Archive for category: Sermons

“I prophesied [to the bones] as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.” — Ezekiel 37:10

Ezekiel has a vision of a valley full of bones receiving life, breath, sinew and flesh after encountering the word of God. When they arise, they receive Spirit and they dance! As Easter people we celebrate the Spirit that continues to give life and breath to our dry bones. We dare to dance in the face of fear, in the face of cynicism, in the face of despair. We dare to dance “as long as we live” for we, like the early Christians, are the recipients of the Spirit of God which intercedes even when we think we can’t make it to the dance floor. In hope we are saved!

“For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace…” — Isaiah 55:12a

The scriptures for this Sunday describe everything in creation offering joyful noises to God. Our joy is complete because the joy of Christ resides within us. We cannot help but break forth. This joy is available to all, realizes the community in Acts. The Holy Spirit finds its way even and especially in what feels like unlikely people and places. Where do we see the Spirit at work and who can withhold the living water and our living praise? No one!

“…that they may all be one.” — John 17:21

How do we know the rhythm and dance of our lives is faithful? Drummer of the Grateful Dead, Mickey Hart wrote “To fall in love is to fall in rhythm.” It is love for each other by which we know we are followers of Jesus, the ever-attentive shepherd. In the face of societal rules and attitudes that strive to foster “everyone for themselves,” they will know we are Christians by our love. How can we listen to the music that draws us together, “falling in rhythm” with neighbor in order to build up the whole? Our dance leads us to the table this day and our cup overflows.

“David danced before the Lord with all his might.” — 2 Samuel 6:14a

The Sunday after Easter brings the story of Jesus appearing to the disciples and breathing the Holy Spirit on them. Other lectionary scriptures point to the power of being together, of finding fellowship in the presence of Jesus and the presence of the community. What does it take to dance together?

After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!” – Mark 1: 14-15

As our exploration of the Gifts of the Dark Wood begins to come to a close, we look around us to acknowledge the kin-dom–the family–that has always and is already right here with us. Sojourners in the Dark Wood do not go it alone but are blessed with the presence of others who help us see, reflect with us and discover together with us the riches of a life lived with intention. As Jesus comes into Jerusalem at the beginning of that fateful week, he is surrounded by those who will live the uncertainty, temptation and emptiness right alongside.