Expect the Unexpected

 

This weekend, I invited the children of the parish to come up into the sanctuary and help me tell a trickster story. The story a was about a Rabbit who challenged a Turtle to a race. Odd thing, the Turtle won with the help of his family members hiding in the tall grasses with their feathers. The children pretended to be Turtle holding their feathers, Rabbit was determined to win the race, so he plucked up the last few ounces of his strength and sprinted up the hill, passing the Turtle with the feather. As Rabbit rounded the last corner and braked to a halt in astonishment. Sitting by the stake, waving his feather proudly was Turtle. He had won the race!

The message is this: In Jesus Christ’s kingdom be prepared to expect and do the unexpected and put one over on the scoffers, the movers and the shakers. Be spiritually clever and live by the surprises of the gospel where people forgive seventy times seven, go two miles when forced to go one, return good for evil, pray for enemies, choose the last place, wash the feet of the slave, and throw banquets for the who can never possible repay. That will turn things upside down and unnerve your worldly masters.

Why? Because, to their amazement, you chose the road less traveled. You choose to live the paradoxes of the gospel and to that degree, in gospel terms, you have acted prudently.

Pope Francis’ vision for the church is an invitation to expect the unexpected. He shared that “the thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity. I see the church as a field hospital after battle. It is useless to ask a seriously injured person if he has high cholesterol and about the level of his blood sugars! You have to heal his wounds. Then we can talk about everything else. Heal the wounds, heal the wounds.... And you have to start from the ground up.”

God prays for us as we reflect: “When the unrighteous see them, they will be shaken with dreadful fear, and they will be amazed at the unexpected salvation of the righteous.” (Wisdom 5:2).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who do the unexpected and wait on their neighbors and strangers with the dignity of the Lord. Bless you for all the kindness and mercy you offer to those in need. Keep doing the unexpected!

Creative Flair

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Two floral designers, Mike and Frank have provided the leadership and inspiration for the local Rochester Floral Association for many years. They sponsored yearly workshops for local flower shops and designers to enhance their designer skills. I had been invited as chaplain to offer the invocation at their dinners and photographed their flower arrangements. Unfortunately, the Rochester Floral Association was disbanded this year in 2013 due to lack of support.

Rochester has long been known as the "Flower City." From where did this moniker come? Back in Rochester's early days, a man named George Ellwanger stumbled upon the infant city of Rochester, as he traveled the Erie Canal from Long Island to Ohio. He had just come over from Europe, and was on his way to learn English while staying with his Ohio relatives. On his brief visit, he noted that the area seemed prime for developing agricultural opportunities. He returned to the area in 1835, quickly taking over the Rochester Seed Store and Horticultural Repository, thanks to his agricultural background. One of his partners was another immigrant, Patrick Barry. Barry had also come over to the New World from Europe, and quickly found himself working in the agricultural industry in Rochester. Together, the men developed the Mount Hope Garden and Nurseries. The men were quickly recognized for having the best dahlias and cut flowers in the area. They became known throughout Upstate New York for their plants, which became hardier due to their location on Lake Ontario.

Later, they pushed to create locally prolific fruit trees in orchards. Orchards were already popular in the area, in part thanks to the efforts of Johnny Appleseed and the local Native American tribes. The success of these two men in propelling Rochester in the horticultural industry led to the nickname, "Flower City." Their legacy has led to numerous greenhouses and nurseries over the years, and a strong love for flowers.

Like these early pioneers, Mike and Frank have inspired florists to create incredible floral arrangements. Despite the demise of the floral association, I’m glad to share that their designer craft continues at Holy Family. In 2012, I took photos of our sanctuary and altar and asked Mike for his ideas on how to decorate the church. Several volunteers in the parish who I refer to as the “Liturgical Art Designer Team” started to decorate the sanctuary. This past Sunday, they designed beautiful autumn corn stalks on each side of the altar. The corn stalks are green and their intention is to continue to add to the display each week in the sanctuary focusing on the harvest of the local farms.

So to Mike and Frank, your legacy goes on despite the sadness of disbanding the association. Ask yourself, what creative flair has God blessed you with and how do you share that with others. Are you a woodworker, a painter, a railroad designer, bake apple pies, jam and jellies, or make a batch of ale or stir up a bottle of cabernet? Can you design a basket for the parish spaghetti supper raffle? Let’s get to work on your unique craft and let your creative juices flow. Yes, we do find God on a canvas, writing poetry, singing hymns, baking bread, anywhere our senses lead us to the Creator.

God prays for us as we reflect: “For from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator.” (Wisdom 13:5).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who You have blessed with the gift of creativity. Let their flair for the divine shine bright and bring joy to all their family and friends.

Track of Faith

 

What track in life are you on this morning? Is it despair or fear? Do you prefer to travel alone? Or doubt that God exits? Or that Jesus really cares?

All tracks, our journey on this earth, lead to an empty tomb. The Teacher taught that God hears the cry of the poor. To be poor has nothing to do with how much we have piled up in our bank accounts or garages. But it is a reference to a student who is lost on an exam. They don’t have a clue how to solve the answer and worse they think that they know more than their teacher.

Michael, my brother-in-law, imitated his life after the Master teacher who taught a message of hope in times of death. Come away from your doubts, your anger, your pride and blame—anything that distracts you from the truth. Michael taught Literature for over 35 years and remembered the stories about the resurrection. The final gift Jesus shared with his disciples was “peace.” In Hebrew, “shalom” never denied the reality of suffering and the heartache of pain.

The Book of Wisdom teaches that from our grief, insanity of war, pain and disease comes new life. The resurrection stories that Mike read in his bible are real and not fiction. What track have you chosen to travel?

Mike taught his students to believe in themselves that their studies would prepare them how to live a life of holiness. The track that Mike laid down for us is called faith. His suffering had a purpose to make us a better people—more holy—compassionate, kind, forgiving, generous and grateful. Mike lived a life of holiness and Jesus has taken his hand and led him to the Station of Glory. In gratitude, we need to humble ourselves for people like Mike that God has given to us and believe!

One of Mike’s operating buddies at the funeral reception shared that Mike’s dad Charlie needed someone to help him build another train switch in heaven. When Mike arrived, his dad pulled up his son into heaven and the two are at their workbench building more train scenes and designing more switches to bring all their friends into the Station of Glory.    

As a special tribute to Mike, I found this Railroad Prayer on-line. Forgive me, but I have edited some of the phases and hope all our railroad friends enjoy!

"A Railroad Prayer"
Lord, now that I have flagged You down, I lift up my feet from the rough road of life and plant them safely on the deck of the train of salvation. Let me use the safety lamp known as prudence, and join all the couplings in the train with the strong arm of love. Let my hand lamp be Your message of love for all passengers who board this train. Heavenly Engineer keep all the switches closed that lead off to the sidings, especially those with a blind end. Lord of the track, have every semaphore block along the line show the white light of hope that I may make the run of life without stopping. Conductor of Life may your Beatitudes be our schedule for the journey. With Your guidance help us to finish on schedule and when we pull into the dark station of death, may the Station Master of  Heaven say, "Well done good and faithful traquero (railroad track worker), come and sign the payroll and receive the check of eternal happiness."

Humbled

I am humbled by sharing this reflection after learning this morning that my brother-in-law Michael has been taken into palliative care. His wonderful wife Irma has stood vigil over her “beloved” for the past two months after his third brain surgery to remove a growth that has entwined itself around his brain stem.

Michael has suffered since January battling chronic dizziness and nausea. Still, family and friends were praying and hopeful that God would bring this man comfort and heal him of his complications.

I wonder how many of you have felt disappointed by God or worse downright disgusted that the Creator did not rescue you from some serious medical condition or save you from a fall in life. It takes a” humble” person to pray “Your will be done, Lord.” But the God who failed to answer our prayers has us on our knees as we pray for those miracles or simply save us from another trauma that has overwhelmed us in life.

Are you simply being too needy? Do you think God has a purpose behind all our suffering and pain? The saints had their struggles with human weakness. Yet, their holiness had nothing to do with stuffing their tears, or putting aside their neediness to complain or get angry at God, rather, it came from their perseverance not to abandon the invitation to keep on praying for healing, understanding or a sense of peace. God sees every tear, hears every plea for mercy, and comes to be at our side when we are exhausted and empty.

The miracle comes in the form of family and friends and even medical providers who hear about our concerns and stand by us in a hospital room, or hospice or home to reassure us that we are not alone. God does not bring this any kind sorrow to make us stronger. That’s pure nonsense. Jesus was aware that the human condition has its share of suffering from chemical warfare, to downsizing, to watching family members slip into eternity.

The message for us “needy” people is to listen within our hearts to the voice of a confident, loving God who taught this message. Be at peace little one for you have nothing to fear. You will survive this journey with all its perils. God’s plan may break our heart because we need to surrender our beloved friends who have been a wonderful gift to us in this lifetime. God has power over death or why bother setting foot on this harsh planet to teach us that His love will prevail and not death.

What we humbly need is a heart and soul that believes this message of love and lots of loving hands to hold us up when we are falling apart.

Never fear for God is true to His promise and will raise us all up from our fears, our doubts, and our selfish desire to hand on to this life. In return, we will experience the surprise that brings comfort to our tears and peace to our troubled souls.

God watches over us as we pray: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.” (Proverbs 3:5).

Lord, I pray for Michael and Irma and all my dear Sonshine Friends who are experiencing a gut check moment. We pray for strength and the humility to place all our trust into your loving hands.

Err Message

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I was invited to do a photo shoot at a tractor pull in Alexander. The local fire chief works on the pit crew for a monster tractor that can pull tons of sled. To prepare for this assignment, I arrived early at the track to take some practice shots. I found a great location near the finish line when the tractors were pouring out smoke and grinding to a halt. While taking some samples, the shutter simply stopped taking photos. Odd this never happened before.

An “ERR” message appeared on top of the camera but I had no idea what to do next. I spun the dials, reset the default, said a desperate prayer, but the body only kept repeating the infamous “ERR” message.  Sadly, I told the chief that I was running home to check the manual and promised to return in time when his monster tractor was on the track. Back home, the instruction manual read: “When the “ERR’ appears take to your local dealer.” This was not good and I never did get back to the track to take photos of his tractor.

Now my camera mentors suggested that it was time to trade up to “another” new camera. Hold on people, I only had this D7000 model for 16 months. I whined and stomped my feet because I don’t like change. “But it would be good for me,” my mentor said. You could trade up to the D600 professional model. WOW! Now, I would be a pro. Broke and buying more equipment subject to random breakdowns. So, I consulted my options and found a used D600 and bite the bullet. Now I’m a real pro! However, another 200-page manual to review that will be my summer reading.

Now reflect with me for a minute. How many times are we forced to make changes we did not expect? When change happens we complain and pray, “let me be, Lord. I’m already comfortable where I work, live and worship. I don’t want to start over again.”

But there’s this little voice that nudges us in another direction. It’s the voice of God calling us to challenge the values of this world when they do not reflect his love. God invites us many times to take on new adventures that will potentially make us resilient and more in-tune with His spirit.

So what changes are you facing at this moment? A new camera model? Simple, just read the manual and quit complaining. Maybe your changes are more substantial. A new baby in your home, again? Another job change again? Going back to school again? A new health disease that demands our attention again. Worshipping in a new faith community, again.

God enjoys shaking up his creation so that we don’t get stale or bored. It’s His way to wake us up and pay attention beacuse a great shoot is coming our way. I will get that monster tractor photo next year or maybe at the next event.

God watches over us as we prayer: From morning to evening conditions change; all things move swiftly before the Lord.” (Sirach 18: 26).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who are going through changes at this stage in their lives. Be it our health, job, career or relationship give us the wisdom to find our purpose and put ourselves into your loving hands.

God Has A Weakness

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On Tuesday, I went to visit my spiritual mentor. He is not a monk or priest, but a retired college professor who has been an inspiration in my ministry. A patient on the Transitional Care Unit, I asked him why he was not eating with the other patients in the dining room. His said that he was not “that old.”

He was not comfortable with conversation that focused on your latest bowel movement and news about loose fitting dentures. I always preferred being around young people whose minds were open and creative and kept me alert to the delights of life.

My friend needs a new hip and surgery would take place on his birthday. Instead of a card and 86 candles, he was getting a new joint and pins. His shared some history that brought him back to a decision about a career. He thought he would make a good doctor. So he asked a scout leader who was a doctor for a reference letter to a medical school. To his surprise and disappointment, his friend refused to write a letter citing a weakness in his character. The doctor understood that working with patients required what is referred to as “professional disengagement.” Simply put, don’t get too close to your patients or it will affect your skills. Sadly, a few good doctors fall victim to addictions to relieve the stress of the job. This physician was expressing a complement and saying that his young friend was a sensitive guy who would find it too difficult to separate from the suffering of his patients.

Instead of a medical career, Walt took his compassionate nature into the academic field and became a well-respected college professor. But his friend opinion in those early years was right. The first time, our professor had to fail a student, he was depressed and upset with himself. He wanted all his students to succeed. He went out of his way to develop a remedial plan for each struggling student to retake an exam or redo a project until they could pass the course. Despite his best efforts to affirm his challenged students, a few would fail his course and that always broke his heart.

I believe our God has a weakness. God is too sensitive that He does not want anyone of us to fail. God sees our potential, the good that He created in our hearts. Sometimes, our choices do not reflect His will or we get stubborn and fail to see the goodness in God’s plan for us. So we lose our way, blame God for our failures and think worse that God no longer wants us to be a part of his family. That is our illusion.

The lesson of life is that we are prone to more failures than success. What we fail to realize is that by making mistakes this helps us focus our attention on what’s works best for us. Following God’s will, living in holiness filled with kindness, generosity and forgiveness reflect the character traits that God first place in our hearts when we were born. We do have lots of weakness, we slurp our food and words, we drool with jealousy and resentment, we practice lots of lying and deception. In spite of these character flaws or sins, we have a God with a major weakness. He just keeps coming back into our life. Why? Because He can’t help himself.

How many thoughts have you had when you condemned yourself for a sin, a weakness that you thought God would never forgive. How many times have you broken a rule of the church and said to yourself, Lord, I am not worthy to receive you because I am a terrible person. Or worse, you imagine that God wants nothing to do with you because of your weakness and sinful nature. Like our good professor, God has a plan to help you not only pass the course but help you to blossom and thrive again in holiness.

Our Lord’s weakness is our greatest strength. From His compassion and mercy we reach our salvation. Praise God and thank you Walt for being such a wonderful, faithful mentor to this priest and all your students. May God heal you and bring you home soon with a strong hip and many friends.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends during these summer months that we take the time to express our gratitude for your weakness. In our moments of weakness, send your healing spirit to renew our spirit and restore our strength and fill our hearts with Your compassion and peace.

The Sighs of God

 

Once upon a time, a little girl was looking for the “right size puppy.” What is it she keeps asking for? the volunteer asked. “Puppy size!” replied the mother. Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for. We have seen most of them, the mom said in frustration. Just then her little girl came walking into the office Well, did you find one? asked her mom. No, not this time, She said with sadness in her voice. Can we come back on the weekend?

The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed. The volunteer shared that one never knows when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply. Our little girl took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. Don't worry, I'll find one next weekend.

Sure enough, our little one and her mom were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now this little girl knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs. She walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one. One by one she said, Sorry, but you're not the one.

It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer. Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it! She screamed with joy. It's the puppy size!

But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks, mom said. “No not size... The sighs.” When I held him in my arms, he sighed, she said. Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!

The volunteer and the mother looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She stooped down to hug her child, and did a little of both. Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms, she said. Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said, Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!

Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of a Spring wildflower and the gentle rush of a stream. They are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear. I believe life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

God watches over us as we reflect: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends whose support and prayers are always appreciated. Love the people who take your breath away with their love and kindness.

Take A Risk

When life becomes overwhelming it is always good to take a break. Fresh insights, new surroundings and exposure to new situations and new people can help us out of a slump.

For the disciples fishing seemed like a worthy escape. But, their fishing expedition was not going well. They hadn’t caught anything. Jesus realized their frustration and he said to them, “cast your net on the other side of the boat.” They did and the result was huge. They had responded and in the process they caught 153 fish, an overwhelming catch.

I believe that when Jesus told the disciples to cast their nets on the other side of the boat he was challenging them to break away from what they knew and try something different. Following Jesus means venturing into unchartered waters, going where we’ve never been. It means expanding our horizons, or developing new relationships. It means leaving our traditional, formal ways and being spontaneous.

One evening a father was stressed out and his son sensed his frustration. This young man invited his father to go for a ride in their paddleboat so he could watch his son fish. The son had taken an interest in fishing and had accumulated an impressive amount of tackle. Reluctantly his dad went along, thinking all along of everything he needed to do.

They paddled out into the middle of the lake and the young man made a long, smooth cast, near the place where a fish had jumped. His dad noticed a blue heron, standing on a log by the shore. One leg was pulled up under his body. He pointed him out to his son. The bird sensed he had been detected and flew away. “He likes that log over there,” the son said. “He’ll be back. Do you hear the crickets?” His father was suddenly aware that they were surrounded by crickets. This frustrated man realized that he had not been listening to such sounds since he was so obsessed with work. Being in a more sensitive state he heard bullfrogs and a far-away dove. He heard fish splashing. His son began casting and the father could hear the sound of the slow squeak as his son reeled in his line. “I like this time of day,” the father said. Now he had forgotten all about his things-to-do list. He son said, “Just wait, in a little while the trees and the sunset will reflect off the water. It is so beautiful.” “I will wait,” said his father. Then he thought about what he would have missed if he hadn’t joined his son on the lake. He watched his son, who had learned to find his way and at the same time he was helping his father to find his.

Sometimes God may lead us to places we’ve never been, new destinations that don’t seem rational. Our willingness to make changes and try something new can result in meaningful experiences.

In the past Jesus had always said, “Have you no faith?” But after the resurrection he might be saying: “Aren’t you willing to take any risks?” This time he gives them encouragement and doesn’t question their lack of faith.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who need a break from the chaos and need to “go fishing” or do something to get their minds out of the doldrums. Let them take a walk, go fishing and simply listen to your voice in the breeze that says “you are going to be alright” follow me and you will find your peace of mind and soul.

Of Course--All Is Forgiven

Easter began with the sadness of death and on that same day ended with the sadness of shame. The disciples were ashamed of what they had done, they were ashamed of what their cowardice revealed about who they simply were as men. So they locked the door, telling themselves they were keeping the Jews out when really they were maybe keeping themselves locked in. But then Jesus did what he always does for anyone locked up in his own shame: he comes in anyway. He enters the room, he enters the heart, he breaks into the shame.

Jesus leaves no room for fear because he no sooner pops in on them and he says, "Peace to you!" He says it immediately the way he always does. He says "Peace." He says "Shalom." He says it's all right. He speaks a word that is the opposite of fear and so squelches shame, puts away and banishes any thoughts the disciples may have had about Jesus' bearing a grudge. He was not out to settle any old scores but to create a whole new situation.

Jesus never says a word about their past actions, their betrayals and denials. He does not even overtly say, "Forget about it" or "I forgive you." Instead he gives them a Spirit that tells them, in a way more compelling than words alone, that of course all is forgiven.

One of the more famous images of Scripture comes from that line in Revelation when Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Ordinarily when someone knocks at a locked door at your house, you know that it's up to you to get up and unlock the door and open it. The good news of Easter is that even if you are too afraid to do that, too ashamed or too paralyzed by this or that feature of your own life, the lock won't stop Jesus. He will appear right in the middle of your locked-up heart and before you even have the chance to say or do a blessed thing, he will say "Peace to you!" When he does, all I can plead is that you will take him seriously.

Given what he went through to secure that shalom for you, all you can say in response is what Thomas said a week later, "My Lord and my God!"

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who would confess that we're not quite there yet. Help us to realize this holy day is all about, a restoration of shalom. We still fretting that what is inside there is so bad that even Jesus can't deal with it; still fretting that we would be ashamed and embarrassed if anyone else looked into our closets. Jesus always comes looking for us, starting in those locked-up places of our hearts. My sisters and brothers, peace to you. There is no better a parting word for Easter than that. Peace. It's all right. You are all right. Peace. Shalom. Amen.

God Weeps With Us

Believe me, preaching to any family during a funeral is never easy, but delivering a homily to parents whose newborn infant has died is most challenging and gut wrenching.  Why did this have to happen is the raw question on everyone’s mind? The answer comes not in some clever homily that will take away the pain. Rather, I can only share that I am here to help the parents mourn and commend their baby into God’s care. And to ask God to help us and most especially the parents through this tragedy.

There are the moments when we prefer to lock the doors of our hearts and be left alone. Behind closed doors is where we find the apostles after the death of Jesus. The disciples were afraid that those responsible for the death of Jesus might hunt them down, get rid of the whole movement, root and branch, once and for all. They were afraid of public ridicule. You know: “You’re a bunch of losers.” They were afraid to go home—after all, they had left all things to follow Jesus—and admit they were wrong. Better to hide till it was all over.

In moments in which we have more questions than answers like the death of a child, we weep, just as Jesus himself wept at the death of his friend Lazarus.  Even if we knew the answers to the questions that rise so naturally to our hearts and minds at times like this, there still would be no adequate explanation for this loss. It is painful. And I believe it is also painful to God, who created the world intending for it to be perfect. Let me remind you what Jesus shared: "It is not the will of your Father that one of these little ones should perish."

There is a special place in the heart of God and amongst the angels for the little ones of this world just as there is a special place in our hearts for any newborn who has died.  And so we weep when this happens.  And so too I believe - “God weeps with us.”  There isn't much we can say that will help.

Let me point to the gospel story about doubting Thomas and tell you about Jesus. His disciples were like all parents whose child has died hiding in fear behind locked doors. Jesus appears in their midst—and here you must notice, cannot fail to notice—he appears with his wounds! Maybe, Jesus feels, if he, like all parents whose child has died, can appear before them wounded, they will let him back into their hurting lives.

Are you getting the message? When it hurts too much to hope, when life has wounded us, when faith is exhausted, know that the risen Jesus with his wounds is waiting to get into our wounded and fearful lives and call us out of our fears.

Jesus got his wounds on Good Friday so that we might let him in on Easter.  He is willing to come through the doors we have used to shut Him out and is standing outside with those terrible wounds searching out our terrible wounds, letting us know He understands where we are coming from and that He can give us peace and restore our broken hearts.

God watches over us as we pray: “Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” (John 20: 26-28).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who can’t or don’t feel like praying. Go away on your own and simply repeat these words, “Come, Lord Jesus!” Give your wounds to the wounded Jesus.

Easter Is Nonsense!

There once was a man named George Thomas , pastor in a small New England town .  

One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak. . .

"I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright.

I stopped the lad and asked, "What do you have there, son?" "Just some old birds," came the reply. "What are you going to do with them?" I asked. "Take 'em home

and have fun with 'em," he answered. "I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time." "But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do then?"

"Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll take 'em to them." The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?" "Huh? Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!" "How much?" the pastor asked again. The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?"

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's

hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free. Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story: 

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the

Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just caught a world

full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!" "What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked. Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!" "And what will you do when you are done with them?"

Jesus asked.. "Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly. "How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked. "Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!" "How much? He asked again.   Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life."

Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price. The pastor picked up the cage and  walked from the pulpit.

Maybe like those birds we need to pray to God to set us free us from our doubts about Easter. For many people, Easter is sheer nonsense. Like the disciples, we can be slow of heart and slow to recall the very words of Jesus that had now come true. We share the same skepticism of the disciples who argued with the women at the tomb that this news must be some kind of joke. However, God will have none of this. Perhaps, it is time to set yourself free and bathe in the truth that Jesus is truly Risen!

God watches over us as we pray: “…as they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed, he said, You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.” (Mark 16: 5-7).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who struggle in their faith to believe the angel. Believe me, it is not nonsense. He is truly rise