Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. -Matthew 5:7
Nothing new about this teaching of Jesus. We have heard so many sermons over the years praising the qualities of mercy. Shakespeare celebrates it in Hamlet:
The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest,-
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
We read and hear the altruism in the words of the poet and of scripture, and we embrace it in the general, but find it so difficult in the particular.
By the particular I mean the couple who has abused their child; hearing our son confess their abuse of alcohol; hearing that our daughter understands sexual activity more permissively than we do; learning that our neighbor has embezzled funds from their employer; reading that another government employee has been arrested for this or that offense. The list goes on.
Could it be that God meant mercy for certain sincerely penitent people or for everyone who has personally offended us? I think it was a pretty universal mercy he was talking about-everyone, who upon confession, is deserved of punishment. Jesus understood what Shakespeare expressed that mercy frees the one who offers it perhaps more than the one who receives it.
I'll wager that today somewhere in the midst of it, you will be challenged to extend mercy whether at your place of work, among your family, on the road, or in something you see or read. Jesus knew that extending mercy frees us from the sadness of carrying an eternal torch of punishment and judgment. Jesus knew that when we show mercy we are in possession of one of God's greatest attributes.
Prayer
Gracious God this gate to life is so narrow and the road so hard that I wonder at times if I can travel it. Alone, I know I cannot. With you I know all things are possible-even an act of mercy to one I may feel is quite undeserving in the name of Jesus. Amen.
C. Mac Hamon, Senior Pastor
Castleton United Methodist Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Aim High
If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there", and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. -Matthew 17:20
The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it. -Michelangelo
Michelangelo lived a few days shy of eighty-nine years, still sculpting, painting, writing, and designing. When I see the size, the majesty, the spirit of his statue of David it is a work of hope. When he was asked how he could create such a masterpiece, he replied that David was already in the marble, he simply had to chip away the excess to allow him to escape. I believe sculptors are that way. They are people of hope who aim high.
We have read or heard quoted this passage of scripture where Jesus talks about mustard seed faith and wonder-how can such faith be possible. I believe the point of Jesus, like Michelangelo, was to aim high-see the possibility in the mountain before us and with God's help release the hope within it.
I see people do this who face incredible odds. We have witnessed the people working in the Chilean mountains as they tried to release the miners, exhibit this kind of hope. A pessimist might look at the challenge and throw up their hands in despair. Others looked at the mountain and saw in it the possibility for the miners to be released from it. And they were.
Okay, perhaps you are facing a mountain of challenge today. Aim high. Try to vision the hope in the midst of it that is trying to be released. The mountain may not move, but I'll bet something can be released from it that will free you from the despair that otherwise might entrap you.
Prayer
Gracious God, help me to look at the challenges of this day with faith sufficient to work with you lest I fail to see the hope that may be waiting to be released. Help me to remember that in my own life you are the potter and I am the clay. Mold me this day after your will in the name of Christ. Amen.
Mac Hamon, Senior Pastor
Castleton United Methodist Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it. -Michelangelo
Michelangelo lived a few days shy of eighty-nine years, still sculpting, painting, writing, and designing. When I see the size, the majesty, the spirit of his statue of David it is a work of hope. When he was asked how he could create such a masterpiece, he replied that David was already in the marble, he simply had to chip away the excess to allow him to escape. I believe sculptors are that way. They are people of hope who aim high.
We have read or heard quoted this passage of scripture where Jesus talks about mustard seed faith and wonder-how can such faith be possible. I believe the point of Jesus, like Michelangelo, was to aim high-see the possibility in the mountain before us and with God's help release the hope within it.
I see people do this who face incredible odds. We have witnessed the people working in the Chilean mountains as they tried to release the miners, exhibit this kind of hope. A pessimist might look at the challenge and throw up their hands in despair. Others looked at the mountain and saw in it the possibility for the miners to be released from it. And they were.
Okay, perhaps you are facing a mountain of challenge today. Aim high. Try to vision the hope in the midst of it that is trying to be released. The mountain may not move, but I'll bet something can be released from it that will free you from the despair that otherwise might entrap you.
Prayer
Gracious God, help me to look at the challenges of this day with faith sufficient to work with you lest I fail to see the hope that may be waiting to be released. Help me to remember that in my own life you are the potter and I am the clay. Mold me this day after your will in the name of Christ. Amen.
Mac Hamon, Senior Pastor
Castleton United Methodist Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
Monday, October 11, 2010
Patience
.. . . these are the ones who, when they hear the word [of God] hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance. -Luke 8:15
Infinite patience produces immediate results -from A course in Miracles
Both of these quotes address what is perhaps an attribute which many of us lack-patience. I hear more people wishing for patience than perhaps anything else. This desire for patience arises in a conversation when we are usually discussing issues around work and family. It often has to do with wanting to have something in our time rather than the time it will take for the topic in question to mature.
Several years ago a parishioner was telling me about their little boy. It seems the child was eager to plant a garden. Among those things he planted were radishes. As the first green leaves of the radish plants began to sprout, the little boy got very excited. His patience began to wane as he awaited the plant's further emergence. When it did not happen in his time, he started pulling on the leaves. He pulled so hard that the tender plant came up with no radishes on the end.
There is an Oriental proverb which says, With time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown. It the throes of wanting our children to hurry up, we would do well to remember this. Like the plant we place in the ground some things by nature are geared to their own time rather than ours.
Jesus was talking about the patient endurance of nurturing our faith. The statement is drawn from his parable about the farmer who planted seeds. Sometimes we treat our faith like the little boy treated his radish. We want a stronger faith and as soon as we begin to see it emerge we believe it ought to be ready for anything that comes our way. So we stop feeding it and when the winds and rains of challenge and doubt assail us, there is nothing there to sustain us.
The playwright was essentially saying the same thing though it sounds quite contradictory on the surface. Infinite patience continues to build a reservoir of patience such that when the challenge comes we have the immediate reserves to draw from in order to meet them. Like plants, faith needs an enduring patience that feeds it daily if it is to bear the kind of fruit we need in tougher times.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, may I allow sufficient time today to nourish my faith with prayer and reflection that I may have the faith needed for the challenges of life. In the name of Christ. Amen.
Mac Hamon, Senior Pastor
Castleton United Methodist Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
Infinite patience produces immediate results -from A course in Miracles
Both of these quotes address what is perhaps an attribute which many of us lack-patience. I hear more people wishing for patience than perhaps anything else. This desire for patience arises in a conversation when we are usually discussing issues around work and family. It often has to do with wanting to have something in our time rather than the time it will take for the topic in question to mature.
Several years ago a parishioner was telling me about their little boy. It seems the child was eager to plant a garden. Among those things he planted were radishes. As the first green leaves of the radish plants began to sprout, the little boy got very excited. His patience began to wane as he awaited the plant's further emergence. When it did not happen in his time, he started pulling on the leaves. He pulled so hard that the tender plant came up with no radishes on the end.
There is an Oriental proverb which says, With time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown. It the throes of wanting our children to hurry up, we would do well to remember this. Like the plant we place in the ground some things by nature are geared to their own time rather than ours.
Jesus was talking about the patient endurance of nurturing our faith. The statement is drawn from his parable about the farmer who planted seeds. Sometimes we treat our faith like the little boy treated his radish. We want a stronger faith and as soon as we begin to see it emerge we believe it ought to be ready for anything that comes our way. So we stop feeding it and when the winds and rains of challenge and doubt assail us, there is nothing there to sustain us.
The playwright was essentially saying the same thing though it sounds quite contradictory on the surface. Infinite patience continues to build a reservoir of patience such that when the challenge comes we have the immediate reserves to draw from in order to meet them. Like plants, faith needs an enduring patience that feeds it daily if it is to bear the kind of fruit we need in tougher times.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, may I allow sufficient time today to nourish my faith with prayer and reflection that I may have the faith needed for the challenges of life. In the name of Christ. Amen.
Mac Hamon, Senior Pastor
Castleton United Methodist Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
For just as the body without the spirit is dead; so faith without works is also dead. —James 2:26
There should be less talk; a preaching point is not a meeting point. What do you do then? Take a broom and clean someone’s house. That says enough. —Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa, the diminutive spiritual giant who worked daily in the streets of Calcutta, seeing Jesus Christ in all of his distressing disguises, as she put it, offers us some profound wisdom. Words that are not backed by action as James says become simply a preaching point. If we want to make a point, we may need to create a meeting point with new and effective behavior.
The old aphorism, I hear, I forget; I see, I remember; I do, I understand, applies not only when we want to learn, but also to how we wish to be treated (Matthew 7:12). The most effective way to teach anyone what we would like them to know is through behavior, not words. The music teacher cannot teach us to sing by telling us how it is done—they must help us use our voice which gives birth to the notes. Eventually the student in driver’s education has to get out of the classroom and behind the wheel.
Our children will more often than not do as we do rather than as we say, which causes many of us a lot of frustration when they emulate those traits we do not like in ourselves. Someone said this experience is best expressed by the phrase, What you do speaks so loud, I can’t hear what you say. This point was vividly made one evening when watching a person being interviewed utter some of the most belittling, near hateful words toward those with whom she disagreed while wearing a cross around her neck.
We can preach the unconditional love of God for humankind, but if we are hateful or resentful toward those who see faith and life different than we do, then our words belie our actions. The scripture puts it this way:
Those who say ‘I love God’ and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for
those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love
God whom they have not seen. —1 John 4:20
Prayer
Almighty God you will come to me this day in some pretty distressing disguises. Help me to meet you, disguised as you may be, in such a way that I will be to them a word of grace and hope. In the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Mac Hamon, Senior Pastor
Castleton United Methodist Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
There should be less talk; a preaching point is not a meeting point. What do you do then? Take a broom and clean someone’s house. That says enough. —Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa, the diminutive spiritual giant who worked daily in the streets of Calcutta, seeing Jesus Christ in all of his distressing disguises, as she put it, offers us some profound wisdom. Words that are not backed by action as James says become simply a preaching point. If we want to make a point, we may need to create a meeting point with new and effective behavior.
The old aphorism, I hear, I forget; I see, I remember; I do, I understand, applies not only when we want to learn, but also to how we wish to be treated (Matthew 7:12). The most effective way to teach anyone what we would like them to know is through behavior, not words. The music teacher cannot teach us to sing by telling us how it is done—they must help us use our voice which gives birth to the notes. Eventually the student in driver’s education has to get out of the classroom and behind the wheel.
Our children will more often than not do as we do rather than as we say, which causes many of us a lot of frustration when they emulate those traits we do not like in ourselves. Someone said this experience is best expressed by the phrase, What you do speaks so loud, I can’t hear what you say. This point was vividly made one evening when watching a person being interviewed utter some of the most belittling, near hateful words toward those with whom she disagreed while wearing a cross around her neck.
We can preach the unconditional love of God for humankind, but if we are hateful or resentful toward those who see faith and life different than we do, then our words belie our actions. The scripture puts it this way:
Those who say ‘I love God’ and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for
those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love
God whom they have not seen. —1 John 4:20
Prayer
Almighty God you will come to me this day in some pretty distressing disguises. Help me to meet you, disguised as you may be, in such a way that I will be to them a word of grace and hope. In the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Mac Hamon, Senior Pastor
Castleton United Methodist Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
Monday, September 27, 2010
What Really Matters
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall
I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
blessed be the name of the Lord. —Job 1:21
The person being interviewed was commenting on his research about the growing income disparity in the United States. His research revealed that the last time it was this great was the 1920s. Evidently the disparity in income between the rich and poor has been widening since the 1970s no matter the political party in power.
I think I was supposed to be alarmed by this. Disappointment and sadness was more of what I felt. At the same time the thought occurred to me that with all of the funerals I have had as a pastor, I have yet to see any one, no matter how nice the casket, urn, or crypt, take any money with them. I know the ancient Pharaohs tried, but they only provided loot for those who stole from their crypts.
This is not a gloomy thought as much as a reality check—death is a great leveler of status. The words of Jesus ring true—do not be anxious about the things of life (Matthew 6:25ff). What counts is what I do with what I have today. Do I speak the kind word to the person who is having a rough day? Do I share my wealth with those who have little? Do I spend a few minutes at the end of a day to debrief with my child, my spouse, or a friend? Do I read a passage from my Bible and reflect on what it says about the nature of God, humankind, and me? Do I end my day with a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s presence with me or a complaint?
Please don’t get me wrong—I think it would be terrific if there was a greater sharing of our wealth. While I may not have everything I want, I do have everything I need. I will certainly work and pray for those who do not. At the same time, I won’t be envious of those who have more. In eternity it really won’t matter.
Prayer
Gracious God it is a new day. Before me is a new opportunity. Help me to lay aside the worries of yesterday’s failures and focus on the possibilities of this day lest tomorrow come and I have wasted them all. In the name of Christ. Amen.
Mac Hamon, Senior Pastor
Castleton United Methodist Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
blessed be the name of the Lord. —Job 1:21
The person being interviewed was commenting on his research about the growing income disparity in the United States. His research revealed that the last time it was this great was the 1920s. Evidently the disparity in income between the rich and poor has been widening since the 1970s no matter the political party in power.
I think I was supposed to be alarmed by this. Disappointment and sadness was more of what I felt. At the same time the thought occurred to me that with all of the funerals I have had as a pastor, I have yet to see any one, no matter how nice the casket, urn, or crypt, take any money with them. I know the ancient Pharaohs tried, but they only provided loot for those who stole from their crypts.
This is not a gloomy thought as much as a reality check—death is a great leveler of status. The words of Jesus ring true—do not be anxious about the things of life (Matthew 6:25ff). What counts is what I do with what I have today. Do I speak the kind word to the person who is having a rough day? Do I share my wealth with those who have little? Do I spend a few minutes at the end of a day to debrief with my child, my spouse, or a friend? Do I read a passage from my Bible and reflect on what it says about the nature of God, humankind, and me? Do I end my day with a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s presence with me or a complaint?
Please don’t get me wrong—I think it would be terrific if there was a greater sharing of our wealth. While I may not have everything I want, I do have everything I need. I will certainly work and pray for those who do not. At the same time, I won’t be envious of those who have more. In eternity it really won’t matter.
Prayer
Gracious God it is a new day. Before me is a new opportunity. Help me to lay aside the worries of yesterday’s failures and focus on the possibilities of this day lest tomorrow come and I have wasted them all. In the name of Christ. Amen.
Mac Hamon, Senior Pastor
Castleton United Methodist Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
Monday, September 20, 2010
Do Unto Others
In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; —Matthew 7:12
A visitor to the bedside of Aldous Huxley who lay dying asked him what wisdom he had for humankind after a lifetime of study and exploration of the human spirit and Huxley replied, All we need to do is be a little kinder toward each other. This author of Brave New World offered what Jesus said so many centuries ago, treat others as you wish to be treated—in a sacrificially loving way, of course.
The Saturday morning men’s group has been looking at John Wesley’s Three Simple Rules. The first of those rules is to do no harm. Essentially, it means be a little kinder to others. Even in the midst of conflict with others, doing no harm means not gossiping about those with whom we may disagree; not speaking disparagingly of others involved in the conflict; not manipulating the facts of the conflict; not diminishing those who may disagree with us; and honoring them as a child of God.
There is a Native American saying that no tree has branches so foolish as to fight among themselves. The point is that humankind is a part of the same tree. How foolish, therefore, we would be to fight among ourselves thus placing in jeopardy the tree. Extending this saying a bit further, Jesus said,
. . . every tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. —Matthew 7:17-18
I must confess that sometimes the fruit I bear is not always good. On those occasions I need to have my tree pruned a bit. God does that for me, but usually in a very gracious way. Then I can be kinder to others.
Prayer
Gracious God grant that my roots may be firmly in you this day that I may be grateful for the moments of grace and able to face the challenges with grace and kindness in the name of Christ. Amen.
Mac Hamon, Senior Pastor
Castleton United Methodist Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
A visitor to the bedside of Aldous Huxley who lay dying asked him what wisdom he had for humankind after a lifetime of study and exploration of the human spirit and Huxley replied, All we need to do is be a little kinder toward each other. This author of Brave New World offered what Jesus said so many centuries ago, treat others as you wish to be treated—in a sacrificially loving way, of course.
The Saturday morning men’s group has been looking at John Wesley’s Three Simple Rules. The first of those rules is to do no harm. Essentially, it means be a little kinder to others. Even in the midst of conflict with others, doing no harm means not gossiping about those with whom we may disagree; not speaking disparagingly of others involved in the conflict; not manipulating the facts of the conflict; not diminishing those who may disagree with us; and honoring them as a child of God.
There is a Native American saying that no tree has branches so foolish as to fight among themselves. The point is that humankind is a part of the same tree. How foolish, therefore, we would be to fight among ourselves thus placing in jeopardy the tree. Extending this saying a bit further, Jesus said,
. . . every tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. —Matthew 7:17-18
I must confess that sometimes the fruit I bear is not always good. On those occasions I need to have my tree pruned a bit. God does that for me, but usually in a very gracious way. Then I can be kinder to others.
Prayer
Gracious God grant that my roots may be firmly in you this day that I may be grateful for the moments of grace and able to face the challenges with grace and kindness in the name of Christ. Amen.
Mac Hamon, Senior Pastor
Castleton United Methodist Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The Wonder of the Real World
The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took
and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds,
but when it has grown it is the greatest of
shrubs and becomes a tree . . . —Matthew 13:31-32
Another illustrated the wonder and mystery of God’s creation by noting that a watermelon seed has the power of drawing from the ground and through itself 200,000 times its weight. Though those who specialize in the field of botany and agronomy can understand the process of interaction between seed and soil, for many of us it remains a wonder and a mystery, as I believe it does even for those who understand the scientific process.
Mystery and wonder is tough to come by in this age of reality shows and reminders to be relevant. Though I understand the fascination with watching the lives of people unfold in alleged unscripted fashion, it sort of takes away the wonder and mystery of life.
Few things today are left to the imagination. I confess that the reality shows have no appeal to me whatsoever. I think it is their lack of imagination that does it for me, and the way in which so many dehumanize. I believe this is another reason why faith is out of fashion—it seeks to capture the imagination and involve us in some of the mystery and wonder of how God works in this world.
So, in the midst of your real work in a real world surrounded by real people, take some time to reflect on the ways in which God mysteriously works in the world. Get out and look at a flower, gaze upward toward the sky, watch a child at play, read the passage from Matthew to which I refer and contemplate the way this kingdom of love and light can be like leaven that begins in you and influences those around you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you have created me in your image and I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Capture my imagination this day with your matchless love that I may bask in all of the mystery and wonder that is around me. In Jesus name. Amen.
Mac Hamon, Senior Pastor
Castleton United Methodist Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds,
but when it has grown it is the greatest of
shrubs and becomes a tree . . . —Matthew 13:31-32
Another illustrated the wonder and mystery of God’s creation by noting that a watermelon seed has the power of drawing from the ground and through itself 200,000 times its weight. Though those who specialize in the field of botany and agronomy can understand the process of interaction between seed and soil, for many of us it remains a wonder and a mystery, as I believe it does even for those who understand the scientific process.
Mystery and wonder is tough to come by in this age of reality shows and reminders to be relevant. Though I understand the fascination with watching the lives of people unfold in alleged unscripted fashion, it sort of takes away the wonder and mystery of life.
Few things today are left to the imagination. I confess that the reality shows have no appeal to me whatsoever. I think it is their lack of imagination that does it for me, and the way in which so many dehumanize. I believe this is another reason why faith is out of fashion—it seeks to capture the imagination and involve us in some of the mystery and wonder of how God works in this world.
So, in the midst of your real work in a real world surrounded by real people, take some time to reflect on the ways in which God mysteriously works in the world. Get out and look at a flower, gaze upward toward the sky, watch a child at play, read the passage from Matthew to which I refer and contemplate the way this kingdom of love and light can be like leaven that begins in you and influences those around you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you have created me in your image and I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Capture my imagination this day with your matchless love that I may bask in all of the mystery and wonder that is around me. In Jesus name. Amen.
Mac Hamon, Senior Pastor
Castleton United Methodist Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
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