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My wife, the farmer’s daughter, tells us not to name anything we’re later gonna eat. Quite right; when a name is bestowed on an animal, human or even an antique car, these things acquire a personality all of their own. Were tropical storms as capricious before they got names? Did your grade-school friends develop feelings once we discovered their names? All world-cultures seem to have important rituals when a name is given. Newborn infants and pets quickly learn to respond when their name is called. Scripture read on the upcoming weekend deals with how we see ourselves and how we are seen when we trade our watery existence for a name that defines us and affirms our deep-down identity.

ISAIAH 62:1-5 is from a collection of oracles (“Third Isaiah”) given to bolster the returned exiles from Babylon who were dolefully starting from Square One. Things hadn’t been going well, yet “the nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; And you shall be called by a NEW NAME that the mouth of the Lord will give.” No longer would the land be desolate, but prosper in an ongoing commitment wedded to YHWH. Someone knows how we feel: hopeful, yet forsaken. The news for today is that God still acts this way, calling us “saints” instead of the “sinners” we once were… “For the Lord delights in you.”

Paul’s First Letter to the CORINTHIANS reminds that diverse congregation that God has named them all together. And even though they’re culturally diverse, so are their spiritual gifts–all to be used for the uplifting of the entire community. Here, not only is each believer endowed/named with a viable role in God’s Kingdom, but Jesus HIMSELF manifests a holy name–the Lord–as cemented by the Holy Spirit. This list of talents completes the work of the Church as it is named the pivot-point of the locale in which it is found.

The Wedding in Cana (JOHN 2:1-11) is a story told both inside and outside the church. Bottom line: the allegory is that those who hang out with Jesus will have their lives revealed as sparkly wine rather than just tap-water. In this “sign”, God names Jesus as the one who will make good things happen. The volume is important: as elsewhere in John, God works in hyperbole; that is, God’s extravagance provides for not only momentary needs, but has enough “left over” to address the ongoing thirst of the nations… Our news-outlets name the thirst–pollution, violence, injustice–but GOD names the agents of relief. “Life in this world, with its painful limitations, has been unpredictably invaded by grace.” (Ernest Hess, FEASTING on the WORD, C 1:265)

As returned Exiles, as thirsty party guests, as a rag-tag collection of disciples in the early church, we’re urged to trust that God’s (still) in charge. Our names have been changed to reflect who we are/have become in God’s land: we have been called “important” and “necessary” in the development of the Righteous Kingdom.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My meeting with Biblical lessons heard in congregations on the upcoming weekend may be enjoined every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com

Watermarks are included on a document to confirm its viability: on checks, for instance, or better stationery. Postage stamps often have watermarks that can be seen on their backs. Collectors use these to help identify the stamps they have before them. A watermark assures that the stamp is genuine and has accomplished that job for which it was created. Worshipers this weekend will be reminded of the time and occasion of their own watermarking, and will hear yet again how each person has been lovingly marked by God no matter what!

ISAIAH 43:1-7 was probably addressed to the recent exiles from Jerusalem to Babylon, mourning the loss of their homeland and their Temple, the supposedly indestructible symbol of their indestructible faith. God is telling them not to be afraid, not to give up, for God has called their names: even “when you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you…” Israel/Judah is a rocky & arid land, with little contact with the sea. The Hebrew people were desert wanderers, and distrusted bodies of water–they rejoiced when Moses got them through the sea which speedily drowned their pursuers; Jonah began his adventure with a turbulent and threatening sea; and of course, Noah was lifted above the destroying flood in a divinely-designed ark. The remembrance of these formative stories gave the exiles strength when they were drowned in trouble…

A small reading, ACTS 8:14-17 is yet important as a watershed between Christianity as a Jewish sect and the world-religion which Jesus evidently intended. Those awful Samaritans had responded to the preaching of Philip and had been baptized! So Peter and John, bulwarks of the jealous Jerusalem congregation, went to check ’em out. Peter & John continued the work in Samaria because the Samaritans appeared more palatable, once watermarked by the Sign of God.

The Gospel account is read from the writings of LUKE, 3:15-17,21-22–the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptizer in the Jordan. This is significant for us, as it reminds us that the Lord was content to stand in line with the other sinners, a place he continues to hold through the ages. God spoke words of assurance to him through the descent of the Spirit like a dove…did everyone baptized hear such a claim, to be a child of God in God’s good pleasure?

We understand Baptism to be a sacrament, a Means of God’s Grace. In our baptism, we are marked as a Child of God, which gives God much pleasure. At the conclusion of a public baptism, the officiant often splashes the congregation with the baptismal water, saying “Remember that YOU are baptized–Rejoice”!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My blog comes to you every Tuesday in hopes that you’ll be prepared to hear the scriptural journey taken each weekend. Read about it at horacebrownking.com

Many congregations will be observing Epiphany this weekend, even though the day itself doesn’t happen until Thursday. EPIPHANY comes from Greek, and is roughly translated as “manifestation” or “showing”. An AHA! moment. A sudden burst of light or understanding. In Church use, the Season of Epiphany stretches between Christmas and Lent, an awareness of God’s providence of a growing light to the nations… Those who worship with us will be confronted with the understanding of God’s involvement with all the people of the earth.

Third ISAIAH (after Chapter 55) is a collection of oracles delivered to the returned exiles from Babylon. In 60:1-6 the People are directed to “Arise! Shine!” for their light has come, and God’s glory will attract a throng of pilgrims: camels will come from Midian and Ephah and Sheba, some will carry gifts of gold & frankincense (you’ll have to bring your own mirth). It’s necessary to own the darkness and identify some of the places it still resides, yet we’re to focus on the growing Light, even now shining into cobwebbed corners. “Lift up your eyes and look around!”

EPHESIANS 3:1-12 is a sort of apology for including the Gentiles in holy-history. It speaks, though, to an ongoing confrontation of those who affirm “reality” with the ChristChild. The Establishment in the First Century wanted nothing to do with those–eww!–Gentiles, but the birth-stories of Jesus included the little ones, even some foreigners with symbols of devotion. The writer of Ephesians reminds us that God has searched out the aliens to begin with, bestowing the richness of God on all people even before the magi responded with their treasures.

MATTHEW 2:1-21 is a familiar story, often conflated into the Nativity celebration (now where IS my bathrobe?). It’s a tale of the Wise Ones meeting with insecure Herod to discuss the Star that has driven them to search for the Christ, whom the author identifies with the Messiah. This Star provided brilliant light to take them to the house where Jesus was–and then to bring them on “a different road” away from Herod and the surrounding dark. They say that Herod, on his deathbed, asked to have the curtains opened, so he could see the Star go out. It hasn’t yet.

Having recently been to the manger, we “go home” by a different road, changed pilgrims. And occasionally there are glimpses of holy light to give us guidance. Karen Pidcock-Lester reminds us (FEASTING on the WORD, C 1:194) that we are challenged “to move out of the waiting of Advent darkness and the mystery of Christmas dawning, and march into the brilliance of Epiphany’s bright day.”

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My encounter with scripture assigned to the upcoming weekend can be enjoined every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com

It’s the first day of Winter! That means that for the next three-plus months I’ll be wearing woolen socks and sweaters. Shorts and sandals will be stored until May. It’s good to have a change of seasons, which demands a change of clothes. We in the Great Northeast are ready to make the change–and I’ll be the first one in February to groan about the continued cold weather! Brave souls who still want Christmas this weekend will hear about changes, and be admonished to move forward in self-worth and compassion for others.

I SAMUEL 2:18-20 (26) tells a simple story about mother Hannah, rejoicing that she has a child, bringing new clothes each year to her son Samuel who lives at the shrine at Shiloh with Eli, the old priest. We read that the boy Samuel grew in stature; not a surprise, we’ve all seen kids seem bigger & taller than the last time. How then could Hannah know what size robe to make him? (Do we have nostalgic older relatives who insist on sending our adult children booties “to keep their little toes warm”?) But this isn’t a story about logistics, it’s an account of concerned parenting dealing with the newness of the ongoing years and creating “new clothes” to affirm them.

The author of COLOSSIANS 3: 12-17 writes, “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…..Above all, clothe yourselves with love…” The metaphor seems warm & cozy, as the believers wrap themselves in these spiritual gifts. Here is a reference to the Body of Christ, dressed for service and worship. These garments have different functions–yet the whole wardrobe is to demonstrate the presence of God in Jesus.

The Gospel of LUKE (2:41-52) is our sole glimpse into the life of Jesus between the Incarnation and his baptism. This is how Mary remembers the occasion many years later: tradition says that Mary lived in Ephesus in her old age and that Luke visited her there to record these stories. Jesus like Samuel was growing each year; did Joseph mark his height on the door frame? In this “lost” tale of Jesus we can see our own kids, and probably ourselves as well! But here he was, “in his Father’s house”, putting aside his child-clothes and dressing in the traditions of the elders. Jesus went home with his folks and became an ideal child (?)–yet he knew that it was growing time to move on…

An early ritual of Baptism included the time when a candidate would shed his/her old clothes, and receive new ones as they emerged from the water. You could tell by their “uniform” that they had become disciples, and that they were ready to engage in whatever ministry was set before them. So these readings help us to decide what the well-dressed witness should put on: we’re often known by what we wear.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My encounter with lessons to be read during worship in the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com

Sheesh! Do I have writer’s block or what?! Maybe ‘cuz it’s the Last Sunday of Advent, e.g., the week just before Christmas. But the cards are (almost) finished and mailed, and my CharlieBrown tree lurks in the garage waiting to be dragged out and trimmed yet again… Nostalgia is in the air, and everyone dreams of a white Christmas complete with horsedrawn vehicles and wide-eyed children…(and outside plumbing?) So the readings which approach us on the weekend could be discarded as fantasy; but as for me and Grandpa, we believe!

Words attributed to the prophet MICAH (5:2-5a) look forward to a Messiah just like David, who can reclaim the land devoured by the Assyrians yet rule with the compassion of a shepherd. He yearns–don’t we all?–for the little guy (Bethlehem) to prevail over the giant who threatens with more power than we can comprehend. From a tiny and obscure village shall come the ruler who will conquer the world and who will provide for his people where there now has been wreckage. God continues salvation through an amazing reversal of power.

The Letter to the HEBREWS is difficult to understand for us who have but limited knowledge of Jewish tradition and theology. Verses 10:5-10 are no exception. The author reminds us that we humans can’t fix our battered lives, only Christ can. The birth and ensuing mission of Jesus was to reclaim the huddled masses yearning to breathe free from the superpowers both then and now. Psychologists tell us that much of our captivation is from inside, reflecting our embarrassments and anxieties. “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”

LUKE 1:39-55 tells of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptizer. Overwhelmed by the majesty of the moment, Mary brought us The Magnificat (compare with I Samuel 1:1-10, the Song of Hannah)– which makes a delightful responsive reading–again emoting about the Great Reversal. “[God] has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; [God] has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty…” Commonfolk through the ages have celebrated this providence and can smile at the Christmas message! “Two marginalized and pregnant women carry the future and proclaim the Messiah.” (Charles L. Campbell, FEASTING on the WORD, C 1:95) Advent is our opportunity to sing loudly about our hopeful expectations of the Great Reversal, God turning the world upside down!

The Grinch lives on. I have seen him snatch food from the tables of the developing world, and justice from the non-whites downtown. I’ve groaned when we’ve bombed Yemen, and when street-people give up on governmental forms which would make a law-firm cry. The Grinch reminds the poor and the poor-in-spirit that they’re nothing if they can’t afford the stuff they see on TV… BUT these Old Words that we may hear this weekend renew our self-worth, and make us appreciate those occasions–more than we know– when God does the Great Reversal.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Come celebrate the accounts of God’s workmanship in the readings given for the upcoming weekend with me every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com.

I’ve always enjoyed the “Where’s Waldo?” pictures. I usually can identify Waldo, but sometimes I can’t. Four or five years ago, the Jr.Hi class at our church had a similar calendar, “Jesus in a Crowd”. Sometimes I could pick out Jesus, but sometimes there were several candidates! Sometimes I just didn’t know where Jesus was… Scriptures for this Third weekend in Advent point to where God might be, but they acknowledge that there’s always an identity problem. Those who hear these lessons join the rest of the weary world to hear the angels sing…

ZEPHANIAH (yes, that’s in the Old Testament, keep looking!) 3:14-20 speaks for God (pro-phet) in a frenzy of exultation: God will renew Israel in holy love, will remove disaster and deal with the oppressors. “And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.” “Biblical thought always understands hope as the expectation of a good future which rests on God’s promise.” (Jurgen Moltmann in DICTIONARY of CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY) Here is an antidote for our fears of defeat and isolation, of insignificance and social poverty.

PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7 also tells the waiting, perhaps despondent, hearer that “the Lord is near.” We rejoice in not what we can see, but in that which we EXPECT God is doing in and around us, even now! Can we live in peace, even when society with all its -isms comes crashing around our shoulders? These Advent scriptures can give strong solace to those of us who despair that God is no longer to be found.

The Gospel reading is from LUKE 3:7-18, more about the activity of John the Baptizer bearing the light of Jesus to his neighborhood. “…one who is more powerful than I is coming…” We do well, says John, not to ignore the strength of the Coming One who may pollard our sacred trees and winnow the grain from the chaff! What shall we do? Treat others honestly and fairly, keep no more than we need. Those marked by baptism are expected to look forward to the presence of God to be seen all around, and most especially to show the Light through their loving actions.

Deborah A. Block reminds us that prophets “see God where nobody else would guess that God is present.” (FEASTING on the WORD, C 1:52) A story tells about a monastery which owned a retreat-shed in a far corner of its property. Nonetheless, the Abbott would often go there for solitary prayer and bemoan the declining number of monks. The village Rabbi also would occasionally make retreat there. One fine day, their paths crossed. “Ah, I’ve been waiting for you,” said the rabbi, “God has told me that the Messiah is in one of you!” The Abbott hurried back to his monks, and told them that the rabbi says “the Messiah is in one of you!” And a marvelous transformation occurred: each monk looked for and expected to find the Messiah in his neighbor. Soon the word of their spirituality and charity spread far and wide–and the few monks became many, much to the delight of the Abbott…

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

You’re invited to join me in watching for the Messiah, every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com

Sometimes I feel as though I’ve been speaking in Martian. When I try to talk of current crises or needs nearby, people often put on a plastic smile and stare at something over my shoulder, or suddenly need to consult their iPhone about the latest TVland gossip. What, you too?? I’ve been told that I work too hard; overwhelmed by year-end appeals, I tend to throw them ALL in the circular file. But readings for this Second [Sunday] in Advent yield a shared urgency to keep on…

MALACHI is one of the minor prophets who was enlightened for a specific assignment and then dismissed. But in 3:1-4 we read about the foreseen messenger of the covenant, who will bring such a fire that the base metals will burn off the gold and silver, and the People will please YHWH “as in the days of old”. Readers may well ask, ” What part of my life needs refining? and will it hurt?” And the answer according to Malachi probably is, “A great deal of it; and yes, it will hurt”. But that day is on its way, he says, gradually unfolding before and within us. We could deflect this to describe the Surrounding Culture–yet this analogy is for down deep within us…

When St. Paul wrote to the PHILIPPIANS (1: 3-11) he seemed to expect that The Day of the Lord would come tomorrow or soon thereafter. He spoke to them about COMPLETING the process, and left little room for the ongoing creative aspect of the redeemed earth. He prayed that “your love may overflow more and more with knowledge….having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ….” Each Advent that comes and goes reminds us one more time that the immanence of God is right now.

LUKE 3:1-6 tells of the coming of John the Baptizer “proclaiming a baptism for the forgiveness of sin(s)”. Then comes a remembrance of II Isaiah (memorialized in music by G. F. Handel–can we read this without singing it?), “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord…'” Although John had momentary success, his novelty soon wore off and folks turned elsewhere for their entertainment. Did he feel as though he were speaking Martian? There’s an urgency here that addresses each generation about their callousness concerning poverty, homelessness and hunger. Each Advent displays these social needs as well as a personal need to become more sensitive to our own wildernesses.

In the musical “1776”, George Washington sends his regular request to Congress, finishing “Is anybody there? Does anybody care??” What, you too? Fellow Martians UNITE!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Join me each Tuesday to be both comforted and afflicted by the readings assigned to the upcoming weekend–at horacebrownking.com

The early saints expected the “second coming” of Jesus right away. But the years toddled on, and we post-modern Christians put little emphasis on this. Yet all people seem to have an appreciation of what might happen in God’s Good Time, anticipating the ending of things as we know them in order to establish a new (and righteous) domain. The First Sunday of Advent marks a new beginning, the opening of the liturgical year, and a hope that we can get things right this time around…. Readings to be heard this weekend may cut through Holiday planning with a prophetic word about life when God breaks in.

JEREMIAH 33:14-16 may be the key-note passaages for the Season, if not the Year. The Righteous Branch from King David will “execute justice and righteousness in the land”. Jeremiah was writing, of course, to the Chosen People; but Christians may and should expand on this tribal Messiah to include the Lord of ALL creation. YHWH speaks through the prophet of a certain future, a newness to be gradually revealed. We start Advent with a longing for justice and righteousness even though the world may be changing and the sky falling all about us. We should also note that the Messiah incarnate was an improvement over what Jeremiah’s audience was expecting…

St. Paul wrote to the early congregations scattered in the eastern end of the Roman Empire; and to the THESSALONIANS (I, 3:9-13) about the immanent changes which God was making all around them. “May (God) so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of the Lord Jesus with all his saints.” How do we prepare for this ultimate incarnation? By “abounding in love”. But what about all those unloveable persons? Even them?? Easy for HIM to say! This is gonna take some work, I can tell you.

At the ending of Jesus’ life and ministry, LUKE 21:25-36 has him instructing–and comforting–the disciples about the end times. Yes, there will be natural disasters and human uncertainties; but stand tall in the midst of them, praying and being alert. The redemption which is drawing near is not only personal but cultural and social: there are some systems which need to tumble before the New Age can take place. Just as Luke placed Mary’s song near the start of his account (1:46ff), now Jesus finishes (?) the story by presenting alternatives which are going to happen by God’s direction.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; For you I wait all day long. –Psalm 25: 4-5

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Join me every Tuesday as we’re confronted by scriptures to be read on the upcoming weekend.

Does anyone actually plan their “final words”? Celebrities old and young have had their Last Words recorded and sometimes even memorized. My Dad, a “Casablanca” fan, said, “So long, Joe; don’t take any wooden nickels.” Church-goers this weekend will be observing “Christ the King/Reign of Christ”, and will hear some last words which are meant to enlighten. We put aside our anxiety about Coming Days and prepare for a time of Thanksgiving, followed directly by anticipation of the coming Christ. Yet the systems of earth still groan around us, and we have to acknowledge that even though Christ IS in charge, many will go about creating their own political & military kingdoms…

King David was about to close the book on his life. He was considered a “good” king because he had united Israel: we’ve conveniently forgotten his ethical lapses. Nevertheless, in II SAMUEL 23:1-7, we read “the one who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God, is like the light of morning…” Last words remember not only that the Old is Gone, but anticipates that the New (morning) will Soon be Here! David spoke with the idea that his successor would also be venerated by the people; a New Day was at hand… As the Church year “ends”, we look forward with anticipation to that which God is doing next, even coming in person to demonstrate what could/should rule our lives.

The book of REVELATION is the scriptural “final word”, purportedly dealing with Last Things. Our passage today is 1:4b-8, which sets the tone for that which comes after by announcing the coming of Christ “in the clouds”. This is not to be a joyous occasion for the “tribes of the earth”, with their attempts at being No. 1–on the Last Day, only “the ruler of the kings of the earth” remains in power, and the plans of the world are scuttled. The Believing Church uses the imagery of the political scene for now, although we expect a much different equality and division of worth.

Pontius Pilate summoned Jesus and asked, “Are you the King of the Jews?” The dialogue in JOHN 18:33-37 contrasts the person of Jesus with the perceived power structure then in operation. Through the ages, these words continue to separate and claim a new creation, announcing an alternative understanding of the power system in vogue. We only need to observe our current broken systems of “defense” spending and overcrowded tenements, of fancy restaurants and children going hungry, of country clubs and Native American reservations to realize that changes have to be made…

“The King” has the final word in our lives. Once upon a time, the King was in charge of everything; his word was law. God in wisdom sent a King to be an alternative, to announce a New Day in which we subjects need not cringe from a capricious government but rather enjoy a freedom of style as forgiven ones.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

I try to record how scripture to be read on the upcoming weekend encounters us, every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com

Eliza Doolittle, the waif flower seller, sings “Just you wait, ‘enry ‘iggins, just you wait! You’ll be broke and I’ll have money; will I help you? Don’t be funny!…Just. you. wait!” She looked for a radical reversal of fortunes–just like so many of us do. Wistful thinking? To be sure. Yet this is an acknowledgement that the world’s systems need to be reformed. Some extremists will affirm that there’s NOTHING good in this world–but yet God created, and called it “good”. Scripture to be read on the upcoming weekend explores the belief that God’s ultimate will is for the refinement of the broken, for the healing of the world…

We begin with the Song of Hannah, I SAMUEL 2:1-10: after much prayer and waiting, Hannah the barren has become pregnant, and her life is changed from mourning to anticipation! “Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth….(YHWH) lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes.” You may wish to compare this with The Magnificat (Luke 1:46 ff), Mary’s song upon knowing that she was pregnant with Jesus. Both of these hymns acknowledge that AT LAST God is making a move by bearing holy persons into an out-of-balance culture. Michael Pasquarello III writes, “the vision of reality sung by Hannah invites us to see the world as God intends, to behold what God is bringing about. It is a vision that may sound surprising to some and may even be threatening for others.” (FEASTING on the WORD, B 4:299)

We continue to read the Letter to the HEBREWS, today in Chapter 10: 11-25. The author is glimpsing the New Order which pertains under the priesthood of Christ. The verses which skip out at me are the final ones: “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Evidently we who would be members of the New Order are urged to participate in these changes as they progress.

Following MARK’s carefully developed scheme, vv.13:1-8 tells that Jesus and his pals have finally arrived at Jerusalem just before Passover. The Galileans are rubbernecking at the big buildings, especially the Temple–Herod the Great made sure that this bastion of the nation was mightily constructed. The Lord told them to put all this in perspective: “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon the other; all will be thrown down.” Some will say that he was foretelling the Roman invasion of 67 AD; many will say that he was referring to his body as “the Temple”…or did he mean that even this human-built national centrepiece was vulnerable as a New Day dawns?? There WILL be some changes made! Who will remain faithful? Who will endure the necessary devastation of the Now for the improvement coming?

As we approach Advent–the Season for New Things–I appreciate this carol from Finland, here translated by Olav Lee…. Lost in the night doth the heathen yet languish, longing for morning the darkness to vanquish, plaintively heaving a sigh full of anguish: will not day come soon? Will not day come soon?? Sorrowing brother, in darkness yet dwelling, dawned hath the day of a radiance excelling, death’s dreaded darkness forever dispelling; Christ is coming soon! Christ is coming soon!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My complacency is challenged every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com by lessons intended to be read during worship on the upcoming weekend.