We begin with pieces from “Ethics” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Already in the New Testament there is no single question put by (people) to Jesus which Jesus answers with an acceptance of the human either-or that every such question implies. Every one of Jesus’ answers, to the questions of His enemies and of His friends alike, leaves this either-or behind it in a way which shames the questioner. Jesus does not allow Himself to be invoked as an arbiter in vital questions: He refuses to be held by human alternatives. “Man, who made me judge or divider over you?” (Luke 12:14).
The bind of either-or places us all on an edge. It is often assumed that we must pick this side or that side. But why?!? Jesus is a good model for us when it comes to the games we all play with the categories of good and evil. The Reign of God does not come down on this side or that side of what we may want to designate as the appropriate ways to act. The Reign of God comes from the very origin of life before we started messing with what we think is good or evil. The wonderful imagery of the unity within God’s Reign or the unity we say is the essence of the Body of Christ does not let our need to judge all things according to our whim and study and analysis, prevail. God’s will for peace and justice and mercy and forgiveness and reconciliation and unity seem to be the prevailing winds of God’s Reign.
Connection: Let’s take note of the winds that are blowing around us today. That Spirit is still blowing as it has always blown…and we cannot control it even when we think we can.
Send us off, O God, into the ways of your blessed Reign. Yes we may want to have things go our way and we will even try to put your blessing on our will, but we still know that you are Lord of all and we need your Spirit’s power to awaken us to your light of new life. Amen.
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