"Premeditation"

Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
John 12:1-11

In the first part of John 12, the religious power brokers are so afraid of Jesus and Lazarus that they begin to plot their murders in earnest. Why? It makes sense that they’d be irate at Jesus for exposing the emptiness of their illusion. And I can see why they’d want to destroy the evidence, so to speak, by erasing the resurrected Lazarus from the scene.

But I don’t see how they could unequivocally dismiss the possibility that Jesus was telling (and living) the truth. How could they be so sold out to their own propaganda that they couldn’t see the sense-making beauty in what Jesus was saying and doing?

One of the reasons I’m so bothered by this riddle is my uneasy feeling that I could do the same thing. What am I guarding? What am I dismissing? What are the fears in me that skew my perceptions? Whose ideas am I ready to erase in order to protect my own?

Scott Burnett

"Our Son Jake"

Our son Jake (5 years old) has autism. He is incredibly smart but is missing the piece to connect with others. When he was 1 year old, he had about 20 words and first said, “Mommy” around his first birthday. At about 19 months old Jake lost all of his language and I did not hear "Mommy" for almost a year. Jake seemed to have gone into his own world. Not connecting to us at all. We have spent numerous hours in therapy, by his side trying to get our little boy back. With much hard work he is beginning to connect more. Jake is a five year old boy that can not tell us he is hungry or like other five year olds, ask to go to McDonalds or even that he wants to go to the playground. This morning I am doing my usual pick up around the house and Jake came over to me, turned my face to look at his eyes (this is hard for children with autism) and asked me, "Are we going to church Mommy?" I know that came from God and I no longer need to wonder why we have Jake in our lives. Yes... we came to church and today changed my life... because I listened to my little boy. We have been gifted with Jake and God gave him to us for a reason. We are the lucky ones.

Like everyone... we are a family with a lot on our plates and find ourselves procrastinating often by getting everyone into the car for one more place to be… even Washington Cathedral. Having a child with autism has not only blessed our lives but also tired us out tremendously. Scott spends many hours at work trying to make and save as much as he can because we have no idea what we will need to do for Jake in the future. My days are full and never-ending, making sure everyone gets from here to there. Courtney is almost 7 and although it is often hard for her to understand that her little brother has special needs she is the best friend he could ever have. Jake is a true blessing to our entire family. From him we have learned to have faith (lots of it). I know that we can no longer handle this road alone. I could not hold back the tears today after hearing how important children are to you and your family. I have always found Washington Cathedral to be a place that I can bring Jake and he is always welcomed with open arms. After this morning, I know in my heart that we want Jesus to be a part of our lives every day, we want a church family and to surround ourselves with others who have a strong faith and love towards children. We have also started a charitable organization called Autism is Real. We want to make a difference in these kids’ lives!

Thank you for a great service today!

Tonya Baker and family

"Thank You!"

Dear Friends at Washington Cathedral:

On behalf of the Bridge Ministries Board and staff, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for Washington Cathedral including the persons Bridge Ministries’ serves who have physical and/or developmental disabilities in your Santa Conspiracy again this year. What a marvelous ministry your congregation has chosen to spread cheer during this most blessed of seasons to those who are lonely, perhaps without families and to those who are in fragile health!

Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Elves with stuffed animals were a true highlight at our Bridge Ministries’ Christmas Party for persons with disabilities we co-hosted with St. John Vianney’s Catholic Church on December 8th. Santa always goes over big, but the way Santa got down on his knees and looked the individuals in the eye communicated such warmth and caring. It makes all the difference for people to be so joyfully received in our hearts! The stuffed animals were a treasure so gladly received by our guests. We took a picture of each person with Santa so that each person would have a lasting keepsake of this special moment. Throughout the year as we visit with these persons in their homes we will be introduced again to their teddy bear and often the picture is on the wall by their bed to be a reminder of a fond memory.

We especially want to thank Connie Wahlin for coordinating this and for being the #1 Elf, and Wayne and Linda Jaton and Craig and Reava Davis for being your hands and heart in bringing joy to so many. It was truly sacred encounters which brought great joy and delight.

Bridge is so honored by your ministry through the Santa Conspiracy. May you continually experience the fullness of Christ’s love and blessings.

Joyfully,
Rev. Donna Whitmore

Chaplain

"What's Your Achilles Heel?"

With your very own hands you formed me; now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you. When they see me waiting, expecting your Word, those who fear you will take heart and be glad. I can see now, God, that your decisions are right; your testing has taught me what's true and right. Oh, love me—and right now!—hold me tight! Just the way you promised. Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to. Let the fast-talking tricksters be exposed as frauds; they tried to sell me a bill of goods, but I kept my mind fixed on your counsel. Let those who fear you turn to me for evidence of your wise guidance. And let me live whole and holy, soul and body, so I can always walk with my head held high.

Psalm 119:73-80 The Message

Do you ever feel like you make the same New Year’s resolutions every year?

I'm 28 now and the idealism over New Year’s resolutions has faded a bit for me.

This year, knowing that I make the same resolutions every year, I'm thinking reflectively: What is my Achilles heel? What is the one main thing that keeps me from becoming all that God intends?

I think a lot of people have an "Achilles heel" that is fairly easily discovered. Think about some of the characters in the Bible: King David: lust; Moses: quick temper; Peter: lack of faith; Paul: legalism. What's interesting about all of these characters in that God redeemed their areas of greatest weakness!

I think my Achilles heel is lack of discipline. Lack of discipline keeps me from diligence in my devotional life and the close connection with God that I desire. Lack of discipline keeps me from memorizing scripture that would help me to break strongholds in my life. Lack of discipline will have a long-term consequence on my health and has kept me from being a good steward of the vocational opportunities God has placed before me (college, etc.).

I think if we can become aware of our particular Achilles heel, we can open it up to God to reform it. If you'd like, you can pray this prayer from Psalm 119 along with me: "With your very own hands you formed me; now breathe your wisdom over me so that I can understand you... And let me live whole and holy, soul and body, so I can always walk with my head held high."

Elise Diaz

"Neighborliness!"

My friend Doug knows what it means to be a good neighbor. He came over at 9:00 a couple nights ago to help me install a new dishwasher. We got a late start because we’d each had very long workdays.

The installation didn’t follow the script (Do they ever, I wonder?). It was impossible to discern which breaker the electrical was wired to so we turned them all off. Of course, that meant doing much of the job by flashlight.

The not-so-helpful instructions estimated the job should take between one and three hours. Doug left our house at 1:00 in the morning. He was still smiling. Perhaps even morestriking was the utter absence of profanity! That’s a good neighbor. In fact, for those four hours at least, I’d say Doug’s neighborliness bordered on the saintly.

Grace arrives in many forms. I’ve found though, that it usually involves a palpably personal and relational element. Grace usually entails somebody choosing to be available as its conduit.

Scott Burnett

"One Sunday!"

Eight hours in church one Sunday! A day of inspiration, worship, teaching, fellowship, community, fun, laughs, good food, great music, drama, a few tears, great joy in being a part of the family of God... where else could one go and have such a great day?

Sunday, November 25th started out with early Communion and the early Worship service, complete with inspiring music, a professional quality drama on the blind man whom Jesus healed, and then some unbelievably beautiful violin duets by the Pattersons, and a most passionate, touching and uplifting message from Ricardo, pastor in the Esperanza service.

...Then I enjoyed a delicious breakfast, lovingly prepared by Pastor David.

...Then I attended three more meetings: a short Pacesetter Small Group, with fun, sharing & inspiration.

...Then a follow-up class on the Book of John, taught by a great Bible teacher, Allan Wenzel, and then on to a “Cares” class on Prayer, and "How to Let God Work through You", taught by Sally Jo Holmes, with great discussion and inspiration.

...Then I had the privilege of attending the Baptism celebration, with a 3 generation Baptism of father, son and grandfather, plus another lovely woman whom I've come to admire and love.

...Several hours later, on Sunday evening, I was honored to be a part of the "Lights of Love" Grief and Healing Service, a very touching and beautiful candlelight service, and I shed a few tears and lit a few candles.

What a beautiful day! As I returned home, my heart was so full of love for Jesus, and I was so thankful for the privilege of being a part of such a loving fellowship at Washington Cathedral. How can Heaven get better than this?

Marilyn Biggs

"Addendum For Sermon Preached 12/8 & 12/9"

Last week my sermon was on how to allow “Christmas Faith” to help you break through self-accepted curses in your life based on John 11, the story about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. The week of my sermon preparation was the kind of week that is typical around here during the holidays -- a week jammed with pastoral care on top of Christmas activities and preparations. I wanted to make sure my message was not misinterpreted, so this devotion is an addendum to the sermon I preached at the services December 8th and 9th.

One of my points was that Jesus argued against using the language of curses, because he knows that what human beings believe has incredible power over them. (Matthew 5:22.) As an aside, this is one of the reasons I speak out strongly in opposition to Christians or people of other religions who are in the practice of calling their enemies “of the devil.” It is like calling someone a derogatory name, it is not going to help the level of communication and allow the grace of God to enter, bringing forgiveness and restoration. I used the example of the story of Soren Kierkegaard. His entire family lived under a self-imposed curse which they believed came because of a sin of their father. They were told, and believed, that they would all die before the age of 34. When Kierkegaard turned 34, he realized that even though he respected and feared his father, maybe his father did not know what he was talking about when it came to God. There are people who believe so strongly they are under curses of poor health, poverty, failed relationships and faithlessness and because of that belief they never allow God to set them free from these self-fulfilling prophecies. Admitting that we have a lot to learn about God is the beginning of a closer encounter with the loving nature of Jesus Christ and is absolutely liberating.

Now for the addendum: I said in my sermon that Christian theology believes we live in a world that has been cursed since the fall of man and as a result, earthquakes, tsunamis, cancer and war are a result of that fall. This is what requires further explanation. Please remember that while our church is very diverse, my background is as a simple Bible-believing Christian. It is because of the Bible and the teaching of Jesus Christ that I believe in grace – unconditional healthy love, resulting in treating every human being with dignity and respect. I use that phrase of “the curse of our planet” in the way that C.S. Lewis, a former professor of Literature at Oxford, would have used it. Let me explain. What we (historic Christianity) mean by “the curse of our planet” is that this earth is not a perfect place and perfection will not be achieved until we get to heaven. As a result, we believe cancer and other diseases are here and earthquakes and wars take place because of the imperfect nature of our world. Both good people and not so good people suffer because of those things and it is not because God is aiming any of those disasters at a certain person or group of people. It is a belief that in fact God is “other than nature.” C.S. Lewis explains this in his first attempt at a theodicy (why do the righteous suffer) an essay entitled “The Problem of Pain.” Of course, this subject is the focus of many great thinkers from Voltaire to Alister McGrath.

I like the discussion by Eric J. Welensberg in “God and the Research of Reason.” He introduces a conversation by C.S. Lewis, who as you may know, is one of the most beloved Christian apologists of the twentieth century. C.S. Lewis was uniquely qualified to speak about the nature of life being less than perfect. He spent most of his life as an atheist because his mother died when he was young, he fought in World War I (where indescribable acts of inhumanity took place) and he married the love of his life on her death bed (she died of cancer). Welensberg has a dialogue between C.S. Lewis, David Hume and Bertrand Russell. The other two are among Christianities most vocal critics. This book puts these three intellectual giants in conversation with one another on various questions such as: the existence of God, the suffering of humanity, morality, reason, joy, miracles and faith. Alongside irreconcilable differences, surprising areas of agreement emerge. This is not written from a Christian perspective, but I am reading to understand the complexities of this issue we are tackling – God is loving and good and yet bad things do happen in this world to the good and the not so good alike. It is animportant conversation and I hope that we can continue to ponder and discuss these complexities in this “think tank” of diverse thinkers known as Washington Cathedral.

Tim White