Monday, August 6, 2018

The God Pause from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Monday, 6 August 2018 - 1 Kings 19:4-8

The God Pause from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Monday, 6 August 2018 - 1 Kings 19:4-8
1 Kings 19:4 but he himself went a day farther into the desert, until he came to a broom tree. He sat down under it and prayed for his own death. “Enough!” he said. “Now, Adonai, take my life. I’m no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the broom tree and went to sleep. Suddenly, an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat!” 6 He looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on the hot stones and a jug of water. He ate and drank, then lay down again. 7 The angel came again, a second time, touched him and said, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” 8 He got up, ate and drank, and, on the strength of that meal, traveled forty days and nights until he reached Horev the mountain of God. (Complete Jewish Bible).
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I love food. I eat it every day. Sure, I've felt the hunger pangs of a missed meal, but never was I hungry like Elijah. Never did I lie face down in the hot sand, too hungry to walk, too hungry to keep awake, too hungry to survive.
But I've been spiritually hungry. Face down in my cold clammy hands, too hungry to pray, too hungry to hope, too hungry for sense. Have you ever been hungry like that? Like Elijah, we're not entirely lucid in those periods of life, spiritually coming in and out of consciousness, not knowing how we'll make it through.
But looking back, we see the evidence--moments when God came and blessed us with a little food. Maybe it was encouragement from a loved one. Maybe some word in a sermon. Maybe the mystery of the Eucharist. God loves food too. God gives it every day.
Lord God, in the desert places of our lives, come to us. When we haven't anything to eat, feed us. When we fall, pick us up. Amen.
Joe Natwick '15
Associate Pastor, St. John Lutheran Church, Dickinson, N.D.
1 Kings 19:
4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors."
5 Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, "Get up and eat."
6 He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again.
7 The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, "Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you."
8 He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. 
(New Revised Standard Version).
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The God Pause from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Sunday, 5 August 2018 - "Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth" ELW 735.
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"Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth" ELW 735
The text for today's hymn cannot be published due to copyright limitations. We apologize for the inconvenience.
"Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth"
Jean Janzen
The Faith We Sing, No. 2050

Jean Janzen
"Mothering God, you gave me birth
in the bright morning of this world.
Creator, source of every breath,
you are my rain, my wind, my sun.*

***
Julian of Norwich saw God as mother. Many other mystics, theologians and people of faith have also recognized the divine as feminine, like she did. In my own mothering, I have come to experience the love of God as mother. When you pour yourself out for another, giving your very body for their peace, you know true love. God cares, nurtures and provides for us like a mother. In my life I've witnessed the powerful love of mothers--mothers who conquer the world for their children and themselves; mothers who bear all sorts of crosses for the sake of others; mothers who find the deepest purpose and strength. These mothers show me the face of God. God births us in love and sustains us with her food of life. In times of pain or doubt, we can rest peacefully in our Mother's arms, knowing she will never leave or forsake us.
Mothering God, thank you for the gift of life. Feed us with your light, life and love. Amen.
Jamie Brieske '14
Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, Wisc.

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The God Pause from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Saturday, 4 August 2018 - "Be Present at Our Table, Lord".
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"Be Present at Our Table, Lord"
Be present at our table, Lord;
Be here and everywhere adored;
These mercies bless and grant that we
May strengthened for thy service be.*
Amen.
*Alternate last line: May feast in paradise with Thee.

***
Our hymn today is a prayer, but aren't they all? This one is a mealtime prayer asking for God's blessing. This sung prayer also invites and welcomes God's presence at the table. I always find it strange that we ask God to be present with us, because we believe that God is always present. "Be present at our table, Lord," we pray. Truly we know that God is already here with us. But the invitation actually serves as a reminder for us of God's presence. When singing the words "Be present," we are also calling ourselves to be present and to be aware of God's presence. As we sing, we use our entire bodies fueled by our breath. God is here in our body and in our breath. God is here in the food we eat and in the company we share. This sung prayer invites us to see God all around us and within us.
God of breath and song, thank you for my body and all that fuels it. Help me to see you all around me. Be present, Lord, and help me to be present too. Amen.
Jamie Brieske '14
Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, Wisc.

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The God Pause from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Friday, 3 August 2018 - John 6:24-35
John 6:24 Accordingly, when the crowd saw that neither Yeshua nor histalmidim were there, they themselves boarded the boats and made for K’far-Nachum in search of Yeshua.
25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Yeshua answered, “Yes, indeed! I tell you, you’re not looking for me because you saw miraculous signs, but because you ate the bread and had all you wanted! 27 Don’t work for the food which passes away but for the food that stays on into eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For this is the one on whom God the Father has put his seal.”
28 So they said to him, “What should we do in order to perform the works of God?” 29 Yeshua answered, “Here’s what the work of God is: to trust in the one he sent!”
30 They said to him, “Nu, what miracle will you do for us, so that we may see it and trust you? What work can you perform? 31 Our fathers ate man in the desert — as it says in the Tanakh, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’[
John 6:31 Psalm 78:24; Nehemiah 9:15] 32 Yeshua said to them, “Yes, indeed! I tell you it wasn’t Moshe who gave you the bread from heaven. But my Father is giving you the genuine bread from heaven; 33 for God’s bread is the one who comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.”
34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread from now on.” 35 Yeshua answered, “I am the bread which is life! Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever trusts in me will never be thirsty.
 (Complete Jewish Bible).
***
Feeding people is a sacred task. Preparing food, cooking and serving is holy work. As followers of Jesus we are called to serve and feed others. Jesus feeds us with the bread of life, and in turn we feed and nourish the bodies of God's children.
At our church we have a small food pantry. It may be small, but it is truly important work. Our staff and volunteers take great pride in stocking the pantry with fresh fruits and vegetables in the summer months. When patrons come to use the pantry, they are greeted by name. There are no restrictions on who can use the pantry or how often they can come. When people come to the church in need, we sometimes feel helpless in the face of the complex problems of poverty. Yet, knowing we always have food in the house to offer guests brings a great deal of comfort and purpose in these difficult times.
Feeding God, help us to feed others as you feed us. Nourish our physical bodies and the bodies of those around us. Amen.
Jamie Brieske '14
Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, Wisc.
John 6:
24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?"
26 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal."
28 Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?"
29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."
30 So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing?
31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "
32 Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
34 They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."
35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 
(New Revised Standard Version).
***
The God Pause from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Thursday, 2 August 2018 - John 6:24-35
John 6:24 Accordingly, when the crowd saw that neither Yeshua nor histalmidim were there, they themselves boarded the boats and made for K’far-Nachum in search of Yeshua.
25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Yeshua answered, “Yes, indeed! I tell you, you’re not looking for me because you saw miraculous signs, but because you ate the bread and had all you wanted! 27 Don’t work for the food which passes away but for the food that stays on into eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For this is the one on whom God the Father has put his seal.”
28 So they said to him, “What should we do in order to perform the works of God?” 29 Yeshua answered, “Here’s what the work of God is: to trust in the one he sent!”
30 They said to him, “Nu, what miracle will you do for us, so that we may see it and trust you? What work can you perform? 31 Our fathers ate man in the desert — as it says in the Tanakh, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’[
John 6:31 Psalm 78:24; Nehemiah 9:15] 32 Yeshua said to them, “Yes, indeed! I tell you it wasn’t Moshe who gave you the bread from heaven. But my Father is giving you the genuine bread from heaven; 33 for God’s bread is the one who comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.”
34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread from now on.” 35 Yeshua answered, “I am the bread which is life! Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever trusts in me will never be thirsty.
 (Complete Jewish Bible).
***
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry." I read this gospel passage to a homebound parishioner while bringing them communion, and the truth of the words resonated in that moment. We all need not only bread but the bread of life. I find bringing communion to people who are in care facilities or who are homebound to be a meaningful ministry. People may have all their bodily needs met yet still be in need. We all have essential spiritual needs, and spiritual health undergirds all of our mental, physical and social health.
As I was leaving the room of the parishioner that day, he said, "Pastor, would you please come back next month?" I responded with a resounding "Of course!" In that moment of ministry, we both received bread from Jesus. Our spirits were nourished with the bread of life.
Jesus, give me your bread always. Feed me today with your manna that gives life to the world. Sustain me with your Spirit. Amen.
Jamie Brieske '14
Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, Wisc.
John 6:
24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?"
26 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal."
28 Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?"
29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."
30 So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing?
31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "
32 Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
34 They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."
35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
 
(New Revised Standard Version).
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The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108, United States
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