4 May 2005

We begin again with a piece from Walter Brueggemann.

Jesus' sayings on the cross as preserved in the various traditions are the voice of an alternative consciousness. His initial plea for forgiveness for his enemies is an act of criticism (Luke 23:34), for it asserts the insanity of the dominant culture. On behalf of that world which has now sentenced him, he enters a pleas of temporary insanity...
Second, his cry of despair (Mark 15:34) is an announcement of abandonment. The whole network of meaning has collapsed and a new dangerous situation of faith has emerged...
Third, the ultimate criticism ends in submission (Luke 23:46), the last thing possible in a world of competence and control. Thus in that very world of control Jesus presents a new way of faithfulness that completely subverts the dominant way.
And finally, his assertion of paradise (Luke 23:43) is a speech about the delegitimization of the world that killed him.

We are given some powerful ways to look at Jesus' voice in those final moments of his life on the cross. It shows that in the middle of what appears to be a position of complete despair and death, another reality exists and cannot be eliminated. In fact, Jesus speaks up right in the face of all the powers that should have been able to silence him. But...they did not...and cannot...and will not silence that criticism of one way to move through life and his affirmation of life that is available to us as a contrary existence. This is not something for which we are to wait, it is already here in his announcement and through the power of the resurrection.

Connection: Though the voices of the powers around us can be very strong and persuasive (even when those voices come in very familiar and related sources) we are assured that Jesus provide another way and the power of God will be with us as we step out of the power those voices try to have over us. That will happen in many and various ways today. Remember to listen, because in the middle of it all, God is calling us to freedom.

Liberating Lord, by your compassion you call us forth within this day to trust in you alone. You see the suffering and trouble within this day and you remind us that you will be our rock upon which we can rest and regroup and re-engage in this world in a new way. Thanks be to you. Amen.