Immersed In Mystery: April 2015

Sunday, April 5, 2015

A Risky Good Friday Remembered

This weekend I found myself thinking about a unique Good Friday experience from a few years ago. This unusual way of commemorating Good Friday was the brainchild of Robert W. Leeson, or as he was better known, Pastor Bob. I was fortunate to have served in a pastoral team with Bob Leeson for 27 years. Bob always was a bit of a renegade, doing ministry in a way that made sense to him, even if it was not what people were used to. So when he suggested to the pastoral team in the spring of 2008 that we should hold a Memorial Service for Jesus on Good Friday I wasn’t totally surprised. Pastor Bob was in charge of Pastoral Care throughout his time of serving at Christ Lutheran – funerals and memorial services were his area of expertise. So to Bob it seemed like a natural fit, Good Friday and a Memorial Service. There was some risk in this, people might find it offensive or think it was being disrespectful, but in spite of the risk of negative public reaction Bob pressed ahead with his idea.

Somehow Bob was able to get the local newspaper to include the following notice on the obituary page:

Jesus of Nazareth - A memorial service for Jesus Josephson, late of Nazareth, will be held at 11 AM on Friday, March 21, 2008 at Christ Lutheran Church, 4825 Dewdney Ave. Regina, SK. Pastor Bob Leeson will officiate. Jesus met an untimely death through Roman execution and is deeply missed by his mother, Mary, his family and friends. Jesus was a good carpenter by trade and was also a Rabbi who did not always see eye to eye with his contemporaries. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of your choice. For more information phone 352-4832.

So it came to pass that on Good Friday that year we held a Memorial Service for Jesus. Pastor Bob (who led the service as Nicodemus) and members of the congregation who took on the roles of Jesus’ followers and friends, shared with us their remembrances of Jesus. The congregational members who participated created their own remarks based on the person from the Biblical story they were representing – these included Mary the mother of Jesus, John the Disciple, Lazarus the brother of Mary and Martha, Zacchaeus the Tax Collector and Andrew the Disciple.

That Good Friday we had the largest attendance in a long time, the church was packed. The remembrances written and spoken by the members of the congregation were thoughtful and touching. Pastor Bob preached a sermon as Nicodemus. There were some scripture readings and hymns as well, but the overall form of the service remained true to a Memorial Service format. Folks who came just because they were curious left saying it was the most memorable Good Friday service they had ever been to. Others expressed appreciation for the way this service seemed to bring the death of Jesus into our current reality. Overall it was well received, and deeply meaningful for many.

It won’t happen again, at least not in the same way. We found out through the grapevine that the person at the newspaper who allowed this notice to be included as a regular obituary was sternly reprimanded. Part of the reason it worked so well is because people around here had never experienced anything like it – but now they have and so to repeat it wouldn’t have the same impact. Finally, it really was a Bob thing – unique to his personality and approach to ministry. He could pull it off as sincere and respectful, because that is what it was for him. Sadly Pastor Bob passed away in 2013, and so we are left with not only the memory of this unique Good Friday service, but also with the memory of Robert W. Leeson.

This, and every Easter we celebrate the promise of the resurrection, and that we will all be reunited one day. And then there will be no more need to remember, for we will be experiencing the fullness of the promise and presence of God in the company of all the saints – including Saint Bob.

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Books I've read recently

Font of Life: Ambrose, Augustine, & the Mystery of Baptism

by Garry Wills

Under the cathedral floor in Milan archeologists have uncovered the baptistry where Ambrose baptized the newly converted Augustine in the late 4th century. Having visited this site I was interested to read Garry Wills book which looks at the life, teachings and ecclesiastical careers of these two significant leaders of the early church. This book is filled with many insights into these two giants of faith, as well as how differences in theology and praxis has been around for a long time. Of particular interest was how Ambrose used portions of Hebrew scripture as metaphor or allegory relating to baptism and the gospel.

An Acceptable Time

by Madeleine L'Engle

The fifth and final book in the Time Quintet, this was a most enjoyable read, one that I had not read before - which turned into a problem when I couldn't put the book down as I got into the final chapters and stayed up far too late in order to finish the book (which had a satisfying and appropriate conclusion). I liked the inclusion of the Bishop Heron character, which allowed for specific theological reflection. I enjoyed how the grandparents do not believe the strange happenings with a time gate even though they themselves experienced strange events when they were younger - a nod to age and responsibility distracting us from mysteries that we don't like. I also was surprised to find 'ley lines' in the story and wondered if this is where Stephen R. Lawhead got the idea for his Bright Empires series.

Norwegian Wood: Chopping, Stacking, and Drying Wood the Scandinavian Way

by Lars Mytting

This book was a recommendation of a friend who shares a Norwegian heritage. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it, and how much I learned. Who knew there was so much to know about wood for heating homes?! Throughout the book I found myself longing for a home with a good wood stove in it (and access to forests) - maybe some day... until then I will have to content myself with the occasional wood felling and burning at the cabin.

Glory Season

by David Brin

An interesting premise for this sci-fi work, a world where women are in control and men are second rate citizens. The question in such a scenario is "would such a world be a better, more peaceful place?" Brin paints a highly detailed picture incorporating cloning, pastoralism and outside influence (in the form of a visitor from space). The conclusion seems to be that such a world would look more peaceful externally, but would still be fraught with inner tensions. It also makes a case for neither male nor female domination of the other, but of a partnership and valuing of each individual's strengths. Brin is the favourite author of a friend who recommended I give his books a try - I was glad to have read this one.

The Case for the Psalms: Why They Are Essential

by N.T. Wright

Though known as a New Testament scholar, N.T. Wright turns his considerable skills to look at the Book of Psalms resulting in some helpful insights and commentary. Wright uses the "mystery of space and place" as a set of lens to consider the importance of the Psalms - and I will need to re-read this book to more deeply understand these connections. What I found most enjoyable was the Afterword, a chapter called "My Life with the Psalms" where Wright gives poignant examples of how specific Psalms were meaningful to him in various circumstances of his life.

The Whistler

by John Grisham

A parishioner of mine thought I should read something other than religious books, that I needed to read something just for enjoyment, then she lent me this Grisham book. It certainly was an easy read (unlike the Kierkegaard book I'm trying to work my way through currently). The themes of greed, corruption and perseverance certainly resonated with truth from my perspective. The ending was almost too happy, the bad guys (and gals) got their due and the pursuers of justice got their rewards. I wish it worked out that way as nicely in real life.

To Heaven and Back: A Doctor's Extraordinary Account of Her Death, Heaven, Angels, and Life Again

by Mary C. Neal, M.D.

This book contains far more than an account of this person's NDE, it also sets out the many ways in which Mary has experienced God's presence and guidance throughout her life. I found the story around her death, NDE and resuscitation while kayaking in Chile the most intriguing. Other parts were also interesting, though not as gripping. Many who experience NDEs say they believe they are still on earth because they have something they need to do or finish, Dr. Neal's reason was incredibly personal and painful. A faith story in more ways than one.

The Transmigration of Timothy Archer

by Philip K. Dick

Unlike any other PKD fiction I have read, not science fiction at all, instead it tells the story of an Episcopalian Bishop who was ultimately interested in finding the source material for the Gospels, which led to his untimely death in the desert of Israel. This novel is apparently a thinly veiled story about Bishop James Pike, whom Philip K. Dick considered a personal friend. This work explores many themes including faith, gate, destiny, sin – all set in California in the height of the cultural revolution that was the late sixties. It is hard to say whether PKD has any personal affinity for Christianity based on this book, but he certainly doesn't dismiss it outright either. It felt like an honest attempt to explain this man and the reason for the choices he made.

The Farthest Shore - Earthsea Cycle Volume 3

by Ursula K. Le Guin

Exploring the age old questions surrounding life, death and immortality, Le Guin weaves a fantastic tale with wizards, dragons, princes and incredible journeys. In a sense I understood this story to be a version of Genesis Chapter 3, with the fall of humanity being linked to our desire to be God, to achieve endless power and immortality on our own – and the devastation that such grasping reeks on the world and on human relations. What is interesting is that Le Guin tells such a tale of ultimate violence with little violence in the telling. In the end, much like the Lord of the Rings trilogy, it is friendship and love that restores things to their rightful manner. An enjoyable read to be sure.

Evidence of the Afterlife: The Science of Near-Death Experiences

by Jeffrey Long, M.D. with Paul Perry

Doctor Long has conducted the largest study of NDEs so far, and this book is a summary of his findings. Having read many other books about NDEs before there was not a lot of new information in this book for me, but having the information organized in a methodical manner was very helpful. Essentially what I learned from reading this book was that there is a high level of consistency between NDEs, in spite of the unique qualities of each one. This consistency spans age groups, cultures and religious beliefs (or lack thereof). This book would be a great introduction to someone wanting to learn about this fascinating subject.