Rabbi Sari Laufer: Sharing the Miracle of Jewish Joy

Rabbi Sari Laufer has an especially strong teaching on Hanukkah and Jewish joy at ReformJudaism.org. The following paragraphs from that teaching essay stand out for me:

The rabbis understand the obligation of lighting the hanukkiyah to be twofold. We are enjoined to bring light into our lives, to celebrate the miracle that happened in these days, at that time. We light the candles for all reasons that we may have learned as children - because the Maccabees defeated the Greeks, because the oil lasted for eight days, because we need light in the darkest seasons. But even more than our own celebration, we are meant to publicize the miracle - to tell the world our story, our survival, and our strength. Placed in the window, the hanukkiyah is more than a candelabra. It is a statement of identity, a reminder to ourselves and to the world that we are still here, still strong, and still celebrating.

To light the lights of Hanukkah is, whether we think of it that way or not, an act and a statement of faith and of hope. To light the lights of Hanukkah is to tell the world that we refuse to sit in the darkness. It is to share the miracle - not of the Maccabees or the oil - but of Jewish life and, more importantly, Jewish joy in 2022.

Please read the entire teaching essay here.

Bishop Barber: "Don't Forget Whose You Are And Where You Come From"

The entire service from Greenleaf Christian Church is important and worth watching, but if you don't have two hours and forty minutes to give to this please start around 45:11 or 58:00 and give it what you can. Bishop Barber's sermon will give you some needed life lessons, build your faith, and give you courage.

  

Chair praise dance with Pastor Kalina Malua Katoa

 Do this every morning and start your day with praise...

She is a great pastor. I always enjoy hearing her and seeing her.

Islamic Networks Group Statement of Solidarity with Victims and Families of Buffalo Shooting

From the Islamic Networks Group:

We at ING join the rest of the nation in expressing our grief and solidarity over the horrendous act of racist violence in Buffalo, New York, this past weekend. We mourn the deaths of the 10 innocent victims and pray for the healing of those who were injured, most of whom are Black Americans. Our hearts go out to all those who are mourning loved ones and to all the communities and individuals shaken by this latest manifestation of racism and bigotry in our country and the world.

We stand in solidarity with all those impacted by this heinous act against racism, bigotry, and hate.

The attack in Buffalo, clearly motivated by racism according to the words of the shooter himself, was no isolated incident. We need only recall Oak Creek, WI, Charleston, SC, Pittsburgh, PA, Poway, CA, El Paso, TX, and too many other places that have suffered similar lethal attacks based on the same hatred that took ten lives in Buffalo, to see that this tide of racist violence has reached epidemic proportions. Behind these crimes lies a racist ideology that is now openly espoused by leading media and political figures.

The suspect in the Buffalo shooting issued an antisemitic and racist manifesto against Jews, Blacks, and other people of color indicating that he acted out of fear that White Americans like himself were in danger of being “replaced” by non-White “others”—a fear vigorously stoked by talk show hosts and even some members of Congress, to the point where a recent survey showed that one-third of Americans accept the basic tenets of this theory of “the Great Replacement.” And behind this openly racist ideology lies the ongoing problems of structural racism and implicit bias that still afflict our country.

Racism and bigotry in all their forms not only threaten the lives and physical safety of people of color and of minority religions, they are polarizing Americans to the point that calm and reasoned political discussion are rendered impossible and threatening our democracy, including measures to restrict voting that are justified by barely concealed appeals to the sort of racist fear that led the shooter in Buffalo to open fire on peaceful shoppers in a grocery store.

We must not let our country “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” to fall prey to the scourge of fear, division, and authoritarianism that is currently spreading through much of the world.

The terrible event in Buffalo must serve as a wake-up call, leading us to work with even greater determination against all forms of racism and bigotry.

We at ING have developed tools and resources for this that have been utilized by educators, corporations, local government, law enforcement, community organizations and other groups and institutions across the country.

Our Intercultural Speakers Bureau (ICSB) offers panels with representatives from marginalized groups who explore the roots, history, and current manifestations of racism and invite audiences to take specific, concrete action against racism personally and in their communities.

Our online educator resources offer teachers a 14-lesson plan curriculum free of charge that examines the history and origins of dominant narratives about marginalized groups, the process of racialization that leads to implicit bias and racism, and their manifestations in society today. The curriculum concludes with lesson plans about the power of counter narratives through the voices of the affected groups, as well as individual and collective actions for countering racism.

We encourage you to go to our website (www.ing.org) and join us in our critical work towards an America that lives up more fully to our ideals of justice, equality, and human rights for all its citizens.

ING Team

Learning More About God Through Prayer - Brian Zahnd

 

Have a little talk with Jesus...

 

Bishop McKissick: "Do not count me out!"

There are some recording problems around 21:20. That's okay. Reactions to this sermon will vary. I'm posting it here because of its energy and those parts of the message that affirm people and reassure them. Stick with it and hear what Bishop McKissick has to say. In my language there is much here about solidarity and much commonsense. The notion of an active God Who is present in human affairs and the need for faith and the point that "overcoming sermons" may have their value but that more is needed are strong points. I'm sorry that the clip cuts off when it does.

 

Dear Disciples: Imagining a World with More

 

"Seeing Jesus"---Dallas Indian United Methodist Church April 24, 2022 Sermon

 

Wisdom from Vee Lewis---A message to you

Vee Lewis has been a source of light and wisdom in my life for a while now. I follow her on Facebook and enjoy her music and always agree with her politics. I don't know many people as capable and multi-faceted and creative as she is. I almost always agree with her world view. We did a radio show together once that was one of the best of the shows. I was nearly speechless at the end, or perhaps dumbfounded, by her wisdom and truth-telling. Anyway, Sister Lewis posted the following message on Facebook and I think that it has some wisdom and advice in it that I hope everyone will take seriously and start following. I added the scripture that she's referring to for easy reference. Here it is:

For the past week, my Aunt Vannie has really been on my mind, heavily. I've had some major life stressors. I've also been struggling with "carrying the load". In moments of deep thought, I kept hearing Aunt Vannie's voice "YOU follow me!"

She would always remind herself, that she needn't worry about what other folk were or were not doing, when it comes to the heavy lifting. She'd say it's MY job to do what God called ME to do! Baby she done preached a word to me from the ancestral plane! So I had to go Google the scripture to make sho I didn't misquote it or her, and to encourage somebody today! Do What's right. No matter what choices other folk make, YOU do what YOU are led/called to do. #StayFocused

“Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.”
-John 21:22
*
Read the scripture in its entirety for more context.

Here is the scripture:

The Appearance to the Seven Disciples.

1. After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way.

2. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.

3. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”

6. So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish.

7. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea.

8. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish.

9. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.

10. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”

11. So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.

12. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord.

13. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish.

14. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

Jesus and Peter.

15. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,* “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

16. He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

17. He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep.

18. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”

19. He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

The Beloved Disciple.

20. Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?”

21. When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”

22. Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.”

23. So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? [What concern is it of yours?]”

Conclusion.

24. It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.

25. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

Sunday morning with Brother Thomas Jude at Buck branch United Baptist Church in Pilgrim, KY.

This is how some people work out and understand what's happening within them and around them. It's how some folks find community and support. Can I agree with everything here? No. I hope that in their faith journeys these good people discover the peace and justice of universalism and join the fight for social justice. I think that they might be further along on those paths than some people think, and with some good local people working with them I believe that much good could come out of that. I think that liberal and Left people could get some inspiration and teach and preach with this kind of power.

Liberation Theology Reflects On Ther Christian Mission And The Meaning of The Crucifixion

 

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION FROM REFORMJUDAISM.ORG WITH RESOUCES & COMMENTARIES

The following is taken from ReformJudaism.org. There you will find a podcast on this reading for tomorrow, a summary of this reading, a commentary on this reading, context and teaching and much more. This will be of interest to people of all faiths, and all of this is really quite helpful and inspiring. 

Acharei Mot I

After the Death [of the Two Sons of Aaron]

Leviticus 16:1–17:16

Translation from The Torah: A Modern Commentary (CCAR Press)


16:1] The Eternal One spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they drew too close to the presence of the Eternal. 2] The Eternal One said to Moses:

Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come at will into the Shrine behind the curtain, in front of the cover that is upon the ark, lest he die; for I appear in the cloud over the cover. 3] Thus only shall Aaron enter the Shrine: with a bull of the herd for a purgation offering and a ram for a burnt offering.— 4] He shall be dressed in a sacral linen tunic, with linen breeches next to his flesh, and be girt with a linen sash, and he shall wear a linen turban. They are sacral vestments; he shall bathe his body in water and then put them on.— 5] And from the Israelite community he shall take two he-goats for a purgation offering and a ram for a burnt offering.

6] Aaron is to offer his own bull of purgation offering, to make expiation for himself and for his household. 7] Aaron shall take the two he-goats and let them stand before the Eternal at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting; 8] and he shall place lots upon the two goats, one marked for the Eternal and the other marked for Azazel. 9] Aaron shall bring forward the goat designated by lot for the Eternal, which he is to offer as a purgation offering; 10] while the goat designated by lot for Azazel shall be left standing alive before the Eternal, to make expiation with it and to send it off to the wilderness for Azazel.

11] Aaron shall then offer his bull of purgation offering, to make expiation for himself and his household. He shall slaughter his bull of purgation offering, 12] and he shall take a panful of glowing coals scooped from the altar before the Eternal, and two handfuls of finely ground aromatic incense, and bring this behind the curtain. 13] He shall put the incense on the fire before the Eternal, so that the cloud from the incense screens the cover that is over [the Ark of] the Pact, lest he die. 14] He shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger over the cover on the east side; and in front of the cover he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times. 15] He shall then slaughter the people’s goat of purgation offering, bring its blood behind the curtain, and do with its blood as he has done with the blood of the bull: he shall sprinkle it over the cover and in front of the cover.

16] Thus he shall purge the Shrine of the impurity and transgression of the Israelites, whatever their sins; and he shall do the same for the Tent of Meeting, which abides with them in the midst of their impurity. 17] When he goes in to make expiation in the Shrine, nobody else shall be in the Tent of Meeting until he comes out.

When he has made expiation for himself and his household, and for the whole congregation of Israel, 18] he shall go out to the altar that is before the Eternal and purge it: he shall take some of the blood of the bull and of the goat and apply it to each of the horns of the altar; 19] and the rest of the blood he shall sprinkle on it with his finger seven times. Thus he shall purify it of the defilement of the Israelites and consecrate it.

20] When he has finished purging the Shrine, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, the live goat shall be brought forward. 21] Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and transgressions of the Israelites, whatever their sins, putting them on the head of the goat; and it shall be sent off to the wilderness through a designated agent. 22] Thus the goat shall carry on it all their iniquities to an inaccessible region; and the goat shall be set free in the wilderness.

23] And Aaron shall go into the Tent of Meeting, take off the linen vestments that he put on when he entered the Shrine, and leave them there. 24] He shall bathe his body in water in the holy precinct and put on his vestments; then he shall come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, making expiation for himself and for the people. 25] The fat of the purgation offering he shall turn into smoke on the altar.

26] The one who set the Azazel-goat free shall wash those clothes and bathe the body in water—and after that may reenter the camp.

27] The bull of purgation offering and the goat of purgation offering whose blood was brought in to purge the Shrine shall be taken outside the camp; and their hides, flesh, and dung shall be consumed in fire. 28] The one who burned them shall wash those clothes and bathe the body in water—and after that may re-enter the camp.

29] And this shall be to you a law for all time: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall practice self-denial; and you shall do no manner of work, neither the citizen nor the alien who resides among you. 30] For on this day atonement shall be made for you to purify you of all your sins; you shall be pure before the Eternal. 31] It shall be a sabbath of complete rest for you, and you shall practice self-denial; it is a law for all time. 32] The priest who has been anointed and ordained to serve as priest in place of his father shall make expiation. He shall put on the linen vestments, the sacral vestments. 33] He shall purge the innermost Shrine; he shall purge the Tent of Meeting and the altar; and he shall make expiation for the priests and for all the people of the congregation.

34] This shall be to you a law for all time: to make atonement for the Israelites for all their sins once a year.

And Moses did as the Eternal had commanded him.

17:1] The Eternal One spoke to Moses, saying: 2] Speak to Aaron and his sons and to all the Israelite people and say to them:

This is what the Eternal has commanded: 3] if anyone of the house of Israel slaughters an ox or sheep or goat in the camp, or does so outside the camp, 4] and does not bring it to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting to present it as an offering to the Eternal, before the Eternal’s Tabernacle, bloodguilt shall be imputed to that party: having shed blood, that person shall be cut off from among this people. 5] This is in order that the Israelites may bring the sacrifices which they have been making in the open—that they may bring them before the Eternal, to the priest, at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, and offer them as sacrifices of well-being to the Eternal; 6] that the priest may dash the blood against the altar of the Eternal at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, and turn the fat into smoke as a pleasing odor to the Eternal; 7] and that they may offer their sacrifices no more to the goat-demons after whom they stray. This shall be to them a law for all time, throughout the ages.

8] Say to them further: If anyone of the house of Israel or of the strangers who reside among them offers a burnt offering or a sacrifice, 9] and does not bring it to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting to offer it to the Eternal, that person shall be cut off from this people.

10] And if anyone of the house of Israel or of the strangers who reside among them partakes of any blood, I will set My face against the person who partakes of the blood; I will cut that person off from among kin. 11] For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have assigned it to you for making expiation for your lives upon the altar; it is the blood, as life, that effects expiation. 12] Therefore I say to the Israelite people: No person among you shall partake of blood, nor shall the stranger who resides among you partake of blood.

13] And if any Israelite or any stranger who resides among them hunts down an animal or a bird that may be eaten, that person shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth. 14] For the life of all flesh—its blood is its life. Therefore I say to the Israelite people: You shall not partake of the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Anyone who partakes of it shall be cut off.

15] Any person, whether citizen or stranger, who eats what has died or has been torn by beasts shall wash those clothes, bathe in water, remain impure until evening—and shall then be pure. 16] But if the clothes are not washed and the body is not bathed, that person shall bear the guilt.


Translation from The Torah: A Modern Commentary, copyright (c) 2016 by CCAR Press. All rights reserved. Translation of Exodus; Leviticus; Numbers; Deuteronomy from NJPS © 1962, 1985, 1999; CJPS © 2006. Used and adapted by CCAR Press with permission from The Jewish Publication Society and the University of Nebraska Press. No part of this translation may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or be transmitted without express written permission from the Central Conference of American Rabbis. For permission, please contact CCAR Press.

The beginning of love...

 

Our animal friends teach us...

 

The Very Rev. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge 4-11-2022---A Teaching Sermon at The Seminary of the Southwest

 

Roger Hicks--"The Letter"--A soulful hymn and teaching!

 A soulful hymn and teaching!

REBROADCAST: Bishop William J Barber II “When Wise Black Men Show Us How to Walk Through This World”

 

 

Psalm 25:4

 From Salem First United Methodist Church