Down From The Mountain
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"Down from the Mountain" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Peaks and Valleys" by John Fitzgerald
Down from the Mountain
by Peter Andrew Smith
Matthew 17:1-9
Jessica took the tray of dishes from in front of Martha and put them on the cart.
“Thank you,” Martha said.
“You’re very welcome. How was everything today?”
“It was lovely. Please tell Keith that I appreciated his homemade jam on the bread. It made the lunch extra special today.”
“I’ll let him know.” Jessica paused. “If I see some of the jam left over would you like me to put it to one side for you?”
“Please.” Martha paused. “Unless there is someone else who wants it. I’ve had some so I don’t want to be greedy.”
“Martha, I don’t think I would ever consider you greedy or selfish in any way,” Jessica said. “Of all the people here in the nursing home you are the kindest, most considerate person I speak to during my day.”
Martha shook her head. “There are lots of fine people here.”
“There are good people here but I always feel uplifted after I’ve been to your room.”
“Thank you. All of the staff here are such treasures that every day I feel blessed by each one of you.”
Jessica felt her face grow warm. “We’re just doing our jobs.”
“No, you are caring and considerate. You always have a kind word and take time to speak to me. Keith makes the effort to know what all of the residents like and what they miss from home. People like you make living here that much better.” Martha reached out her hand. “Thank you.”
“You are very welcome.” Jessica squeezed the offered hand. “Can I ask you something?”
Martha sat back in her wheelchair. “Certainly.”
“My aunt is going into a nursing home out west and I’m wondering what your secret is.”
“My secret?”
“Well the fact that you seem to be content and dare I say it even happy to be here in this facility. My aunt is a bit anxious and worried that she won’t fit in.”
“There really isn’t any secret. Living here is the same as living anywhere else.” Martha glanced at the Bible sitting beside her bed. “Does your aunt believe?”
Jessica nodded. “She’s always been a part of the church.”
“Then tell her that it’s like coming down from the mountaintop. She’ll understand.”
“Okay.” Jessica paused by the doorway. “Can you explain it to me?”
“Do you remember the story of Jesus going up the mountain and shining like the sun?” Martha waited until Jessica nodded. “The disciples saw wonderful things and heard God telling them to trust in Jesus. Then it was over and they were left with Jesus and he told him to not say anything until after the resurrection.”
“I remember the story from church.” Jessica narrowed her eyes. “I don’t think I see what it has to do with moving into a nursing home.”
Martha tapped her chin with a finger. “How do you think I’m going to get out of here?”
“I don’t follow.”
“What comes next for any of us living here?”
Jessica took a deep breath. “Death I guess.”
“That’s okay, Jessica. We’re all aware of the fact that life is growing shorter for us.” Martha said. “Once you get here you realize that what came before is like the mountaintop for the disciples. They were filled with excitement and enthusiasm. They saw great things and they heard the voice of God.”
“Okay.”
“Then it was all gone. All the wonderful things they had known were now in the past. That’s what it’s like living here in a nursing home.”
“Jesus was still with the disciples though.”
Martha nodded. “He was and he told them again about the resurrection as they went down the mountain. So they had to remember what had been but also keep an eye out for what was yet to come. They did that knowing that Jesus who walked with them was greater than they imagined.”
“I think I understand now. Is that how you stay so upbeat here?”
“Yes. I remember the great things God has shown me. I also remember each and every day to keep following Jesus so that one day I can see and understand all the things that he has taught me in my life when I experience the truth of the resurrection for myself.”
“That makes sense. I’ll pass it along to my aunt and I know she’ll take comfort in it.” Jessica considered the older woman for a few moments. “You know I think what you are describing may be a great way to live faithfully not just when you are here in the nursing home but at all times.”
Martha smiled broadly. “Indeed, it is.”
Peter Andrew Smith is an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada currently serving St. James United Church in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. He is the author of All Things are Ready (CSS) a book of lectionary based communion prayers and a number of stories and articles, which can be found listed at www.peterandrewsmith.com.
* * *
Peaks and Valleys
by John Fitzgerald
Exodus 24:12-18
Life is always a balance between peaks and valleys. Sometimes we are on the mountain top and have a glorious experience with God. On other occasions the valley of despair enters our life and God seems distant.
Even a spiritual giant like Moses endured ups and downs in his walk with the Holy One. Frederick Buechner author of Peculiar Treasures, writes about the peaks and valleys which Moses encountered. Concerning one of the great peaks which encouraged Moses, Buechner says:
“Hunkered down in the cleft of a rock once, with God’s hand over him for added protection, he had been allowed to see the Glory itself passing by, and although all God let him see was the the back part, it was something to hold on to for the rest of his life.” On the other side of this ledger, Buecher tells us about a major valley for Moses: Forty years of tramping around the wilderness with the Israelites was enough to take it out of anybody. When they weren’t complaining about running out of food, they were moaning about running out of water. They were always hankering after the fleshpots of Egypt and making bitter remarks about how they should have stayed home and let well enough alone.”
In our scripture reading from Exodus 24, Moses is enjoying a wonderful triumph with God. The Bible reading begins with God telling Moses to go up a mountain and receive stone tablets which would contain divine laws for daily living. This experience of being with the Living Lord demonstrated glory and power as witnessed by a cloud enveloping Moses. For six days scripture tells us the mountaintop radiated with God’s holy presence.
Soon after Moses came down from the mountain, circumstances changed. The people of Israel had created an idol to worship in absence of leadership provided by God’s servant. In Exodus Chapter 32 the story of a Golden Calf created by Israelites is told. Israel’s folly in setting up a Golden Calf to Worship marked a spiritual valley for Moses.
Peaks and valleys are something every one of us goes through. The question remains whether God will be central to our walk in both sides of this ledger. Moses found comfort in a divine presence no matter what circumstances provided. Will we follow the example of Moses? I leave you with another excerpt from Buechner’s book concerning Moses:
“Like Abraham and Noah before him, there’s not a doubt in the last analysis Moses, wouldn’t have it any different. . . Way back when he was just getting started the burning bush of God collared him. . . In the end Moses became a kind of burning bush himself.
John Fitzgerald lives in Leesburg, Ohio, with his wife Carolyn and has served as pastor at the Leesburg Friends Meeting for the past 27 years. Cornfield Cathedral (Fairway Press, 2013) is the second book authored by Pastor Fitzgerald. John has earned a Master's of Ministry Degree from the Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana.
*****************************************
StoryShare, February 26, 2017, issue.
Copyright 2017 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
"Down from the Mountain" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Peaks and Valleys" by John Fitzgerald
Down from the Mountain
by Peter Andrew Smith
Matthew 17:1-9
Jessica took the tray of dishes from in front of Martha and put them on the cart.
“Thank you,” Martha said.
“You’re very welcome. How was everything today?”
“It was lovely. Please tell Keith that I appreciated his homemade jam on the bread. It made the lunch extra special today.”
“I’ll let him know.” Jessica paused. “If I see some of the jam left over would you like me to put it to one side for you?”
“Please.” Martha paused. “Unless there is someone else who wants it. I’ve had some so I don’t want to be greedy.”
“Martha, I don’t think I would ever consider you greedy or selfish in any way,” Jessica said. “Of all the people here in the nursing home you are the kindest, most considerate person I speak to during my day.”
Martha shook her head. “There are lots of fine people here.”
“There are good people here but I always feel uplifted after I’ve been to your room.”
“Thank you. All of the staff here are such treasures that every day I feel blessed by each one of you.”
Jessica felt her face grow warm. “We’re just doing our jobs.”
“No, you are caring and considerate. You always have a kind word and take time to speak to me. Keith makes the effort to know what all of the residents like and what they miss from home. People like you make living here that much better.” Martha reached out her hand. “Thank you.”
“You are very welcome.” Jessica squeezed the offered hand. “Can I ask you something?”
Martha sat back in her wheelchair. “Certainly.”
“My aunt is going into a nursing home out west and I’m wondering what your secret is.”
“My secret?”
“Well the fact that you seem to be content and dare I say it even happy to be here in this facility. My aunt is a bit anxious and worried that she won’t fit in.”
“There really isn’t any secret. Living here is the same as living anywhere else.” Martha glanced at the Bible sitting beside her bed. “Does your aunt believe?”
Jessica nodded. “She’s always been a part of the church.”
“Then tell her that it’s like coming down from the mountaintop. She’ll understand.”
“Okay.” Jessica paused by the doorway. “Can you explain it to me?”
“Do you remember the story of Jesus going up the mountain and shining like the sun?” Martha waited until Jessica nodded. “The disciples saw wonderful things and heard God telling them to trust in Jesus. Then it was over and they were left with Jesus and he told him to not say anything until after the resurrection.”
“I remember the story from church.” Jessica narrowed her eyes. “I don’t think I see what it has to do with moving into a nursing home.”
Martha tapped her chin with a finger. “How do you think I’m going to get out of here?”
“I don’t follow.”
“What comes next for any of us living here?”
Jessica took a deep breath. “Death I guess.”
“That’s okay, Jessica. We’re all aware of the fact that life is growing shorter for us.” Martha said. “Once you get here you realize that what came before is like the mountaintop for the disciples. They were filled with excitement and enthusiasm. They saw great things and they heard the voice of God.”
“Okay.”
“Then it was all gone. All the wonderful things they had known were now in the past. That’s what it’s like living here in a nursing home.”
“Jesus was still with the disciples though.”
Martha nodded. “He was and he told them again about the resurrection as they went down the mountain. So they had to remember what had been but also keep an eye out for what was yet to come. They did that knowing that Jesus who walked with them was greater than they imagined.”
“I think I understand now. Is that how you stay so upbeat here?”
“Yes. I remember the great things God has shown me. I also remember each and every day to keep following Jesus so that one day I can see and understand all the things that he has taught me in my life when I experience the truth of the resurrection for myself.”
“That makes sense. I’ll pass it along to my aunt and I know she’ll take comfort in it.” Jessica considered the older woman for a few moments. “You know I think what you are describing may be a great way to live faithfully not just when you are here in the nursing home but at all times.”
Martha smiled broadly. “Indeed, it is.”
Peter Andrew Smith is an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada currently serving St. James United Church in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. He is the author of All Things are Ready (CSS) a book of lectionary based communion prayers and a number of stories and articles, which can be found listed at www.peterandrewsmith.com.
* * *
Peaks and Valleys
by John Fitzgerald
Exodus 24:12-18
Life is always a balance between peaks and valleys. Sometimes we are on the mountain top and have a glorious experience with God. On other occasions the valley of despair enters our life and God seems distant.
Even a spiritual giant like Moses endured ups and downs in his walk with the Holy One. Frederick Buechner author of Peculiar Treasures, writes about the peaks and valleys which Moses encountered. Concerning one of the great peaks which encouraged Moses, Buechner says:
“Hunkered down in the cleft of a rock once, with God’s hand over him for added protection, he had been allowed to see the Glory itself passing by, and although all God let him see was the the back part, it was something to hold on to for the rest of his life.” On the other side of this ledger, Buecher tells us about a major valley for Moses: Forty years of tramping around the wilderness with the Israelites was enough to take it out of anybody. When they weren’t complaining about running out of food, they were moaning about running out of water. They were always hankering after the fleshpots of Egypt and making bitter remarks about how they should have stayed home and let well enough alone.”
In our scripture reading from Exodus 24, Moses is enjoying a wonderful triumph with God. The Bible reading begins with God telling Moses to go up a mountain and receive stone tablets which would contain divine laws for daily living. This experience of being with the Living Lord demonstrated glory and power as witnessed by a cloud enveloping Moses. For six days scripture tells us the mountaintop radiated with God’s holy presence.
Soon after Moses came down from the mountain, circumstances changed. The people of Israel had created an idol to worship in absence of leadership provided by God’s servant. In Exodus Chapter 32 the story of a Golden Calf created by Israelites is told. Israel’s folly in setting up a Golden Calf to Worship marked a spiritual valley for Moses.
Peaks and valleys are something every one of us goes through. The question remains whether God will be central to our walk in both sides of this ledger. Moses found comfort in a divine presence no matter what circumstances provided. Will we follow the example of Moses? I leave you with another excerpt from Buechner’s book concerning Moses:
“Like Abraham and Noah before him, there’s not a doubt in the last analysis Moses, wouldn’t have it any different. . . Way back when he was just getting started the burning bush of God collared him. . . In the end Moses became a kind of burning bush himself.
John Fitzgerald lives in Leesburg, Ohio, with his wife Carolyn and has served as pastor at the Leesburg Friends Meeting for the past 27 years. Cornfield Cathedral (Fairway Press, 2013) is the second book authored by Pastor Fitzgerald. John has earned a Master's of Ministry Degree from the Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana.
*****************************************
StoryShare, February 26, 2017, issue.
Copyright 2017 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
