My Blog

Magnificent creatures, they soar higher and higher, into the Sun: unlike Icarus, their wings won’t melt. Ben Franklin liked turkeys better; for eagles symbolized centuries of Roman oppression. A two-headed eagle has been seen on central European banners and shields, invoking determination and endurance. PEANUTS reminds us to “walk softly and carry a (b)eagle”. We’re told that parent eagles shove their offspring from the nest, when it’s time; and fly beneath them with wings outstretched until the fledglings successfully fly.

The weekends cause us to rise to new horizons of hope and trust. The Old Testament reading leans on Isaiah of Babylon, who writes to his mourning exiles, “the Creator of the ends of the earth….does not faint or grow weary;…He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless….but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles.” (40:28-31) This is about us, about God, and about how God takes care of us when we’re in free-fall.

Once in a while, the lectionary selections just don’t seem to fit together; and this is one of those times. I Corinthians 9:16-23 is a passage from Paul encouraging diversity and a wideness of spiritual expression. New horizons, maybe? But I can’t find a feather of eagle-ness here, how about you?

Being healed by Christ can qualify, though, since we’re speaking about Providential rescue from un-wholeness. The Gospel is Mark’s sequel to last week’s story about healing the demon-possessed man in the synagogue. Here, he heals Simon’s mother of a fever; and later, the “whole city was gathered around the door.” (1:29-34) Jesus cured many, and cast out many demons. These may well have remembered Isaiah’s words.

More than twenty years ago, my father was dying of cancer. I was fearfully preparing to re-enter pastoral ministry after a three-year mid-life crisis. Writing out my angst, this appeared —

When brittle bones have loosed connecting strings
Which bind them one to one in structure fair
My earthbound soul is born on eagle wings.

Most human flesh against its aging flings
Contempt of grinding fate in reckless dare
When brittle bones have loosed connecting strings.

Through growing children, seed, whose laughter rings
Across the days which now become their share
My earthbound soul is born on eagle wings.

An impotence of feeble body stings
My transient hope of missing death’s grim snare
When brittle bones have loosed connecting strings.

That holy trust to which my vision clings
Is freshened only when by heightened prayer
My earthbound soul is born on eagle wings.

Still quavers my small voice which gamely sings
To woo the wintry warrior from his lair —
When brittle bones have loosed connecting strings
My earthbound soul is born on eagle wings.

God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King

In college days, there was a book called “Who’s In Charge, Here?” circulating among my friends. It was a collection of news photos of national and world leaders with funny word-balloons added. Every once in a while it’s fun to see officialdom in amusingly human predicaments: the guys and I made our own collection of pics featuring our profs and other campus figures in comic attitudes. At about the same time, we saw cartoons of aliens in the hardware store demanding of a coffee-maker, “Take me to your leader!” Who IS in charge, here? And who sez so?

Moses was getting old, and the Desert Wanderers were growing in number and contrariness. “The Lord you God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet.” (Deuteronomy 18:15) And Yahweh added, “I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command.” (v.18) Such bestowed authority gave a central (and moral) leadership to a restless collection of tribes practicing how to become a Nation.

Oh, what shall we do with those worldly habits like smoking, playing cards, dancing and wearing nail-polish? Are the drinkers and the over-eaters sinful in their enjoyments? Paul addressed the Christians of Corinth–the Big Apple of its day, O Henry’s “Baghdad on the Subway”–who affirmed that eating meat once offered to idols had nothing to do with their own spirituality. (I,8:4-13) Well, sure; “we know that ‘no idol in the world really exists'”, so “Food will not bring us close to God.” Yeah, BUT–“Take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” Community standards are a form of authority, too. And an ethical formation of responsibility to the Neighbor.

Jesus’ new neighbors at Capernaum were astounded at Jesus’ teaching, “for he taught them as one having authority…” He evidently knew whereof he spoke–yet Mark doesn’t give us a summary, but demonstrates this authority with another Right Now instance, this time an exorcism in which even the “unclean spirits” obeyed him. (Mark 1:21-28) Funny how people in the beginning of Jesus’ ministry recognized a Godly Authority; and how this was officially questioned as he went along…

This is still Epiphany, remember. The lessons are collected to demonstrate how God shows God’s-self in Jesus–with the hope that current Disciples will also receive and acknowledge Divine Insight as the Kingdom continues to unfold within them. Myself, I’m glad to have a dependable authority as current events make ancient goods uncouth…!

God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King

What IS that noise? and why is Marie kicking me? “Your alarm is going off!” “unnnh” So I press the appropriate button, and 10 minutes later the same drama unfolds. And maybe again. My New Year’s resolution was to get up earlier and stop wasting the morning–and that involves going to bed earlier, as well. So far, I’m only moderately successful. The crack of dawn? Morning has broken…

“The word of the Lord came to Jonah a SECOND time…” (Jonah 3:1-5) “And [Jonah] cried out, ‘Forty days more, and Ninevah shall be overthrown!'” Is this the time, finally, for the Day of the Lord? We’ve been poised on the doorstep, waiting for the gates to open: is the Eternal Present really here? Will it ever be morning?

Libertines would love what Paul wrote to the Corinthians! (I,7:29-31) He tells them to forget that they’re married! Or that they’re grieving or rejoicing, buying or selling… “for the present form of this world is passing away.” He’s not being licentious, but saying that a New Age is at hand, an age which presents an end to earthly contracts because the Kingdom of God is now here! “The appointed time has grown short…” If, says Paul, we clear our agendas, then–THEN!–we can better participate in what God is building.

“Now after John {the Baptizer} was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying,’The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near…'” (Mark 1:14-15) “Mark begins like an alarm clock, persistently declaring the time and demanding some response.” (Ted A. Smith) No longer can we dream about Tomorrow–deferring our acts of mercy & kindness, cleansing & worship–but are smacked with the immediacy of Today! Good Lord, it IS morning…

My father, may he rest in peace, was one of those guys who could bounce out of bed and sing in the bathroom. My own style is to slowly unfold and slither into the day with one eye reluctantly half-open. Any sounds I may issue are definitely not singing. I wouldn’t mind if morning WAS broken! Nevertheless, the light has dawned on saint & sinner alike, and I guess we’d better get at it…

God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King

Sometime during my high-school years, I came home in the early dusk of a Winter’s evening. Mom was still at work in the drugstore; and I knew Dad was probably napping, since he had had a rough night. So I quietly let myself in, and without turning on a light, crept upstairs. Try as I might, the old staircase creaked–and my father (who indeed had been sleeping soundly) sat up and quavered, “Who’s there???” After our mutual adrenaline rushes had subsided, no amount of explaining could convince him that I wasn’t trying to scare him into an early grave… Readings for this weekend after Epiphany are about recognition.

In I Samuel, Chapter 3, we hear about the boy Samuel, who was apprenticing at the temple with Eli, the High Priest. In the middle of the night, he heard his name being called–and thinking it was old Eli, who was nearly blind, he rushed to help his mentor. But no, Eli hadn’t called…. This happened again, and yet a third time; and now Eli realized that this was GOD calling. “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord,for your servant is listening.'” Sometimes it takes a few tries before we recognize the Holy right next to us.

Paul’s message to the Corinthian Church (I,6:12-20) is about fornication; Corinth was a seaport with many sailors, and commercial sex was everywhere. I’m thinking that most of us have a hard time defining “fornication”: maybe “casual sex” is better wording. Paul tells his flock that sex without involvement with one’s partner is shallow, even blasphemous to the Creator. Do we recognize our lovers as bearing the image of Christ?

Early in John’s Gospel comes the calling of Jesus’ disciples (1:43-51). “When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?'”(47-48) What does the Lord recognize in us, even as we seek him? Some will feel spied upon by an all-knowing Lord–but it comforts me to think that God knows my few better parts, as well…disguised even as they are!

Urbane and crowded as I am, I’m often glad to be anonymous. Yet I also long for a place where everybody knows my name; thus I seek out a faith-community of like-minded persons who may care enough to get to really know me. May we apprehend the nearby holiness in the late-night voice, in our lovers, in those who follow and in those who lead!

God bless Us, Every One…. Horace Brown King

This week’s readings celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, and are full of symbols about chaos & salvation. Genesis 1:1-7 speaks of the formless void, “while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.” Pre-history peoples of the Desert were fearful of the Ocean, and considered it the Enemy. The story about the conquest of Leviathan, the chaos-monster; Jonah; and Noah, who rode out the Flood in the Ark which God provided are all part of this cosmic confrontation. Note that the Dove was seen as the messenger of salvation.

In Acts 19, we hear of Paul’s meeting with some believers in Ephesus who had received the sign of water-baptism without knowing about the Sacrament of receiving the Holy Spirit. The passages urged the Church to do more than just go through the motions, and delve the full experience of participation as Disciples.

Mark’s gospel story (1:4-11) tells Of Jesus beginning his traveling ministry by being publicly baptized by John the Baptizer. “And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens TORN apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.” This is no Sweet, Sweet Spirit! Receiving the Holy Spirit is earthshaking, heaven-rending and dangerous!

Rising from the water are the elements of God’s Becoming Kingdom. The Church also rises into a working, developing community which is to mirror Jesus in caring for and announcing what God has already accomplished.

God Bless Us, Every One. Horace Brown King

The house in which I grew up was about a mile from “town”–the drugstore, post office, church & school; and since my folks had no car, I usually walked to Scouts, Youth Groups and gathering with friends. Although there were several houses scattered along the road, it was pretty dark! But every 300 yards or so, there were borough street-lights which gave a meager sanctuary from the Things That Go Bump in the Night. Did I tell you about the cemetery? And the grove of Norway Spruce that groaned and creaked in the wind? I learned to be a really fast walker, sometimes almost sprinting between the small glimmers of light…

We’re about to celebrate Epiphany, a whole season of light! “Epiphany” is Greek for “a revelation”, a sudden enlightenment. Readings for Sunday and six weeks following will tell of God’s Glory being manifest within a dark world. Starting with Isaiah, we’re urged to “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” (60:1) Yes, the earth seems drowned in darkness; but, People of God, “his glory will appear over YOU. Nations shall come to your light, and kings (three?) to the brightness of your dawn.” (v.2) “They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.” (v.6)

Paul’s enthusiasm is more subtle, yet he speaks to the Ephesian Church about “the mystery of Christ”. “Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things…” (3:1-12) Lessons for Epiphany center on the “Go, Tell” concept; Paul sees an Apostle’s duty as showing the places where Divine Understanding shines through.

Matthew’s Gospel tells the Three Kings story, without which Christmas would be lacking. For these were Gentiles, probably unaware of Messianic hopes and predictions. And because they were Gentiles, we too obtain credentials to peer into the manger! Many images can nourish us: a majestic star; kneeling in reverence before the Holy Family; offering of sacred gifts; and, no means least, returning home “by another way”.

Star-chasers all, we make journeys to holy sites where God has dwelt among us. The pilgrimage itself is a form of commitment, as is the selection of meaningful treasure. Having glimpsed Divine Glory, we can no longer travel in the same way, for we’ve changed and must take a new road. As this New Year unfolds, I wish you an exhilarating journey to and with God! May you be constantly changed by the Baby in the Manger!

God Bless Us, Every One! Horace Brown King

I’ve always liked the Twelve Days of Christmas; not just the song about a bird nut, but the actual days. Glassy-eyed, we put away assorted toys and trace down scraps of tissue and tinsel where the cat has chased them under the couch. These are days to sit deep in the early evening under the tree-lights, days to replay the zest of children of all ages who’ve visited during the last several days… Sunday’s readings exult in the ultimate Presence of the Holy after the Rush is over.

Don’t disdain Third Isaiah (chapters 56-66) just because we know so little about this author (or authors). These happy chapters overflow with tidings of comfort and joy, and remind God’s People then & now that a holy dawn comes to even those who dwell in deep darkness. Let the presenter not just read this passage (61:10-62:3), but DECLAIM it: “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch.” (62:1) The entire world will marvel at our new apparel, and the renewed flame which burns within us, which we wear as a crown of beauty!

The Galatians, people of what’s now central Turkey, knew little about Jewish life and tradition. So Paul needed to write to them about Jesus coming in “the fullness of time.” (4:4) This is but a small shard of a much greater concept of the Birth of Jesus for the Whole World, Jews & Gentiles alike. It’s a message of renewal, of freedom for the captives and light for the lost. Christmas is a message of what God has already done, would that we Galatians know this burning torch of rescue.

Every congregation has a Simeon and an Anna, and thanks to Luke for pointing this out! (2:22-40) Where would we be without the ancient saints who show up as soon as the doors are open–maybe having their own key–who know the traditions and where the bodies are buried, who can show us where the light switches are? More, the Simeons & Annas embody devotion, prayer and loyalty: they are the Pillars of the Church. The “original” Simeon longed to see Messiah; two alternatives spring out of the story. He “would not see death” (v.26), but now has “seen your salvation.” (v.30) These days of Christmas tell the Returned Exiles, the alien Galatians, and the saints long gone and yet to come that God’s salvation blazes in the darkness like a burning torch!

May your Christmas be blessed with the warmth of God’s People, and be filled with cheer and hope and merriment!

God Bless Us, Every One! Horace Brown King

Here we are, finally, at the Last Sunday in Advent! Like Lent, Advent is supposed to be an up ‘n’ down experience of spiritual joys face-to-face with yearning for Something More. In venerating the Little Town of Bethlehem, Phillips Brooks nicely referred to “the hopes and fears of all the years” met there at the Manger of the Incarnation. Closer and closer we creep, rising on tiptoe to glimpse the glory.

Lessons for this week speak to an audacious Hope that God is yet in charge. In II Samuel we meet King David’s angst about living in a fine palace while Yahweh “lives” in a wooden chest in a tent. (7:1-11) “You can’t make a house to contain me,” says the Lord. “Rather, I will make for YOU a ‘house’: a great name, and a place for my people, and a rest from your enemies.” We often worry about how our children’s children will cope with the surrounding attitudes of greed and anger. Yet God gives us a trans-history message: “your throne shall be established forever.” (v.16)

Instead of a Psalm, The Magnificat (Luke 1:47-55) may be read. This is Mary’s song after Gabriel announced her pregnancy with Jesus. This shouldn’t be read sweetly, but as a radical foreshadowing of how the world will be overturned! The coming Christ will vanquish injustice and oppression…

Paul’s concluding sentence of his message to the Roman Church–take a long breath–is an Advent-like surrender of himself to the ongoing divinity of The Christ, “according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages.” (16:25-27) He says that it has been, and is also yet unfolding.

Luke’s Gospel account is that of the conversation between the Angel and Mary. It could be a Call to Worship: “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” (1:28) As before, the hearer is invited to become David, to become Mary, to transcend the historical in order to know how God is involving each member of the faith-community in every Season of Advent.

The signs are all about us — in the desperate faces of single mothers at the laundromat; the glossy catalogues of toys for all ages, offered at obscene prices; the bell-ringers at Walmart, greeting people shopping in their pajamas; wreathes made of gift packages at Penny’s; parents of toddlers standing in line to scare their children with a close encounter with an Old Bearded Guy. For what do we yearn? “O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today.”

God Bless Us, Every One! Horace Brown King

What is a prophet? Back in Seminary Days–the last century–we learned that a prophet was someone who spoke for God, someone who announced what God was about to do…or had already begun. This Third Weekend of Advent we’re to meet three prophetic voices who speak to the community of the People of God. More than interesting history, they have much to say to this People today: about justice, about hope, about God’s not giving up on us.

The first prophet we meet will be Isaiah, or someone in his tradition, speaking encouragement to the renewed Jerusalem being built back after the Exile. He announces that a New Age is at hand: “He has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners…” (61:1) Here is a systemic change and transformation: can it be that an in-breaking God could realign our community? “…I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendents shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples….”(v.8,9)

The second prophet is the Apostle Paul, here writing to the Thessalonians. “So do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.” (I, 5:19-21) This new community which God is building is to anticipate an ongoing reprise of the angelic song of the night all Heaven broke loose! “May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely….The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.” (vv.23-24)

Our third prophet is John the Baptizer who “was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.” (John 1:8) “Who are you?”, the world asked. “What do you say about yourself?” Fair questions for Advent; would that they’d be asked of US! John replied to the world that he was the Announcer for Someone Great, who exceeded all of their expectations, “one whom you do not know.” (1:26) Does our reply deal with bringing Good News to the oppressed?

Donna Schaper gives us a prayer for today– O God, we know that salvation is at hand, and yet we walk as a people in danger, a people unconvinced that your time is nearly here, that it has in some ways already arrived. We walk as though there is a hand at our back, pushing us downward, keeping us from a steady march through this Advent season. Shelter us from fear. Console us. Help us understand what it is that we worry about, and then place us back on your path. Send us straight to Bethlehem. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God Bless Us, Every One… Horace Brown King

Sometimes I think I’m speaking Martian. If the conversation turns to ethics or moral behavior, I’m met with blank stares. Saying things about Advent in the midst of nostalgic sparkle and commercial glitz draws the same stares. There was a bell-ringer at the exit of Walmart, this afternoon, and I wished him a hearty “Merry Christmas!”–to which he replied, “Yeah. Right.”

It’s the Second Week of Advent, and we yearn for a Voice of Reason (?) to cry out Peace and Love in the Wilderness. Over-saturated already with images of greed provided merrily by some imposter of an ancient saint known for his generosity, we compensate by imitating Ol’ Ebenezer Scrooge. Isaiah of Babylon begins his message of release to the despairing captives, “A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'” (40:3)

When St. Peter mentioned Black Friday, he was thinking about the Crucifixion and Redemption; how would he have dealt with Cyber Monday? To him, Advent was this time between the Old Order and the New, an acknowledgement of the Daily Crunch AND a hopeful affirmation that God was On the Way. “In accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish…” (II Peter 3:13-14) Will this Voice be heard in the Wilderness?

The Gospel Reading comes from Mark’s concise account of Jesus’ ministry, centering upon John the Baptizer. Mark affirms that the Voice of Alternate Values is that of John: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” The Straight Path here proclaimed is one of Truth & Justice, of Love and Respect: it’s our Advent vision-statement, and the rest of the world seems to expect us to unpack it every year and decorate it. Your voice in the wilderness?

One of the ladies at last week’s book-study talked about the Voices of straight living (conscience?) which often filled her head. In an amazing flash of insight, I replied that my challenge was to separate the Voices from the Vices! (How clever!) So my personal Advent discipline is one of discernment, to listen for the authentic Voice within the vale of guilt and greed which often has highjacked Christmas…

God Bless Us, Every One! Horace Brown King