Reflection Questions:
Jesus had bad news—the Temple, the place where Jews met with God, would be destroyed. Still more, great hardship and persecution would follow the Temple's destruction. Jesus' shocking words about the Jerusalem Temple came true in 70 A.D. Despite the dire facts of this life, Jesus urged his listeners to keep faith through the hardship. His central message was, "Don't be alarmed…raise your heads, because your redemption is near."
Picture a worst-case scenario, the hardest tragedy you can imagine. That's what the destruction of the Temple sounded like to first-century Jewish ears. Jesus told his hearers this unthinkable event would happen, yet told them to keep their faith because their "redemption was near" (verse 28). Think back to a hard time you've faced. Did your faith help you "weather the storm"? What made it hard to keep your faith in the midst of the hardship?
The life of faith is not always easy. Scholar N. T. Wright put it this way: "This is what it's about: not an exciting battle, with adrenalin flowing and banners flying, but the steady tread, of prayer and hope and scripture and sacrament and witness, day by day and week by week." What is there that's testing your faith journey right now? Who has modeled living with patient faith when life gets hard for you?
Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I trust you even when life gets difficult. Give me the strength and patience I need to deal with life's struggles, the ones I am facing now and those that will come in the future. Amen.
Daily Scripture: Luke 21:5 As some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, he said, 6 “As for these things which you see, the days will come, in which there will not be left here one stone on another that will not be thrown down.”
7 They asked him, “Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?”
8 He said, “Watch out that you don’t get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he[a],’ and, ‘The time is at hand.’ Therefore don’t follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and disturbances, don’t be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won’t come immediately.”
10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13 It will turn out as a testimony for you. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict. 16 You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death. 17 You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake. 18 And not a hair of your head will perish.
19 “By your endurance you will win your lives.
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the middle of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein. 22 For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves; 26 men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”
29 He told them a parable. “See the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near. 31 Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that God’s Kingdom is near. 32 Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.
34 “So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly. 35 For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth. 36 Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37 Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple, and every night he would go out and spend the night on the mountain that is called Olivet. 38 All the people came early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him.
Footnotes:
a. Luke 21:8 or, I AM
Insight from Jeanna Repass
Jeanna Repass serves as the Kansas City Missions Program Director at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.
I thought I was going to share a reflection about how I was feeling sense of trepidation, and if I am completely honest, a measure of fear about the coming Holy Week. Last year on the Monday of Holy Week, I received a phone call from the Missouri Highway Patrol telling me that my oldest son Adam had been in a roll over car accident and was in the hospital. *Praise God, Adam is completely healed and recovered today.*
This year on the Monday of Holy Week, my Mother, Pastor Johnice Orduna, is having surgery in the morning and my husband and I will be on the road with our daughter.
In preparation for the week, our family prayer time Sunday night was spent singing songs that my Mother taught to my children, and after reading our scripture from Luke, we listened to the song, “The Prayer” by Yolanda Adams and Donnie McClurkin. We then held hands in our family circle and each one of us prayed out loud; “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” It was comforting and inspirational hearing my husband and children pray these words – especially my ten year-old who prays with such innocence and unfettered belief.
But as I was preparing to write this reflection, my family and I began hearing news reports that something terrible had happened in our community. A man named Frazier Glenn Miller was under arrest for allegedly opening fire at the Jewish Community Center and Village Shalom, an assisted living community just a short distance from our home in Overland Park, Kansas. Three people were killed by the gun fire and Mr. Miller was heard shouting anti-Semitic slurs as he was being subdued by the Police. Our local news reported that Mr. Miller is an alleged white supremacist with ties to the Ku Klux Klan and a long history of hate related incidences towards African Americans and Jews.
While the only details we know at this time are the ones we are receiving from the media, we do know that there are families who are devastated right now and there are lives that are inexorably changed by a senseless act of violence against innocent people.
(Note: after Jeanna wrote, we learned that two of the people killed were members of The Church of the Resurrection (http://www.kansascity.com/2014/04/13/4958621/doctor-grandson-in-heaven-together.html). A message from Pastor Karen Lampe on Monday morning said that the third victim, who was shot at Village Shalom, Terri LaManno, was the aunt of Kevin Euston who serves as a staff member in Technical Arts. Please uphold all of the families, as well as the many others in our community who are affected by this tragedy, in prayer.)
We are reminded by acts such as these that Holy Week is not a perfunctory set of days on a calendar. Holy Week is living testimony. It prepares us with the assurance that in the middle of our darkness the light of the world is at work.“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:28. The testimony of Holy Week is that darkness does fall – but we must turn your eyes to the light that is coming on Sunday. Jesus is the LIGHT that wins out over darkness forever and ever. Amen.
-------
NEWS
Doctor, grandson, slain outside the Jewish Community Center, ‘in heaven together’ BY JUDY L. THOMAS AND BRIAN BURNES, The Kansas City Star
Reat Griffin Underwood loved life. A freshman at Blue Valley High School, he participated in debate and theater and was working toward the rank of Eagle Scout.
William Corporon and his granson, Reat Underwood
Related Photos
Three dead after shootings at Johnson County Jewish centers
Jewish Shootings 041414.pdf
Related News
Reaction to shootings at Jewish Community Center
Suspect in three Overland Park killings could face state and federal charges
Man with history of anti-Semitism jailed in fatal shooting of three at Johnson County Jewish centers
Suspect in shootings at Jewish Community Center had racist views, a prison record
The Star's editorial: Domestic terrorism rears its ugly head again
Video: Overland Park police chief discusses shootings at Jewish Community Center
Video: Fatal shootings in Overland Park
Video: Overland Park police news conference on shootings at Jewish Community Center
The Star’s editorial: Shocking act of violence at two Jewish centers steals three lives in Overland Park
Mary Sanchez: Jewish community shootings show that terrorism aimed at one group attacks all of us
Video: Mother, daughter of shooting victim speak at prayer vigil
More News
Suspect in three Overland Park killings could face state and federal charges
Early plantings might be at risk as hard freeze expected overnight into Tuesday
Third victim identified as Kansas City woman who was visiting her mother at Village Shalom
Parties will look to night sky for first of four 'blood moon' eclipses
Highway shooting leaves one person dead, another critically injured in KCK
Read more News
On Sunday afternoon, he was with his grandfather outside the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park when the vehicle they were in was struck by gunfire. Reat’s grandfather, William Lewis Corporon, who had taken the teen there to audition for a contest, died at the scene. Reat, 14, died later at a hospital.
A third victim, Terri LaManno, was killed shortly afterward outside the Village Shalom senior living community, less than a mile south of the community center. LaManno, 53, of Kansas City, went there every Sunday to visit her mother, a resident of the facility, authorities said.
Reat and his grandfather were Methodists. LaManno was a Catholic.
“This is obviously a horrible, horrible thing that you wouldn’t want anyone to have to go through,” said the Rev. Adam Hamilton, senior pastor at United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, where the family attends. “They are really remarkable people. Being with them, what stood out was their strength of faith and confidence that this was not God’s will.”
Mindy Corporon, who is Reat’s mother and William Corporon’s daughter, attended an interfaith prayer service Sunday night at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Overland Park.
Near the end of the service, she went to the podium.
“I am the mother of the son who was killed,” she said in a calm voice.
After the shooting, she said, “I came upon the scene very, very quickly, before the police, before the ambulances. And I knew immediately that they were in heaven.
“I know they are in heaven together.”
She said her dad took Reat to the community center to audition for the KC SuperStar competition because she was attending her younger son’s lacrosse game.
“We were having life,” she said. “And I want you to know that we are going to have more life.”
A statement issued by the family said Reat “had a beautiful voice … (and) a passion for life, and touched so many people in his young age.”
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8N1_qcUwTeQ?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Last fall, he performed in the musical “Guys and Dolls.” He loved spending time camping and hunting with his grandfather, father and brother.
“Both Reat and Dr. Corporon were very proud supporters of the University of Oklahoma and its sports teams,” the family said.
Corporon was a doctor who practiced medicine in Marlow and Duncan, Okla., from 1976 through 2003. He and his wife then moved to the Kansas City area to be closer to their grandchildren.
“He was a well-loved physician in the Johnson County community, cherished his family and more than anything had a passion for caring for others,” the family’s statement said. “Dr. Corporon leaves behind his wife of 49 years and a loving and devoted family and extended family.”
The family thanked the church and school community “for the outpouring of love and support” and asked for privacy as they mourn their losses.
Blue Valley School Superintendent Tom Trigg said in an email to district patrons Sunday night that he met Reat earlier this year at an annual Blue Valley Educational Foundation breakfast.
“Reat sang the national anthem to begin the breakfast, and his talents were on full display that morning,” Trigg said. “I found Reat to be an engaging and exceptional young man. The school district has truly lost a great young person. Our hearts go out to the families who are dealing with this senseless tragedy.”
Trigg said Reat and some other high school students in the district were attending the non-school-related event at the Jewish Community Center at the time of the shooting.
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jv_13u7XGU0?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
“As a result, a number of families have been impacted district-wide,” he said. “As a community we will come together to support each other. We encourage you to be especially sensitive and offer support to your child during this time.”
Though school is not in session today, Trigg said support would be available at the district’s high schools for students who want to speak with a counselor.
“We are a strong community and will do everything possible to support each other and our students,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all families who have been impacted by this tragedy.”
Sunday marked the second tragedy in a month involving a Blue Valley High School student. In March, senior Alex Fraser was seriously injured in a swimming accident while on spring break in Mexico. The accident left him with a spinal injury, and he is in a rehabilitation center in Colorado. Students gathered for a sendoff for him earlier this month.
Twitter was lighting up Sunday afternoon and evening with tweets from Reat’s friends and classmates.
“My prayers go out to the Underwood family,” said one. “Reat will be missed by the BV family. Heaven gained a truly talented and wonderful angel.”
“Reat was a gift and I am blessed to have know him,” said another.
A Facebook page called Wear White for Reat called for students to wear white to class on Tuesday to honor him.
Reat “was almost never seen without a smile on his face,” the site said.
Other Blue Valley schools said they would join in, as did students at other school districts.
“I don’t go to BV but I do speak for all of Louisburg High School when I say we hope for a swift recovery for you all,” wrote one student. “From the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry for your loss. I think LHS has your backs, and several of us will be wearing white tomorrow at school. I wish you all the best.”
Dreyah Cushman, a junior at Blue Valley North, said she worked with Reat at debate tournaments this year.
“He was a novice debater, and my partner and I would mentor him at the tournaments,” Cushman said. “He was very smart. He would use these large vocabulary words. And he’d make us laugh in between the debate rounds.”
Cushman said when they would offer debate advice to Reat, he immediately accepted it.
“He was very, very serious during debate rounds, and he wanted to win,” she said. “We told him he should be moving to varsity by his sophomore year.”
Hamilton said he had confirmed Reat at Church of the Resurrection last year.
“He was an active volunteer in the church,” he said. “He volunteered in the Kids COR program.”
The family was surrounded Sunday night by relatives and friends, Hamilton said.
“They have a great network who want to be there and care for them,” he said. “They said we have the utter confidence that our son and dad are together with God now; that brings them comfort. Their hope is that something good will come from this. This evil thing this person has done will not have the final word here.”
He said the church will have a memorial service for Reat and his grandfather on Friday.
“Somehow it seems fitting that on Good Friday, when Christ’s own death was taking place and yet out of that horrible evil there was going to be something good that would come from it,” he said. “And that’s really part of what we’re looking at here.”
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MBzj7pbiFes?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KaM1V9NO6_g?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xiABBZpSc-I?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
To reach Judy L. Thomas, call 816-234-4334 or send email to jthomas@kcstar.com. To reach Brian Burnes, call 816-234-4120 or send email to bburnes@kcstar.com.
Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/04/13/4958621/doctor-grandson-in-heaven-together.html#storylink=cpy
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment