16 December 2005

Walter Brueggemann continues to use the metaphor of "exile" in regard to how the church needs to look at itself in his book "Hopeful Imagination."

If the church is in fact in exile...then to try to do ministry as if we are practicing imperial religion robs us of energy. ...honestly facing exile as our real situation generates energy for imaginative and faithful living. Exile in the ancient world or in our own situation is not an obvious, flat, social fact. It is a decision one must make. It is a very specific, self-conscious reading of social reality. There must have been many Jews in Babylon in the sixth century who settled in, made it home, assimilated, and did not perceive themselves as exiles. Such an accommodation is a possible stance for faith, in ancient Babylon or in contemporary America. I should only say that such a pragmatic decision against exile excludes one from the imagination field of this literature of exile. "Exile" is not simply a geographical face, but also a theological decision.

The voice from exile - the one that understands it is in exile - is not a loud voice. It doesn't get much play over the radio and television airways. But for those who can see and have experienced the events of exile, this is a voice that forms a foundation of hope that places a check on all things presently taking shape around us. Brueggemann writes of the imperial religion that can rob us of our energy. Of course it does...it is so contrary to the way of the shalom of our God that as we try to be a part of it, we become the agents of its discontent and superficial goals. Remember that the voice in the wilderness that brings good news of homecoming is speaking to a people who are at ease in the middle of the empires in which we live. When we are content with the structures of power around us and when we begin to define ourselves according to those structures, they become the places in which we pitch our tent...and yet, they are not home. Home is a promise. Home is where we are safe to imagine something beyond what is presently available to us. Home is a vision and we make a decision to be at home no matter where we might be - even if our actions and our life are contrary to the culture and people around us.

Connection: Many times within this day we will make decisions about who we are and those decisions will shape how we interact with the people around us. I would suggest that we prayerfully consider whose we are and how that will immediately put us at odd with so much of the culture around us. Look for signs of being in "exile."

Lord of All That Is, heal us and save us. Take us by the hand and lead us beyond where we are so that we can see more clearly the way your gift of life is so different from the life the world attempts to hand us. In the meantime, open our hearts to your Word of promise and hopefulness. Amen.