Thursday, 30 October, 2003

We begin with pieces from “Ethics” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.



Again note that I deliberately make the Pharisee male & female so that we are not merely speaking of the historical group of people but rather a broad type of people/thought.

Any distorted picture of the Pharisees robs Jesus’ argument with them of its gravity and its importance. The Pharisee is that extremely admirable (person) who subordinates his/her entire life to his/her knowledge of good and evil and is as severe a judge of him/her self as of his/her neighbor to the honor of God, whom s/he humbly thanks for this knowledge. For the Pharisee every moment of life becomes a situation of conflict in which s/he has to choose between good and evil. For the sake of avoiding any lapse his/her entire thought is strenuously devoted night and day to the anticipation of the whole immense range of possible conflicts, to the reaching of a decision in these conflicts, and to the determination of his own choice.



Most often when I refer to the Pharisees in stories within the gospels, I like to say that these are really good people who care greatly about the life of the people of God. What they do and say is not “bad.” Rather, it does draw into contrast the notion of living within the domain of the knowledge of good and evil and living within the boundaries of the will of God. As Bonhoeffer’s writing shows, there is this ever increasing need to “manage” good and evil…to watch it…to make judgments…to be the referee, and to set up the world in which such management is the goal and moving force in life. That is tragic. Jesus often seems saddened by such actions and voices from the Pharisees because the Reign of God does not demand that we are to be such gatekeepers. There is a vision for life that is shaped by God for us in Jesus that does not need gatekeepers to be judge and control our world.



Connection: So…what do we know about good and evil? I would say much. Then, it would be good for us to think about how much we know about the gracious story of God’s love as see in Jesus. What brings more life and joy and freedom and mercy into this day? It may be a good way to enter into the many moments of the day at hand.



Precious Lord, let your refreshing breath of life whip around us so that our every breath may be filled with the life you bring to all things. By the gift of your Spirit, we are lifted up to see the love of you Reign and in that love, re-view all things around us. Amen