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I begin most mornings with prayer, including some time in the Word and some time on my computer, connected to the internet, reading the news.
Thursday morning I opened my laptop computer, connected to the internet, and was immediately confronted by the news of a school shooting in Colorado. The shooter killed one girl and himself too.
Friday morning I opened my laptop computer, connected to the internet, and was immediately confronted by the news of a huge mud volcano in Java. Whole villages are being left uninhabitable by the unending flow of mud.
I continued to work on preparations for today's celebration of 60 years of ministry and mission in this place, but I was still stunned by the headlines.
I found myself praying, "Lord, how can we celebrate when wherever we look we see people grieving? How can we celebrate when wherever we look we see people hurting, we see people hungry, we see people afraid, we see people oppressed and exploited? Lord, how can we celebrate when wherever we look we see people so very angry?"
"Lord, how can we celebrate when the world in which we live is so terribly broken?"
As I prayed, slowly my prayer was changed. "Lord, how could we not celebrate when wherever we look we see you at work bringing consolation to those who are grieving? How could we not celebrate when wherever we look we see you at work bringing healing to those who are hurting? How could we not celebrate when wherever we look we see you at work bringing provision to those who are hungry, whether that hunger is physical or emotional or spiritual? How could we not celebrate when wherever we look we see you at work bring refuge and courage to those who are afraid, and hope and freedom to those who are exploited and oppressed? How could we not celebrate when wherever we look you are overwhelming those who are angry with the refreshing showers of forgiveness, and filling hearts that are empty or dark with your life-giving, life-changing love?"
"Lord, how could we not celebrate when you are the source of all hope-hope that is greater than any despair? Lord, how could we not celebrate when you are with us? Lord, how could we not celebrate when you love us so much you would rather die than lose us? Lord, how could we not celebrate when you loved the world so much that you gave your Son to live for us, to die for us, to be raised to new life for us, to reign in power with you, and even to intercede for us?"
"Lord, how could we not celebrate when you have been so faithful? Lord, how could we not celebrate when you have claimed us in the waters of baptism and made us your own? Lord, how could we not celebrate when you come to us again and again in the bread and the juice, pouring out your grace and forgiveness, pouring out your power and love? Lord, how could we not celebrate when you have sent us out into the world in your name, giving us the privilege of showing forth your love?"
"Lord, how could we not celebrate?"
God loves celebrations.
Somehow the impression has gotten out there-at least in some circles-that God is stern and serious all the time-that he doesn't want anybody to have any fun, but that is not the God of the Bible!
In Chapter 15 of Luke, Jesus tells three parables about this God who loves to celebrate.
Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep. A shepherd leaves behind 99 sheep just to go and look for the one that is lost. He searches and he searches. When he finally finds that sheep, he is so excited that he calls all of his neighbors: "Come celebrate with me! The sheep that was lost has been found!"
I tell you the truth, in the same way there is a great celebration in heaven whenever one of God's lost sheep is found and brought into his embrace of love and mercy.
Jesus tells the parable of the lost coin. A woman has 10 coins, but she loses one. She is determined to find that one lost coin. She searches and searches. She turns the house inside out searching for that one coin. When she finally finds that coin, she is so excited that she calls all of her neighbors: "Come celebrate with me! The coin that was lost has been found!"
I tell you the truth, in the same way there is a great celebration in heaven whenever one of God's precious ones is found and set on their way to joining God in his purpose and plan.
Then Jesus tells the parable of the lost boy. Many of you know this as the parable of the prodigal son.
A son requests his inheritance from his father. He wants it now; he doesn't want to wait until his father dies. In effect, he is saying to his father, "I wish you were dead." The father grants the request. The son leaves home and squanders all his wealth on rich food, loose women, and bad friends. Finally, destitute, embarrassed, and ashamed, he makes his way home, hoping against hope that his father will take him back-not as a son, but as a servant.
The father sees the son while he is still a long way off. This father is a middle-eastern patriarch. Middle-eastern patriarchs don't run. Middle-eastern patriarchs are all about status and dignity and authority. This father-this middle-eastern patriarch-takes off running when he catches sight of his son. He runs to meet him on the road. Even before the son can beg forgiveness, the father takes him in his arms and welcomes him home. Then the father calls for the servants to make ready a great celebration, for his son who was lost has been found!
I tell you the truth, in the same way there is a great celebration in heaven whenever one who has scorned God and walked away from God returns to receive the fullness of the Father's joy.
The Bible uses lots of images to show what the kingdom of God is like. One of the images used over and over again in the Old Testament and in the New Testament is the image of a great celebration and feast.
Again and again, the kingdom of God is likened to a great banquet. In Luke chapter 13, Jesus says: The time will come when "people will come from east and west and north and south and take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God."
When I was growing up, Communion was always a silent, solemn affair. It was always about remembering the Last Supper and reflecting on the death of Jesus. That is certainly appropriate, but it is not the only meaning of the Lord's Supper.
The Lord's Supper-Communion-is also about looking forward to the great celebration and feast when Christ's kingdom comes in its fullness. It's about bringing together people from east and west and north and south and celebrating that we are all one in Christ Jesus.
Any time I participate in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, I am convinced that at least one person in the congregation is that lost sheep who has been found and is entering today into God's embrace of love and mercy.
Any time I participate in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, I am convinced that at least one person in the congregation is that precious lost coin who has been found and is today being set on his or her way to joining God in their special place in his purpose and plan.
Any time I participate in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, I am convinced that at least one person in the congregation is that wandering son or daughter who is returning today to be welcomed with love and to be filled with all new hope and joy.
If any one of those things is happening today, then you can be sure that the angels in heaven are rejoicing!
Lord, how could we not celebrate too?
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