{"id":80,"date":"2020-03-28T20:41:20","date_gmt":"2020-03-28T20:41:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/?p=80"},"modified":"2020-03-28T20:41:20","modified_gmt":"2020-03-28T20:41:20","slug":"lent-v","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/2020\/03\/28\/lent-v\/","title":{"rendered":"Lent V"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/49700624701_ccae1e87d2_c.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>Located in the Vatican Museum, this sarcophagus depicts the raising of Lazarus along with what appears to be the arrest of St. Peter.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>We appreciate the kind words following our last virtual worship.  We pray that the Holy Spirit will speak through what follows, offering a sense of comfort and connection.  Please feel free to forward this service to others.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>PRELUDE: Lord, listen to your children praying<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/praying.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>Lord, listen to your children praying,<br \/> Lord, send your Spirit in this place;<br \/> Lord, listen to your children praying,<br \/> Send us love, send us pow&#8217;r, send us grace.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>OPENING PRAYER<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Gather us, God,<br \/>\nfrom the solitary places<br \/>\nfrom every form of shelter<br \/>\nfrom all that separates us.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Gather us, God,<br \/> from a time of trouble<br \/> from a time of trepidation<br \/> from every type of trial.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Gather us, God,<br \/> when only prayer can bind us<br \/> when only love can hold us<br \/> when only life in Christ can lead us home.<br \/> Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>HYMN OF PRAISE: When morning gilds the skies<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/gilds.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>When morning gilds the skies,<br \/> my heart awakening cries:<br \/> may Jesus Christ be praised!<br \/> When evening shadows fall,<br \/> this rings my curfew call:<br \/> may Jesus Christ be praised!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>To God, the Word on high,<br \/> the hosts of angels cry:<br \/> may Jesus Christ be praised!<br \/> Let mortals, too, upraise<br \/> their voice in hymns of praise:<br \/> may Jesus Christ be praised!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Let all of humankind<br \/> in this their concord find: <br \/> may Jesus Christ be praised!<br \/> Let all the earth around<br \/> ring joyous with the sound:<br \/> may Jesus Christ be praised!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Be this, while life is mine,<br \/> my canticle divine:<br \/> may Jesus Christ be praised!<br \/> Be this th&#8217;eternal song,<br \/> through all the ages long:<br \/> may Jesus Christ be praised!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Words and music by Casual\/Barnby<\/p>\n\n\n<p>PRAYER OF CONFESSION<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Jesus said: <br \/> \u201cI am the resurrection and the life.&#8221;<br \/> We seek the life you give, Lord<br \/> Life abundant<br \/> Life everlasting<br \/> Life in you.<br \/> Give us that life: that no more will we<br \/> Long for things that do not satisfy<br \/> Dwell on things that diminish us<br \/> Give in to things that we know <br \/> we can overcome when we trust in you.<br \/> Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>ASSURANCE OF PARDON<\/p>\n\n\n<p>God will give us what we need:<br \/>\nstrength for today,<br \/>\nhope for tomorrow,<br \/>\nand forgiveness <br \/>\nfor all that is past.<br \/>\nAmen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>FIRST LESSON: Psalm 130<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;<br \/>   Lord, hear my voice.<br \/> Let your ears be attentive<br \/>   to my cry for mercy.<br \/> If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,<br \/>     Lord, who could stand?<br \/> But with you there is forgiveness,<br \/>     so that we can, with reverence, serve you.<br \/> I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,<br \/>     and in his word I put my hope.<br \/> I wait for the Lord<br \/>     more than watchmen wait for the morning,<br \/>     more than watchmen wait for the morning.<br \/> Israel, put your hope in the Lord,<br \/>     for with the Lord is unfailing love<br \/>     and with him is full redemption.<br \/> He himself will redeem Israel<br \/>     from all their sins.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>SECOND LESSON: John 11.17-44<\/p>\n\n\n<p>17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many people had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.<br \/> 21 \u201cLord,\u201d Martha said to Jesus, \u201cif you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.\u201d<br \/> 23 Jesus said to her, \u201cYour brother will rise again.\u201d<br \/> 24 Martha answered, \u201cI know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.\u201d<br \/> 25 Jesus said to her, \u201cI am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?\u201d<br \/> 27 \u201cYes, Lord,\u201d she replied, \u201cI believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.\u201d<br \/> 28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. \u201cThe Teacher is here,\u201d she said, \u201cand is asking for you.\u201d 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the people who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.<br \/> 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, \u201cLord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.\u201d<br \/> 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the people who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 \u201cWhere have you laid him?\u201d he asked.<br \/> \u201cCome and see, Lord,\u201d they replied.<br \/> 35 Jesus wept.<br \/> 36 Then the people said, \u201cSee how he loved him!\u201d<br \/> 37 But some of them said, \u201cCould not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?\u201d<br \/> 38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 \u201cTake away the stone,\u201d he said.<br \/> \u201cBut, Lord,\u201d said Martha, the sister of the dead man, \u201cby this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.\u201d<br \/> 40 Then Jesus said, \u201cDid I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?\u201d<br \/> 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, \u201cFather, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.\u201d<br \/> 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, \u201cLazarus, come out!\u201d 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.<br \/> Jesus said to them, \u201cTake off the grave clothes and let him go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/8046\/29194724221_9ae76583a7_c.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Photo by orientalizing (Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0)<\/p>\n\n\n<p>REFLECTION<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Help can come from unexpected places.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Somehow I fell upon an article in the Harvard Business Review with the simple and arresting title, That Discomfort You\u2019re Feeling is Grief.&nbsp; As the author describes it, the editorial staff were meeting online when the conversation turned to how people were feeling.  When one colleague added that she felt mostly grief, the group resolved to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>They turned to David Kessler, grief expert and prot\u00e9g\u00e9 of the late Elisabeth K\u00fcbler-Ross.&nbsp; K\u00fcbler-Ross, you will recall, pioneered the five stages of grief\u2014denial, anger, bargaining, sadness and acceptance\u2014and helped millions overcome a common burden.&nbsp; Kessler, with permission from the K\u00fcbler-Ross family, added a sixth stage, something we will turn to later.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>To begin, though, we should let David Kessler explain how the five stages fit into our current situation:<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhenever I talk about the stages of grief, I have to remind people that the stages aren\u2019t linear and may not happen in this order. It\u2019s not a map but it provides some scaffolding for this unknown world. There\u2019s denial, which we saw a lot of early on: <em>This virus won\u2019t affect us.<\/em> There\u2019s anger: <em>You\u2019re making me stay home and taking away my activities.<\/em> There\u2019s bargaining: <em>Okay, if I social distance for two weeks everything will be better, right?<\/em> There\u2019s sadness: <em>I don\u2019t know when this will end.<\/em> And finally there\u2019s acceptance. <em>This is happening; I have to figure out how to proceed.\u201d <\/em>[1]<\/p>\n\n\n<p>And this, of course, is just the surface.&nbsp; Kessler\u2019s five examples mirror the earliest stages of the crisis\u2014the part we\u2019re already experiencing\u2014and not the profound loss that may visit or has already visited families during this time.&nbsp; And this takes us to another point that Kessler underlines: much of what is troubling us right now is anticipatory grief, the worst-case feelings that can overwhelm us.  His primary lesson is this: acknowledge these feelings and don\u2019t try to suppress them\u2014and then balance them by calling to mind all that we are doing to avoid what we fear most.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>It is a gift of the Holy Spirit that the reading for today is master class in grief.&nbsp; But before I go further, I need to make a couple of points about the story of raising Lazarus.&nbsp; First, and most importantly, this is a miracle story\u2014Jesus resuscitates Lazarus\u2014and not a resurrection story.&nbsp; Resurrection is coming, but we still need to wait.  And this takes us to the second point: Lazarus was raised from the dead, but still died.&nbsp; The defeat of death will come later\u2014once and for all\u2014but for now, the story of that blessed day will still need to wait.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>So let the class begin: the denial begins early, in the first part of the chapter, when Jesus breaks the bad news by saying that Lazarus has fallen asleep.&nbsp; In their denial, they take him literally\u2014the first stage of grief.  Stages two and three\u2014anger and bargaining\u2014appear the moment he meets Martha: \u201cIf you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.\u201d &nbsp; It seems like Martha knows the end of the story, that she believes that her brother will be raised, but her next comment tells the real tale: \u201cI know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.\u201d&nbsp; What seems like a hopeful statement is really sadness: she understands that she will not see her brother again in this life.  And at the same moment, there is a measure of acceptance\u2014providing examples of sadness and acceptance in one simple statement\u2014and the final two stages.&nbsp; Or so it would seem.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>And here is where we get to explore the difference between what seems to be happening and what\u2019s really happening.&nbsp; You may recall that last week I described John\u2019s Gospel as an extended book of signs that all point to God\u2019s glory.  And that\u2019s what is really happening here: the raising of Lazarus is another sign of God\u2019s glory.&nbsp; John himself sums this up in the beginning of his book when he says \u201cIn Him was life, and that life was the light for all people.\u201d  In the same way Matthew, Mark and Luke speak of the kingdom, John speaks of life: abundant life (10.10), life everlasting (3.16) and the bread of life (6.48) where Jesus reminds us that he is the \u201cliving bread that came down from heaven.\u201d [2]<\/p>\n\n\n<p>And this takes us to David Kessler\u2019s sixth stage of grief: meaning.\u00a0 The author expresses the hope that we can move from \u2018acceptance\u2019 to meaning: finding light in the midst of our grief\u2014some life-giving meaning that comes despite the dislocation and fear.\u00a0 And he suggests a couple of examples: remembering the joy of an extended telephone conversation, or really savouring a walk outside, not just walking to get somewhere.  The challenge is to name your own examples, to find the meaning that will allow us to defeat anxiety in a tense time.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Before I close, I want to share a word about that unique little verse that makes this passage noteworthy: \u201cJesus wept.\u201d&nbsp; Even when the sign was ready, even as the plan was unfolding, even as the end was assured\u2014Jesus wept.  Jesus wept for the pain of everyone around him, for the fear and the heartbreak, for the damage this event might cause his friends.&nbsp; He wept for them and he wept with them.  And the weeping continues.  Whatever befalls us in the days and weeks to come, remember the compassion of Christ: he weeps when we are weeping, and we never walk alone.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Back to our search for meaning, Jesus provides\u2014even before he brings his friend back to life: \u201cI am the resurrection and the life,\u201d he says. \u201cThe one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?\u201d&nbsp; The question, of course, is another challenge in the meaning-making that only Jesus can give.  We need to remember and cling to the new life we have already received in Christ Jesus\u2014the life that is meant to be a light for all people.  May our light shine forth even in this time of trouble.  Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">[1]Scott Berinato, \u201cThat Discomfort You\u2019re Feeling is Grief,\u201d HBR. [2]Craig S. Keener, \u201cEternal Life in John,\u201d bibleodyssey.org <\/p>\n\n\n<p>HYMN: Breathe on me, breath of God<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/breathe.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>Breathe on me, breath of God,<br \/> fill me with life anew,<br \/> that I may love what thou dost love,<br \/> and do what thou wouldst do.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Breathe on me, breath of God,<br \/> until my heart is pure,<br \/> until my will is one with thine,<br \/> to do and to endure.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Breathe on me, breath of God,<br \/> till I am wholly thine,<br \/> until this earthly part of me<br \/> glows with thy fire divine.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Breathe on me, breath of God:<br \/> so shall I never die,<br \/> but live with thee the perfect life<br \/> of thine eternity.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Words and music by Edwin Hatch<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/5253\/5570299990_88c5394a52_c.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Gracious and loving God,<br \/>\nWe come before you as one body,<br \/>\ntogether but in separate places.<br \/>\nAs we pray these words, alone or in twos,<br \/>\nwe remember that the Risen One is with us,<br \/>\nbinding us, one to another, now and always.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>We praise you this day, O God, <br \/>\nfor the creation you give us,<br \/>\nfor the earth and all it&#8217;s goodness,<br \/>\nfor the hidden potential in field and forest,<br \/>\nfor the spring that is unfolding\u2014<br \/>\neven if we remain indoors.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>We thank you for our congregation,<br \/>\nfor care extended and love made known:<br \/>\nfor calls and messages, <br \/>\nfor questions and interest<br \/>\nfor timely reminders that are never alone.<br \/>\nEnrich our ministry to each other,<br \/>\nand extend this care beyond our fellowship<br \/>\nto include all who seek to dwell in your love.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Today, O God, we ask:<br \/>\nWhen we are anxious, send calm<br \/>\nWhen we are restless, send meaning<br \/>\nWhen we are overwhelmed, send comfort  <br \/>\nWhen hearts are heavy with grief, send assurance<br \/>\nand help us see light in this time.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>We gather these and other concerns, praying<br \/> for everyone on the front lines of this crisis:<br \/> nurses and physicians,<br \/> hospital staff and technicians,<br \/> caregivers and everyone who supports them.<br \/> We pray for all essential workers:<br \/> hold them through fatigue and fear.<br \/> We also pray for those compelled to remain home,<br \/> but would rather be practicing their vocation.<\/p>\n\n\n<p> God, be with our friends and loved ones,<br \/> keep them from harm,<br \/> and remind them of your abiding love.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Out of the depths we cry to you, Lord;<br \/> we trust you will hear our voice.<br \/> Remain attentive when we cry for mercy<br \/> and remain with us now<br \/> and forevermore.<br \/> Amen. <\/p>\n\n\n<p>HYMN: There is balm in Gilead<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/gilead.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>   <em>There is a balm in Gilead<br \/>   to make the wounded whole.<br \/>   There is a balm in Gilead<br \/>   to heal the sin-sick soul.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Sometimes I feel discouraged,<br \/> and think my work&#8217;s in vain,<br \/> but then the Holy Spirit<br \/> revives my soul again.  R<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>If you cannot preach like Peter,<br \/> if you cannot pray like Paul,<br \/> you can tell the love of Jesus<br \/> and say, &#8216;He died for all.&#8217;  R<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Traditional African American spiritual<\/p>\n\n\n<p>BLESSING<\/p>\n\n\n<p>God\u2019s goodness and mercy follow you.<br \/>\nChrist\u2019s compassion surround you.<br \/>\nThe Spirit dwell with you<br \/>\n\u2013in the house of the Lord\u2013<br \/>\nnow and forever.<br \/>\nAmen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>SONG TO GO FORTH<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/meetagainredux.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>God be with you till we meet again; <br \/> loving counsels guide, uphold you, <br \/> with a shepherd\u2019s care enfold you; <br \/> God be with you till we meet again.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Words and music by Rankin\/Williams<\/p>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<p><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We appreciate the kind words following our last virtual worship. We pray that the Holy Spirit will speak through what follows, offering a sense of comfort and connection. Please feel free to forward this service to others. PRELUDE: Lord, listen to your children praying Lord, listen to your children praying, Lord, send your Spirit in &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/2020\/03\/28\/lent-v\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Lent V<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=80"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=80"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=80"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}