8 February 2005

Hope continues - Jurgen Moltmann



Through the power of hope for the coming of God, the oppressed tell stories that run counter to the course of this world from which they suffer. There are the resurrections stories which the prophet Ezekiel tells to the despondent people (Ezekiel 37): on the one side of the fields of the dead, with the dried up bones of the people - on the other the living breath of God which awakens them and brings them to life.



Yes, there is death. Yes, there is separation. Yes, there is warfare. Yes, there is alienation and condemnation and perpetuation of oppression. These aspects of our world and death's other allies do not know how to see beyond what is. Therefore, all they can do with us is lead us into the same old cycle of death. We are a people who trust that in the middle of this desert and wasteland is a fresh breeze that will grab our attention and turn our heads and lift us up so that we will turn our back on the powers of the day. This breeze - this breath - this life giving wind...will not leave us alone. It will not leave us alone and it will pull us into ourselves...not as the world wants us but how God has created us and named us - beloved. That is where hope begins - a simple breath...now...like a promise that cannot be held back.



Connection: Watch out death, God promises to bring breath to us. God will indeed take away our breath to fill us with God's own power for life. How will death fall away today from us today and when will we breathe deeply of the promises of God's love? Imagine that!



Divine Wind that whips over the ways of our lives, free us from the many ways we fall for the lies of those who would take us away from your love. Remind us...again, of how you rescue and revive and renew all things with nothing more than a breeze of hope. Amen.