Today's lead piece is from "Between Cross and Resurrection" by Alan E. Lewis.
In speaking about parables:
...the parable becomes such subversive, "dangerous Stories." Guilt gives way to exhilaration, and shame to tears of relief, when we hear it being said that God's ways are different from the ways of the world and are a threat to every status quo, since the rule of the world by these new and different ways has already begun before our very eyes. In God's kingdom there is justice which sets free and makes joyful all who stand before it: the guilty are not condemned, the fallen are picked up; nobodies are promoted; the hungry are sated; and the lost are not permitted to remain abandoned. And all of this through a love which knows no sensible bounds and breaks every principle of decorum, prudence, and tradition.
Could it be that parables have such strong messages for it is to difficult to speak these words directly? Therefore, the story cuts to the heart or opens up a reality that we would usually not approach with such truthfulness. Subversive language usually has a veil around it...to protect the innocent...to move the word out to as many as possible before some power tries to put an end to such words. The Good News becomes a collection of "dangerous stories" for we are each valued for who we are before God as God's beloved and not as how we are before one another - rated, graded, scored. Our prayer is that we would act and live with one another within the openness and love that God extends to each of us. To live like that is to take part in a vision.
Connection: It is okay to go beyond the sensible bounds of our day and engage others with a love that brings to the world a bit of blessed exhilaration.
Lord God, you continue to invite us to walk within your blessed reign. It is not always the way we choose to walk and yet you continue to call us out to play within the creative life you have offered to us since the beginning of time. Encourage us that we might trust in your promise of new life. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment