Monday Ministerial Musings

By Rev. Mark William Ennis

2021 Blog Number 23

June 7, 2021

A Parable For Today

A family had lived in their home all their lives. Before them, their forebearers had lived in the same home on the same land. The family, their ancestors and members of their tribe had inhabited this space for more than a thousand years. They had prospered and lived in, at least relative harmony, with other people and other tribes that lived in the same region.

The family, and their tribe lived differently than their neighbors. Their language was different. Many of the tribe learned two languages to relate to those outside of the group. Likewise, their customs and religion were different from those around them. In past generations no one seemed to notice, or at least did not care. They were different but there was a reciprocal respect, or at least, tolerance.

A new political will and reality had swept the world outside their tribe. Others, with whom they had lived peacefully, were now hostile. The tribe, and the individuals in it, were now  blamed for the hardships that had happened to those outside the tribe. In short, they were scapegoated and now military authorities with dangerous weapons, and armed with official, and legal papers, stood outside the family’s door demanding that they leave. Indeed, the entire tribe was now forced to abandon the home and land of their ancestors and coerced into living in a new place; one that was selected for them and all of their tribe. There was no legal help to be had. A democratically elected government had issued the orders and allowed the armed men to force out the tribe members.

Those removed cried as they left homes, land, possessions and memories. They were in dis-belief that elected politicians would allow this to happen. Many tribe members died on the trip to the new home. The conditions in the new home was harsh and many died there as well.

This forced removal is a stain on the civilized world. Who were these people who evicted and who were evicted?

Were these people the Cherokees who were forced by the United States into the Trail of Tears and onto reservations?

Were these people Jews living in Easter Europe who were forced out of their homes and into death camps by the Nazis?

Were these Japanese Americans who were forced into internment camps during World War II?

Were these people Palestinians who are being evicted from East Jerusalem and the West Bank by the Israeli government?

Does this parable apply to all of these scenarios listed above? In my mind, it does. It saddens me that the “good guys” acted the same way as the “bad guys” in each of these circumstances. I hope we take some time to contemplate this.

#ClintonAvenueReformedChurch                         #ReformedChurchInAmerica                    

#PastorMarkAuthordotcom                                   

#BergenfieldNJ

#TrailofTears                                                           

#WestBank

#JapaneseInternment                                            

#NaziGermany

To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please order a copy of his book:https://deepriverbooks.com/books/the-circle-of-seven/

Monday Ministerial Musings

By Rev. Mark William Ennis

2021 Blog Number 22

May 31, 2021

Happy Memorial Day?

“Happy Memorial Day,” I was told recently. The person I was speaking with continued. “Are you going to have a big party? I’m ready to party down!”

“Isn’t Memorial Day supposed to be a day of remembering the dead?” I asked.

“No, it means summer is starting. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.” The person I was speaking with left me and walked down the street.

I like a good outdoor party as much as anyone. I am planning to attend a family gathering in the afternoon. Unlike other folks that I know, I do not participate in the retail sales for the holiday. On Memorial Day I first go to the town hall to be part of the wreath laying ceremony. Only then to I attend family gatherings. I wonder if we have really forgotten what Memorial Day means. Have people who say, “Happy Memorial Day” realize that this is to be a memorial and such events are not meant to make one “happy.”

Our nation has on many occasions, called upon warriors. There were times that these calls came to defend our nation. At other times, it might be argued that our warriors were the aggressors. Nevertheless, these call-ups have led to the deaths of many of our young warriors and given pain to their families and loved ones. These deaths ought to be mourned and remembered.

Please don’t say, “Happy Memorial Day.” It seems inappropriate on this day.

Please take time to remember our deceased heroes and live to deserve their sacrifice.

Please take time to be supportive of the loved ones who are left behind.

Please take time to support the families of our active military. The families live in fear that their loves ones might be Memorialized some day in the future.

Memorial Day is a time to remember. Let us remember well.

#ClintonAvenueReformedChurch                         #ReformedChurchInAmerica                    

#PastorMarkAuthordotcom                                   

#BergenfieldNJ

#MemorialDay                                                         

#Heroes

To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please order a copy of his book: https://deepriverbooks.com/books/the-circle-of-seven/

Monday Ministerial Musings

By Rev. Mark William Ennis

2021 Blog Number 21

May 24, 2021

Abraham’s Tears

There is now a cease fire between Hamas in Gaza and forces of the Israeli Military. Thank God this recent violence between these two has ended. I don’t believe that it ended quickly enough. I read a report that in Gaza there are 248 dead including 66 children and 1,900 people wounded. In Israel 1 soldier and 12 civilians are dead including 2 children. Hundreds are wounded. It breaks my heart when the children of Abraham act violently to one another.

I know Jews, including some who spent time living in Israel who can explain how Israel is the righteous party in Israeli-Palestinian conflicts. Likewise I know Christians who have lived in the region, as well as a few Christians who have spent time in Palestine, who can list the ways that Palestine is the righteous party and Israel is the oppressor.

I was always taught that whenever there is a conflict there is “your side,” the “other side” and next to these sides lies the “truth.” Neither side can tell us the objective “truth.” Each side wants to believe in its own righteousness and its own claim to the land at the expense of the other.

Jews claim that this land is a gift to them from God. It was promised to them, and given to them, by God through the covenant with Abraham. The scripture that I read tells me that Abraham had two sons; Isaac and Ishmael. The Arabs, descendants of Ishmael, have a claim on this land as do the descendants of Isaac. I read that the land was given to all of Abraham’s offspring, not just one side of the family tree.

I pray that Israel and Palestine will come to accept one another as brothers, each entitled to live in the land. I pray that each side of the family will acknowledge that the other has the right to live lives that are free of violence. I pray that these brothers and sisters will stop trying to grab land from the other and grant each other full legal and civil rights.

Until that day comes, more innocent lives will be lost through violence between brothers and sisters and the more tears Abraham will shed. How horrible it must be for him to look down from heaven as his offspring kill each other. I can’t imagine that God is pleased either. Children of Abraham, I pray that you will learn to live together, respect each other, as well as cherish and love each other. Stop you father Abraham from crying.

#ClintonAvenueReformedChurch                         #ReformedChurchInAmerica                    

#PastorMarkAuthordotcom                                    #BergenfieldNJ

#Israel                                                                        #Palestine

#Isaac                                                                        #Ishmael

To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please order a copy of his book: https://deepriverbooks.com/books/the-circle-of-seven/

Monday Ministerial Musings

By Rev. Mark William Ennis

2021 Blog Number 20

May 17, 2021

Endings and Beginnings

A house in Bergenfield was sold and closed on this past week. I realize that this is not a unique event. Since the Covid-19 pandemic has struck housing prices in Bergenfield have gone up enormously. Many people living in New York City are clamoring to come here. In our suburban communities there is less of a population density. People in New York City who have lived in higher density and have seen the high rate of Covid-19 transmissions, in part due to that density, are looking to move to our suburbs for what they believe is a healthier place to live.

What makes this house sale unique is that it was sold by an elder of our church. It was her mother’s house and she and her sister lived there with her mother. The mother and sister are now in God’s nearer presence and the house became too much for this elder to manage. After decades of residing there she made the decision to sell it and move into an apartment. It was hard for her to make this decision and make her move. But it was one that she needed to make. Her health precludes her from managing house upkeep and daily chores of life.

After the move she needed to go back and see the empty house. She needed to walk through it one more time. She needed to explore each empty room and tell me what had been in it. She also shared memories of the rooms with me. It was her “farewell” to the house that had sheltered she, her sister and their mother. I felt that I was on sacred ground as she told me these stories and felt the sadness that she expressed. She was taking a necessary move but the necessity did not take away the sadness.

After her final walk through the house, we paused at the door as she prepared herself to close it for the final time. The two of us stopped and prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for all that the house had been for her and her family. We prayed for the blessing of the new people who would be moving in. She then closed the door and we drove to her apartment.

This move to me is a microcosm of life. There are doors closing as well as doors opening. Likewise, there is sadness as well as happiness with each transition. Do we go through these transitions prayerfully and trust that God is amid these changes or do we curse, fear, and resist these changes?

The most successful people in life view changes and ask, “how can I make the most of this?” Less successful people resist change and try to keep it from happening. Do we trust God? If we do, why would we resist the changes that come upon us. God is sovereign. Let us trust God, pray over each change we face, and walk boldly into the future arm and arm with God.

#ClintonAvenueReformedChurch                         #ReformedChurchInAmerica                    

#PastorMarkAuthordotcom                                   

#BergenfieldNJ

#RealEstate                                                             

#Transitions

To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please order a copy of his book: https://deepriverbooks.com/books/the-circle-of-seven/

Monday Ministerial Musings

By Rev. Mark William Ennis

2021 Blog Number 19

May 10, 2021

Clutch-Walking

I love driving with a manual transmission. I realize that driving a clutch is rare. Fewer and fewer people know how to drive a clutch. Indeed, ten years ago when my car, who calls herself “Irma,” came to live with me I had a long search to find one made with a clutch. They are rare. This week, Irma’s clutch died close to a busy intersection. My clutch locked up the transmission and I had to be towed in. Now I am re-learning the joy of walking.

Walking is something I enjoy but always seem to avoid because I always seem to be in a hurry. Walking is still slower, but probably better for me. This weekend, an elder of my congregation hurt his leg. He is in a cast and has difficulty walking. I bet that he would love to be able to do the pain-free walking that I have been doing.

Half dozen years ago I had surgery and walking hurt. A rather loving but stern nurse who is a congregational elder came to visit me at the parsonage. The first thing that she told me was, “get up. You are going to take a walk.” The walk hurt but she was gracious and at the end of the walk she had me stop at the local Dunkin Donuts. The walk was worth the jelly donuts that she treated me too. She took me on several walks during my convalescence. These walks hurt but they were good therapy.

Now, until my clutch is replaced, I’m doing a lot of walking. It is quite a blessing. I’m observing gardens that I had never noticed before. I am admiring houses that I had driven by many times but never really appreciated. I guess that the breakdown of my 91,000-mile clutch has been a real blessing. Will I learn from this? Probably not. When my car is fixed I’ll probably be back driving and missing the wonderful sights I have seen during my walks. Or perhaps I’ll smarten up and take regular walks and once more enjoy the beautiful sights all around me.

#ClintonAvenueReformedChurch                         #ReformedChurchInAmerica                    

#PastorMarkAuthordotcom                                   

#BergenfieldNJ

#StandardTransmission                                         

#Walking

To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please order a copy of his book:https://deepriverbooks.com/books/the-circle-of-seven/

Monday Ministerial Musings

By Rev. Mark William Ennis

2021 Blog Number 18

May 3, 2021

Violence Against Asians

For months now I have been hearing media stories of “Asian bias” and “Asian Violence.” The stories certainly had me disturbed. I was raised with the American ideal that people are to be treated equally. I was also raised with the Christian belief that we are to love one another. I was disturbed by such stories but I heard them in the abstract. I was disturbed on the surface, not at a deep level until I heard the story of “Inyoung.”

Inyoung is a therapist at the Hudson River Care and Counselling Center. She is also a devout Christian. Before the Corona crisis, she was one of the people who joined us in distributing lunches to the day-laborers in Bergenfield. She is good-hearted and a credit to our nation. I was told that she is frightened about the growing violence against Asians.

Although she lives in her New Jersey, Inyoung regularly goes to her mother’s house in Queens, NY to check on her. Her mother is quite elderly and is showing signs of confusion. A language barrier further complicates the Mother’s confusion. These visits, of course, are heart-breaking for Inyoung. I know from experience how difficult it is to watch a mother decline. Inyoung was saddened by these trips but lately she has been frightened.

Lately she is discovering hostility from people she sees on the streets of Queens, NY. They look at her, notice her Asian featured and often give her threatening looks. I am grateful that she has not been the victim of violence, but with the hostile looks it is a fear that she carries with her.

On one occasion she and her sister were walking outside in the evening and a group of girls were walking by she and her sister. The group was not wearing masks. The girls were laughing and simulating coughing as she walked. Perhaps this was a reference to Covid-19 having origins in China and these girls being unable to distinguish Chinese folks from Korean people. How Korean immigrants to our nation should be held responsible for a virus from China I will never know. It reflects badly on the intelligence, wisdom, and manners of some native-born people.

Now it is time for those of us who wish for justice and righteousness to step up. We, who wish for our neighbors to live in safety and security need to speak out and speak up on behalf of our Asian brothers and sisters.

If we are Christian, we are called to stand next to all oppressed people, especially brothers and sisters in Christ.

If you are not Christian, simply an American who believes in justice, you should be equally offended.

Violence and hostility is not acceptable. I call on all of us to stand with Asians and stand against those would be hostile and violent.

#ClintonAvenueReformedChurch                         #ReformedChurchInAmerica                    

#PastorMarkAuthordotcom                                   

#BergenfieldNJ

#AsianViolence                                                       

#AsianHostility

#HusdonRiverCareandCounseling

To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please order a copy of his book:https://deepriverbooks.com/books/the-circle-of-seven/

Monday Ministerial Musings

By Rev. Mark William Ennis

2021 Blog Number 17

April 26, 2021

A Letter to my grandsons about staying alive

This week officer Derek Chauvin we convicted of murder for killing George Floyd. Floyd was 46 and had been arrested for passing a counterfeit bill. It was painful to watch the video of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s chest and other officers not intervening. Also this week, two teenagers, one black and one Latino were killed by police officers. Makiyah Bryant 16, was shot and killed by a police officer in Ohio while attacking two people with a knife. Adam Toledo, also from Ohio was shot and killed after running from a police officer up a dark alley while holding a gun. He dropped it just before the shot was fired.

One of my grandsons is half black and the other is half Latino. I don’t want similar tragedies to happen to them. I wrote this letter to the boys in the hope that it will help keep them safe.

Dear Mr. Z and Manny,

It is no secret that there are some police officers who abuse their power. In many cases young Latin and Black males are the targets of these abuses of power. I want you two to be safe. Here is my advice to you on how to do that.

1. Don’t do illegal things. George Floyd would not have been vulnerable to an abusive police officer had he not been arrested for passing counterfeit money. Makiyah Bryant would not be deceased at age 16 had she not attacked two people with a knife.
2. Don’t be out of the house after dark. Adam Toledo would be alive had he not been out at 2:30 am. Nothing good comes from being out in the middle of the night.
3. Don’t play with weapons. Makiyah and Adam both were carrying weapons when police officers arrived. They created the circumstances that gave the police a reason to use deadly force.
4. Follow the instructions of police officers. Even if they are acting badly, be polite and follow orders. Don’t give an officer a reason to be anxious and overreact with violence.
5. Someday you will be driving. If you are pulled over by a police officer, be polite and don’t make the officer nervous.
6. Take off sunglasses, turn off the radio keep your hands on the steering wheel, and turn on the dome light if it is dark.
7. Always address the officer as “sir”, “Ma’am”, or “officer.”
8. Be polite and follow instructions even if the officer is being obnoxious. You can always file a complaint against officers behaving badly. During a pull-over your job is to keep yourself safe.

Yes, boys, unfortunately there are officers who target blacks and Latinos. Some of them use excessive force. Yet, there are ways that you can behave to increase your chances of being safe. Please, use these behaviors and increase your chances of leading long,  healthy and prosperous lives. I want to see you two grow to manhood and someday be as old as I am. Black and Brown lives matter. Behave as if they matter to you.

#ClintonAvenueReformedChurch                         #ReformedChurchInAmerica                    

#PastorMarkAuthordotcom                                   

#BergenfieldNJ

#BlackLivesMatter                                                  

#GeorgeFloyd

#MakiyahBryant                                                      

#AdamToledo

#PoliceShootings                                                    

#MinorityTargeting

To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please order a copy of his book:https://deepriverbooks.com/books/the-circle-of-seven/

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Monday Ministerial Musings

By Rev. Mark William Ennis

2021 Blog Number 16

April 19, 2021

Putting God To The Test, Not!

I’m grateful that I have now received my second Pfizer shot. I felt a bit ill for a day but that is a small price to pay to help my body resist COVID 19. I will now feel less anxious as the plague continues to go on. I wish all professing Christians felt the same way.

I am saddened that I have heard reports in the media and seen social media posts from people proclaiming to be Christian who urge friends and congregations to not get the vaccine. Such people proclaim that there is no need for the vaccine all people needed to do was “trust God.” God, they argued would protect faithful Christians from this plague. To me, this line of reasoning seems like what Jesus condemned when he told Satan that we should not put “God to the test.”

I wonder if people who condemn vaccines drive without seatbelts, or drive drunk, and assume a good and healthy outcome. I wonder if they reject the FDA stamp that certifies that their food is safe. Why eat inspected food if God will protect you no matter what you put in your mouth? I wonder if people who advocate getting no vaccines would walk up a city street alone at midnight displaying wads of cash and expect a good outcome because of God’s protection.

I hope that unchurched people will not listen to the professing Christians who advocate putting God to the test. The unchurched might generalize and think that all professing Christians might think this way. I hope that we who do follow Christ will correct those who advocate putting God to the test. We are the voice of Jesus. Let us speak with word and deed encouraging people to get vaccinated and telling other Christians to stop testing God. We can prevent deaths by our faithful witness; get the vaccine! Don’t test God!

#ClintonAvenueReformedChurch                         #ReformedChurchInAmerica                    

#PastorMarkAuthordotcom                                   

#BergenfieldNJ

#BergenCountyNJ                                                  

#Pfizer

#Vaccine                                                                   

#TestingGod

To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please order a copy of his book:https://deepriverbooks.com/books/the-circle-of-seven/

Monday Ministerial Musings

By Rev. Mark William Ennis

2021 Blog Number 15

April 12, 2021

My NY Mets Sabbatical and Return

I took a sabbatical from the Mets last year. I only watched two games and felt completely un-excited. I even completely skipped watching any of the World Series. I’m not quite sure why but I have a few ideas.

Maybe it was the beginning of the Corona-19 crisis. We all got a little preoccupied with that and how to stay alive and still maintain the most normal life that was possible for us.

Perhaps it was grief. Early on in our plague two of my mentors died of Covid-19, and my sister died of a sudden heart attack. Perhaps in my grief, I was not ready to enjoy the game. I think that my sister’s death especially took away my baseball joy. She was the biggest Met fan in the world. After she died I knew that we would never talk about the Mets again.

Another possibility was the delay in the season. In my mind, the first baseball games are to start with crisp, spring air. Last year the season was delayed until July, and then we didn’t get to hear fans cheer, boo, and rebuke the players and umpires.

Now I am back and enjoying baseball once more. My Mets sabbatical is over and I am, again, loving baseball games. I’m back and it almost feels as though I never left watching games. Sometimes we just need a break from things to enjoy how good they are when we return.

During this pandemic, and our improvement of on-line worship, I am noticing that folks who have been apart from the church are re-engaging online. For whatever reason, some folks felt the need to distance but are now returning. I am thrilled to see them back. Welcome home! It doesn’t matter why you felt the need to leave it is good to see you re-engaging. I hope that you will again feel the peace and joy of worship that you once knew. I pray that your return will be a blessing to you. If there is any way that I can make your return a blessing, please let me know. It is a thrill to have your Church sabbatical at and end and to see you back once more.

#ClintonAvenueReformedChurch                         #ReformedChurchInAmerica                    

#PastorMarkAuthordotcom                                   

#BergenfieldNJ

#BergenCountyNJ                                                  

#NYMets

#ChurchDistancing                                                 

#ChurchReturn

#Sabbatical                                                              

#WelcomeHome

To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please order a copy of his book: https://deepriverbooks.com/books/the-circle-of-seven/

Monday Ministerial Musings

By Rev. Mark William Ennis

2021 Blog Number 14

April 5, 2021

If you were Pontius Pilate what would you have done?

I was raised to hate Pontius Pilate. For me, Good Friday was a day to trash-talk pilate and condemn his action. If you did not grow up with Bible stories, he is the Roman Governor, appointed by Caesar, who condemned Jesus to be crucified. I was taught that he was the worst human in history. When I grew up and studied the politics of the time of Jesus I began to wonder if this was completely true. Would any of us have done the same thing given the same circumstances?

Pilate was Governor of Judea, the southern part of Israel. Under his reign there had been two Jewish riots. He knew that riots cost the lives of many people. On Good Friday, Pilate was facing a riot, instigated by the temple elite, if he did not sentence Jesus to die. How many people would have died in those riots. Perhaps Pilate reasoned that to kill one person would save hundreds or even thousands. Would we do the same thing?

We fight wars under the assumption that more people would die without a war to end abuse and murder. Had someone killed Hitler in 1938, perhaps thirty million people would not have died in World War II. We dropped two atomic bombs on Japan under the assumption that killing two hundred thousand people would save one million lives who would have died in the invasion of Japan.

Police officers fire upon active shooters under the assumption that killing the shooter will save numerous lives. Wouldn’t any one of us seek to kill an assailant to rescue our loved ones from potential death?

This action of Pilate is not all that unique. He chose to kill one for the sake of saving others. Something others do, and we frequently endorse this. Good Friday isn’t about condemning Pilate. It is about thanking Jesus for volunteering for his death. Perhaps if we had been in Pilate’s circumstance we might have done just what he did.

I hope that we contemplate this during this Holy Season.

#ClintonAvenueReformedChurch                         #ReformedChurchInAmerica                    

#PastorMarkAuthordotcom                                    #BergenfieldNJ

#BergenCountyNJ                                                   #Christ-like

#Lent                                                                          #HolyWeek

#Perfection                                                                #Self-improvement

To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please order a copy of his book:https://deepriverbooks.com/books/the-circle-of-seven/