Sorry I've been so lax on posting sermons and other things lately. It's been a busy month or so with Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and the 30 Hour Famine with the youth group. Hopefully, things will start slowing down this week.
Sermon for Sunday, April 19
Scriptures: Mark 6:30-44, Acts 4:32-35
As many of you know, the youth group of this church and of downtown Madison church participated in the 30 Hour Famine this weekend. We had a blast raising money for World Vision in an effort to reduce world hunger. We learned a lot of interesting facts about world hunger, such as:
1. More than half of the children under 5 who die each day die from hunger-related causes
2. That’s more than 14,000 children per day – about one child every 7 seconds
3. 840 million people in the world – one in 7 people – don’t get enough to eat
4. 143 million children under the age of 5 in developing countries are underweight because of poor nutrition
5. There are just over 1 billion undernourished people in the world right now
6. There are just over 1 billion overweight people right now.
7. By the time you eat dinner tonight, 21,000 people will have died from hunger-related causes today alone
8. That puts the number to over 3.1 million hunger-related deaths already in 2009.
9. Americans alone will spend over 3 times as much money on food purchased and thrown away today than it would cost to feed all the hungry people in the world today.
Those are some sobering statistics, aren’t they? Well, we had a great weekend together, and in a few minutes you’ll hear more from our youth and from Bill about the experience, but I do have to tell you that it is very difficult to not eat for 30 hours. I know personally it’s hard not to eat for just a few hours.
You see, I’ve always been someone who doesn’t like feeling hungry. Of course, with feeling hungry comes the feeling of weariness. And, when someone is tired AND hungry, that usually does not make for a very pleasant mood. By mid-afternoon yesterday, I think you could say it was hard for any of us to not be a little grumpy. Do you know anyone that’s fun to be around when they’re both tired and hungry?
What’s often lost in the details of the feeding of the 5000 is that the disciples were tired and hungry. Jesus sent them out in pairs to be in ministry around the region, and they’ve been out working hard. Now, they’ve re-gathered because of the death of a friend, John the Baptist. John the Baptist has just been beheaded, and Jesus and the disciples need some time to mourn. They need some time to rest from their active ministry.
So Jesus and his disciples seek retreat to a deserted place for some much-needed R &R. Mark says they’re so busy they haven’t even had the chance to eat. A camping trip into the wilderness is just what they need to “get away from it all.”
But the paparazzi-like crowd refuses to let them have their retreat. They’re so eager to be around these holy men, and this healer named Jesus, that they run around the banks of the lake to meet the boat on the other side. Jesus sees this, and has compassion on his groupies, so he postpones the retreat and teaches the masses all afternoon and into the evening.
After this goes on for some time, the disciples start complaining. They’re tired, and now they’re hungry as well. So you can imagine how grumpy they became. But you don’t have to imagine, because Mark tells us how grumpy they are. They plead with Jesus for the retreat they so desperately need. “Alright, it’s getting late here, Boss,” they tell Jesus. “Let’s get outta here and grab some grub. And you know, all these people in the crowd probably want to go get themselves some dinner, so you should probably dismiss them and call it a day.” At this point, the disciples have every right to be thinking about themselves. Really, who would blame these guys for thinking like they are? They’ve been on the road for awhile, their friend’s head was just served on a silver platter, and they haven’t eaten in awhile. The disciples were just being practical: “We need a dinner break here, Jesus, and let’s face it – these crowds are probably hungry too.”
But Jesus refuses to let the disciples be so practical. He doesn’t want disciples that are like everyone else. He wants disciples willing to be more compassionate than the ordinary person would be. “Well,” Jesus says, “if these people are so hungry, why don’t you give them some dinner?”
“Are you crazy? We’d have to spend 8 month’s wages to feed all of them!” On first glance, this is a good argument. But when we crunch the numbers, 8 month’s wages divided among the 12 disciples is actually just 5.5% of their yearly income – which is still less than the 10% tithe popularized by scripture. So yes, it’s a lot, but it’s certainly affordable for the disciples.
Well, Jesus instead asks for the disciples’ current inventory, which as we know turns out to be merely 5 loaves and 2 fish – not much more food than an appetizer at our favorite restaurant. I mean, we’re talking one loaf of bread for every 1000 people, and one fish for every 2500 people. It’s surely not enough food. But lo and behold, all 5000 people are fed and are filled. The NIV translation says all were “satisfied.”
The miracle here is that 5000 people are satisfied with a few morsels each. Nothing here says that Jesus multiplied the amount of food. We like to think that he did, but even if that did happen, Mark doesn’t report it. The miracle that takes place here is that 5000 people are so selfless that they are willing to share. Greed is nowhere to be found on this day. And because of this selfless attitude, there are 12 baskets of leftovers – one for each disciple.
We tend to overlook the part about the leftovers in this story. The feeding of the 5,000, the only miracle story found in all 4 Gospels, is a bit vague about how the food was distributed. However, it appears that the disciples distributed ALL of the food, and then collected the leftovers for themselves. Jesus instructs them to give everything away, and when they do, they find that he still provides for them as well.
In this, we see what true selflessness looks like. We see what true compassion looks like. Here we have 12 people with food – not much food, but food nonetheless. And then we have 5000 people with no food. So the 12 people with food give it ALL to the 5000 without food, trusting that Jesus will still provide for them somehow. And he does, as the 12 receive leftovers from the 5000. The common reaction of the 12 would be to give what they could spare, to give what they could afford once their own needs were taken care of. And that would be a very charitable thing to do. But it would be the 12 taking what they need, and giving the leftovers to the 5000. Instead, they take nothing for themselves and give everything to the 5000. And in an act of gratitude and selflessness, the 5000 offer leftovers to the 12.
It’s commonly thought to be a good thing to take only what we need, then give all that we have left to those in need. But Jesus calls us to go beyond conventional charity. Christian charity is supposed to be even more selfless than other kinds of charity. Jesus calls us to give more than our leftovers. He calls us to give all that we have – to make a real sacrifice – and then live off the leftovers.
Those who have give it all away, and end up with the leftovers of the have-nots. Usually, the compassionate few take what they need to live, and the needy multitudes get the leftovers. But here, it is the needy multitudes who take what they need to live, and the compassionate few that live off the leftovers. It is a strange reversal of roles and a subversion of the typical power structures of giving and receiving in the world. And it is a lesson in selflessness.
Mark says that Jesus had “compassion” on the crowds. And he shows the disciples how to live out compassion. Compassion means giving all that you have, and trusting that God will provide you with leftovers to RECEIVE. We tend to think of it as the other way around – we’ve earned first dibs – after all, it’s our food. Then if there’s any left over, we’ll give it out. But Jesus will have none of this. He will have none of our charity that keeps us privileged and gives only leftovers to the hungry multitudes. Why are we worthy of something better than leftovers? And why are the hungry multitudes worthy of only leftovers?
Compassion is giving all that we have and trusting that there will be enough left over for ourselves. Compassion is feeding the hungry multitudes when we’d rather be camping alone, getting some R & R. Compassion is putting others’ needs before our own. A life of compassion is a life of selflessness. A life of compassion is a life marked with miracles of sharing – miracles of 5000 people agreeing that one or two small bites is enough to satisfy everyone’s hunger.
Such a life of compassion and selflessness was a prominent feature of the e arly church. The book of Acts, which chronicles the life of the early Christian church, talks about generous levels of sharing in chapter 4:
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and a great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. – Acts 4:32-35
The early church, on the heels of the resurrection of a selfless, compassionate savior, were moved by the Holy Spirit to share their possessions to the point that there were no needy people among them. Here we have yet another miracle of sharing – a miracle of neediness being eliminated because everyone was willing to share everything that they had. Sacrificial, selfless, compassionate sharing was a mark of the early church.
Sacrificial, selfless, compassionate sharing is a mark of the Christian church today. The United Methodist Committee on Relief and Catholic Charities USA are two of the best relief agencies in this country. Habitat for Humanity is a faith-based organization that has made dreams come true for thousands of people. Food pantries, homeless shelters, and utility assistance are often responsibilities taken on by Christian churches. Nothing But Nets has been tremendously aided by its connection to the United Methodist Church. And World Vision, who we have raised money for with our 30 Hour Famine, is a Christian organization trying to eradicate world hunger.
The miracle of sharing is the mark of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. George Bryan Wirth says of the early church chronicled in Acts: “How could this have happened, had it not been for the power of the Holy Spirit at work among them, encouraging and helping those early believers to share with and care for their sisters and brothers in the body of Christ?”
Wirth, of course, is drawing attention to the fact that this selflessness in chapter 4 comes on the heels of the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church in chapter 2. And how could such miracles of sharing happen, were it not for the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us? How could such selfless giving and receiving be possible without the Holy Spirit compelling us to put others before ourselves?
The early church in Acts shared their possessions to the point that there was not a needy person among them. How then can we model the early Christian church, sharing our possessions to the point that there is not a needy person among us? What miracles of sharing can take place by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us? What can we do?
For starters, we can follow the lead of Jesus and the disciples on the shore that day when they fed the hungry multitudes. We can give all that we have, inspiring more and more selfless giving, rather than just giving out our leftovers. Anyone can give leftovers; it takes complete selflessness to give all that we have to others.
This weekend, our youth did not just give the leftovers from their meals. No, they gave all of their meals for a 30 hour stretch, plus any snacks they could have had. They gave up everything for those 30 hours so that the hungry multitudes around the world could be filled. They shared all that they had with others, in hopes that one day there will not be a needy person among us in the world. We can follow their lead. We can give all that we have, not just the leftovers, to the hungry multitudes. We can give generously to World Vision in recognition and support of our youths’ efforts. And in doing so, as a little church in this little town, we can make miracles happen. Our youth have taken the lead. Are we ready to follow? Can we respond with our own miracle of sharing this morning? Can we feed the hungry multitudes, so there is not a needy person among us in the world? I believe that we can, by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Daily Lenten Devotion for 4/8
Scripture: John 18:28-19:16
“The Jews insisted, ‘We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.’” – v. 7
The Jews did have a law. They had a law against blasphemy, and in their eyes this man called Jesus was breaking the law with outrageous statements of his divinity. But they also had a law, the law of the covenant relationship with God found in their holy texts, what is now called the Old Testament.
That law contained in scripture said the Messiah would suffer and die (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). And Jesus came to fulfill that law. So when the Jews say that according to the law Jesus must die, there is a double meaning contained. They are being decidedly and legalistic, but in the midst of their detestable stubbornness they are also assistants in the fulfillment of the law in a way they do not understand.
If God uses mean-spirited, legalistic, stubborn people that love capital punishment to fulfill the law, can he not use the shortcomings found within you and me to fulfill the law?
“The Jews insisted, ‘We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.’” – v. 7
The Jews did have a law. They had a law against blasphemy, and in their eyes this man called Jesus was breaking the law with outrageous statements of his divinity. But they also had a law, the law of the covenant relationship with God found in their holy texts, what is now called the Old Testament.
That law contained in scripture said the Messiah would suffer and die (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). And Jesus came to fulfill that law. So when the Jews say that according to the law Jesus must die, there is a double meaning contained. They are being decidedly and legalistic, but in the midst of their detestable stubbornness they are also assistants in the fulfillment of the law in a way they do not understand.
If God uses mean-spirited, legalistic, stubborn people that love capital punishment to fulfill the law, can he not use the shortcomings found within you and me to fulfill the law?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
I'm NOT Dreaming...
...of a white Easter.
Definitely not. Listen, I like snow in November, December, and January. When it gets to February, I tolerate it. In March, I'm annoyed but not surprised. Snow in April? After baseball season has started? Well, thems fightin' words right there...
The hardest part about all this is that Sunday was a beautiful, sunny, 67 degree day. Lisa and I spent all afternoon outside doing yardwork. I put together my new grill, and grilled the inaugural burgers. Lisa got gardening tips from our neighbor. We were 100% in spring mode.
And now this. Snow on April 7. I know it's happened before around these parts, but I'm blaming this one on Al Gore. What inconvenient truth are you hiding now, Albert?
Definitely not. Listen, I like snow in November, December, and January. When it gets to February, I tolerate it. In March, I'm annoyed but not surprised. Snow in April? After baseball season has started? Well, thems fightin' words right there...
The hardest part about all this is that Sunday was a beautiful, sunny, 67 degree day. Lisa and I spent all afternoon outside doing yardwork. I put together my new grill, and grilled the inaugural burgers. Lisa got gardening tips from our neighbor. We were 100% in spring mode.
And now this. Snow on April 7. I know it's happened before around these parts, but I'm blaming this one on Al Gore. What inconvenient truth are you hiding now, Albert?
Daily Lenten Devotion for 4/7
Scripture: John 18:12-27
“When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face.” – v. 22
Jesus testified to the truth, and was promptly slapped in the face. He had done nothing wrong, all of his teachings were public knowledge, and nothing was done in secret. Yet one of the officials “struck” him, a word apparently meaning “a blow with the open hand.”
Thus begins the unjust treatment of Jesus. Thus begins a series of striking – first a slap, then lashes, then nails, then death. All unjust punishment for the only human who was ever without sin.
Sometimes, the only reward for speaking the truth in public is a slap in the face. This scene inside the temple is framed perfectly by Peter speaking anything but the truth in public. Peter denies knowing Jesus (v. 15-18), Jesus is questioned by the high priest (v. 19-24), Peter denies knowing Jesus a 2nd and 3rd time (v. 25-27).
Sometimes, denying the truth is so much easier. There’s no punishment. There’s guilt, but we do such a good job at hiding that. Denying the truth literally and metaphorically “saves face” when we’re in public. We don’t sound weird, we’re not labeled freaks, and more importantly, we’re not aiding an abetting Jesus, a known rebel.
Peter is how we are. But Jesus is how we must be. We must testify to the truth, even when it earns us a slap in the face – or worse, death. Are we willing to stand up to the high priests of the world today? Are we willing to testify to the truth we know and follow? Are we willing to get slapped? Or will we save face, yet again?
“When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face.” – v. 22
Jesus testified to the truth, and was promptly slapped in the face. He had done nothing wrong, all of his teachings were public knowledge, and nothing was done in secret. Yet one of the officials “struck” him, a word apparently meaning “a blow with the open hand.”
Thus begins the unjust treatment of Jesus. Thus begins a series of striking – first a slap, then lashes, then nails, then death. All unjust punishment for the only human who was ever without sin.
Sometimes, the only reward for speaking the truth in public is a slap in the face. This scene inside the temple is framed perfectly by Peter speaking anything but the truth in public. Peter denies knowing Jesus (v. 15-18), Jesus is questioned by the high priest (v. 19-24), Peter denies knowing Jesus a 2nd and 3rd time (v. 25-27).
Sometimes, denying the truth is so much easier. There’s no punishment. There’s guilt, but we do such a good job at hiding that. Denying the truth literally and metaphorically “saves face” when we’re in public. We don’t sound weird, we’re not labeled freaks, and more importantly, we’re not aiding an abetting Jesus, a known rebel.
Peter is how we are. But Jesus is how we must be. We must testify to the truth, even when it earns us a slap in the face – or worse, death. Are we willing to stand up to the high priests of the world today? Are we willing to testify to the truth we know and follow? Are we willing to get slapped? Or will we save face, yet again?
Monday, April 6, 2009
Daily Lenten Devotion for 4/6
Note: this week being Holy Week, my devotions will follow the reading schedule that I suggested in yesterday’s bulletin, reading through the Passion account in one week.
Scripture: John 18:1-11
“’I am he,’ Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)" -- v. 5
The story of Judas is a familiar one. One of the 12 disciples who formed Jesus’ inner circle, he betrays Jesus for a fee. He guides soldiers and officials to the garden, where they are then able to arrest Jesus.
For us, Judas is a reminder that even those who eat at the Lord’s table, even those who are intimate companions with Christ, even those who hang out with him all the time, still have a part in the story of Christ’s death and resurrection. No matter how good we think we are, we are still contributors to his death.
Who are we to think otherwise? We often look upon Judas with scorn, preferring to think of ourselves as being one of the other disciples – the ones who didn’t betray Jesus. But perhaps we don’t identify ourselves with Judas because he represents the dark temptation that lies in all of us – the temptation to sell out our Lord and Savior.
Judas represents the worst part of us, the part we’d rather not look at. But today’s scripture forces us to look at the greedy betrayer living within us. It makes us squirm, but it reminds us we are not free from blame for the events that are about to take place.
Scripture: John 18:1-11
“’I am he,’ Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)" -- v. 5
The story of Judas is a familiar one. One of the 12 disciples who formed Jesus’ inner circle, he betrays Jesus for a fee. He guides soldiers and officials to the garden, where they are then able to arrest Jesus.
For us, Judas is a reminder that even those who eat at the Lord’s table, even those who are intimate companions with Christ, even those who hang out with him all the time, still have a part in the story of Christ’s death and resurrection. No matter how good we think we are, we are still contributors to his death.
Who are we to think otherwise? We often look upon Judas with scorn, preferring to think of ourselves as being one of the other disciples – the ones who didn’t betray Jesus. But perhaps we don’t identify ourselves with Judas because he represents the dark temptation that lies in all of us – the temptation to sell out our Lord and Savior.
Judas represents the worst part of us, the part we’d rather not look at. But today’s scripture forces us to look at the greedy betrayer living within us. It makes us squirm, but it reminds us we are not free from blame for the events that are about to take place.
Prince of Peace
Sermon for Sunday, April 5, 2009: Palm Sunday
Scripture: Mark 11:1-11
As many of you know, today is a very special day. It is a day of celebration, of triumphal entry, of the beginnings of a wonderful story waiting to be told. Today, people are lining the streets, trying to catch a glimpse of all the excitement. Packed crowds have gathered, and here is the moment we’ve spent all winter waiting for. Yes, my friends, today is finally here. Today is the first day of baseball season.
For most teams, Opening Day is tomorrow. But officially, the season begins tonight with the game between the Braves and Phillies. And what a joyous celebration it will be. Oh, how I have waited for this moment. I can’t wait to see what will happen this year. Will the Phillies repeat as World Series champs? Will Albert Pujols win the triple crown? Will the Yankees, with their massive payroll, still miss the playoffs? Will the Pirates end their current streak of 16 consecutive losing seasons? I can’t wait to see how the story of the 2009 Major League Baseball season unfolds.
In a lot of ways, Palm Sunday is like Opening Day. Both days are times of celebration, of crowds gathering for a festival, of anticipating and predicting what will soon come. And we know there will be ups and downs this season, just as we know there will be ups and downs during this week which we call Holy Week. Of course, the difference is that in regards to our faith, we know who will triumph in the end. We know there will be a celebration of resurrection on Easter Sunday. And we know how we’ll get there.
But these crowds lining the streets and waving branches were not so sure what would happen. They expected Jesus to usher in God’s kingdom here on earth, but they didn’t really know how it would happen – or even if it would happen at all. Quite possibly, they expected it to happen just like it did back in the days of King David. David’s kingdom is established by God, and that kingdom expands by military triumph which God hands over to David’s army. Now, a new king has come, the king of kings, who will usurp the authorities in Jerusalem and restore the kingdom of their ancestor David. That is why they line the streets with cloaks and branches – a new king is coming. “Victory is within our grasp,” they must be thinking to themselves. Jesus will be like a new David – sending in the troops, establishing his presence with authority, setting things straight. And everything will be wonderful. Everything will be grand. We will be saved from the authorities, from the corrupt politicians, from the evils surrounding us. “Hosanna!” they shout. “HOSANNA!” The meaning of “Hosanna” is “save now.”
“Save now!” they shout. “Save us now, Jesus! SAVE US! NOW!” These are cries of people longing for salvation, cries of people in despair. These are the cries of people who are searching for something to put their trust in, people searching for a sign of hope. It’s much like the cries of long-suffering fans of a perpetually lousy baseball team. And Jesus’ entry is, finally, the sign of hope they need. Jesus’ presence alone is hope enough, for he says nothing as he rides, silently, his stoicism a stark contrast to all the fanfare surrounding him.
As the baseball season begins, everyone’s looking for hope. Hope springs eternal, they say. That is what’s so great about the start of a new season: everyone has reason to hope. The New York Yankees are placing their hope in recent free agent acquisitions. The Florida Marlins are placing their hope in a slew of young players. And, well, if you’re a Pirates fan, you’re still searching for things to put your hope in – a solid outfield maybe? Rejuvenated pitching? Great prospects named McCutcheon and Alvarez who are yet to come?
And with the current economic situation, we have fewer reasons for hope and optimism. Many people are no longer able to find hope in job security. Others have lost all the hope they placed in the stock market. Still others are without the hope-filled mortgaged house they once lived in.
Where do we turn for hope when there seems to be no hope? To who or what are we crying out for salvation? To where are our cries of “Hosanna” directed? Can we turn towards politicians for hope? Or our jobs? Or our favorite sports teams? Or rock stars? Our best friends? Where do we turn for hope? Where is the hope?
Our lives are filled with the desperate cries of “Hosanna.” For “Hosanna” is not just a word we shout in jubilation. Hosanna is a word of groaning. It is a word we cry in times of desolation, chaos, and uncertainty. It’s not a word to shout in acclamation, but a word to shout in groaning and wailing. “Hosanna! We are in need of saving! Hosanna! We need salvation now! Hosanna! We need some hope in our hopeless situation!”
Unlike even the greatest employment, unlike even the safest investment opportunity, and even unlike the biggest free agent signing, we cannot place complete hope in earthly things. No, the only sure thing in this world is the salvation offered through the events which we’ll celebrate at the end of this week. The only sure thing is our salvation found in Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Man. The only place where we can have complete hope, without any chance of failure, is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus has entered the holy city of Jerusalem. He is a few short days away from dining with his disciples in the upper room, a few days away from arrest, trial, sentencing, whipping, and the gruesome capital punishment of crucifixion. Jesus is marching toward his death, and even though others around him may not know it, he is fully aware of this reality. Perhaps this is why he is silent, riding on a small colt that’s probably making his feet drag on the ground. If the crowds knew he would die this week, they would probably not be crying “Hosanna.” The crowds expect a military takeover, a triumph of force. They expect a revolution underfoot, a renegade leader coming to stick it to the man! But military takeover is not what they will get. Instead, they will get a beaten, bloody, tortured, dead savior. They will get a Messiah who looks anything but, a victor caught in the midst of strife.
As the Gospel of Mark tells us, Jesus rides in on a colt. In those days a colt was what princes would ride into town if they meant to bring peace. It seems as though the crowds and the disciples are oblivious to the symbolism of Jesus’ ride. Rather than the pimped out ride of a king, a noble, majestic steed, Jesus rides in on a colt, symbolizing the Prince of Peace that he is.
“Hosanna!” the crowds cry. “Save us now! Bring us a victory!” And as the story unfolds this week, we will find that he does in fact save us. He does in fact triumph. But it is not the triumph of a military king. Rather, it is the triumph of a prince of peace. The crowds are longing for a victory. It is desperation much like the desperation Pirate fans feel. “Save us now!” we cry. “Save us from the infamy of 17 straight losing seasons! Bring us something to hope for! Restore our joy! Bring us the victory we are starving for!”
“Save us, Jesus! We’re caught up in one of the losing streaks of life! We’re down on our luck, our nest egg is depleted, our vacations have been cancelled. Evil presses in all around us!”
A wise man once cried for salvation through poetry. He said:
There must be some kinda way outta here, said the joker to the thief.
There’s too much confusion, I can’t get no relief.
Businessmen they drink my wine, plow men dig my earth.
None will level on the line, nobody of its worth.
No reason to get excited, the thief he kindly spoke.
There are many here among us, who feel that life is but a joke.
But you and I we’ve been through that, and this is not our fate.
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour’s getting late.
Jesus has entered the holy city of Jerusalem. And the hour is getting late. Jesus marches toward his own suffering and death, which the crowds do not expect. They expect a revolution that will overthrow the powers that be and save the people from the misery, suffering, and despair they find themselves in. A revolution they expect, and a revolution they will receive. The revolution is here, but this is a revolution of non-violent resistance. This is a revolution led by the Prince of Peace, riding through the crowds on a humble colt, leaving the world in much the same way that he came: powerless, humble, unassuming, without any of the pomp and circumstance deserving of a king.
Jesus rides to his death. But we know how things work out in the end. We know that while the Prince of Peace is a few days from death, he is also just a few days away from resurrection, the victory over death we will celebrate one week from today. This will not be an easy journey this week, and at times it will seem further from hope and promise and victory than we can imagine. But in the midst of despair, Jesus will answer the groaning of this generation. In the midst of persecution, Jesus will answer the desperate cries of “Hosanna.” In the midst of suffering and death, Jesus will bring us new life. “Hosanna!” we cry. “Save now!” And saving is what will now occur. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Scripture: Mark 11:1-11
As many of you know, today is a very special day. It is a day of celebration, of triumphal entry, of the beginnings of a wonderful story waiting to be told. Today, people are lining the streets, trying to catch a glimpse of all the excitement. Packed crowds have gathered, and here is the moment we’ve spent all winter waiting for. Yes, my friends, today is finally here. Today is the first day of baseball season.
For most teams, Opening Day is tomorrow. But officially, the season begins tonight with the game between the Braves and Phillies. And what a joyous celebration it will be. Oh, how I have waited for this moment. I can’t wait to see what will happen this year. Will the Phillies repeat as World Series champs? Will Albert Pujols win the triple crown? Will the Yankees, with their massive payroll, still miss the playoffs? Will the Pirates end their current streak of 16 consecutive losing seasons? I can’t wait to see how the story of the 2009 Major League Baseball season unfolds.
In a lot of ways, Palm Sunday is like Opening Day. Both days are times of celebration, of crowds gathering for a festival, of anticipating and predicting what will soon come. And we know there will be ups and downs this season, just as we know there will be ups and downs during this week which we call Holy Week. Of course, the difference is that in regards to our faith, we know who will triumph in the end. We know there will be a celebration of resurrection on Easter Sunday. And we know how we’ll get there.
But these crowds lining the streets and waving branches were not so sure what would happen. They expected Jesus to usher in God’s kingdom here on earth, but they didn’t really know how it would happen – or even if it would happen at all. Quite possibly, they expected it to happen just like it did back in the days of King David. David’s kingdom is established by God, and that kingdom expands by military triumph which God hands over to David’s army. Now, a new king has come, the king of kings, who will usurp the authorities in Jerusalem and restore the kingdom of their ancestor David. That is why they line the streets with cloaks and branches – a new king is coming. “Victory is within our grasp,” they must be thinking to themselves. Jesus will be like a new David – sending in the troops, establishing his presence with authority, setting things straight. And everything will be wonderful. Everything will be grand. We will be saved from the authorities, from the corrupt politicians, from the evils surrounding us. “Hosanna!” they shout. “HOSANNA!” The meaning of “Hosanna” is “save now.”
“Save now!” they shout. “Save us now, Jesus! SAVE US! NOW!” These are cries of people longing for salvation, cries of people in despair. These are the cries of people who are searching for something to put their trust in, people searching for a sign of hope. It’s much like the cries of long-suffering fans of a perpetually lousy baseball team. And Jesus’ entry is, finally, the sign of hope they need. Jesus’ presence alone is hope enough, for he says nothing as he rides, silently, his stoicism a stark contrast to all the fanfare surrounding him.
As the baseball season begins, everyone’s looking for hope. Hope springs eternal, they say. That is what’s so great about the start of a new season: everyone has reason to hope. The New York Yankees are placing their hope in recent free agent acquisitions. The Florida Marlins are placing their hope in a slew of young players. And, well, if you’re a Pirates fan, you’re still searching for things to put your hope in – a solid outfield maybe? Rejuvenated pitching? Great prospects named McCutcheon and Alvarez who are yet to come?
And with the current economic situation, we have fewer reasons for hope and optimism. Many people are no longer able to find hope in job security. Others have lost all the hope they placed in the stock market. Still others are without the hope-filled mortgaged house they once lived in.
Where do we turn for hope when there seems to be no hope? To who or what are we crying out for salvation? To where are our cries of “Hosanna” directed? Can we turn towards politicians for hope? Or our jobs? Or our favorite sports teams? Or rock stars? Our best friends? Where do we turn for hope? Where is the hope?
Our lives are filled with the desperate cries of “Hosanna.” For “Hosanna” is not just a word we shout in jubilation. Hosanna is a word of groaning. It is a word we cry in times of desolation, chaos, and uncertainty. It’s not a word to shout in acclamation, but a word to shout in groaning and wailing. “Hosanna! We are in need of saving! Hosanna! We need salvation now! Hosanna! We need some hope in our hopeless situation!”
Unlike even the greatest employment, unlike even the safest investment opportunity, and even unlike the biggest free agent signing, we cannot place complete hope in earthly things. No, the only sure thing in this world is the salvation offered through the events which we’ll celebrate at the end of this week. The only sure thing is our salvation found in Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Man. The only place where we can have complete hope, without any chance of failure, is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus has entered the holy city of Jerusalem. He is a few short days away from dining with his disciples in the upper room, a few days away from arrest, trial, sentencing, whipping, and the gruesome capital punishment of crucifixion. Jesus is marching toward his death, and even though others around him may not know it, he is fully aware of this reality. Perhaps this is why he is silent, riding on a small colt that’s probably making his feet drag on the ground. If the crowds knew he would die this week, they would probably not be crying “Hosanna.” The crowds expect a military takeover, a triumph of force. They expect a revolution underfoot, a renegade leader coming to stick it to the man! But military takeover is not what they will get. Instead, they will get a beaten, bloody, tortured, dead savior. They will get a Messiah who looks anything but, a victor caught in the midst of strife.
As the Gospel of Mark tells us, Jesus rides in on a colt. In those days a colt was what princes would ride into town if they meant to bring peace. It seems as though the crowds and the disciples are oblivious to the symbolism of Jesus’ ride. Rather than the pimped out ride of a king, a noble, majestic steed, Jesus rides in on a colt, symbolizing the Prince of Peace that he is.
“Hosanna!” the crowds cry. “Save us now! Bring us a victory!” And as the story unfolds this week, we will find that he does in fact save us. He does in fact triumph. But it is not the triumph of a military king. Rather, it is the triumph of a prince of peace. The crowds are longing for a victory. It is desperation much like the desperation Pirate fans feel. “Save us now!” we cry. “Save us from the infamy of 17 straight losing seasons! Bring us something to hope for! Restore our joy! Bring us the victory we are starving for!”
“Save us, Jesus! We’re caught up in one of the losing streaks of life! We’re down on our luck, our nest egg is depleted, our vacations have been cancelled. Evil presses in all around us!”
A wise man once cried for salvation through poetry. He said:
There must be some kinda way outta here, said the joker to the thief.
There’s too much confusion, I can’t get no relief.
Businessmen they drink my wine, plow men dig my earth.
None will level on the line, nobody of its worth.
No reason to get excited, the thief he kindly spoke.
There are many here among us, who feel that life is but a joke.
But you and I we’ve been through that, and this is not our fate.
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour’s getting late.
Jesus has entered the holy city of Jerusalem. And the hour is getting late. Jesus marches toward his own suffering and death, which the crowds do not expect. They expect a revolution that will overthrow the powers that be and save the people from the misery, suffering, and despair they find themselves in. A revolution they expect, and a revolution they will receive. The revolution is here, but this is a revolution of non-violent resistance. This is a revolution led by the Prince of Peace, riding through the crowds on a humble colt, leaving the world in much the same way that he came: powerless, humble, unassuming, without any of the pomp and circumstance deserving of a king.
Jesus rides to his death. But we know how things work out in the end. We know that while the Prince of Peace is a few days from death, he is also just a few days away from resurrection, the victory over death we will celebrate one week from today. This will not be an easy journey this week, and at times it will seem further from hope and promise and victory than we can imagine. But in the midst of despair, Jesus will answer the groaning of this generation. In the midst of persecution, Jesus will answer the desperate cries of “Hosanna.” In the midst of suffering and death, Jesus will bring us new life. “Hosanna!” we cry. “Save now!” And saving is what will now occur. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Preview: Part III
Starting Rotation: Paul Maholm, Ian Snell, Zach Duke, Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens
There’s Paul Maholm, and there’s everyone else. Maholm had a stellar year in 2008, posting a 3.71 ERA with 19 quality starts out of 31 games started. He only had 9 wins, mainly because the Pirates never offered him run support. He’s clearly one of the most valuable if not the most valuable member of the 2009 Pirates.
Snell and Duke are following similar story lines: breaking on the scene as quality pitchers a few years ago, then completely imploding before our very eyes over the last 18-24 months. Snell’s problem seems to be lack of mental toughness, while Duke’s mechanics keep getting tweaked by hacks posing as Pirate pitching coaches. Hopefully, for both Snell and Duke’s sake, the Bucs finally have a pitching coach who knows what he’s doing, because they need to get things together if the Pirates are to avoid 95 losses this year. As long as they can put up solid numbers befitting mid-rotation starters, they’ll be an asset to the team. Otherwise, it will be time to seek other solutions from the mound.
Ohlendorf and Karstens both came over from the Yankees in the Nady/Marte trade last July. They are largely unproven commodities, but both showed they deserve a shot in the rotation based on the last 2 months of last year and this spring. Their performances this year will be under intense scrutiny. If they can hold up under that pressure, as well as the reality that their team isn’t going anywhere but they still have to compete, Neal Huntington might get relief from the fans’ incessant impatience.
Bullpen: John Grabow, Tyler Yates, Sean Burnett, Craig Hansen, Donnie Veal, Jesse Chavez
In a sense, bullpens are always a bit of a crapshoot. You have a couple guys that you know what you’ll get, and the rest can impress, disappoint, or fall somewhere in between.
Grabow and Burnett are the two that are predictable and dependable. Grabow remains one of the best lefty specialists in the game, and Burnett is a very solid long reliever. You might even throw Tyler Yates in there as well, if you count his mediocrity as dependable.
Then there’s the rest of them. All of them could make us very, very happy, or all of them could disappoint. It will likely be a mix of the two. The one to watch, though, is Craig Hansen, who came over from the Red Sox last July in the J-Bay trade. He has electric stuff, but no control. If he ever finds the plate, he could be a dominating set-up guy or even a closer down the road.
Closer: Matt Capps
Not the greatest closer, but better than at least half (if not 2/3) of the league. Bottom line, he gets the job done, and that’s what’s important with closers.
There’s Paul Maholm, and there’s everyone else. Maholm had a stellar year in 2008, posting a 3.71 ERA with 19 quality starts out of 31 games started. He only had 9 wins, mainly because the Pirates never offered him run support. He’s clearly one of the most valuable if not the most valuable member of the 2009 Pirates.
Snell and Duke are following similar story lines: breaking on the scene as quality pitchers a few years ago, then completely imploding before our very eyes over the last 18-24 months. Snell’s problem seems to be lack of mental toughness, while Duke’s mechanics keep getting tweaked by hacks posing as Pirate pitching coaches. Hopefully, for both Snell and Duke’s sake, the Bucs finally have a pitching coach who knows what he’s doing, because they need to get things together if the Pirates are to avoid 95 losses this year. As long as they can put up solid numbers befitting mid-rotation starters, they’ll be an asset to the team. Otherwise, it will be time to seek other solutions from the mound.
Ohlendorf and Karstens both came over from the Yankees in the Nady/Marte trade last July. They are largely unproven commodities, but both showed they deserve a shot in the rotation based on the last 2 months of last year and this spring. Their performances this year will be under intense scrutiny. If they can hold up under that pressure, as well as the reality that their team isn’t going anywhere but they still have to compete, Neal Huntington might get relief from the fans’ incessant impatience.
Bullpen: John Grabow, Tyler Yates, Sean Burnett, Craig Hansen, Donnie Veal, Jesse Chavez
In a sense, bullpens are always a bit of a crapshoot. You have a couple guys that you know what you’ll get, and the rest can impress, disappoint, or fall somewhere in between.
Grabow and Burnett are the two that are predictable and dependable. Grabow remains one of the best lefty specialists in the game, and Burnett is a very solid long reliever. You might even throw Tyler Yates in there as well, if you count his mediocrity as dependable.
Then there’s the rest of them. All of them could make us very, very happy, or all of them could disappoint. It will likely be a mix of the two. The one to watch, though, is Craig Hansen, who came over from the Red Sox last July in the J-Bay trade. He has electric stuff, but no control. If he ever finds the plate, he could be a dominating set-up guy or even a closer down the road.
Closer: Matt Capps
Not the greatest closer, but better than at least half (if not 2/3) of the league. Bottom line, he gets the job done, and that’s what’s important with closers.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Preview: Part II
Left Field: Nyjer Morgan/Eric Hinske/Craig Monroe
All indications are that Morgan will be the starter on Opening Day, but I can’t help hoping that Hinske and Monroe, reserves who have experience as everyday players, steal a lot of at-bats from the light-hitting Morgan. He’s fast, and adequate defensively (minus the candy arm), but offensively he’s just okay. He’ll be serviceable at leadoff if he can repeat his .294/.345 from starting the last 1/3 of the season in 2008. But that’s a big if. When it comes to LF, I’m counting down the days until Andrew McCutcheon gets called up to assume the leadoff position for good. It won’t be too long now; he’s ready for the big show.
Center Field: Nate McLouth
The many people drooling over Nate the Great’s breakout year last year tend to gloss over the fact that he sizzled pre-All-Star Game, and fizzled down the stretch. Well, maybe he didn’t quite fizzle, but it rhymes. And he did have a pretty mediocre 2nd half in 2008, bringing his numbers back down to mortal levels. He’ll likely reach his 2008 numbers of .276/.356/.497/26/94, maybe even topping 100 RBI now that he’ll be hitting exclusively from the 3 spot. He’s a very solid player, and it’s nice to finally have one of those in center.
Right Field: Brandon Moss
One of the many prospects to arrive in all the trade deadline deals, Moss’ health is a huge factor in the Pirates’ success this year. If he’s healthy, there’s no reason why he can’t hit 25 HR with 90 RBI. He won’t wow you with average, but he’ll probably hover around .260-.270, which is fine if he keeps up his good walk numbers. Like McLouth, he has potential to be a very valuable everyday player.
Bench: Hinske (OF), Monroe (OF), Luis Cruz (IF), Ramon Vazquez (IF), Jason Jaramillo (C)
For the 2nd year in a row, Pirates GM Neal Huntington has assembled a good bench full of experienced veterans. Hinske and Monroe should add some power from the plate, and Monroe will be used in platoon situations against LHPs seeing as he’s the only right-handed hitting outfielder. Hinske will also be used occasionally at first and third base. Cruz and Vazquez can fill in when needed, particularly in the middle infield. I know nothing about Jaramillo, but the Pirates’ brass and coaching staff seemed really impressed with him this spring.
Tomorrow: Starting Pitching
All indications are that Morgan will be the starter on Opening Day, but I can’t help hoping that Hinske and Monroe, reserves who have experience as everyday players, steal a lot of at-bats from the light-hitting Morgan. He’s fast, and adequate defensively (minus the candy arm), but offensively he’s just okay. He’ll be serviceable at leadoff if he can repeat his .294/.345 from starting the last 1/3 of the season in 2008. But that’s a big if. When it comes to LF, I’m counting down the days until Andrew McCutcheon gets called up to assume the leadoff position for good. It won’t be too long now; he’s ready for the big show.
Center Field: Nate McLouth
The many people drooling over Nate the Great’s breakout year last year tend to gloss over the fact that he sizzled pre-All-Star Game, and fizzled down the stretch. Well, maybe he didn’t quite fizzle, but it rhymes. And he did have a pretty mediocre 2nd half in 2008, bringing his numbers back down to mortal levels. He’ll likely reach his 2008 numbers of .276/.356/.497/26/94, maybe even topping 100 RBI now that he’ll be hitting exclusively from the 3 spot. He’s a very solid player, and it’s nice to finally have one of those in center.
Right Field: Brandon Moss
One of the many prospects to arrive in all the trade deadline deals, Moss’ health is a huge factor in the Pirates’ success this year. If he’s healthy, there’s no reason why he can’t hit 25 HR with 90 RBI. He won’t wow you with average, but he’ll probably hover around .260-.270, which is fine if he keeps up his good walk numbers. Like McLouth, he has potential to be a very valuable everyday player.
Bench: Hinske (OF), Monroe (OF), Luis Cruz (IF), Ramon Vazquez (IF), Jason Jaramillo (C)
For the 2nd year in a row, Pirates GM Neal Huntington has assembled a good bench full of experienced veterans. Hinske and Monroe should add some power from the plate, and Monroe will be used in platoon situations against LHPs seeing as he’s the only right-handed hitting outfielder. Hinske will also be used occasionally at first and third base. Cruz and Vazquez can fill in when needed, particularly in the middle infield. I know nothing about Jaramillo, but the Pirates’ brass and coaching staff seemed really impressed with him this spring.
Tomorrow: Starting Pitching
Daily Lenten Devotion for 4/3
Scripture lesson: John 11:1-7, 11-19, 33-44. Today, the role of Lazarus will be played by the Christian Church.
Now a group of people called the Christian Church were sick. They were from all over the place, in every corner of the world, and had sisters named Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. These sisters, whose other sister the Church now lay sick…sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s son may be glorified through it.” Jesus loved all the sisters, including the Church. Yet when he heard that the Church was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.
Then he said to his disciples, let us go back to Judea…After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend the Church has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake her up.” His disciples replied, “Lord, if she sleeps, she will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of her death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
So then he told them plainly, “The Church is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to her.” Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with her.”
On his arrival, Jesus found that the Church had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and the sisters comforted each other in the loss of their other sister, the Church. Others came to comfort the sisters in their loss.
When Jesus saw the sisters and mourners weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid the Church?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept.
Then the people said, “See how he loved the Church!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept the Church from dying?”
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for she has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe you sent me.”
When he has said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Church, come out!”
The dead Church came out, her hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around her face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let her go.”
Now a group of people called the Christian Church were sick. They were from all over the place, in every corner of the world, and had sisters named Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. These sisters, whose other sister the Church now lay sick…sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s son may be glorified through it.” Jesus loved all the sisters, including the Church. Yet when he heard that the Church was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.
Then he said to his disciples, let us go back to Judea…After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend the Church has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake her up.” His disciples replied, “Lord, if she sleeps, she will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of her death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
So then he told them plainly, “The Church is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to her.” Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with her.”
On his arrival, Jesus found that the Church had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and the sisters comforted each other in the loss of their other sister, the Church. Others came to comfort the sisters in their loss.
When Jesus saw the sisters and mourners weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid the Church?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept.
Then the people said, “See how he loved the Church!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept the Church from dying?”
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for she has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe you sent me.”
When he has said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Church, come out!”
The dead Church came out, her hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around her face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let her go.”
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Preview: Part I
With Opening Day arriving in a few short days, it’s time for me to give the preseason analysis of my beloved yet hopeless Pittsburgh Pirates. I’ll be doing so between now and Monday in a few installments. Today, I’ll review the infield. Let’s not waste any more time with small talk…
Catcher: Ryan Doumit
Doumit finally stayed healthy enough last year to show what he can contribute. While he is no all-star by any means, he is a solid presence behind the plate who could approach 20 homers and 80 RBI this year. Manager John Russell has already said he hopes to have Doumit play 150 games, which is asking a lot for the most physically grueling position on the field. If this happens, expect his average to dip to around .290.
First Base: Adam LaRoche
Well, well, well, back again for another Jekyll and Hyde season, eh? Adam LaRoche has a history of starting slow, and it was at its worst last year as he was an offensive liability well into June. I’m sorry, but if you’re a black hole in your team’s lineup for almost a half season, I don’t care how good your second half was. Sure, he was all-star caliber down the stretch, but a team like the Pirates cannot afford another slow start by Adam. But like it or not, we’re stuck with him for now.
Second Base: Freddy Sanchez
Since his All-Star showing in 2006, “Steady Freddy” has come back down to earth. 2008 Freddy (.271 AVG/.298 OBP/.371 SLG/9 HR/52 RBI) is the real Freddy Sanchez we all know and love. He’s solid defensively, but light hitting. He won’t hurt you in the field or at the plate, but he won’t exactly help you much either. Hopefully he’ll at least improve in his OBP, because .298 is way too low for a guy hitting 2nd .
Third Base: Andy LaRoche
Once a can’t miss prospect in the Dodgers organization, Andy is the little brother of Dr. Jekyll who came to the Pirates in last year’s 3 team Jason Bay deal. So far, he has yet to show signs of life, hitting .152 in 49 games after joining the Bucs. He’s a gamble that could work out big, but is more likely just a way to bide time until last year’s #1 pick Pedro Alvarez is ready in a few years. And no, I’m not forgetting Neil “The Real Deal” Walker. I know he exists, I just don’t think Walker will ever really live up to the hometown hero hype that has so mercilessly been placed on him. As for Andy LaRoche, I wouldn’t be shocked if he turned some heads with his play this season. He could be a real fun surprise. Or he could stink like sour milk in the middle of a fish market. I don’t know.
Shortstop: Jack Wilson
Jumpin’ Jack Flash is the last remaining Pirate to have experienced more than a few years of the losing streak. This, in my opinion, is a bad thing. He’s often touted as the team leader, which has always been a bit troublesome for me. He’s fiery, he’s competitive, he’s a “gamer”, yes, but the fact remains that he’s not the All-Star player that Pittsburgh fans treat him as. He’s also never come close to experiencing winning at the major league level. Sure, he’s a defensive whiz, and he’s fine for a #8 hitter, but let’s not forget: he’s a #8 hitter. Anything he gives you offensively is bonus. Look for another Wilson-esque season of .275/.310/.375 and some dazzling defensive plays.
Tomorrow: Outfield and Bench
Catcher: Ryan Doumit
Doumit finally stayed healthy enough last year to show what he can contribute. While he is no all-star by any means, he is a solid presence behind the plate who could approach 20 homers and 80 RBI this year. Manager John Russell has already said he hopes to have Doumit play 150 games, which is asking a lot for the most physically grueling position on the field. If this happens, expect his average to dip to around .290.
First Base: Adam LaRoche
Well, well, well, back again for another Jekyll and Hyde season, eh? Adam LaRoche has a history of starting slow, and it was at its worst last year as he was an offensive liability well into June. I’m sorry, but if you’re a black hole in your team’s lineup for almost a half season, I don’t care how good your second half was. Sure, he was all-star caliber down the stretch, but a team like the Pirates cannot afford another slow start by Adam. But like it or not, we’re stuck with him for now.
Second Base: Freddy Sanchez
Since his All-Star showing in 2006, “Steady Freddy” has come back down to earth. 2008 Freddy (.271 AVG/.298 OBP/.371 SLG/9 HR/52 RBI) is the real Freddy Sanchez we all know and love. He’s solid defensively, but light hitting. He won’t hurt you in the field or at the plate, but he won’t exactly help you much either. Hopefully he’ll at least improve in his OBP, because .298 is way too low for a guy hitting 2nd .
Third Base: Andy LaRoche
Once a can’t miss prospect in the Dodgers organization, Andy is the little brother of Dr. Jekyll who came to the Pirates in last year’s 3 team Jason Bay deal. So far, he has yet to show signs of life, hitting .152 in 49 games after joining the Bucs. He’s a gamble that could work out big, but is more likely just a way to bide time until last year’s #1 pick Pedro Alvarez is ready in a few years. And no, I’m not forgetting Neil “The Real Deal” Walker. I know he exists, I just don’t think Walker will ever really live up to the hometown hero hype that has so mercilessly been placed on him. As for Andy LaRoche, I wouldn’t be shocked if he turned some heads with his play this season. He could be a real fun surprise. Or he could stink like sour milk in the middle of a fish market. I don’t know.
Shortstop: Jack Wilson
Jumpin’ Jack Flash is the last remaining Pirate to have experienced more than a few years of the losing streak. This, in my opinion, is a bad thing. He’s often touted as the team leader, which has always been a bit troublesome for me. He’s fiery, he’s competitive, he’s a “gamer”, yes, but the fact remains that he’s not the All-Star player that Pittsburgh fans treat him as. He’s also never come close to experiencing winning at the major league level. Sure, he’s a defensive whiz, and he’s fine for a #8 hitter, but let’s not forget: he’s a #8 hitter. Anything he gives you offensively is bonus. Look for another Wilson-esque season of .275/.310/.375 and some dazzling defensive plays.
Tomorrow: Outfield and Bench
Daily Lenten Devotion for 4/2
“Then [the other criminal] said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” – Luke 23:42
Earlier this morning I got online to check my Facebook page. For those of you that don’t know, Facebook is a social networking site popular among youth, young adults, and our bishop. On my computer, I usually don’t have to sign in, because as with any website I visit often, I click the box that says “Remember me.” It’s a way of saving my username and password so I don’t have to go through the hassle of typing them in every time I want to visit Facebook.
Anyone familiar with the internet probably does this with websites they visit often. But every once in awhile, for one reason or another, you have to sign in again. And it’s a nuisance to do so.
Throughout Lent this year, our congregation has closed worship by singing the following refrain: “Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom. Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.” This refrain, #488 in the UMH, is a song from the Taize community in France.
I suspect that if we are to enter the kingdom of heaven, we should be “signing in” or “logging in” to our relationship with Jesus Christ at least as often as we do so with our e-mail or our Facebook page. If the kingdom of heaven was a website, hopefully we’d be visiting it enough to warrant checking the “Remember my password” box.
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Amen.
Earlier this morning I got online to check my Facebook page. For those of you that don’t know, Facebook is a social networking site popular among youth, young adults, and our bishop. On my computer, I usually don’t have to sign in, because as with any website I visit often, I click the box that says “Remember me.” It’s a way of saving my username and password so I don’t have to go through the hassle of typing them in every time I want to visit Facebook.
Anyone familiar with the internet probably does this with websites they visit often. But every once in awhile, for one reason or another, you have to sign in again. And it’s a nuisance to do so.
Throughout Lent this year, our congregation has closed worship by singing the following refrain: “Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom. Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.” This refrain, #488 in the UMH, is a song from the Taize community in France.
I suspect that if we are to enter the kingdom of heaven, we should be “signing in” or “logging in” to our relationship with Jesus Christ at least as often as we do so with our e-mail or our Facebook page. If the kingdom of heaven was a website, hopefully we’d be visiting it enough to warrant checking the “Remember my password” box.
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Amen.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Daily Lenten Devotion for 4/1
“No one takes it from me, but I lay [my life] down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my father.” – John 10:18
In this morning’s gospel lesson, Jesus compares himself to a shepherd. Unlike some hired hand that doesn’t care about the flock, Jesus is the shepherd that loves the flock so much that he is willing to lay his life down when the wolf threatens the helpless sheep.
Jesus is the shepherd, and we are the helpless sheep. And Jesus lays down his life to save us. But he wants us to know one thing: he has a choice. He could act like a hired hand, running away at the first sign of trouble, protecting himself and leaving the sheep to fend for themselves. But on his own accord, he chooses to stay. He decides to love us even unto death.
Jesus does have the choice to turn his back on us. But he doesn’t. He stays and suffers with us, suffers for us. Let us be thankful for a Savior who loves us enough to stick with us when the wolf is breathing down our neck.
In this morning’s gospel lesson, Jesus compares himself to a shepherd. Unlike some hired hand that doesn’t care about the flock, Jesus is the shepherd that loves the flock so much that he is willing to lay his life down when the wolf threatens the helpless sheep.
Jesus is the shepherd, and we are the helpless sheep. And Jesus lays down his life to save us. But he wants us to know one thing: he has a choice. He could act like a hired hand, running away at the first sign of trouble, protecting himself and leaving the sheep to fend for themselves. But on his own accord, he chooses to stay. He decides to love us even unto death.
Jesus does have the choice to turn his back on us. But he doesn’t. He stays and suffers with us, suffers for us. Let us be thankful for a Savior who loves us enough to stick with us when the wolf is breathing down our neck.
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