Meditation on Daniel 6 for the Easter Vigil

✠ In the name of Jesus ✠

    This final reading from Daniel teaches as clearly as any of the previous readings about Christ’s burial and resurrection, and about our own dying and rising with Him.
    Daniel was one of many Israelites who had been taken captive by the Babylonians and carried away to live there in exile.  During the 70 years of exile, these worshipers of the Lord were outsiders, strangers in a strange land.  They longed to return to the Promised Land which God had given them.
    Isn’t that also how it is for God's New Testament people?  We also as Christians are like exiles in a foreign land, carried away for a time because of our sin.  This is not our true home.  St. Paul writes in Philippians, "Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself."  As citizens of heaven we do not desire to follow the ways of the world, and therefore the world is often set against us.  The citizens of the world will try to make trouble or trip up those who are faithful to the truth of the Word.  In that sense we are not only in foreign territory but we are in enemy territory.
    That was certainly how it was for Daniel.  Because he was faithful to God and because he was distinguishing himself above all others in his service to the king, his enemies set out to undo him.  They knew that Daniel faithfully worshiped the Lord daily, praying toward Jerusalem.  And so they tricked the king into making a law that would forbid Daniel or anyone else from doing that for 30 days.  Anyone who broke that law was to be thrown into the den of lions to be killed.  Daniel, of course, refused to obey such a godless order, and he was condemned to death.
    This is also how it was with Jesus.  In His day he was upsetting the power structure by refusing to bow down to the man made ways of the Jewish leaders, and therefore he was a threat.  They set about to get rid of him.  Though he was blameless in every way, yet through deceit and trickery and betrayal they schemed to have him arrested and sentenced to death.  Not only did they bring false testimony against Jesus, but then they manipulated the mob into forcing Pontius Pilate to crucify Jesus.  Just as Darius didn't want to kill Daniel, Pontius Pilate didn't want to kill Jesus.  But through the conniving of Christ's enemies, he decided that was the politically expedient thing to do.  In the end he sent Christ off to His death as the innocent Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
    When Daniel was placed into the pit where the lions were, a stone was brought and laid over the entrance to the pit.  And the king sealed the entrance with his own signet ring.  So also Christ was laid in the tomb, and a stone was laid across the entrance to the tomb.  Furthermore, that entrance was sealed with a Roman seal and guarded by Roman guards so that no one could come and steal the body.  Both Daniel and Christ seemed to have been defeated.
    But when Darius came to the den of lions early in the morning (as it was on Easter), he called out to see if Daniel was still alive.  And Daniel responded, "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me."  Is that not exactly what Christ did in an eternal sense through His death and burial?  He is the Angel, the Messenger of the Father, who shut the lion's mouth.  I Peter 5:8 says that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  But Christ through His death confronted the lion and defeated him.  He shut his mouth forever.  For He took away the sin with which Satan could mangle us.  Now the devil has no power over us, just as the lions had no power over Daniel.  The beasts of Satan and sin can no longer bring us any eternal harm.  Christ has shut the lion's mouth.
    Daniel was taken up out of the pit unharmed.  So also Christ arose from the tomb in His full resurrection glory as the conquering Son of God.  But all those who were set against Daniel were thrown into the lions' den in Daniel's place, and it is written, "The lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den."  So it will be for all those who are set against Christ and against those whom He has chosen in baptism.  Those who lay traps for the people of God will be caught in their own snares.  Trusting in Christ and clinging to Him, we will see our vindication in the end.  Satan and all those who reject or ignore Christ will be cast into the pit of hell. 
    Let us then live patiently as exiles in this world.  Let us pray with the Psalmist, "Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; In You I take shelter."  For truly the Lord is our shelter from Satan, the world, and the grave.  He is a mighty refuge and a strong fortress to save us.  He has gone down into the pit and He has come out vindicated and victorious, and He now gives us to share in His resurrection.  Even as Easter will surely be revealed in all its glory in the morning, so our Lord Jesus will surely be revealed in all His glory when He comes again.  And we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is, no longer exiled, but home with Him in the New Jerusalem above.  

What Darius the king said is certainly true of our Lord Jesus.
“For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.
He delivers and rescues.”

✠ In the name of Jesus ✠

Only Human

Meditation on John 19:1-22

People will sometimes blame their failings on the fact that "they're only human." However, the problem since the fall of Adam is not that we are human but that we are less than human. Our sin has dehumanized us, turning us in on ourselves rather than outward in love toward God and others. Beastly thoughts and words and actions often proceed from us. Survival instincts dominate. So it is written, "Man is like the beasts that perish" (Psalm 49:12).

And we don't like anyone drawing this to our attention, either. Better if they can be ignored or shut up. This is the behavior of those who are less than men. It is the behavior of the chief priests and the officers when they see Jesus. He is a threat to their territory and domain. And so they growl for His crucifixion.

But before they can cry out their desires, Pontius Pilate speaks words that were more true than he realized. He presents a bloodied and beaten Jesus and says, "Behold the Man!" Here is the One who is truly and fully human, who is not degraded and corrupted by His own sin. Here is the only real Man, who lays down His life for fallen creatures like you to raise you up as the people of God, His own beloved bride, His Church. He willingly allows Himself to be treated inhumanely to rescue you, to restore your humanity, to give you to share in His life and His glory. By His wounds you are healed and forgiven.

Behold the One who wears thorns on His head as a crown, to redeem you from the curse on the ground which you were created out of. Behold the Ram whose horns are caught in the thorny thicket of sin, who is offered up in the place of you Isaacs as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Behold the woman's Seed who is crucified at Golgotha, the place of a Skull, whose cross is driven like Jael's tent peg into the skull, whose pierced feet crush Satan's head and defeat the power of death.

This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. The chief priests don't like this inscription that Pilate placed over Jesus' head and ask him to change it. But the earthly authority whom God has established proclaims the truth. "What I have written, I have written." Jesus truly is the King of the Jews, that is, the King of all those who are the true children of Abraham. He reigns in mercy over His baptized ones, over all you who believe in His promises, and who are credited with His righteousness by grace alone.

The Wedding of Philip Koch and Paula Graumann

Marriage of Philip Koch and Paula Graumann
June 30, 2012

    “A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”  Little did I know a couple years ago that this kind and gentle young lady who spoke with me after class about heading out a day early for break, that she would be the one whom my son would be leaving for.  “A man shall leave his father and his mother.”  We already had a little taste of that, Philip, when you were out here working last summer and asked Paula to marry you not too far from this place.  We’re glad, Paula, that you’re the one he’s leaving home for, and we all have great happiness in your being united as husband and wife today.

    But why is it that the Scriptures only talk about the man leaving his father and mother?  Doesn’t the bride also leave father and mother, too?  This could have something to do with how brides often maintain a little closer connection and contact with Mom and Dad than the groom does.  But the real reason why God’s Word only refers to the man leaving has to do with this: marriage is created by God as a picture of something greater, as you know.  Marriage is a temporary institution that ends on the Last Day.  But it reflects an eternal reality, the union of Christ and His holy Lady, the church. 

    So here’s where those words ultimately point us:  Jesus, the Son of God, left His Father in heaven to be joined to His wife, His chosen people.  In order to save us who had fallen into sin and death, He literally joined Himself to our flesh and blood and became man.  “A man shall leave His father and mother.”  Jesus even had to leave His mother Mary behind for a time on the cross.  Jesus is the second Adam, who was put into the deep sleep of death for us on the sixth day, Good Friday.  As the first Adam brought death into the world through sin, so Jesus brought life into the world by dying our death for us, taking away our sin and conquering the grave Easter morning.  In the same way that Eve was created from Adam’s side, the Church is created from Christ’s pierced side, from the water and blood that flowed, the living water of Baptism which makes us members of His body, the blood of Christ poured out in the chalice of the Lord’s Supper, by which we are cleansed of all sin.  Through these Sacraments, the Church is Jesus’ radiant bride, dressed in the beautiful white garment of His righteousness. 

    Philip and Paula, that eternal reality is what God has given to form the heart of your marriage.  In leaving your father and mother, Philip, you are doing as Christ did, that you may give of yourself and lay down your life for your bride.  In receiving him as your husband, Paula, you are a picture of the Church, who honors her groom and submits to Him and His love and returns that love with a glad heart.  Philip, you die for her.  Paula, you live for him.

    Now, of course, neither of you are going to do this even close to perfectly.  Otherwise, there wouldn’t be those words in your vows, “until death do us part.”  Only sinners die.  In small ways death creeps into marriage even before we die–in little fights and unkind words or silence, in stubbornly trying to get your own way when the other person isn’t living up to what you thought your spouse would be.  It is tremendously important, then, especially in those times, to hold fast to the love of your heavenly Groom, Jesus.  His forgiveness and grace in marriage gives you new life and a new start each day with each other.  Love and forgive each other in Him.  As you receive mercy from Lord in divine service, as you show mercy and forgiveness to each other–in that way above all, you will reflect Christ and the church as husband and wife.

    Now before I conclude, marriage sermons are expected to offer a little advice it seems, so let me pass along something I heard from a fellow pastor, which is a good insight: He said, you really only need two pieces of furniture to have a good marriage–a table and a bed.  You don’t need a TV or a recliner or any other stuff, though they may be nice.  What you truly need are a place to eat together and a place to sleep together.  For those are the places of communion in a marriage, where the liturgy of marriage goes on, where husband and wife commune and share of themselves with each other.

    So it’s a good idea to ask yourselves these two questions from time to time: Are you eating together each day (without the TV on or computers or cell phones)?  And do you go to bed at the same time?  Those two things can be too easily neglected, and can be the beginning of troubles–no marital communion and sharing.  So tend to those things.  Eat together. (Which is a good time to have devotions together, by the way.)  And sleep together. (You’ve got permission to do that as of today.)  The best marriage talk is table talk and pillow talk.  Guard your bed and your table.  Don’t let anything interfere.

    Philip and Paula, you’ve got no idea what you’re getting yourself into today.  It’s true.  (Ask the married folk here.)  You can’t really know until you actually make the vows.  So what you’re promising today is, despite the unknowns, you’re going to stick with it no matter what.  And you’ll do that not because you’ll always have overwhelming romantic feelings, but because God Himself has joined you together, and because Christ, the true Man sticks with His chosen Lady, the Church and never gives up on her. He’ll never give up on you.

    In the end that’s the most important thing.  The most important day of your life is not today, as important and special as it is.  The most important day of your life is the day you were baptized into Christ, joined to the holy death that He died in your place and raised up with Him to be children of God.  Always look at each other in that way.  The person you are standing next to, whom you are about to commit yourself to, is a person for whom Christ died.  See each other as God sees you, through the cross of Christ, one who is forgiven, one who is a beloved child of God.  He is everything for you, and you are everything to Him.

    A man shall leave his father and mother–and son, that’s a good thing and the way God planned it–but just remember that you’re always welcome to come back home, with the wife God has graciously given you, to bring some smiles and laughs as you always do, and perhaps eventually some grandkids, too.  This is the beginning of a new life for you, and we’re pulling for you and praying for you, and soon we’ll raise a toast of Cana wine to you.  You are God’s good gifts to each other.  May the Lord richly bless you in your married life and the new home you are establishing in His name.  Amen.

Dr. Jastram's Dead Sea Scrolls Presentation

For those of you who weren't able to get to see the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Milwaukee Public Museum with the rest of the group from our congregation, or for those who you who will yet be going, here's a video of Dr. Jastram's presentation which we saw beforehand on site. This particular presentation was given on the campus of Concordia University for students and other interested parties. His presentation is helpful in putting the significance of the display into some context for us as Christians, particularly how these scrolls support the reliability of the Scriptural text. It's about one hour long.

The Difference Between Abstinence and Chastity

Father Hollywood has a good post here. It gets to the heart of the matter concerning the topic above and how this all relates to Mother's Day.

A Little While

Today's sermon on John 16:16-22 is here, with audio. (Btw, thanks to Pastor Weedon for getting the ball rolling for me this week.)

The Good Pastor

My homily for this week on John 10:11-16 (and Ezekiel 34:10-16; 1 Peter 2:21-25) is here.

A Sacrament of Love

One aspect of the Lord's Supper that I sometimes fail to emphasize in my preaching and teaching is that even as our sins are taken away by the body and blood of the Lamb of God, we are also taking up and bearing the burdens and the needs of those flesh and blood people with whom we share the Supper. Luther refers to this in the catechism and in his hymnody, but he does so very explicitly in his treatise entitled, "The Blessed Sacrament of the Holy and True Body of Christ, and the Brotherhoods" (1519). Here are a couple of snippets to whet your appetite to read the whole thing, which appears in Luther's Works, Vol. 35, pp. 49-68. A majority of this will be reprinted in the upcoming issue of Gottesdienst. If you are not yet a subscriber, you can take care of that here.

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14. To signify this fellowship, God has appointed such signs of this sacrament as in every way serve this purpose and by their very form stimulate and motivate us to this fellowship. For just as the bread is made out of many grains ground and mixed together, and out of the bodies of many grains there comes the body of one bread, in which each grain loses its form and body and takes upon itself the common body of the bread; and just as the drops of wine, in losing their own form, become the body of one common wine and drink—so it is and should be with us, if we use this sacrament properly. Christ with all saints, by his love, takes upon himself our form [Phil. 2:7], fights with us against sin, death, and all evil. This enkindles in us such love that we take on his form, rely upon his righteousness, life, and blessedness. And through the interchange of his blessings and our misfortunes, we become one loaf, one bread, one body, one drink, and have all things in common. O this is a great sacrament, says St. Paul, that Christ and the church are one flesh and bone. Again through this same love, we are to be changed and to make the infirmities of all other Christians our own; we are to take upon ourselves their form and their necessity, and all the good that is within our power we are to make theirs, that they may profit from it. That is real fellowship, and that is the true significance of this sacrament. In this way we are changed into one another and are made into a community by love. Without love there can be no such change.

15. Christ appointed these two forms of bread and wine, rather than any other, as a further indication of the very union and fellowship which is in this sacrament. For there is no more intimate, deep, and indivisible union than the union of the food with him who is fed. For the food enters into and is assimilated by his very nature, and becomes one substance with the person who is fed. Other unions, achieved by such things as nails, glue, cords, and the like, do not make one indivisible substance of the objects joined together. Thus in the sacrament we too become united with Christ, and are made one body with all the saints, so that Christ cares for us and acts in our behalf. As if he were what we are, he makes whatever concerns us to concern him as well, and even more than it does us. In turn we so care for Christ, as if we were what he is, which indeed we shall finally be—we shall be conformed to his likeness. As St. John says, “We know that when he shall be revealed we shall be like him” [I John 3:2]. So deep and complete is the fellowship of Christ and all the saints with us. Thus our sins assail him, while his righteousness protects us. For the union makes all things common, until at last Christ completely destroys sin in us and makes us like himself, at the Last Day. Likewise by the same love we are to be united with our neighbors, we in them and they in us.

(and this preceding paragraph)

13. There are those, indeed, who would gladly share in the profits but not in the costs. That is, they like to hear that in this sacrament the help, fellowship, and support of all the saints are promised and given to them. But they are unwilling in their turn to belong also to this fellowship. They will not help the poor, put up with sinners, care for the sorrowing, suffer with the suffering, intercede for others, defend the truth, and at the risk of [their own] life, property, and honor seek the betterment of the church and of all Christians. They are unwilling because they fear the world. They do not want to have to suffer disfavor, harm, shame, or death, although it is God’s will that they be thus driven—for the sake of the truth and of their neighbors—to desire the great grace and strength of this sacrament. They are self-seeking persons, whom this sacrament does not benefit. Just as we could not put up with a citizen who wanted to be helped, protected, and made free by the community, and yet in his turn would do nothing for it nor serve it. No, we on our part must make the evil of others our own, if we desire Christ and his saints to make our evil their own. Then will the fellowship be complete, and justice be done to the sacrament. For the sacrament has no blessing and significance unless love grows daily and so changes a person that he is made one with all others.

Luther, M. (1999, c1960). Vol. 35: Luther's works, vol. 35 : Word and Sacrament I (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (Vol. 35, Page 49-68). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.

Genesis 1:28

A good picture for earth day from Sacred Sandwich.

Top Ten Reasons to Use the Liturgy

From Pastor Cwirla's Blog:

1. It shows our historic roots. Some parts of the liturgy go back to the apostolic period. Even the apostolic church did not start with a blank liturgical slate but adapted and reformed the liturgies of the synagogue and the Sabbath. The western mass shows our western catholic roots, of which we as Lutherans are not ashamed. (I’d rather be confused with a Roman Catholic than anything else.) We’re not the first Christians to walk the face of the planet, nor, should Jesus tarry, will we be the last. The race of faith is a relay race, one generation handing on (“traditioning”) to the next the faith once delivered to the saints. The historic liturgy underscores and highlights this fact. It is also “traditionable,” that is, it can be handed on.

2. It serves as a distinguishing mark. The liturgy distinguishes us from those who do not believe, teach, and confess the same as we do. What we believe determines how we worship, and how we worship confesses what we believe.

3. It is both Theocentric and Christocentric. From the invocation of the Triune Name in remembrance of Baptism to the three-fold benediction at the end, the liturgy is focused on the activity of the Triune God centered in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. Worship is not primarily about “me” or “we” but about God in Christ reconciling the world to Himself and my baptismal inclusion in His saving work.

4. It teaches. The liturgy teaches the whole counsel of God - creation, redemption, sanctification, Christ’s incarnation, passion, resurrection, and reign, the Spirit’s outpouring and the new life of faith. Every liturgical year cycles through these themes so that the hearer receives the “whole counsel of God” on a regular basis.

5. It is transcultural. One of the greatest experiences of my worship life was to be in the Divine Service in Siberia with the Siberian Lutheran Church. Though I spoke only a smattering of Russian, I knew enough to recognize the liturgy, know what was being said (except for the sermon, which was translated for us), and be able to participate knowledgeably across language and cultural barriers. I have the same experience with our Chinese mission congregation.

6. It is repetitive in a good way. Repetition is, after all, the mother of learning. Fixed texts and annual cycles of readings lend to deep learning. Obviously, mindless repetition does not accomplish anything; nor does endless variety.

7. It is corporate. Worship is a corporate activity. “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” The liturgy draws us out of ourselves into Christ by faith and the neighbor by love. We are all in this together. Worship is not simply about what “I get out of it,” but I am there also for my fellow worshipers to receive the gifts of Christ that bind us together and to encourage each other to love and good works (Heb 10:25). We are drawn into the dialogue of confession and absolution, hearing and confessing, corporate song and prayer. To borrow a phrase from a favored teacher of mine, in church we are “worded, bodied, and bloodied” all together as one.

8. It rescues us from the tyranny of the “here and now.” When the Roman world was going to hell in a hand basket, the church was debating the two natures of Christ. In the liturgy, the Word sets the agenda, defining our needs and shaping our questions. The temptation is for us to turn stones into bread to satisfy an immediate hunger and scratch a nagging spiritual itch, but the liturgy teaches us to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

9. It is external and objective. The liturgical goal is not that everyone feel as certain way or have an identical “spiritual” experience. Feelings vary even as they come and go. The liturgy supplies a concrete, external, objective anchor in the death and resurrection of Jesus through Word, bread, and wine. Faith comes by hearing the objective, external Word of Christ.

10. It is the Word of God. This is often overlooked by critics of liturgical worship. Most of the sentences and songs of the liturgy are direct quotations or allusions from Scripture or summaries, such as the Creed. In other words, the liturgy is itself the Word of God, not simply a packaging for the Word. Many times the liturgy will rescue a bad sermon and deliver what the preacher has failed to deliver. I know; I’ve been there.

Ten is one of those good numbers in the Bible signifying completeness, so I'll stop at ten. I'm sure there are more.

The Speaker at This Year's Pastors Conference

The Rev. Matthew Harrison, Executive Director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care, was the main speaker at the recent South Wisconsin District Pastors Conference in Lake Geneva. He had some fine things to say about the church's mission of mercy. What a refreshing thing to hear some good, in-depth theology from one of our synodical bureaucrats--someone who was comfortable handling the Scriptures in their original language. A good executive and a decent Lutheran theologian at the same time. What a novel concept! His blog is in the sidebar and is entitled "Mercy Journeys with Pastor Harrison."

Pastor Harrison is also known as a fine banjo player. You can watch him play "A Mighty Fortress" here. Be sure to listen at least 50 seconds in. Also, a more popular tune can be accessed here. I'd embed the video, but can't figure out how to do it at the moment. Enjoy!

Wounds and Peace

This morning's homily on John 20:19-31:



Full sermon text can be accessed here.

The Law and the Gospel

Today at the graduation of my son-in-law, Gabriel Frusti, from the Police Academy. Gabe is an officer for the Franklin, Wisconsin Police Department. Congratulations, Gabe!

I Did It My Way

An interesting article here about music chosen by people for their funerals in Britain. I realize that Britain is basically post-Christian/secular/new age/neo-pagan/whatever. But still, to have a virtual definition of sin as the #1 chosen pop song (Frank Sinatra's "My Way") and to make that one of your final statements to the world is just amazing and saddening.

Easter, the Victory of the Cross

This morning's homily on John 20:1-18.



Full text of this sermon can be accessed here.

Seven Words From the Cross

1) "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."



2) "Today, you will be with Me in paradise."



3) "Behold your son; behold your mother."



4) "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"



5) "I thirst."



6) "It is finished."



7) "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit."



Full text of these homilies can be accessed here.

The King of the Jews

In the April, 2009 edition of Touchstone Magazine, there is an insightful article written by Patrick Henry Reardon. In this article Reardon makes the connection between the dream of the Gentile Pilate's wife in Matthew 27:19 and the visit of the Gentile Magi, who were divinely warned in a dream not to return to Herod (Matthew 2:12). I had not fully considered the literary and exegetical parallels between these two passages before. I wish I could link to the whole article, but since it's not up at the Touchstone site, here's at least of a taste of it for your Holy Week meditation:

(After pointing out that the phrase "King of the Jews" doesn't appear again after the visit of the Magi until the Passion narrative, Reardon comments:)

Matthew tells us that Pilate "knew that they had handed him over because of envy." Indeed, he mentions this in the verse immediately preceding the message from his wife (27:18-19). This envy of Jesus' enemies readily puts the reader in mind of the earlier envy of Herod, when he, too, was confronted with the real King of the Jews.

There is a special irony, then, to the title by which Pilate's soldiers address Jesus in their mockery: "Hail, King of the Jews" (27:29). Pilate, moreover, apparently with a view to mocking the Jews themselves, attaches to the cross the official accusation against Jesus: "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews" (27:37). At last is answered that question first put by the Magi, "Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?" (2:2) He is on the cross, the just Man dying for the sins of the world.

Thus, the dream of Pilate's wife, which had revealed Jesus to be a just Man, completes the earlier dream of the Magi. The testimony from the East is matched by the testimony from the West, both cases representing those regarding whom Jesus commanded his Church, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (28:19).

A Good Memory of Wiest and Palm Sunday

As I was driving to Walmart today to pick up a few things, I drove past the location of the local palm reader and spiritualist, Ann Taylor. Her place happens to be right next door to Our Father's Lutheran Church, where Pastor Stephen Wiest of blessed memory served for a few years before his death. I was reminded of how Pastor Wiest once went over to visit her in the week leading up to Palm Sunday. Of course, the timing of the visit was meant to be a little bit of a joke, as if Palm Sunday had anything to do with her line of work. But he used the occasion as a serious opportunity to invite her to come to church and hear the Word of Christ. I don't think she took him up on the offer, but it brought to mind again what a special character Father Wiest was and how his doctorate and learning never kept him from being able to talk to anyone. He especially seemed to revel in speaking to those on the fringes who wouldn't normally be targeted by missions experts as those who were open to hearing the Gospel. Looking back, I still can't believe that he was removed from the campus ministry at UW-Milwaukee. That was just the sort of place he belonged, though he was well-received in the more "normal" congregational settings like Our Father's, too. I imagine the only palm reading Pastor Wiest would've encouraged was the kind done by Thomas the week after Easter, seeing the scarred hands and side of the risen Jesus in the body and blood of the Sacrament, "reading" and hearing the Word of peace and forgiveness that comes from the Savior in the Supper to poor sinners like us.

Blessed be the memory of Stephen Wiest. And have a blessed Palm Sunday!

P.S.--Ann Taylor, the palm reader, had a "For Sale" sign out in front of her place for quite a while. But the place never sold. Shouldn't she have foreseen that?

Hell

Here's this week's homily on Matthew 27:32-66:

Abortion is a Blessing?

This has to be a really, really bad April fools joke, right? I mean, seriously, the Episcopalians couldn't go this far, could they!? Here's a portion of a sermon from the new dean of the Episcopal Divinity School, the "Rev." Katherine Hancock Ragsdale. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

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- Finally, the last sign I want to identify relates to my fellow clergy. Too often even those who support us can be heard talking about abortion as a tragedy. Let’s be very clear about this:

When a woman finds herself pregnant due to violence and chooses an abortion, it is the violence that is the tragedy; the abortion is a blessing.

When a woman finds that the fetus she is carrying has anomalies incompatible with life, that it will not live and that she requires an abortion – often a late-term abortion – to protect her life, her health, or her fertility, it is the shattering of her hopes and dreams for that pregnancy that is the tragedy; the abortion is a blessing.

When a woman wants a child but can’t afford one because she hasn’t the education necessary for a sustainable job, or access to health care, or day care, or adequate food, it is the abysmal priorities of our nation, the lack of social supports, the absence of justice that are the tragedies; the abortion is a blessing.

And when a woman becomes pregnant within a loving, supportive, respectful relationship; has every option open to her; decides she does not wish to bear a child; and has access to a safe, affordable abortion – there is not a tragedy in sight -- only blessing. The ability to enjoy God’s good gift of sexuality without compromising one’s education, life’s work, or ability to put to use God’s gifts and call is simply blessing.

These are the two things I want you, please, to remember – abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Let me hear you say it: abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done.

And here's a bit on doctors and their consciences:

But let’s be clear, there’s a world of difference between those who engage in such civil disobedience, and pay the price, and doctors and pharmacists who insist that the rest of the world reorder itself to protect their consciences – that others pay the price for their principles.

This isn’t particularly complicated. If your conscience forbids you to carry arms, don’t join the military or become a police officer. If you have qualms about animal experimentation, think hard before choosing to go into medical research. And, if you’re not prepared to provide the full range of reproductive health care (or prescriptions) to any woman who needs it then don’t go into obstetrics and gynecology, or internal or emergency medicine, or pharmacology. Choose another field! We’ll respect your consciences when you begin to take responsibility for them.