As a progressive, I believe there are many names for God and many ways to a loving God; this article reflects one of those ways. Take from here what works for you. Celebrate life with joy and peace!
Well, on this awesome day, I’m here to tell you that we have an amazing opportunity to carpe diem (seize the day) and do incredible things with it!
Take a moment and remember some of the good old days. Ah, remember some wonderful things from the past. Remember your first kiss; remember your favorite birthday cake, or when you were the star athlete, or when you got an A in that class!
What great days those were. We can remember them as if it was just yesterday. Memories can be enjoyed as long as we allow them to be memories. The caution comes when we confuse the way things were with how we wish things were now, then we aren’t enjoying our memories, but rather, we are using them as an excuse to not be present in this moment; right here and right now.
Remember when you got your driver’s license? Remember your first Pride Parade? Remember and smile. Let that memory fill you with warmth and joy and then come back to this moment, and let’s start making more memories, new memories!
The past is past. It can be remembered, but it can’t be relived. And when we try to recreate the past it only sabotages our opportunities in the present. So, remember. Smile. And get back to living right now.
But what about the unhappy memories? The painful ones?
There was that first break up, or the last one. Or a friend who really wasn’t a very good friend at all. Or when your beloved pet died.
It’s alright to remember those difficult moments too; but to learn lessons, not to get stuck in bitterness. We can look back on those hard times and learn the lessons, and know how to do things differently the next time, or just thank God you survived!
But if we are looking back on painful memories for the purpose of adding fuel to the feelings of victimization and regret, then again, we are just sabotaging the present and the opportunities today by not leaving the past in the past.
The past is the past. Sometimes when we talk about releasing the past to the past, someone may try to twist the meaning and use it against us. They might say that their abusive behavior should be overlooked since it’s in the past – leaving us open to letting them ambush us again. I’m not saying that!
Yes, I may forgive those who have harmed me, but I’m no fool. I’m not willing to drink the Kool-Aid again. No. If someone apologizes, tries to make sincere amends, of course, second chances can be given. But without these goodwill gestures, trust may also be a thing of the past regarding someone who has abused that trust before. Just because I am willing to forgive you for being mean to me, does not mean that I’m willing to allow you to be mean over and over again.
Someone once said, “Fool me once, shame on me; fool me twice and be served a restraining order.” Yes, the deed is past, thank God, and so is my willingness for it to be repeated. As Jesus said, “We must be wise as serpents and gentle as doves.”
Our reading this morning in Luke is a story of change and how the past can allow a way to new beginnings. It’s commonly believed that Luke is writing this gospel sometime between 50 and 100 years after Jesus’ execution, and 20 or more years after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. The Jerusalem Temple as a pilgrimage spot no longer exists. The world keeps on changing.
Luke remembers when there was a glorious Temple as he recalls this story of Simeon and Jesus taking place in the Temple. Luke remembers the past, not to venerate the past, but to show how that moment is a continuation of what was begun in the life of Jesus. In the midst of change, there are opportunities to communicate everlasting and life-giving truths.
Listen to what Rev. Durrell Watkins says, “It’s not the way we did things 50 or 20 years ago, but the eternal verities must be communicated in ways that will reach new generations of people. Religion should be a movement moving forward, not an historical museum cherishing the memory of a world long since faded from view. Religion can no longer be the excuse to cling to ignorance in the face of scientific discovery, nor can religion with any integrity be used to promote hatred and prejudice toward any group of people. Religion, using the language and media of the day, must facilitate life-giving spirituality that affirms human dignity, calls for peace, and offers hope even when circumstances seem hopeless.”
Luke’s story this morning dares us to think in new ways about some things so that we can create a new experience of life going forward.
Let’s take a look. First, we see a poor family. How do we know they are poor? Because they are offering doves instead of lambs or goats. They offer the least expensive sacrifice, not because they are cheap, but because this is the best they can give. This can open us up to a new understanding.
We aren’t expected to give what someone else gives; we are expected to give our best gift. Our tithe may not look like someone else’s tithe, but it is our gift from our heart, giving as much as we can to something we believe in expecting nothing back other than the joy that giving offers us. My gift doesn’t have to look like your best for it to be holy; it only needs to be my best. And when we all do our part, it makes a huge difference in the lives of others.
Second, we see that even the most vulnerable can have a huge impact. What’s causing Simeon to be so happy? It’s a baby! What may seem small or weak or even insignificant to some might very well contain divine potential that will bring hope and joy to someone else.
And third, we see a very mature Simeon. And yet, even in the winter of his life, Simeon isn’t too old to learn. He isn’t too old to experience and express hope and joy. He isn’t too old to experience something new. As long as Simeon is alive, he has life to experience and I like how he chooses to live for as long as he’s alive. He isn’t limited to just his memories of the good old days, there is still life right now for him to enjoy! May we all learn from this!
Today, let’s renew our determination to overcome fear with love and hope, and in the moment of struggle go to peace instead of to pieces. Today, let’s renew our commitment to believe in ourselves and to love ourselves and to affirm our sacred value; living the great commandment of loving God with all of our heart and loving our neighbor as ourselves.
Today, let’s renew our gratitude for and support of this amazing spiritual community that gives us so much, which brings us all together so that we might bless one another with the light and gifts we each carry within. Today, let’s commit to learning more, giving more, praying more and being more present in this moment today. The past is over, and the future isn’t here yet, now is all there ever really is.
So let’s use this gift, as each day is new. Let’s embrace the possibilities of today that brings new and infinite opportunities! Amen.
