Jonah’s Journey

I have been a believer that some bible stories get attached to us because they have much to teach and guide us through life. One story that I keep coming back to over and over through the last 40 years is the story of Jonah. Now I am no fisherman- perhaps like Jonah. I have been known to drown a fish before I get it reeled in, but fishing with my father in Montana is one of the things I look forward to each summer. You know the story as well as any in the Bible. God asked Jonah to go to Ninevah (modern day Iraq) and preach repentance to the residents. Jonah does just the opposite and books passage to Tarshish (perhaps Spain), running away from God. Here is one connection for me. As much as I like serving the Lord, sometimes when it seems that the going will be rough, it is easier to book passage to Tarshish to avoid it.

On board the cargo boat, Jonah is sleeping in his quarters while a great storm pounds the boat. Sailors are panicking and thinking at the same time that perhaps this storm is the result of someone’s sin. The short stick falls to Jonah. While Jonah claimed responsibility, since he was running away from God, he was a little too eager to take the blame. Jonah turned his responsibility into an opportunity to get out all together, just throw him overboard and the responsibility for his death is the sailors and not his own. In Lent we focus on sin, those we commit that are against God and others as well as the things we do not do. Facing responsibility is important as we look toward the cross and the resurrection. It is our sins that put Jesus there and only his forgiveness can heal.

Surprise! A great fish swallows Jonah and he has a floating cavernous tomb in which to meditate. He prays. In times of crisis, we seem to pray our most earnest, and deepest prayers. Jonah did and it seems as a result, the whale vomited Johan up on a beach. God’s command was renewed. Jonah didn’t get off the hook, just because he took a detour. He still had to go to Ninevah. So he did. He shortened what the Lord had commanded him to say to barely: “Repent, or else!” Guess what the people did and even from the greatest to the least, even the animals put on sackcloth and sprinkled ashes over themselves in token of their remorse. Jonah didn’t like his mission, but he did it anyway.

Finally, Jonah is pouting outside of Ninevah. When God comes the question is “Can I not have mercy on those I wish to have mercy on?” Jonah says, “Yes, but…” The story ends. Jonah is all about the grace of God, that comes whether we are in the mood or not. The three days in the whale are connected to Jesus three days in the tomb. If this is a time of darkness for you, don’t avoid it, and don’t go it alone. God goes with you. Remember the third day! May God bless this time of reflection as we near Easter and bring you through to experience the resurrection with full joy.

God Bless!

Pastor Gordon J Young

By the way, come to Mid-week Lenten Services where Jonah Journey is the theme.

Bits and Pieces

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 17. The theme for this season is "The Sign of Jonah" There will be six clips from the life of Jonah that will remind us that we are in the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday will use the imposition of ashes traced as a cross on our foreheads to remind us that we are dust and to dust we shall return. We bear the mark of the cross reflecting our mortality. Each of the six weeks in Lent you will receive a take home reminder of that evening's drama. On February 24 and March 3, 10, 17, 24 there will be a soup and bread supper. Remember to sign up and bring your favorite soup and/or bread.

With the events of the past week, this season of Epiphany has seemed more like Lent. Dayle and I made a quick trip on January 19 to be with our daughter Katie as she mourned the death of her fiancée Tony. Tony had a rare form of muscular dystrophy. We met Tony's parents and family, and in addition, lament that their wedding date of April 17 will never take place. Thanks for your prayers during this time.

The adult class will begin a new study using Max Lucado's book "Fearless" beginning February 7. If you don't have a copy, we will place an order on February 1st, so let me know. Books get here in two days. "Fearless” raises the issue of fear and all kinds of fears that we have.

This week, I am at the 2010 Theological Conference in Colorado Springs with other pastors and leaders of our Rocky Mountain Synod. Our speakers include Dr. David Lose whose topics include: The Power of Story, A Competition of Stories, and Opening the Biblical Story. Carrie Newcomer will speak on The Power of Transformative Story, and Faith and Vocation: Authentic Work, and Deep Listening. Robin Jensen will speak on Image as Exegesis: Narration and Interpretation of Biblical Text in Visual Art, Image as Proclamation: The Communication Dimension of Visual Art, and Image as Meditation: The Spiritual, Pastoral and Liturgical Functions of Visual Art. It is a good time to get together with others in our Synod. This year we will be at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs.

Peace and Joy!
Pastor Gordon

A Year of Living Generously

2009 is quickly coming to an end. This has been a year marked by the great recession. Hints of the widespread effect the downturn in the economy will take came late last year. There have been a number of families impacted in our congregation, who have lost jobs, downsized in a job, or face other economic stresses related to unexpected health issues. To respond, we usually tighten our belts and spend less and put away more, just in case. The fear of terrorists seems pale compared with the frightening economy. In fact, it has been a fear-filled decade.

How do we live as people of faith, in the context of fear? I have subscribed to a quarterly journal called “Word and World” for a number of years and occasionally, they give a preview of an upcoming issue. The January issue is on health, healing and wellness. One article intrigues me in the issue to still be received is called” How I Pray Is Breathe” by Mary Hinkle Shore. When I am fearful, I tend to breath faster and shallower. When I notice that fear response in others, I simply say: “Breathe!” Every breath is a gift from God. My breathing helps me to remember that since God gave me the breath of life, I need not worry, or be overcome with fear. I breathe deeper, and slower, treasuring each breath.

My breathing reminds me that I cannot out-give God. It is very humbling experience to be on the receiving end of such generosity. We mark the birth of Jesus- God did not even hold back his own Son. We look for the Epiphanies of Jesus, discovering where he chooses to reveal himself to us. We are humbled when we journey to the cross, and again overwhelmed when on Easter we experience the extraordinary generosity of God again, who raised us Jesus from the dead.

What would it be like for us as the faith community of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church to dedicate 2010 as a year of living generously? We would discover the great impact we have as a church on our community and we would give generously to support those ministries. We would dedicate a portion of our time to assist in those ministries, teaching, worship, and serving in the community. We will discover that we as individuals have gifts to offer and our God who is so generous, will use us to demonstrate his generosity to those in need. When we live generously, fear fades, community is strengthened, and hope is renewed.

Pledged to Live Generously in 2010

Pastor Gordon J Young