To The Materialist: That’s Not All There Is

^{Fr. Dale Matson}

* "But the ungodly by their words and deeds summoned death; considering him a friend, they pined away and made a covenant with him, because they are fit to belong to his company. For they reasoned unsoundly, saying to themselves, ‘Short and sorrowful is our life, and there is no remedy when a life comes to its end, and no one has been known to return from Hades. For we were born by mere chance, and hereafter we shall be as though we had never been, for the breath in our nostrils is smoke, and reason is a spark kindled by the beating of our hearts; when it is extinguished, the body will turn to ashes, and the spirit will dissolve like empty air. Our name will be forgotten in time, and no one will remember our works; our life will pass away like the traces of a cloud, and be scattered like mist that is chased by the rays of the sun and overcome by its heat. For our allotted time is the passing of a shadow, and there is no return from our death, because it is sealed up and no one turns back. ‘Come, therefore, let us enjoy the good things that exist, and make use of the creation to the full as in youth. Let us take our fill of costly wine and perfumes, and let no flower of spring pass us by. Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds before they wither. Let none of us fail to share in our revelry; everywhere let us leave signs of enjoyment, because this is our portion, and this our lot." (Wisdom 1:16-2:9)

This reminds me of a portion of a 1969 Peggy Lee song , Is That All There Is?

“When I was 12 years old, my father took me to a circus, the greatest show on earth. There were clowns and elephants and dancing bears.
And a beautiful lady in pink tights flew high above our heads.
And so I sat there watching the marvelous spectacle.
I had the feeling that something was missing.
I don't know what, but when it was over,
I said to myself, "is that all there is to a circus?

SUNG:
Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is

I know what you must be saying to yourselves,
if that's the way she feels about it why doesn't she just end it all?
Oh, no, not me. I'm in no hurry for that final disappointment,
for I know just as well as I'm standing here talking to you,
when that final moment comes and I'm breathing my lst breath, I'll be saying to myself

SUNG:
Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is

But here is the problem for the materialist. It is not all there is.

"But they did not know the secret purposes of God, nor hoped for the wages of holiness, nor discerned the prize for blameless souls; for God created us for incorruption, and made us in the image of his own eternity, but through the devil’s envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his company experience it." (Wisdom 2:22-24)

“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:54) 

* Monday Easter IV daily office lectionary reading

Save Me Lord: A Contemporary Prayer Of Petition

Fr. Dale Matson

Save me from the chaos of this world. Save me from the fears of distant wars and local crime. Save me from the fear of infirmity and bodily harm.  Save me from the fear and anxiety that continually cause me to withdraw, that limit my movements and involvement in good works and make me dishonest. Save me from the prison of self and fear of death. Save me from self-abuse, self-destruction and mistreatment of others. Save me from my own thoughts that are so critical and corrosive that my joints ache. Save me from self-indulgence and pleasure seeking. Save me from the root of bitterness continually filling me with its toxic anger, sarcasm, cynicism, mistrust and a heart unwilling to reconcile with others. Save me from self-rightousness, pride and condescension toward others. Save me from dismissing others from my mind. Save me from numbing my mind with drugs and distractions. Save me for Yourself Lord Jesus. Save me for Your name sake. Amen

A Prayer Of Intercession: Innocent Victims

Fr. Dale Matson

Lord, watch over the victims who perished at the hands of others. Deliver them from earthly care and distress. May they enjoy eternal felicity in Your presence.

Lord, intend for good the actions intended for evil. Restrain those who would seek to profit from the pain of others. Restrain others who would be attracted to form their own script for evil. May they not view violence toward others as justice or a balm for their own suffering.

Lord comfort and console the survivors. Let them heal from the trauma of the events that have harmed their sense of security and trust. May they be surrounded by love and human warmth. May any physical wounds heal quickly. Let compassion abound and may they laugh and experience joy once again. May each passing day diminish their grief and soften the pain of their memories. May they not experience false guilt for surviving when other did not survive.

Lord help those who are relatives of the victims put their world back together. Let them eventually see some purpose, realize a greater meaning. Do not let hate and anger replace hope and faith in what is left of their lives. Let them only remember the good in those they have lost. Let them cherish and share what memories they have. May they find thankfulness for the time they did share with those who were taken from them. Please help them transcend a terrible grief and seemingly endless nightmare.

Lord help the community come together and recommit to caring for and supporting one another. Let other communities that have suffered as well, reach out and offer their knowing compassion. Let them offer ways to cope.

Lord let us who have suffered from afar not look away from what has happened. Let us see this as our family also. Help us to not defend ourselves with denial, insulate ourselves in our homes, and drug ourselves with distractions. Help us to examine our own lives and private thoughts. Convict us when we fail to care. Let us better understand the toxicity and contagion of violence.  Help us to continue to love and trust others. Let the lessons of this violence yield honesty and humility, not cynicism. May our prayers ascend for peace, mercy and forgiveness.

Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy amen.   

Christians With Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Fr. Dale Matson

“The components of OCD may be divided into two main categories: obsessions and compulsions. Obsessive thoughts produce a compulsive response in the form of frequently performed actions or rituals. People with OCD perform rituals, such as repeatedly washing their hands, as a way of suppressing or responding to these obsessive thoughts. Unfortunately, the obsessive thought -- in this case, that one's hands are dirty -- is nearly impossible to get rid of, despite being not being grounded in reality. Some rituals involve physical action while others only occur in the mind, such as counting stairs or the number of words a person says.” http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/mental-disorders/obsessive-compulsive-disorder1.htm.

There are various explanations for the origins of OCD including, genetic, cognitive, behavioral and biological. Treatments are generally a mixture based on the underlying assumptions of the causes. What can the Christian perspective offer to those who suffer from the debilitating condition of OCD? Let’s take the worst case scenario as a possibility. Some may worry that they may have inadvertently and unknowingly harmed someone. What if you had made a mistake? There was no malice intended. God is quick to forgive our mistakes. Why not treat this possibility as an opportunity for a blanket confession to God. “Dear Lord, please forgive me for the things I have done and the things I left undone. Forgive me of my known mistakes and those I don’t know about. God will quickly forgive you for the sake of His son Jesus Christ who has paid the price for all of the sins/mistakes that you have or ever will commit.

This confession is a healthy replacement behavior that substitutes for the ineffective repetitive rituals (compulsions). The belief that we must be perfect makes Christ’s death on the cross for our sake, ineffectual in our lives. Satan wants us to believe that we must be perfect because he knows that we can’t. Christ was perfect so you don’t have to be perfect too. As Christians, we are clothed in His riotousness.   Confession is an admission that we are not perfect and interrupts the closed loop vicious cycle of obsessive thoughts followed by compulsive rituals. These rituals are unconsciously intended to pay the price (penance) or undo the guilt and anxiety of the obsessive thoughts. Confession leads to forgiveness and forgiveness absolves us of guilt.  Do not overrule God by NOT allowing yourself to be forgiven because you believe you are unworthy. Christ makes us worthy. This is where trust is so important. I once offered to pray for a hospitalized individual for healing. She declined the offer because she felt that she didn’t deserve healing.

Sometimes I cringe when I remember a past misdeed yet it may be a sin or mistake that I have already asked to be forgiven for. I even know in my heart that I have received forgiveness. Who do you think is reminding me? It is not God because He has forgiven and forgotten my sin (Hebrews 8:12). Satan is called “the accuser” and the Holy Spirit is called “the Comforter”. Satan would love to keep us in bondage. Christ said, “The truth will make you free.” “I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly” The answer is obvious. Take charge of these thoughts and in the name of Jesus, command them to depart. Also think about this every time you receive Christ’s body and blood in the Eucharist. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:20).

For those struggling with OCD, know that Christ wants us to live a life free from anxiety and guilt. His death, resurrection and Lordship in our lives provides the avenue of deliverance from this problem from which we cannot extricate ourselves on our own. May you find yourself in Christ.

Prayers For The World

Fr. Dale Matson

I have been deeply grieved about recent events around the world. The anger and rage expressed have diminished our humanity and kindness toward each other. There is a loss of good will. On Wednesday, I offered mass for the deaths of our diplomats who were sent as peace makers. At times like this, it is easy to use these events for our own purposes. For me, it is a time to appeal to God. Only God is able to heal the hurts, support those who grieve and restore hearts filled with hatred. Only God can give us eyes to see others as part of the same family.    

For The Human Family

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which

Infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in

your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Page 815 Book Of Common Prayer)

For Peace

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of

Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and forever. Amen. (Page 815 Book Of Common Prayer)

Goals As New Benchmarks: A Means Of Moving On

Fr. Dale Matson

As we mature, we hopefully gain a sense of mastery and self-efficacy. From a developmental standpoint, we grow in many domains including intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual. There are certain necessary developmental end points such as limits on physical growth. As fluid intelligence diminishes, we compensate with acquired knowledge. Spiritually, we develop our entire lives. The Christian lives in the present with eyes looking toward the future. The three theological virtues of faith, hope and love do not look back. They do not dwell in the past.

My sadness and pain is for those I know who have become mired down and live in the past. They have established a developmental beachhead or benchmark by which they orient their lives. Often it is a mishap or a perceived injustice. They have not learned to view the experience through God’s eyes. They have circled the wagons and ended their development. They have chosen a life of victimhood. They are bitter and angry. They are hyper reflective and increasingly isolated. They have chosen the path of death. It is death on the installment plan but it is surely death. This is a no risk, no gain, dried up, and stuck existence. Sentences begin with, “I suppose I should but….” The point of orientation for their lives is in the past. The gravitational pull toward the past is a seemingly irresistible force. Like many Israelites, they have returned to the captivity of the past in Egypt. They are no longer pilgrims.

What is the remedy for such a wretched life headed toward death? St. Paul often used the race as a metaphor for life. Each race however requires training, self-discipline, and incremental stages of progress. Training is “goal specific”. Muscle development is task specific. You cannot swim a mile by running a marathon and you cannot run a marathon without incrementally increasing a long run. Training for a goal is future oriented. It pulls us forward. This is not just true in the physical domain. It is also true in the other domains of life as well. Completing an interrupted college degree can be a new point, a benchmark for the future.  Goals are our pillar of cloud by day and our pillar of fire by night.

Have you or someone you knew lost a great deal of weight and are no longer obese? This is how God intended us to be. He gave us a heart, lungs, organs and bones for our skeletal frame. As a backpacker, I know what an obese person is carrying in extra weight. Our joints simply break down sooner with the enormous weight. Having a goal of weight loss can set a waypoint in our future which will become a new benchmark. It will become a new point of orientation. It will make us forward looking but this too must be an incremental goal.

God understands incremental preparation for the future. Yes, David faced Goliath but before that he had killed both a lion and a bear. There are few goals beyond the ordinary person who applies disciplined training. It is the realization and desire to employ the talents given us by God. It is a decision to leave the past hurts behind and to continue the pilgrimage. Rivers of living water are to come from the belly of the Christian. We are streams not stagnant ponds with no inlet and no outlet. God calls us forward and it is a call to life not death. Find a realistic, measureable goal and work incrementally toward it. It is a way out of the misery of the past and a way toward the Kingdom. “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil.” (Deuteronomy 30:15). Each day the choice is ours. Now is the acceptable time.       

My Iron Deficiency Anemia And Treatment

Fr. Dale Matson

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

I have discussed the problem I had with blood loss from surgery in a prior post.

http://sanjoaquinsoundings.blogspot.com/2012/05/baseline-data.html. At that point I began treating my anemia with food and supplements to increase my hematocrit (HMT) and hemoglobin. What I have done since that time was to include lab tests specifically for anemia. What I discovered was that my iron serum (26) and iron saturation (7) were dangerously low even though my HMT and hemoglobin were nearing the low end of normal. What I have done since mid-May is to develop a treatment regimen designed to raise my iron saturation and iron serum and hope that the hemoglobin and HMT would increase in response to more available iron. My goal was to increase the iron supply in my body.

First, I would like to offer my symptoms of iron deficiency anemia that I experienced. My resting pulse of (60) was 20 beats higher than normal (40). I couldn’t do my normal exercising with the same power and speed. I was very cold all of the time and needed an electric blanket in addition to a heavy comforter for sleeping. I needed a wet suit to swim in 75 degree water. I would get dizzy just from bending to pick up something. I had lots of headaches. My skin was pale. I think it affected me psychologically with a mild depression and anxiety too. Let’s just say the problem was pervasive and sapped my strength to the point that I was fatigued most of the time. I would sigh and yawn. Some folks told me I had exercise induced asthma. I was simply not getting enough oxygen.  Athletes can have diminished V02 max because of this type anemia and their performance drops dramatically. I believe sometimes that what is referred to as overtraining can be an exercise induced iron deficiency anemia.

   

Second, if you look up the numbers, you will find that incidence of reported anemia is greater than 10% of the population overall. I suspect that many folks are pre anemic or anemic and don’t even know it. The numbers are probably much higher. They may go to their doctor and report malaise, chronic fatigue or some other problem and not be identified as anemic. I believe Iron Deficiency anemia is grossly under-diagnosed.

Here is the good news. I was able to treat this problem using food and food supplements to the point that I am no longer anemic. I remind the reader that this treatment was with consultation from my physician and my sister who is a retired medical technician. The only problem with many physicians is that they learn their trade in a hospital, so “not being sick” is being “well” from their perspective. Unfortunately, not being sick is not necessarily optimum health. Please have your physician ok any food or supplements you anticipate using first.

The internet is a great place to conduct research and I received quite an education. The best source of iron is what is called Hemi Iron. Meat is a source, especially liver and beef. I decided to resume beef once a week. Another source of Hemi Iron is in desiccated liver tablets. The best Hemi Iron source that I came across is a product called “Proferrin ES available in limited amounts from Colorado Biolabs Inc. I promote it because I believe the three tablets per day recommended on the label probably did more than anything else to boost my iron (I am not a paid spokesperson). Hemi Iron is the most usable form of iron for the body. Iron pills, like ferrous sulfate are not absorbed well, were problematic for me and gave me tremendous heartburn. Others I have talked to about this have had problems with heartburn also. You are also encouraged to avoid calcium within a two hour window before and after taking the iron supplements because it reduces the iron absorption. Vitamin C, folic acid and vitamin B12 are encouraged to help with uptake. I also take black strap molasses as a non-hemi iron source and enjoy this “medicine” that tastes like licorice. Mixed nuts and dried fruit and leafy green vegetables are also sources I used. Finally, I also use a product called nutritional yeast flakes which are gluten free for B12.

It is now mid-July and here are the numbers for my iron serum (78) and Iron saturation (22. My treadmill speed is up to 6.5 mph from 4.5 mph with a lower average and maximum heart rate than before. My symptoms are no longer evident and now I am going to reduce the amount of my iron intake to maintenance levels. There are lots of warnings about iron overload and that could be a serious problem for some. That is why I have had lab testing done every three weeks and paid for it out of my own pocket. I have used Econo Labs (I am not a paid spokesperson for them either). It is easy to set testing up over the internet and to pay in advance. They have a quick turnaround time and will email the results to you and your physician. The results are easy to read and normal ranges follow your results.

Why have I posted this on our website? I posted this because as Christians, we are called to comfort others with the comfort that we received (2 Corinthians 1:4)  Thank you Lord!  

Blood

Fr. Dale Matson

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (I John 1:7, ESV)

Over the years, I have donated blood and actually asked the blood bank not to attempt to contact me on a regular basis since my blood type O is the universal donor and blood banks never seem to have enough.

My reasons for donating blood have generally been self-serving such as a 3 day pass when I was in the Army or pints of ice cream in more recent years. I even made “weigh-in” once, at weight watchers by stopping by the local blood bank first.  My late mother was a “Grey Lady” who served at a local blood bank.

Friday I was a recipient of two units of packed red blood cells. I appreciate the anonymous individuals who gave me this gift of life. It seems to me that giving blood is Christ-like since it is a part of a cleansing and replacing process for those receiving chemo therapies. Without the new blood many would end this earthly existence. Without the blood of Christ, there would be no Heavenly existence.  It takes a lot longer for the blood to go in at about two hours per unit. The hospital “infusion room” is a very solemn place with serious nurses and precise technicians. There are redundant procedures to insure the matching of patients with the needed blood types.

I ran down the battery on my smart phone and began conversing with some of the other patients and their spouses, who frequently accompany them, during the infusion. Most patients are wheeled in and out.

Patty was with her husband Joseph who was there for platelets. As soon as his blood is restored, he will be ready for another round of chemo. She told me, “Thank God for the donors.” I used this as an opening and asked her if she really meant that or it was just an expression for her. “Oh, my husband and I are Catholic but have not been to church for years. A priest refused last rights to Joseph’s uncle and we haven’t been back since. We’re religious though and Christians.” I offered that it was my hope that there would be an eventual reconciliation. As Catholics, they had cut themselves off from the sacraments. She understood. I told her I was an Anglican Priest.

Later I asked her if she would help me by plugging my pump back in since I was tangled up in all the plastic hoses and was concerned I would disconnect myself. When she plugged the machine back in, I asked her quietly if she would allow me to pray for her and Joseph. She agreed and following the prayer, we were both tearful. She commented as she sat down, “I guess we were supposed to be here today.”

As she and Joseph were leaving the room she said, “I mean this in the best way. I hope we never see you here again. Your Church needs you to be well.” I said, “Sometimes clergy are more useful when they are sick.”

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.  But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9, ESV)            

Thy Will Be Done

Fr. Dale Matson

“[We are] Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” (2 Corinthians 4:10-11)

I have spoken a couple of times in the last two years about physical afflictions which appear unexpectedly. Some have become chronic; some vanish as quickly as they first appeared.

I am currently using a daily devotional, a gift from my late mentor in 1995. It sat on the self all this time. It is a collection of the sayings of St. Padre Pio. He and St. Therese the Little Flower are examples of what are termed “victim souls”. These individuals accepted the invitation from Christ to suffer more than others. Mother Teresa also drank from the cup of suffering to the last drop. Christ has not offered nor have I sought these afflictions. Some of it I am sure is due to aging and some are self-induced via lifestyle. Some are for the sake of the Gospel. In a post on Soundings 2010, I stated “There is definitely an element of spiritual warfare but the physical suffering is something that I have not come to a full understanding about.”

And what has God been saying to me about this lately? “Take this suffering but do not withdraw. Take this suffering and turn it into compassion for the suffering of others.” It reminds me of St. Paul’s comment in 2 Corinthians 1:4. “Who comforted us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

There is an additional factor however. At ordination, priests prostrate themselves in submission to God to demonstrate with their bodies, that they have turned their wills over to God. Thy will be done. There are obvious things we do to gradually and incrementally make exceptions to this “all in” devotion and dedication. I think for me it has been an unwillingness to suffer. At least, it is an unwillingness to suffer without an explanation or a purpose. Just tell me why I have to suffer Lord. I think it is the willingness to suffer as an act of unquestioning obedience toward which God is moving me. I have had some blessed consolations.

‘“…after all, His Majesty will give you help proportionate to your trials, and so as you are suffering great trails, you will enjoy great favors, too!”  St. Theresa of Avila

A Prayer For Those Who Suffer

Dear Lord I ask that You keep my heart from becoming discouraged or depressed. Don’t let me withdraw and be absorbed by self-pity. Guard the measure of faith You have bestowed upon me and help my spirit grow as my body no longer is capable of repairing itself.  Dull my suffering and pain when medicines fail.  Let me thank You for the moments where pain is not evident. Help me to focus on the needs of others, especially those less fortunate. Help me to offer a message of encouragement, a word of affirmation or simply a smile. Let others put their hands in my wounds to see I am human. Let me take note of the pleasant spring morning following a necessary rain. Let me listen more carefully to those around me. Thank You for those You provide to offer care and support. Let me contribute till I am poured out. Don’t let me become bitter about those who fail to acknowledge me or disregard me. Lord, let my decisions be based on faith not fear. As I become less, may You become more. Let Your joy, hope, love and peace attract others to You in me. Amen  

Anger

“My dear brothers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” (James 1:20)

When high carbon steel is treated for making tools, it is both hardened and tempered in a multistep process. The steel is hardened against wear, such as the tip of a screw driver, by heating and quick cooling. The problem is that while hard, the tip is brittle. The screwdriver tip is then reheated and allowed to cool at a slower rate to temper it so that it is not brittle.

When we become angry, it is called losing our temper. Like steel our temper is that quality which makes us strong but not brittle. For me, there is something about love which makes me see things so much differently and in a less threatening way. Love is the virtuous temper in temperament. Anger is that which distorts my thinking so much that rational thought or speech escapes me.  It is as if the pilot light is always lit on my anger too. It is one of my primary faults and even at a lower temperature, sarcasm and impatience flows. Being cut off in traffic is a quick source of anger for me but less likely if I have allowed plenty of time to get to my destination.

Is there righteous anger? Yes, Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple and there is no doubt he was angry when he did it. It was described as zeal for his father’s house. When we see an injustice, anger may motivate the righting of a wrong. We must be careful not to become angry on behalf of someone who does not see themselves threatened or angry. It would be a signal that we too easily look for opportunities to be angry.Are we putting ourselves in situations that lead to resentment simply because we refuse to construct personal boundaries? Are we trying to prove to ourselves that others are not trustworthy?

I honestly believe that anger is a symptom of a deeper problem of fear and fear is a response to an even more basic problem of mistrust. Jesus said we should be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves. Wisdom and innocence for me translate to trust with discernment. This is not being gullible and easily taken in. As I reflect on this, the roots of anger can be deep within the individual. Some have been deeply disappointed in a period of life when they were totally dependent on others. This is an emotional bruising and makes it difficult for some Christians to trust even God. It is the theological virtue of love that can mend this torn fabric of trust. A failure to trust is a failure to love.

“There is no fear in love but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” (1 John 4:18)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)  

The In Between Times: Do Not Leave Us Comfortless

Fr. Dale Matson
06-04-2011

A portion of our Collect for the Seventh Sunday of Easter states, “Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit”. We are at an important in between place in the church year. We are awaiting comfort and empowerment. Christ ascended into Heaven forty days after Easter. Ascension Day is one of the seven Principal Feast Days in the church year and was celebrated last Thursday. Next Sunday is another of the seven Principal Feast Days. It is the Day of Pentecost where the Holy Spirit descends on the Apostles and the Church is born, empowered to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Until this point, the Apostles were spending a good deal of time behind a locked door in the upper room. They were obediently waiting but while they waited, there was no boldness, only fear. They had seen their resurrected Lord for forty days and then He ascended to Heaven. Christ told the Apostles to wait a few days in Jerusalem for empowerment by the Holy Spirit. He said they would receive a “baptism”. This period of waiting did amount to a matter of days and this Sunday would be day three of ten. The in between time from Christ’s Ascension to Pentecost was a matter of days.

There is a repeated cycle of joy and sadness for the Apostles with the in between waiting times. In the story of Lazarus, Christ’s friends were happy to see Him but sad that He had not come sooner. While they awaited His arrival, their brother Lazarus died.

After the Israelites fled Egypt, they spent forty years wandering in the wilderness before they crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land. There is a purpose to the in between times. It is waiting on the Spirit of God to fall upon us afresh. It is to learn patience and obedience. It is to seek the will of God.

How much of your life has taken place in the in between times. How often has a situation seemed to drag on with no resolution? How about the letter from the insurance company? How about that job you applied for. Why haven’t you heard anything yet? What about the diagnosis? When will the doctor’s office call you about it? Have you prayed about it? Have you prayed and prayed about it and not received an answer? Have you finally come to a place where you said, “Not my will Lord but Your will be done.”

Christ was awaiting His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane and wanted God to remove the sentence of death from Him. It was a terrible in between time for Him. It was the time between His arrest and His crucifixion. It is so hard to say to God, “Thy will be done”.

The church itself also called the bride of Christ is in between times awaiting the return of the bridegroom. The church is called to be in the world and not of it. This view shapes the churches’ response to this same culture.

We are not left comfortless during these in between times. Christ was born, Christ died, and Christ will come again. The Holy Spirit is here to comfort us. He is here and even called the comforter and the counselor. He is the one called alongside as the advocate. He is that still small voice offering exhortation, encouragement and empowerment. Listen to Him. Listen to Him in the silences between the background noises. He has much to tell you. Amen.

A Prayer of Petition

Fr. Dale Matson
05-18-2011

Lord Jesus come into my heart. Come into my life. Give me Your precious life. Bring the Father with You. Bring the Spirit with You.

Bring Your peace that I may cast my cares upon You. Bring Your life that I may never thirst again. Bring Your heart so my thoughts may be pure before You. Bring the oil of gladness and the balm of Gilead too. Bring Your wisdom that I may avoid wrong actions. Share Your innocence to cleanse my intentions. Bring Your thoughts that my mind will be transformed. Lend Your will that mine may be the same.

Bring Your joy that my sadness will depart from me. Bring Your love that I may see You in others. Bring Your humility that my pride will fall away. Bring Your compassion that I will forget about myself. Bring Your faith that mountains will be removed. Bring Your hope to run the race before me.

Bring Your garments that I may be clothed in righteousness. Bring Your brokenness that I may be made whole. Amen

God’s Omnipresence

Fr. Dale Matson
05-11-2011

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.” (Psalm 139:7-10, NASB)

A mysterious quality of God is His omnipresence and it is of great comfort to me as I better understand how God is ever present. While His presence and involvement in our lives is not always evident at the time, upon reflection we can see in the rear view mirror of faith how God was orchestrating a host of seemingly unrelated events toward an obtained goal we may not have even striven for.

Increasingly I see the manna laid daily before me. It is not difficult to see the incremental aspect to professional progress. Look at any curriculum vitae and you can see how the educational and experiential history is directed toward a particular career. It is also not difficult to see the incremental aspect of training to run a marathon. No runner attempts a marathon without the perfunctory races at shorter distances. It is the career counselor or coach who can see the goal of a career or a marathon more clearly than the individual caught up in the activities of daily living. God the Holy Spirit is our coach and counselor.

It is in knowing that God is in it with us and that He is willing to share His perspective with us. He has the long view in mind; the eternal view. He is underneath all of those things we do; all of those things that happen to us. So much of what we are doing in a life committed to the will of God requires reflection on how the activities are leading in a particular direction or toward a particular goal. God is in this. God is orchestrating this for us.

Prophesy is as much about a better understanding what has gone before as it is about the future. I now know that God always was and is present in my life and this knowledge has positively reconstructed negative memories and provided consolations. It also makes suffering in the present tolerable and provides meaning for this life lived in a world hell bent on destroying itself.

God is a master builder. Reexamine what you have done over the last five years. Are there incremental aspects, seemingly unrelated that when assembled, are a goal accomplished that you had not even considered? As an example of this, I had always wanted to write a book and knew that there was a book inside of me. One day I was reviewing many of the blog articles I had written over the last two years and realized that if combined, they would constitute a book. Additionally, they factored into two groupings. They had to do with comfort and exhortation. What a revelation that was for me in and of itself.

There is a famous story about a single set of footprints on a beach. The individual complains that God is not with her only to be told by God that the single set of footprints is when He had carried the individual.

“…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20b).

What is our Daily Bread?

Fr. Dale Matson
05-28-2011

In our Lectionary Gospel Lesson for Wednesday in the third week of Easter Christ states, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” (John 6:35, NASB). “Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:49-51)

What is our daily bread? In Luther’s catechism speaking on our Lord’s Prayer, Luther defines it thus:

What is meant by daily bread?--Answer. Everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as meat, drink, clothing, shoes, house, homestead, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful magistrates good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.

I believe it is here that Luther misunderstands what Jesus is teaching us in the Lord’s Prayer by understanding our daily bread as support for the body. That is the kingdom of this world. Luther is interpreting our daily bread in the sense of the Old Testament wilderness experience of the manna God provided daily for sustenance for the Israelites. That is not however what Christ is referring to.

In Matthew chapter 6, Christ provides both His prayer and the context for understanding our daily bread. Following his presentation of the prayer (6:9-13), He then discusses the unnecessary and material concerns of the world in verses 19-32. “So, do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. These are the material concerns that Luther incorrectly refers to as our daily bread. In verse 6:33 Christ states, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” The daily bread Christ is referring to is the daily bread required for sustenance in the Kingdom of God. He is referring to Himself.

“Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." (John 6:57-58).

My brothers and sisters, there is no purer gospel than this. Christ has brought us back into the Garden of Eden. We again may partake of the tree of life. He continues to feed His people the church with His body and blood and has done so for two thousand years. In the Eucharist, we are given the bread with these words spoken, “The body of Christ; the bread of heaven.” When we are given the chalice, we are told, “The blood of Christ; the cup of salvation.” In Him we have eternal life and in Him we are more than conquerors. Just as Yahweh provided daily manna in the wilderness to the Israelites, Christ offers himself as our bread daily in the Kingdom of God. Lord, give us this day our daily bread. Amen

What is the Gospel?

Fr. Dale Matson
04-28-2011

As someone charged with preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ, I find that it is not always as easy to articulate as I would like. If you Google “What is the Gospel?” you will get quite a variety of answers. I have selected some verses from Scripture and offer a summation following the verses. Certainly each of you has his or her favorite verse that you would add. Maybe the shortest version would be “Jesus Christ” and a more comprehensive summary would be the Nicene Creed.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33).*

“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5).

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23).

“As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12).

“By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” (1st John 4:13).

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10).

God by His grace has provided us with the faith to believe in and receive His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus saves us from sin, death and the devil and through the power of God The Holy Spirit given to us, the Lordship of Christ and His presence in us allows us to lead a life of love toward God and service to Christ in others.

I believe it would be a useful exercise for each of you who read this to attempt to put the Gospel in your own words. “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” (1st Peter 3:15)

Are you ready to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ? You may be asked sooner than you expect. Amen.

*New American Standard Bible

Therefore There Is Now No Condemnation

Fr. Dale Matson
04-05-2011

In Wednesday’s lectionary, the Epistle lesson is from Romans Chapter 8:1-11. There is a profound portrayal of Christ in the Prologue of St. John’s Gospel. The Prologue is the finest description of Jesus the Christ using words. In Chapter Eight of Romans, St. Paul uses words to describe for me better than anywhere else the work of the Holy Spirit, who we are in Christ and our relationship to God. St. Paul’s statement, “Therefore there is now no condemnation” has been understood by commentators like Matthew Henry, John Wesley and John Darby to mean that if we are a new creature in Christ and He dwells in us then we are no longer condemned to an eternal Hell by God. I believe they are correct but I also believe there is another level that Paul intends this statement to reach. It is because Chapter eight follows the intrapersonal battle previously described in Romans chapter seven. I believe he is also talking about the voice of condemnation in our own minds. This is the daily struggle of an inner Hell addressed in Verse 33. “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?” In this case Paul is not referring to God but I believe the voice of condemnation inside our own mind.

There are times in our lives when we do or say something wrong and suddenly a voice inside our own head brings shame and humiliation immediately upon us. Have you ever actually had a hot flash and broken out in a sweat at such a time? I have.

As a Priest and a Psychologist, I know that there is a critical voice of an opportunist lying in wait to pounce upon us like a roaring lion. I believe it is the voice of one who is called the accuser of the brethren. He is also called the liar. So, even after we are a new creation we are still under attack from the false condemnation of Satan. It is he who still brings up sins we have already asked to be forgiven for and been forgiven for. It is he who tells us we are not among the elect who are cleansed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is he who causes doubt and despair.

Does this mean that we are not also taught, led and even convicted by the Holy Spirit? Yes, that is His role in our journey of Sanctification. However, when we are accused, shamed, blamed, humiliated, it is not God the Holy Spirit doing this. He is called the comforter, the advocate and the counselor.

I believe one of the most beautiful sections from Handel’s Messiah is the soprano Air, “If God Be for Us, Who Can Be against Us.” Handel scored it to three verses from Romans Chapter 8 provided to him by Charles Jensen. (31) If God is for us, who can be against us? (33) Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifies. (34) Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is raised again, who is at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.

It is here, I think the second meaning for condemnation is understood. It is not just the eternal meaning of condemnation; it is the everyday, living the life of a Christian, understanding of what it means. This Gospel of, “God is for us” speaks life daily into a heart filled with pain, doubt and condemnation and becomes an antidote for the words of the evil one. Those words in Romans set to music by Handel still fill me with joy. Amen

A Prayer For Those Involved With The Earthquake And Tsunami

Fr. Dale Matson
O3-11-11

Dear Lord watch over those who perished in the earthquake and tsunami. Raise them and us to life at the end of time to be with you for eternity. Accept our prayers on their behalf and comfort and console their loved ones with the hope of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ease the suffering of those who lost homes and property and speed relief to them. Open the eyes of those who witnessed those who weep and cause compassion to stir in their hearts. As the wave moved across the waters of the earth, let it connect all of us as brothers and sisters to share in mercy and understanding. Lord watch over those who are involved in rescue and relief and protect them from accident, disease, discouragement or other harm. Lord give to those who have suffered from this, the hope to rebuild and the courage to continue. May we all be joined as one in You. Amen.

Cleansing of a Home

Fr. Dale Matson
1-26-11
“Almighty and everlasting God, grant to this home the grace of your presence, that you may be known to be the inhabitant of this dwelling and the defender of this household; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God forever and ever. Amen” (Celebration of a Home, Book of Occasional Services).

My grandfather built our home and when he died and my grandmother moved, my father bought the home from his family and our family moved into my grandparents’ home. My older brother and I slept in the same room and during the night I would sometimes awaken to see spirits hovering around. I would call out to my older brother who never saw them and was always irritated with me for awakening him. I don’t know if I had sensitivity about this because of God’s eventual call to Holy Orders but I have reflected on this and two other episodes in my life. In this case I believe that my grandparents who had embraced Mary Baker Eddy and the teachings of Christian Science had unwittingly encouraged these spirits to enter their home. After adolescence I never saw them in our home.

I was a visitor in a friend’s home that had initially been a mansion then a nunnery then it was moved to a large vacant country location. I awakened with a feeling that I was being watched and the hair stood up on the back of my neck. I have never had this reaction before or since. My friend stated, after the fact, that they did have doors open that had been closed and a dog that would begin barking furiously during the night for no apparent reason. In this case I do not mean to imply that Roman Catholic Nuns who formerly resided there were the reason for this experience. I don’t have any idea why this house would be affected.

I had a small home built in the early nineties and after moving in, had a similar sense that I was not the sole occupant in the house. It was as if I was a resident but not the owner. My spiritual advisor recommended that I light a candle and say a prayer in each room. She thought that it was possible that one of the construction people may have been involved in occult practices. After doing as she instructed, I became the sole occupant. I have lived in ten other locations over the course of my life without these experiences. In the house in which we currently reside our priest at the time we moved in offered the “Celebration for a Home”. I also performed this for my son and his family in their home. It is fairly standard practice in both the Christian and Hebrew faiths to do this for the new occupants of an existing or a new home.

It is easy to pass this off as nonsense not fit for the 21st Century. I do not believe that it is nonsense and recommend that everyone take advantage of the opportunity for the blessing of a home. This is a service offered by the church.

“Let the mighty power of the Holy God be present in this place to banish from it every unclean spirit, to cleanse it from every residue of evil, and to make it a secure habitation for those who dwell in it; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Ibid). Amen

Forgiveness

Fr. Dale Matson
01-10-11
We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for feast day of Holy Innocents [December 28th ]).

This past Saturday a young man with a history of irrational behavior and a mission of evil shot and killed six people and wounded thirteen others. The most compelling image for me is the smiling innocent face of the youngest victim nine-year-old Christina Taylor Greene.

Our world today seems saturated with violence, a failed mental health system and incoherent responses from those who are charged with protecting and leading us. Where do we turn when our world seems to be in such chaos? In the end all we have is faith, hope and love as our prayers rise to God. That is how we express our hope and how we attempt to reclaim our joy. That is how we extend our love to those we cannot help in any other way.

This atrocity in Arizona reminds me of another horrific event. In October of 2006 a man took several Amish girls hostage. He shot all ten hostages, killing five and then killed himself. What makes the incident in the Pennsylvania unique, unlike the tragedy in so many other cases, is the response of the hostages and the community following the murders. The Amish girls Marian and Barbie Fisher, 13 and 11, requested that they be shot first that the others might be spared. They were unafraid and Christ like in their response. The Amish community did not call out for justice knowing that it would only mend a small part of the huge hole rent in fabric of the community. “The Amish answered the ‘English’ as they call those who live in the secular world, with their own generosity of spirit, even toward the Robert’s family. Community leaders sent a representative to the family to express forgiveness. As donations came in from across the country to pay hospital bills, the Amish asked that a fund be set up for the Roberts family as well.” (Newsweek, 10-16-06, P.39).

The gunman’s widow stated, “Your love for our family has helped to provide the healing we so desperately need. Your compassion has reached beyond our family, beyond our community and is changing our world” (Ibid).

In cases like this, justice when applied is important but ultimately an inadequate remedy. It does not restore lives or even confidence in the system. It does not restore the hearts of those who hear of it. It is forgiveness that makes the circumstances restorative and transformative. It is forgiveness as much as any other virtue that demonstrates that Christ is being formed in us. As our anger subsides, let it be replaced by forgiveness.

“And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear especially Christina Taylor Greene and those who perished with her beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love and service; and to grant us grace so to follow the good examples of all thy saints, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Grant these our prayers, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.” (Prayers of the People, Rite I, BCP, p.330)

Meditations of a Plumber Priest

Fr. Dale Matson
01-08-10
For those of you who follow what I have written with any regularity I am pleased to announce that I have written a book of meditations which is composed partly of topics addressed here on the Soundings site and brief homilies from Morning Prayer. I make no pretense that it is profound or breaks new ground for I am an ordinary person. The topics are also ordinary with a look at life through the eyes of someone who has passed from death into life. Even if there were no Heaven, and there is, I would be a Christian. The Christian life has meaning and mission provided by God. It is the only life that is not self-destructive. It is an ongoing dialogue with God In the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a life in service to others not an attempt to exploit or have dominion over others. I am a weak person who owes all of my strength to Christ. Christ has not just come to me through my service to others. Christ has come to me primarily through the selfless assistance I have received from others. I have never taken this for granted and marvel at how often even now that I turn aside the grace of God. The meditations are intended to comfort and exhort others. The Book is titled “Meditations of a Plumber Priest” and available through Amazon Books or Barnes and Noble. I took the cover photograph in McClure Meadow on the John Muir Trail.