22 March 2005

Brueggemann spends some time looking at Jesus in "The Prophetic Imagination."

The birth of Jesus itself represents a decisive criticism of the dominant consciousness. The Lukan account of his solidarity with the poor and the Matthean presentation of his abrasive conflict with the powers that be (seen in the birth narratives) both point to the emergence of an alternative consciousness. No attempt, of course, needs to be made to harmonize the two versions as they move in different directions for different reasons and make different affirmations. Nevertheless, in completed form they are perfectly complementary in dismantling by criticism and in energizing by amazement.

Again, I am caught by Brueggemann's words. Can you or have you or are you able to imagine being in a situation that is energizing by amazement!?! First, as he notes, there is this dismantling by criticism that happen so very often in our world - and needs to happen. But that is not enough. That will not open our eyes and our lives to what is beyond criticism. We are being pulled into the experience of amazement...utter amazement. This kind of event does not settle for what we can already see and what we already know. We are surprised. We are shaken. We are perplexed and yet we find some amazing sense to the vision of Jesus within the gospels. Maybe that is the amazing grace about which we sing and for which we long each of our days until we are surprised by its availability.

Connection: What is it about the story of God's grace in Christ, Jesus, that energizes you? Then again, what is it about that Jesus life you see come to life today among those around you that energizes you? Where can we find such a source of energy and amazement for our lives?

You, O God, are always "for us" and yet we run from you as if we are afraid of your presence. Help us to find in that strange sense of amazement at your glory the graciousness of your promises that will not leave us behind but rather will lift us up to be with you. Amen.