and unravel with the washing of some dirty feet and the eating of a meal.

Hearts began to sink. Anxiety levels escalated. Tears fell. It appeared to be the end of the line as Jesus unfolded the details of what was to come. As he predicted, He was arrested and beaten. He was rejected by the same people who celebrated His entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. And finally, on Good Friday, He was nailed to a cross, breathed His last breath and uttered, "It is finished." He died.  Finished? He was taken down from the cross and buried. From all practical perspectives, it was over. And as Jesus' disciples gathered together on that Sabbath before the Resurrection, the pain, fear and grief must have been overwhelming.

Was it really finished? Good Friday and Holy Saturday did not carry with them the anticipation, preparation and joy that it does for us today. For those who followed Jesus, it appeared that there was nothing to look forward to, except the same possible fate that met their friend. The end of the line, boys. "Jesus is dead!  And we're next!  You're going to get your wish, Peter!  Believe what you want, Thomas!  But your doubting ass will be hanging on a cross by sundown!"          

"Where did things go wrong?”, they must have thought. “How did we misinterpret what Jesus had been telling us over the last three years”?, they must have asked themselves. “Were we totally misled?” “Are we all fools? Morons?” “Was our mission with Jesus a complete failure?” FAIL! Their feet were clean, but their minds were cloudy as they waited. The anxiety must have felt like the weight of the world. Fear. Rejection. Anger. Confusion. All of these emotions must have been running wild as they mourned the death of their Rabbi. Their leader. Their friend. From the view of the world, this must have appeared to be the perfect failure.

Time doesn’t permit me to go on and on with the thoughts that flood my mind this morning, but I encourage you to ponder these things as well for one very simple reason. There appear to be two sides to this story. One side tells us that this was in fact, a perfect failure. This side leaves Jesus in His tomb and leaves the disciples defeated, broken, dejected, afraid and probably eventually dead. The other side of the story is victorious. Renewal. Transformation. Resurrection power. The power that took these eleven broken men that cowered in fear, and used them to transform the world. He is risen! This was not a perfect failure, but complete victory!

There are two stories to every story, isn't there? And as we observe Good Friday, each of us stand on the cusp of the breakthrough that changed humanity. From the perspective of Good Friday, and Good Friday alone, we live in a constant duality of existence. Good Friday leaves us in Chaos, fear and defeat. Good Friday blows a cold wind of disunity, rejection and separation. Good Friday leaves us isolated, cowering in fear, feeling disconnected from God and humanity. Good Friday leave us in fear of death. There is a division that exists with Good Friday, and it creeps in to pollute our communities, even with the realization of the Resurrection .      

As we walk through Good Friday, let us reflect on what Sunday will mean to us. Let us remind ourselves that the darkness of Good Friday will eventually be joined and obscured by the light of Easter Sunday. Easter brings order, peace and victory. Easter Sunday brings unity, acceptance and connection. Easter Sunday finds us in community with out fellow man, celebrating in courage as God's cleansing Spirit flows through creation and mankind. There is a oneness that exists for us on Easter Sunday as we see that Christ's victorious redemption applies to us all, without division.

But the questions remains for us all: Are we living our lives in shadow of Good Friday, or the briliant light of Easter Sunday? Do we cower in the upper room, defeated, disconnected and absorbed with grief? Isolated? Alone? He is risen, and if he is truly risen, then why do we not rise with Him? And if we truly rise with Him, do we not all rise together in complete unification?

As we celebrate Good Friday, let us remember that this shadow will pass over. Let us look forward to the unity and completion of Sunday. Death brings life. Let our vision be encompassed with the vision of Resurrection, not death. Let us join together as the Body of Christ, embracing each other as we suffer. Let us carry each others burden through Friday and journey together in unity.  All things are new, my friends!  All things are new!