Blog

Jesus said, “A Father Had Two Sons”….  Jesus, You could be talking about CR’s father — CR’s father and his two sons.  You have to wonder: “Did the father from this story in Luke (Luke 15:11-32b) also have two sisters?”  After all, the bible likes to do things in pairs, so in essence, this story could be about CR’s whole family structure — CR has two sisters and a brother — CR is the youngest and his brother is the oldest — and CR is the most prodigal of them all while his brother and sisters are the “do it by the book never stray from the straight and narrow path of being good sons and daughters” (at least in CR’s eyes).   CR wants you to go and read this story of  The Prodigal Son and then come back.  Ready?  Here we go…

Maybe, again, this might explain the genesis of some of CR’s crankiness.  CR has never seen a situation in life where he couldn’t just decide to do what was least expected, least advised, and least tolerated.  But CR is getting ahead of his story.

CR wants to ask you a question….just between you and CR.  Have you ever found a story in the bible, or a character in the bible where you absolutely found a correlation between their experiences or their choices and your own life and choices?  Have You?  This is one of the beautiful things about the bible.  There are so many relatable stories in the bible — this book that so many want to look at as a dead and cold “history book” is actually a living, breathing book of truths and stories and lessons about life that apply to our lives today as much as they did two millennia ago.  For this Cranky Reverend, the story of the Prodigal Son or the Forgiving Father, or the Prodigally Forgiving Father is THAT story.

A modern interpretation, or a Confession?

Any way, a Father had two sons — who seem to be totally different people — as totally different as you could imagine.  The oldest son is focused — an over-achiever.  The oldest son knew from the time he was a young lad what he wanted to do with his life – and he was going to be the good son and be that role model he was supposed to be.  He did everything the right way — he was educated, he married his childhood sweetheart and found that job — the one he wanted to do since he was a wee lad — and he went for it — even though it meant leaving all that he knew in terms of family, home and comfort.  He never asked for money, he knew what was expected, he raised his own family, served the community, and knew how to check in on his parents, how to show them the respect they deserved.

The youngest son, well he wasn’t so focused — and he wasn’t such an over-achiever.  The youngest son never really knew what he wanted to do with his life.  Even as he was being educated, he was a dreamer, dreaming of sporting competitions instead of careers.  And the youngest son couldn’t focus very well, for a very long period of time.  If there was a diagnosis for this son way back then, he would have been the poster child for ADHD — Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  In other words, he was a real pain in the A _ _ to his brother and sisters – and his parents.  The youngest son really never knew what it was to be the good son.  He did get an education, but he also squandered his money, going on trips he didn’t plan really well and could not afford.  He did finally find his soul mate after dating a lot of “questionable alternatives” and finally settled into some routine in life….but the damage and the bridges he had burned along the way left a “scorched-earth”.  He always asked for money, he really never checked in on his parents enough, and never showed them the respect they deserved.

A father had two sons…..so which son deserves the love, the respect, the support, and the forgiveness of the Father?

Eventually each son has a moment with the Father — sort of a “come to Jesus” moment.  The youngest son says, “Father, I have failed as a son; I am not worthy to be part of this family.  I have done everything the wrong way, I have dishonored this family, I have done you and my mother wrong — I wish to have your forgiveness though I do not deserve it.”  The oldest son says, “Father, I have always been here for you, I have been working, I have done everything the right way, yet you treat this other son of yours as if he is worthy of your forgiveness where instead he should get your wrath.  What are you doing Father?  Nothing makes sense?”

The Father says, “How can we NOT celebrate and forgive — the lost has been found.  No, it does not make sense to you, but you were not the one who was lost….you always had and appreciated the gift — you understood the value of the gift — you heard a rule and followed it, you had a goal and achieved it.  My other son wasn’t so willing or able to understand the value of the gift — the other son wasn’t able to set a goal and achieve it.  The other son just could not understand.  But the love and forgiveness of this Father is forgiveness and love that are not just for the focused and the level-headed, not just for the obedient and the realist — but forgiveness and grace are also for the unfocused and the dreamer, for the disobedient and the sinner, for those who understand and realize the value of the gift, and for those who do not understand and who squander the gift.  Does that make sense?  No!  But, I will not condemn — I will only offer love.”

When we find a story in the bible that speaks to us, we need to hold on to those stories, because so many of the stories Jesus tells are stories about forgiveness, not condemnation; about mercy, not judgment; about love, not hate; and about situations that resonate with our own lives.  And when we find a story that explains “Amazing Grace” — that tells the story of G-d’s unconditional love, mercy and Grace, then we better sing that story every day….every day.

A modern interpretation or a Confession?   It’s hard to say — the ones who need to know will understand.  But, CR has an unbelievably forgiving and loving family…and we have a G-d who runs to us and welcomes us home when we finally come to our senses, seek forgiveness, and realize what we do in this life really matters.

What story resonates with You?

Crankeverend………..humbled!!

Today, Crankeverend (CR) witnessed the goodness of G-d — in two wonderful expressions — in the place and manner most would not expect.  I have talked recently about the losses that CR has been dealing with — two untimely and unexpected deaths — a young man and a young woman.  But after this Saturday, the crankiness in CR’s heart is melting…..melting……melting away.

It is not often that one witnesses the depth of G-d’s love, mercy and Grace so expressively — but in the span of five hours on Saturday, this cranky pastor was blown away.  CR first attended the funeral for the young woman (Nita) — and having arrived a good twenty minutes before the service, CR and Mrs. CR found a church where there were no empty seats to be found.  The “Standing” room was running out quickly, and people continued to pour into the church.  CR and his wife ended up standing in the lobby (in CR’s church we call this the Narthex, every room has a Latin term in the church) toward the back where you could not hear the speakers, and could barely hear the organist.  It was a testament to the life of a woman who died much too young.  The community, the friends of the family, the church family and her own family came out in droves — came out to show this family that Christ is present — that Christ is with us even in the most devastating losses we experience in this life. This is how Jesus comes along side us in the midst of loss — through the people who gather to sit with us, to grieve with us, and to support us.  CR and Mrs. CR could only stay for about thirty minutes (they still had not finished the tributes to Nita’s life) before they needed to leave to prepare for a funeral at CR’s congregation.  But CR and Mrs. CR were lifted out of that church by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The other death CR was struggling with was a 33 year old member of his congregation who died of an overdose of Heroin.  When CR spoke to the mother of this young man, she did not believe many people would come out for his funeral.  But there was one thing this mother did not know about CR’s friend (Jack) — what she did not know was that the people in CR’s congregation loved Jack — even though he struggled with his demons, the people did not ostracize him (as a lot of people would think “Churchy” people would do) – and they did not reject him (as many unchurched people might do) — instead the members of Trinity Lutheran Lemoyne loved Jack, walked with Jack in his struggles, and then came out on a Saturday afternoon to celebrate his life.  Christ was so present in the church yesterday that if people think the church is dying, and is not relevant any more, then they are so D _ _ _ wrong about the church, and about us “Churchy” people.  (Sorry about CR’s language, but sometimes CR must go blue).

My friends, CR has a Mea Culpa again today — CR might complain about being Cranky, but in real life, CR is a servant of the Lord — and not a Cranky servant (though my members may say that I am a little Cranky on a Sunday morning, but thus the Genesis of the Cranky Reverend).  And today, CR is walking a little taller, is ready to preach Christ crucified and Risen and alive in the world — and if you want to experience a place where people believe, and celebrate an ever-present Jesus Christ, without being pretentious, or snobby, or “Judgy” — come to Lemoyne — or any Lutheran church in the Lower Susquehanna Synod — and you will find people who love the Lord — and love people.

Crankeverend…………Not so Cranky!!