Do you see this woman?

Not one person at dinner with Jesus in the Pharisee’s house (Luke 7:36-51) saw her until she crashed the party, broke all the rules, crossed all the boundaries and touched Jesus.

But Jesus saw her – earlier in the day – when he had forgiven her. Now, after “creeping” on Jesus by following him to the Simon the Pharisee’s house, with the alabaster jar tucked carefully under her clothes, everyone saw her and what they saw, what they wanted to see, wasn’t good. They saw the sinner. And made a few assumptions.

Truth of the matter, doesn’t how Simon reacted describe us all? I confess that I can be a “Simon” more times than I am willing to admit. I make assumptions. I make judgements. I’ve been arrogant, self-righteous…the list goes on and on.

Then the Jesus in someone looks right past all of that and sees me like Jesus. She is a person working at Fairfax Orisman Toyota, and my God-sighting, who looked right past all the frustration over being stuck in traffic AGAIN as a consequence of Metro’s 300 day journey to safety and saw me and loved me anyway.

Jesus calls us to see and love like him. When we do, or experience others who show us that love, things change. Our demeanor, our attitudes, what we see, it all changes.

And as was pointed out, the verb form for “forgiveness” used twice in this passage in the original Greek text is one that suggested the action occurred in the past and continues into the present. In other words, the forgiveness of Jesus never stops.

And in that forgiveness we receive new identities as forgiven people and reconciliation and restoration and mended relationships and that never stops.

Jesus saw that woman and forgave her sins. He gave her a new identity. She was no longer “sinner” but “beloved child of God.” She had been freed. Her life, relationships, community had all been returned to her. And she breaks the neck of the alabaster jar and pours the ointment on Jesus’ feet in a marvelous act of love, gratitude and worship for the release to be free and to live into the possibilities that were now hers.

Where in our lives do we need forgiveness? Where in our lives does forgiveness need to be give? Where in our lives have we received forgiveness that creates a deep sense of gratitude.

When the woman broke the jar of anointment the aroma of freedom, gratitude and loved filled the home of Simon the Pharisee. It’s hard to miss that kind of joy, the expression of which may make us more than just a bit uncomfortable. 

Where have we broken or need to break the alabaster jar in thanksgiving and praise? Express our gratitude, love and joy to God? What difference will it make?

Take the first step this week on the interesting journey toward forgiveness. Think of someone who has hurt or disappointed you or maybe someone you have hurt and disappointed and pray for them. And look forward to that day when you can break the alabaster jar in praise and thanksgiving!

Pastor Heidi

Thank you all for such a warm welcome and exciting first Sunday in worship with you.

Our study of Luke 7:11-17 and supporting texts explored the intrusive and radical nature of God and the difference that it makes. God can and will show up uninvited and get involved. No one asked Jesus to come and help the widow of Nain out of her desperate situation. Jesus stopped the funeral and touched the bier – resuscitation and resurrection! Such is the intrusiveness and unpredictability of the grace and love of God.

There are other times where God shows up unannounced and uninvited to bring about change. Paul, the Pharisee formerly known as Saul, found that out! God changed him from persecutor to promulgator of the Gospel.

And in 1 Kings, like the widow of Zaraphath, we can ask (or even demand) God to show up. And he does though in a totally unexpected way. God was in Elijah, whom she had been hiding from Ahab and Jezebel and had been feeding with her meager oil and flour.

These are but a few God-sightings that are in the Bible. These are times when God showed up in an unexpected way, barged right in or made an incredible and improbably change. God is active in our lives and with us every day, loving and working in, with and through us.

“God sightings are moments when you undisputedly know that God is reaching out to you with a message, gesture, instruction or reassurance.” (Mark Daniels, mid-west Lutheran pastor)

At the conclusion of the sermon, I challenged listeners this week to seek out one “God sighting,” think about what difference it made to you or someone else and to tell someone.

So, how’s it going? Seen God yet? Told someone about it? If you haven’t you’re not alone – this isn’t easy. And know that God was, is and will be always here.

It’s important that we practice this vital skill. It is through sharing what God has done, is doing and will do for us that someone may come to know that God is in fact not dead but active and loose in the world. Part of our mission statement is “Grow in Faith.” We grow in our faith when we share our faith. AND one of the top four goals of Holy Trinity is for people to form meaningful relationships. This is a good place to start – by sharing your faith.

Now, a word about faith – it’s an up and down way of life. If we try to measure or assess, sometimes we’re on the top of the world and other times we are down in the valley. There might be days when you feel that all faith has abandoned you. That’s OK! God shows up anyway!

So, if you are really uncomfortable – start small. Share with someone that you trust. If you’re ready for the next step, look for God to open up the door to share your God sighting. He does. Remember, YOU might be the God sighting that someone else is looking for. YOU might be the one through whom God shows up uninvited.

If you need someone to “bounce” off of, you can always email me pastor@holytrinityleesburg.org, text/call 757 615 5752 or friend me on Facebook and IM with me.

Thank you all again for a great first week and a great beginning to our summer journey together!

God’s peace and blessings!
P. Heidi

The Council has approved Pastor Heidi Schakel Moore as our interim pastor for the summer. Pastor Heidi is an energetic, charismatic pastor with more than 15 years pastoral experience. She believes that God works through her as she lives out her baptismal covenant and call to love God, love people, and make disciples. Pastor Heidi will be joining us beginning on June 1, and will be here through the remainder of the summer. 

As most of you know, I love to fly. And as a pilot, I watch the weather closer than many. After the rains of the past couple weeks, I have seriously considered whether or not I ought to start building some sort of a boat. According to the Channel Four, we only have about 23 or 24 days to go before we hit that magical 40-day mark. While I was watching the rain and wishing for blue skies, I thought about what I could write about this month.

Watching what weather God sends and complaining about it does me no good. If I stop and consider, there are always things to do even when it is raining. I can go visit friends, I can help around the house, and I can get to some of those “honey-do” things which are always present. Instead of complaining, let me find a place to put my energy. In all of life, that is a good way to go. I’ve heard it said that when God closes one door, he opens another. So it is with the weather. If it is raining here, perhaps that rain is raising water tables so that our wells will be full. Perhaps the rain will prevent a forest fire, or a field fire, and save uncounted animals and trees. Just while I was wishing for less rain, I am sure that the people of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada were praying for more rain to stop the destruction of their town.

In our Congregation, if you feel that things are not going right, don’t just wish for change. To only wish things are different will probably do you little better than me wishing for the sun to shine. If you want some change, or if you wish that something was different, prayerfully consider it. For sure you will receive an answer. Look around, and if you can help someone or suggest a change for the better and make something better by doing so, do it!

Proverbs 14:30 says that “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”. We could easily change the word “envy” to discontent and not change the idea of the Proverb.  If you are not happy, take steps to get that way! Blessings to you each one.

John Sapienza