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The Parable of The Talents: Living A Life Of Significance

My Sermon this past Sunday at Church of the Incarnation, expressed my continued reflection on the “Parables of The Future.” The future pulls us and shapes us. In the Christian view, the being of humans is bound up with the future to which we are destined. Ultimately that future is the Consummation of all things, The New Creation, the Second Advent of Christ. 

Weaving together the wisdom of psychology, social science, theology, and spirituality in writing, speaking, and teaching, is the way I endeavor to lift others up as a priest and fellow companion, into the reality of the Trinitarian love of God. It is how I am wired in my preaching and the words I share.  

Integrating head and heart, my time with this parable was drawn to the immeasurable generosity of God in giving us not only life and existence, but entrusting us with “talents,” the responsibility and agency to live a life of significance, and not futility.

The talent, the money, the gift given by the master in the story, is relationship and friendship with God and transfigured human life. 

1. We need to acknowledge the generosity and goodness of God towards us. It’s the question: Why are we here? What is our purpose? What is God’s purpose in our creation, painting us into the canvas of reality? 

We are invited to go on the adventure of life, to be creative, to own and steward our gifting.   Two of the three servants were commended for taking bold and courageous initiative, using their agency to create what God desires  

2. Accountability: Our Lives Matter. The third servant, the one who hid the talent, was wrong about the nature of “The Master.” “‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.”

There is however great risk in living from fear, and from a lack of confidence in the greatness and goodness of God.

3. A Life of Significance is a Faithful Life. The most flourishing way to live is in fidelity and faithfulness to the God who seeks our loving friendship. God indeed is our future.  

In this story, our role is nothing more than to receive the magnitude of this loving invitation and give our yes in response. It’s to awaken. It’s to be faithful..

With you on the Journey and The Way, 

Rob+ 

 

 

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The Serenity Prayer: Lenten Reflections Week Three

Taking as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it.

Trevor Hudson, shares these words in today’s reflection from the Serenity Prayer: 

“How can we live in a positive way in the midst of the evil and sin that surround us?”
 
This part of the Serenity Prayer meets us right at the center of this question. It begins by acknowledging the reality of a sinful world.
 
It also proposes adopting a particular attitude toward it, a stance that springs from the way God relates to our world.”
 
God hates nothing he has made. God so loves this world, that he sent  his only Son not to condemn the world, but to heal, save, and redeem it. To accept, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it, is to start with a foundational yes and embrace it. He acted not from the small ego, but from the largeness of his soul.
 
May we “take this world” as God loves it, and seek to be those who do not condemn, but bring healing and mercy. 
 
With you, 
 
Rob+
 

 
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Bread For The Wilderness, Wine For The Journey, And The Feeding of The Five Thousand.

Cover to Fr. Rick Lord’s Album, on which I played drums. Rick Lord composer, guitar and vocals.

In 1984, my twin brother and fellow priest, Rick Lord, recorded a contemporary worship album titled: “Bread for The Wilderness – Wine for The Journey.”

It is collection of worship songs, light rock in style, from that era in the early 1980’s. These songs attempt to capture an awakened joy in Christian faith during the early days of ministry. I was on staff with Rick at Church of the Apostles in Fairfax, Virginia. Rick invited me to be the drummer for the Album. It was a great time to use our musical gifts from our “Rock and Roll” days! We even formed a band called “The Priest Band!!!” 

I mentioned this song in my homily today at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. The lyrics speak to our deepest hungers and longings, finding sufficiency in The Eucharist, in Jesus, who is The Bread of Life.

Brings back wonderful memories of the spiritual renewal moving through the Church in those days. Love Ricks composing, vocals, and guitar work. Hope you enjoy it. You can also listen to the full album on Spotify. Look up artist Rick Lord. Its also available on his website for purchase: http://www.ricklord.org/

With you on The Journey, 

Rob+

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Advent IV: Becoming Bearers of Hope

As we reflect on a tumultuous year—unprecedented, as it is so aptly referred to—may we receive the words of Gabriel to Mary as our own—God is with us. The Divine visits an unsuspecting young girl named Mary; and the Divine visits us. Gabriel remind us, assures us, comforts us—yes, God is with us.

And like Mary, God waits for our consent. We are invited through the gift of The Holy Spirt, to become  the Bearers of Hope in this remarkable time in history. 

He came with Peace to give, and Joy will be The Crown.  Blessed Christmas to you all! 

With you on The Journey and The Dance of Hope, 

Rob+ 
p.s. Guitar by Fr. Rick Lord “Spirit  Wind.”   “ Come To Him” by Josh Garrels  

 

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Advent III: Invitation To The Dance Of Hope – Return To Joy

I’m grateful to share this meditation for the third week of Advent. I focus on the next move in the “Dance of Hope” which is Returning to Joy. 

“Joy is based on the spiritual knowledge that, while the world in which we live is shrouded in darkness, God has overcome the world. Jesus says it loudly and clearly: “In the world you will have troubles, but rejoice, I have overcome the world.” Henri Nouwen.

With you on the Journey, 

Rob+

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Advent: An Invitation To The Dance Of Hope Week One

Here is my Advent 1 Monday Meditation. “Advent: An Invitation to The Dance of Hope.” Todays theme is the call to “Stay Awake: from the Gospel lesson: Mark 13:24-37.

The four mediations are a reflection from the Advent Gospels:

1. The Move To Remain Awake.

2. The Move To Prepare and Reconsider Life

3. The Move To Attachment Joy 

4. The Move To Surrender To Love.

I pray these bring true hope to you.

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An Advent Seasonal Message From Fr. Rob: An Invitation To The Dance of Hope

Dear Friends: 

I have always loved the Season of Advent. Advent marks the beginning of The Liturgical Year. The church year is a uniquely Christian way of marking time. Advent invites us to live into God’s Magnificent Story. It is an adventure and journey into the heart of God. We are all part of a larger Story!

I will be offering an Advent Video podcast each Monday of the four weeks of Advent. I have named these as: An Invitation To The Dance of Hope.

My prayer is that these offerings will be a gift and grace to you in this deeply formational and contemplative season of the year. Here is a little introduction to the series. 

With you on the Journey Into The Heart of God,

Rob+

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Sacred Conversation: Trevor Hudson With Rob Lord

Trevor Hudson is one of the most respected voices of spiritual wisdom and authentic Christian spiritual life in South Africa and beyond. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to spend time with him. 

If you are looking for someone to companion you, lead and guide you, teach and inspire you into an authentic Christian spiritual life, I cannot recommend Trevor Hudson more highly enough. I have been reading his books and listening to his teaching for twenty-five years. He is a deep source of wisdom for a flourishing life in God. 

In this Sacred Conversation (Conversatio Divina) Trevor gives us a gentle and honest glimpse of his life, by revealing his journey in the wounded context of contemporary South Africa where Christ still leads his followers into “Another Kind of Life” in the Kingdom of God. His experience with Apartheid and his fellow black Christ Followers in South Africa, his exposure to racism, his own and his country, is deeply moving. I was also delighted to ask him about two principal voices in his life: his friendship with Dallas Willard and his encounter with the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola.

About Trevor Hudson

Trevor Hudson is a Methodist minister, pastoral therapist, and retreat leader in Benoni, South Africa. Trevor has been part of the Methodist movement  in Southern Africa for more than 40 years. Serving primarily around Johannesburg, South Africa, he is deeply committed to the work and ministry of the local congregation. A significant part of his weekly work is the giving of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius.

Besides his local commitments, Trevor travels widely, preaching, teaching, and lecturing in the areas of spiritual formation, spiritual direction, and pastoral therapy. He lectures at Fuller Seminary, Pasadena, in their Doctor of Ministry (Spiritual Direction) program, and he also works closely with Upper Room Ministries, the Renovaré International Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation, the Dallas Willard Center for Christian Spiritual Formation, and the Jesuit Institute in South Africa.

He is the author of 15 books.

My favorite books include: Discovering Your Spiritual Identity (IVP) and Beyond Loneliness (Upper Room).

Trevor is married to Debbie, and they are the parents of two adult children, Joni and Mark.

Below is the Video of our conversation, followed by the full audio podcast as well. 

I begin by asking Trevor how he first encountered Christ. He tells of how his heart was “ambushed by the love of Christ“  after hearing the story of Jesus from a friend. Enjoy! 

With you on the Journey,

Rob

 

 

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Epiphany 3: Finding The Grace To Answer The Call

Once again, I found joy and synergy with God in the gift of preaching at Emmanuel Episcopal Church today.  I am so honored to serve their very fine Rector and my friend, Fr. David Bumstead. So grateful.

The focus of my sermon from the Gospel lesson for today, was receiving the grace to “answer the call.” The call is the greatest opportunity one can ever be given in this life. That call is to become a Christ Follower and Apprentice of Jesus Christ. We are called to a life beyond superficiality to one of eternal significance, to be with him in order to be like him. 

Saint Basil the Great articulated the goal of Christianity as “Likeness to God as far as possible for human nature.” Everyone of us—because of God’s presence and action in our world—can partake in the divine-likeness (2 Pet 1:4).

I also love the way South African Methodist pastor, author, teacher, and spiritual director Trevor Hudson expresses it with these words:

“I have come to see that the central issue of the gospel of Jesus involves the gracious opportunity to become a new kind of person and to enter into a new way of life. Available to anyone who responds wholeheartedly to the invitations and call of Jesus, his gospel embraces both the forgiveness of our sins and the recovery of abundant life”. – Trevor Hudson

May you find these words a source of wisdom. Pray for the grace to accept the call of God in your life and how you can live well and beautifully, no matter what your circumstances.

With you on the Journey, 

Rob+

 

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Pentecost and The Feast of Saint Columcille (Columba) – Missionary and Abbot of Iona, Scotland.

Gartan, Ireland. Birthplace of St. Coulmba

Collect for St. Columba

O God, you called your servant Columba from among princes to be a herald and evangelist of your kingdom: Grant that your Church, remembering his faith and courage, may so proclaim the splendor of your grace that people everywhere will come to know your Son as their savior and serve him as their king, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen.  

This collect reminds us that it takes courage to be a herald and evangelist, a missionary, a witness, to tell others about  the splendor of God’s grace.  It takes the presence and power of The Holy Spirit.

For the Celtic monastic tradition, this courage was expressed by: peregrinitio pro Christo—the call to wander for the love of Christ.

As a result, the pilgrim seekers believed that there was a place they were called to be and following the signs God gave them would lead them there. It was the place where they would flourish and also find “the place of my resurrection.” 

In the year 563, St. Columba traveled with twelve other monks to cross the sea in a leather coracle boat and landed on a small island off the coast of Scotland, now known as Iona. It was here that he began his new work. Iona became a staging point for the expansion of Christianity throughout the British Isles and Western Europe. Iona continues to be a vibrant place of pilgrimage and community today. 

Therefore, I give thanks for the life and witness of Columba! May we keep remembering the inspiration of these early monk-missionaries from Iona in our own life’s journey. 

An ancient Gaelic prophecy attributed to St.  Columba:

Iona of my heart, Iona of my love,
instead of monks voices shall be
the lowing of cattle;
But ere the world shall come
to an end,
Iona shall be as it was.

 

Iona, Scotland 2014
All Saints Pilgrimage 2017 Enjoying a “Wee Dram.”