We end the week with more on sabbath rest by Walter Brueggemann.
Sabbath practice is to break the denial and become "truth-tellers," for the truth will make us sabbath free.
Brueggmann now lists seven ideas of truth telling. Here is one example:
Tell the truth, free of ideological rancor, about the pain of the world for it is the truth of pain on the cross thorugh which the world is saved. (and then he continues)
We always stand, as did Jesus, before the governor who notoriously asked, "What is truth?" The truth withheld from the wise and given to babes is that pain is the matrix of newness. Tell the truth without pious protectiveness, without ideological reductionism, stay close to the text, tell the truth and you will find the weariness easing as you come clean to the one who is the truth, and the way and the life, a way of pain, a life of vulnerability. Imagine a sabbath church filled with truth-tellers that are neither red nor blue. But stay close to the one of whom we say, "And him crucified."
Truth-tellers do not let the silence win. It can be a pain-filled existence to press on within a community that longs for the truth. Such a sabbath truth-telling keeps insisting that we share in a journey that will bring us into conflict with ourselves and one another. The conflict will not be destructive, it will be an honest exchange so that we all can look again at what is able to silence us and how we settle for something less than the truth so often in our lives. Somewhere in that exercise of becoming free, all things begin to be seen with new eyes. It is, I suppose, like the the 21st and 22nd chapter of Revelation spilling on and on about the new heaven and earth. Truth-telling brings that which is promised right to our doorsteps and we are invited to step into it and...rest. The way in which we have some notion of what is the truth is to do exactly what Brueggeman suggests, "stay close to the one of whom we say, 'And him crucified.'" That is our check point - our ground - our point of contact with the Reign of God and the life within this world. The truth-teller Jesus goes before us and we are invited to come and see what life is now available to us and through us in Jesus, name.
Connection: I think truth-telling is difficult. I am always grateful to have people around me who are gifted with such voice. It is the kind of voice that helps to pull be back from how I want the day to go and begin to see how else it might go. I don't always like to have the truth press in on me...but it sure does help me breath and take another look at what is going on around me and in me.
Lord of All Truthfulness, we come to the cross and we find our way into and through all that will encounter. Grand us wisdom and grant us courage to face the way of the cross and to listen to the way it brings truthfulness into this day. Amen.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Thursday 31 May 2007
Walter Brueggemann suggest sabbath rest for those who are weary.
So how do we move from weariness and being burdened to Jesus? Well, by sabbath! But not sabbath like one more day of golf, good as it might be. Rather, sabbath rest by taking a break from our contradicted lives of anxiety and our silenced life of coercion. Sabbath rest consists in bringing our daily existence into congruity with our true selves.
Rather than running around doing the work of Pharaoh - as he says in previous devotions - rest here means that we stop the running according to the rule of others. We step back...we stop...and we begin to experience the promise of life offered by Jesus. A rule that is not a burden and will not make us weary. When we are afraid and when we are living a life that must conform to the voice of the powers of our world, sabbath rest is the time we need to remember whose we are. It is within that kind of reflection and contemplation and rediscovery and re-focus that we regain our voice. It is from a sabbath rest - a visit to that "cathedral in time" - that we become aware of the fact that we are foreigners within the brick making world of Pharaoh. It is in this sabbath rest that we begin to find whose we are what life that brings to us no matter where we are or what others try to make us. Gaining that voice again and not being coerced into silence is refreshing and life giving.
Connection: I would think we must be willing to experience sabbath rest regularly. It may not be in the traditional format of what we see in scripture. It may be an intentional time we give to ourselves. A time to "come home" and visit the one who promises us life. That may differ from you to me...but we all must stay awhile in that place of sabbath rest. Is is possible to go there today?
Healer of all that is weary and broken, it is by your presence that we begin to envision life as you have handed it to us. At those times, we begin to hear ourselves and know who we are and what it might be like to give voice to the person you have created and now nurture by your Spirit so that we can indeed: Lift every voice and sing... Amen.
So how do we move from weariness and being burdened to Jesus? Well, by sabbath! But not sabbath like one more day of golf, good as it might be. Rather, sabbath rest by taking a break from our contradicted lives of anxiety and our silenced life of coercion. Sabbath rest consists in bringing our daily existence into congruity with our true selves.
Rather than running around doing the work of Pharaoh - as he says in previous devotions - rest here means that we stop the running according to the rule of others. We step back...we stop...and we begin to experience the promise of life offered by Jesus. A rule that is not a burden and will not make us weary. When we are afraid and when we are living a life that must conform to the voice of the powers of our world, sabbath rest is the time we need to remember whose we are. It is within that kind of reflection and contemplation and rediscovery and re-focus that we regain our voice. It is from a sabbath rest - a visit to that "cathedral in time" - that we become aware of the fact that we are foreigners within the brick making world of Pharaoh. It is in this sabbath rest that we begin to find whose we are what life that brings to us no matter where we are or what others try to make us. Gaining that voice again and not being coerced into silence is refreshing and life giving.
Connection: I would think we must be willing to experience sabbath rest regularly. It may not be in the traditional format of what we see in scripture. It may be an intentional time we give to ourselves. A time to "come home" and visit the one who promises us life. That may differ from you to me...but we all must stay awhile in that place of sabbath rest. Is is possible to go there today?
Healer of all that is weary and broken, it is by your presence that we begin to envision life as you have handed it to us. At those times, we begin to hear ourselves and know who we are and what it might be like to give voice to the person you have created and now nurture by your Spirit so that we can indeed: Lift every voice and sing... Amen.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Wednesday 30 May 2007
Walter Brueggemann on burdens and rest and life that is able to break into something new.
So what causes people like us to bear heavy burdens? It is because, is it not, we are coerced, driven kinds of folk, responding to the endless echoes of some Pharaoh in our present life or from our past life. Pharaoh, of course, has insatiable demands, and as long as we live in the regime of some Pharaoh, we will never make enough bricks. I notice one other element in Pharaoh's narrative. When he died, the slave cried out in hurt. but until he died, they did not cry out. They were silenced. They kept it all in. They did not dare to speak their pain. That is how Pharaoh works and how Pharaoh works in your life and mine. As a result we dare not say what we know best, or we say it so carefully and so guardedly that we siphon off our passion. And when it gets said in that way, it has no power. The church - or surely dominant society - is pharaonic in its silencing. Such silencing gives us a visa to the realm of death. We die a little every day in silence because we know better, and yet we dare not speak.
We stuff it. We do not say what everyone is thinking. We do not expose the elephant in the room. We become silent. I know that life. I can live there and I have lived there. People (like me) who refuse to be empowered by the Spirit of God that is willing and able to tell Pharaoh to make his own bricks, find that silence is a way to stay alive and well. Unfortunately, we live a lie and things are well and alive. We are trapped and we are under the direction of a power we do not trust but it is a power we have allowed ourselves to follow just the same. One of the ways I try to speak up is to remember when I did not speak up. I also keep in mind specific and real individuals that remain silent over and over again in the face of powers that can and do pull their strings and control their lives. They are not the people they once were. They are now simple shells that have lost their substance...and I can remember their substance. It is odd how we can be willing to go along with some things in order to preserve our own lives but in reality, we are simply applying for what Brueggemann calls that "visa to the realm of death."
Connection: It is good to keep a critical eye on life around us. It is good to take note of when silence prevails. It is good to then make the move to not be silenced.
Lord of Liberation and Deliverance, we are saved by your announcement that we are free. And yet, we long to be free. As your Spirit continues to deliver us into the realm of your new life, grant us courage to grab hold of it and turn from silence into a life of bold proclamation. Amen.
So what causes people like us to bear heavy burdens? It is because, is it not, we are coerced, driven kinds of folk, responding to the endless echoes of some Pharaoh in our present life or from our past life. Pharaoh, of course, has insatiable demands, and as long as we live in the regime of some Pharaoh, we will never make enough bricks. I notice one other element in Pharaoh's narrative. When he died, the slave cried out in hurt. but until he died, they did not cry out. They were silenced. They kept it all in. They did not dare to speak their pain. That is how Pharaoh works and how Pharaoh works in your life and mine. As a result we dare not say what we know best, or we say it so carefully and so guardedly that we siphon off our passion. And when it gets said in that way, it has no power. The church - or surely dominant society - is pharaonic in its silencing. Such silencing gives us a visa to the realm of death. We die a little every day in silence because we know better, and yet we dare not speak.
We stuff it. We do not say what everyone is thinking. We do not expose the elephant in the room. We become silent. I know that life. I can live there and I have lived there. People (like me) who refuse to be empowered by the Spirit of God that is willing and able to tell Pharaoh to make his own bricks, find that silence is a way to stay alive and well. Unfortunately, we live a lie and things are well and alive. We are trapped and we are under the direction of a power we do not trust but it is a power we have allowed ourselves to follow just the same. One of the ways I try to speak up is to remember when I did not speak up. I also keep in mind specific and real individuals that remain silent over and over again in the face of powers that can and do pull their strings and control their lives. They are not the people they once were. They are now simple shells that have lost their substance...and I can remember their substance. It is odd how we can be willing to go along with some things in order to preserve our own lives but in reality, we are simply applying for what Brueggemann calls that "visa to the realm of death."
Connection: It is good to keep a critical eye on life around us. It is good to take note of when silence prevails. It is good to then make the move to not be silenced.
Lord of Liberation and Deliverance, we are saved by your announcement that we are free. And yet, we long to be free. As your Spirit continues to deliver us into the realm of your new life, grant us courage to grab hold of it and turn from silence into a life of bold proclamation. Amen.
Tuesday 29 May 2007
Today we again move into material by Walter Brueggemann that focuses on Matthew 11:28: Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
So what is it that makes people like us weary? It is not working too hard that makes us weary. It is rather, I submit, living a life that is against the grain of our true creatureliness, living a ministry that is against the grain of our true vocation, being placed in a false position so that our day-to-day operation requires us to contradict what we know best about ourselves and what we love most about our life as children of God. Exhaustion comes from the demand that we be, in some measure, other than we truly are; such an alienation requires too much energy to navigate.
I suppose whenever our lives are driven by something we think we must become, we will become weary. And yet, I'm not so sure we understand what weary is. It seems as though we hear so often about what people have "made of themselves" it is as though that is what our lives must be...a never-ending attempt to make something of ourselves - become someone. In reality we begin every day already being somebody - children of God. One of the text from this past Sunday would remind us that by being these children of God - adopted by God - we are also heirs of the Reign of God. It is from that position of our reality that we walk into this day. It is not with puffed up heads. Rather it is with a sense of worth that can place us in a position of rest. That rest, must be nurtured because it is there in that position handed to us by God that we are able to separate ourselves from that ever-pressing need to be like the rest of the world that is moving in a whirlwind of business in order to be someone.
Connection: The simple discipline of breathing deeply could serve as a reminder of who we are in the middle of the ways we try to press more life into our living. It is like a sabbath - a reminder - a sanctuary in time - a step back into a word of promise and hope. There are many ways to take that kind of breath and to refocus or redirect ourselves for now.
Come, Spirit of peace, and breathe with us. Remind us of the pattern of your breath of life that brings rest and hope and renewal and then breaks us into moments of grand imagination and meaningful work. Amen.
So what is it that makes people like us weary? It is not working too hard that makes us weary. It is rather, I submit, living a life that is against the grain of our true creatureliness, living a ministry that is against the grain of our true vocation, being placed in a false position so that our day-to-day operation requires us to contradict what we know best about ourselves and what we love most about our life as children of God. Exhaustion comes from the demand that we be, in some measure, other than we truly are; such an alienation requires too much energy to navigate.
I suppose whenever our lives are driven by something we think we must become, we will become weary. And yet, I'm not so sure we understand what weary is. It seems as though we hear so often about what people have "made of themselves" it is as though that is what our lives must be...a never-ending attempt to make something of ourselves - become someone. In reality we begin every day already being somebody - children of God. One of the text from this past Sunday would remind us that by being these children of God - adopted by God - we are also heirs of the Reign of God. It is from that position of our reality that we walk into this day. It is not with puffed up heads. Rather it is with a sense of worth that can place us in a position of rest. That rest, must be nurtured because it is there in that position handed to us by God that we are able to separate ourselves from that ever-pressing need to be like the rest of the world that is moving in a whirlwind of business in order to be someone.
Connection: The simple discipline of breathing deeply could serve as a reminder of who we are in the middle of the ways we try to press more life into our living. It is like a sabbath - a reminder - a sanctuary in time - a step back into a word of promise and hope. There are many ways to take that kind of breath and to refocus or redirect ourselves for now.
Come, Spirit of peace, and breathe with us. Remind us of the pattern of your breath of life that brings rest and hope and renewal and then breaks us into moments of grand imagination and meaningful work. Amen.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Friday 25 May 2007
Today we will move into a new section of Walter Brueggemann's book Mandate to Difference.
Friday 25 May 2007
Today we will move into a new section of Walter Brueggemann's book Mandate to Difference.
The focus here will be around Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Here Jesus claims no "deeds of power," but only issues an invitation, "Come to me." It is not an altar call. It is a call to an alternative existence away from deeds of power, away from brick quotas, away from things "too great," away from control and domination and success. Away from the way the world wants us to be...into the life of well-being with Jesus who is one with the Father. What is offered in this invitation is not revealed to the wise and the intelligent, but only to "infants," to those innocent and vulnerable, the ones capable of trust and ready to receive a gift.
There are many ways that we run and run and run through our lives. It is as though we are constantly under the impression that we might miss something...or lose something...or not "make it" like we would like to "make it." In all that running, we are working to create a world for ourselves. We all do it - to some degree. It is just such a world that puts on edge. This kind of life sets us against one another because we each have our worlds that we must create and establish and protect and control. In the middle of the world of our own making, there is no time to rest. It is a life-long task to prop up the gods who demand upkeep and want us to keep building them up! Our Lord, call us to come and we will be given rest. The rest is like the sabbath. It is meant to be complete and it is meant to pull us out of the race so that we begin to understand what it is to live without having to build a life for ourselves. We are given an identity and a worth and a direction for life (love one another is a good start) that will define us and uphold us in all things. It is not a matter of what we have and what we can achieve. It is a gift in which we are given the opportunity to reevaluate the movements of our lives.
Connection: How much of the day is ruled by trying to make ourselves into something...or make our families into something...or our children...? Rest comes in many ways. It is even a part of the gentle and life-giving service we offer to others - here and there - since we now have the time to rest from our lives of self-focused labor. The rest of our Lord, helps us to again see the day with new eyes.
Lord of the Sabbath, your Spirit attempts to move us from the work of propping up our lives and all that we claim we have made for ourselves. Open our hearts that this breath of rest and peace will fill us and we can rest in your claim upon us and your promise to abide and provide for us. Amen.
The focus here will be around Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Here Jesus claims no "deeds of power," but only issues an invitation, "Come to me." It is not an altar call. It is a call to an alternative existence away from deeds of power, away from brick quotas, away from things "too great," away from control and domination and success. Away from the way the world wants us to be...into the life of well-being with Jesus who is one with the Father. What is offered in this invitation is not revealed to the wise and the intelligent, but only to "infants," to those innocent and vulnerable, the ones capable of trust and ready to receive a gift.
There are many ways that we run and run and run through our lives. It is as though we are constantly under the impression that we might miss something...or lose something...or not "make it" like we would like to "make it." In all that running, we are working to create a world for ourselves. We all do it - to some degree. It is just such a world that puts on edge. This kind of life sets us against one another because we each have our worlds that we must create and establish and protect and control. In the middle of the world of our own making, there is no time to rest. It is a life-long task to prop up the gods who demand upkeep and want us to keep building them up! Our Lord, call us to come and we will be given rest. The rest is like the sabbath. It is meant to be complete and it is meant to pull us out of the race so that we begin to understand what it is to live without having to build a life for ourselves. We are given an identity and a worth and a direction for life (love one another is a good start) that will define us and uphold us in all things. It is not a matter of what we have and what we can achieve. It is a gift in which we are given the opportunity to reevaluate the movements of our lives.
Connection: How much of the day is ruled by trying to make ourselves into something...or make our families into something...or our children...? Rest comes in many ways. It is even a part of the gentle and life-giving service we offer to others - here and there - since we now have the time to rest from our lives of self-focused labor. The rest of our Lord, helps us to again see the day with new eyes.
Lord of the Sabbath, your Spirit attempts to move us from the work of propping up our lives and all that we claim we have made for ourselves. Open our hearts that this breath of rest and peace will fill us and we can rest in your claim upon us and your promise to abide and provide for us. Amen.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Thursday 24 May 2007
In these days after the Ascension and prior to Pentecost, let's continue with comments by Walter Brueggemann on this age after the Ascension.
So imagine on this ascension day in poetic idiom, the ascended Lord Jesus, riding on a cloud of glory, keeping the world under caring surveillance. Imagine that cloud is the throne room where sits the Father of all mercy. Imagine the governance of Father-Son sending out edicts, directives, and policies that concerning the earth:
Here is a press release that says,
The newly ascended power has decreed that there is more than enough, and greed is inappropriate in this world of God's generosity.
Here is a new act of legislation from the government of God that says,
Perfect love casts out hate, that we are not free for vengeance but must leave such matters to the wise Father.
Here is an edict from the government that says,
Do not fear for I am with you and the world will hold.
I enjoy how Brueggemann is able to communicate. Here we have some powerful "press releases" that we will never hear from the powers that attempt to rule the world. In fact, I don't hear this kind of radical press release from many Christian groups that are attempting to build a cage of Christian Nationalism. This is beyond nation building. This is world caring. This is an announcement of life that is being called to break through into something quite out of the ordinary. And yet, it is all an announcement of what can be. Imagine that. From these images, we are people who can be encouraged to live boldly even when our lives do not reflect the standing powers. In fact, we are called to live in such a way...to break through the stagnant status-quo that brings no liberation to those who need to be set free. God's eternal Reign with Jesus as Lord, now does break in and make things new. What now must be a part of that Reign is our involvement in just such a life.
Connection: Make up some headlines today. Take a look at the newspaper or some blog news and then...rewrite it according to headlines from the Reign of God. Just for the fun of it. It may change the way you see more clearly what is going on around us that is, unfortunately, at odds with the glory of God's Reign.
Come, Lord, Jesus, and rule among us. It is by your eternal presence that we are pulled into the life you bring even as we are being pulled to follow other gods. Grand us the vision to see you spread throughout all our days. Amen.
So imagine on this ascension day in poetic idiom, the ascended Lord Jesus, riding on a cloud of glory, keeping the world under caring surveillance. Imagine that cloud is the throne room where sits the Father of all mercy. Imagine the governance of Father-Son sending out edicts, directives, and policies that concerning the earth:
Here is a press release that says,
The newly ascended power has decreed that there is more than enough, and greed is inappropriate in this world of God's generosity.
Here is a new act of legislation from the government of God that says,
Perfect love casts out hate, that we are not free for vengeance but must leave such matters to the wise Father.
Here is an edict from the government that says,
Do not fear for I am with you and the world will hold.
I enjoy how Brueggemann is able to communicate. Here we have some powerful "press releases" that we will never hear from the powers that attempt to rule the world. In fact, I don't hear this kind of radical press release from many Christian groups that are attempting to build a cage of Christian Nationalism. This is beyond nation building. This is world caring. This is an announcement of life that is being called to break through into something quite out of the ordinary. And yet, it is all an announcement of what can be. Imagine that. From these images, we are people who can be encouraged to live boldly even when our lives do not reflect the standing powers. In fact, we are called to live in such a way...to break through the stagnant status-quo that brings no liberation to those who need to be set free. God's eternal Reign with Jesus as Lord, now does break in and make things new. What now must be a part of that Reign is our involvement in just such a life.
Connection: Make up some headlines today. Take a look at the newspaper or some blog news and then...rewrite it according to headlines from the Reign of God. Just for the fun of it. It may change the way you see more clearly what is going on around us that is, unfortunately, at odds with the glory of God's Reign.
Come, Lord, Jesus, and rule among us. It is by your eternal presence that we are pulled into the life you bring even as we are being pulled to follow other gods. Grand us the vision to see you spread throughout all our days. Amen.
Wednesday 23 May 2007
With Jesus' ascension and the new rule in place, Brueggemann suggests three urgent issues where we may take into account this regime change. Here is #3:
Jesus is the glue of the universe.
Paul... "in him all things hold together" (Col.1:17)
Jesus... "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life" (Matthew 6:25)
As you know, we live in a fearful society that is devoured by anxiety. And we imagine in our anxiety that there are extreme "security" measures that will make us safe. But if this is God's world and if the rule of love is at work, then our mandate is not to draw into a cocoon of safety; rather, it is to be out and alive in the world in concrete acts and policies whereby the fearful anxiety among us is dispatched and adversaries can be turned to allies and to friends.
In the same manner, our mandate is not to strike out first and keep others at a distance in an attempt to be seen as the all powerful and in control of all things. Imagine a world where our first goal was to build allies and friends. The amount of money that goes into what Eisenhower called the military-industrial complex would still be supported but to a much lesser extent. Rather, our abundance would be made part of the strategy to create justice and feed and care for the poor of the world. That is no pie-in-the-sky notion. It is a sensible way of attempting to live together in peace...in the way of Jesus. At least that is what I would call it. Others may accept this notion and call it something else. When we are the followers of this Lord, Jesus, who has ascended and is now eternally available to us, his vision now becomes accessible to us. It is now...us. We are not the anxiety-creating religious group who serves up threat and worry about what will be. Rather we are the cadre of people who begin living within this contrary rule where anxiety is real but it does not control us.
Connection: During the day make note of what "keeps things together" for you as you go about all the tasks and business of the day. What is at the center of your life that keeps you available to others?
Lord of the Universe, you tell us that you hold all things together and yet we so often let the anxiety of the day rule us and take us away from your presence. And yet, you are always near - even as we face the worst of what may come to us. We pray for patience and peace. Amen.
Jesus is the glue of the universe.
Paul... "in him all things hold together" (Col.1:17)
Jesus... "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life" (Matthew 6:25)
As you know, we live in a fearful society that is devoured by anxiety. And we imagine in our anxiety that there are extreme "security" measures that will make us safe. But if this is God's world and if the rule of love is at work, then our mandate is not to draw into a cocoon of safety; rather, it is to be out and alive in the world in concrete acts and policies whereby the fearful anxiety among us is dispatched and adversaries can be turned to allies and to friends.
In the same manner, our mandate is not to strike out first and keep others at a distance in an attempt to be seen as the all powerful and in control of all things. Imagine a world where our first goal was to build allies and friends. The amount of money that goes into what Eisenhower called the military-industrial complex would still be supported but to a much lesser extent. Rather, our abundance would be made part of the strategy to create justice and feed and care for the poor of the world. That is no pie-in-the-sky notion. It is a sensible way of attempting to live together in peace...in the way of Jesus. At least that is what I would call it. Others may accept this notion and call it something else. When we are the followers of this Lord, Jesus, who has ascended and is now eternally available to us, his vision now becomes accessible to us. It is now...us. We are not the anxiety-creating religious group who serves up threat and worry about what will be. Rather we are the cadre of people who begin living within this contrary rule where anxiety is real but it does not control us.
Connection: During the day make note of what "keeps things together" for you as you go about all the tasks and business of the day. What is at the center of your life that keeps you available to others?
Lord of the Universe, you tell us that you hold all things together and yet we so often let the anxiety of the day rule us and take us away from your presence. And yet, you are always near - even as we face the worst of what may come to us. We pray for patience and peace. Amen.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Tuesday 22 May 2007
With Jesus' ascension and the new rule in place, Brueggemann suggests three urgent issues where we may take into account this regime change. Here is #2:
Jesus has given a new commandment, that we love one another... And Jesus when to great length to identify "sister and brother" as everyone, including those most unlike us, those who do not fit, those who upset us and make us uncomfortable.
What a gospel word in a society that is increasingly given over to exclusion, to hate, and to vengeance! There is an ideology at work among us that wants to make the world very small, in order to make it safe for us, and to exclude and eliminate everyone who is not like us.
It is this expansiveness of this invitation to "love one another" that becomes such a heated point even within the bounds of the "church." I know I am very willing to draw that line between here and there. That is a part of how I participate in our brokenness. But we are given a commandment that is meant to break the bonds of that slavery to limits and partial love (that is...no love at all) that builds to the point of infection. The infection is that we let hate and vengeance and exclusion turn the peace of the body into a sickly being unable to live within the abundance we noted yesterday. To be quite honest, I find it so hard to live within this gospel word when I want to take sides and be able to distance myself from others. But the gospel keeps standing its ground and inserting its word of hopefulness and renewal into every day. This will continue...forever....because this love that is to be among us...never ends...and cannot be shut down.
Connection: I know we can each use someone (some others) to help us note when our lives appear to be unhealthy - infected - overcome by the elements of life that are contrary to this love we are to share. Let's share the love and not the dis-ease.
Healing Lord, it is by your grace that we continue to move through the many walls that attempt to separate us and even become warring powers against others. Make us instruments of your shalom and a community enriched by your love. Amen.
Jesus has given a new commandment, that we love one another... And Jesus when to great length to identify "sister and brother" as everyone, including those most unlike us, those who do not fit, those who upset us and make us uncomfortable.
What a gospel word in a society that is increasingly given over to exclusion, to hate, and to vengeance! There is an ideology at work among us that wants to make the world very small, in order to make it safe for us, and to exclude and eliminate everyone who is not like us.
It is this expansiveness of this invitation to "love one another" that becomes such a heated point even within the bounds of the "church." I know I am very willing to draw that line between here and there. That is a part of how I participate in our brokenness. But we are given a commandment that is meant to break the bonds of that slavery to limits and partial love (that is...no love at all) that builds to the point of infection. The infection is that we let hate and vengeance and exclusion turn the peace of the body into a sickly being unable to live within the abundance we noted yesterday. To be quite honest, I find it so hard to live within this gospel word when I want to take sides and be able to distance myself from others. But the gospel keeps standing its ground and inserting its word of hopefulness and renewal into every day. This will continue...forever....because this love that is to be among us...never ends...and cannot be shut down.
Connection: I know we can each use someone (some others) to help us note when our lives appear to be unhealthy - infected - overcome by the elements of life that are contrary to this love we are to share. Let's share the love and not the dis-ease.
Healing Lord, it is by your grace that we continue to move through the many walls that attempt to separate us and even become warring powers against others. Make us instruments of your shalom and a community enriched by your love. Amen.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Monday 21 May 2007
Sorry for the miss on Friday - computer problems.
With Jesus' ascension and the new rule in place, Brueggemann suggests three urgent issues where we may take into account this regime change. Here is #1:
Jesus has come that we may have an abundant life. His feeding narratives attest that the generosity of God is assured wherever Jesus rules in the earth and we count on that generosity. And that means...that our common practices of greed, of the pursuit of consumer goods, of the frantic effort to acquire more, are both inappropriate and unnecessary. Our society hungers always for more: more body surgery, more cosmetics, more cars, more beer, more sex. more certitude, more security, more money, more power, more oil...whatever. This hunger for more is a true sign that we do not trust the goodness of God to supply all of our needs; we do not trust that the generous rule of Jesus who has ascended to power is in effect.
We are really a people so called into a new life for all...that our life together is invited to be a completely new creature. This abundant life is to be for all God's people. And yet, we can so quickly be turned by words and stories that attempt to bring the ways and values of the world into our own lives as foundational aspects of our community. But we are not called to be self-focused. We are invited to be a generous people. That may be in the area of "goods." That is, we may be called to be generous with what we have been given in order to make sure that those with less than what we have will begin to be supported and uplifted. Generosity means we do not feel compelled to hold on. Rather, we can be free to let go and risk be generous with our lives and our goods. I would like to include in this notion of generosity the possibility that our communities might become more generous with our space - how it is used and who is welcome into it with us. This may even mean we become overwhelmed by a generosity of heart. This is a great leap. This is when we begin to take that which is most central to the life we have and we begin to open it up for the well-being of others...to let it go for others...to experience the transforming power of giving something up for the other - for us all.
Connection: We already have been given an abundant life. Now, we are faced with a day in which we are invited to live within that abundance - share it - celebrate it - reach out and take note of how much more abundant it becomes when we are graced by the abundance of gifts in those around us. Wow.
Spirit of Life, you bring life that we have the difficulty accepting as our own. You gift us with time to reflect on whose we are and what we have as your children. Then as we gather in your name and when our gifts are all gathered together, you inspire us to give them away in acts so generous, we look to the world to be a strange people. We simply say we are a blessed people. Amen.
With Jesus' ascension and the new rule in place, Brueggemann suggests three urgent issues where we may take into account this regime change. Here is #1:
Jesus has come that we may have an abundant life. His feeding narratives attest that the generosity of God is assured wherever Jesus rules in the earth and we count on that generosity. And that means...that our common practices of greed, of the pursuit of consumer goods, of the frantic effort to acquire more, are both inappropriate and unnecessary. Our society hungers always for more: more body surgery, more cosmetics, more cars, more beer, more sex. more certitude, more security, more money, more power, more oil...whatever. This hunger for more is a true sign that we do not trust the goodness of God to supply all of our needs; we do not trust that the generous rule of Jesus who has ascended to power is in effect.
We are really a people so called into a new life for all...that our life together is invited to be a completely new creature. This abundant life is to be for all God's people. And yet, we can so quickly be turned by words and stories that attempt to bring the ways and values of the world into our own lives as foundational aspects of our community. But we are not called to be self-focused. We are invited to be a generous people. That may be in the area of "goods." That is, we may be called to be generous with what we have been given in order to make sure that those with less than what we have will begin to be supported and uplifted. Generosity means we do not feel compelled to hold on. Rather, we can be free to let go and risk be generous with our lives and our goods. I would like to include in this notion of generosity the possibility that our communities might become more generous with our space - how it is used and who is welcome into it with us. This may even mean we become overwhelmed by a generosity of heart. This is a great leap. This is when we begin to take that which is most central to the life we have and we begin to open it up for the well-being of others...to let it go for others...to experience the transforming power of giving something up for the other - for us all.
Connection: We already have been given an abundant life. Now, we are faced with a day in which we are invited to live within that abundance - share it - celebrate it - reach out and take note of how much more abundant it becomes when we are graced by the abundance of gifts in those around us. Wow.
Spirit of Life, you bring life that we have the difficulty accepting as our own. You gift us with time to reflect on whose we are and what we have as your children. Then as we gather in your name and when our gifts are all gathered together, you inspire us to give them away in acts so generous, we look to the world to be a strange people. We simply say we are a blessed people. Amen.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Thursday 17 May 2007
More about this God who is over all things and for us at all times - again from Walter Brueggemann.
This father-God to whom we pray "our father" rides the clouds not as a joy rider, but rather to be in a position to see and to know and to care and to intervene and to feed and to heal and to forgive and to reconcile and to liberate. It turns out that ascension, whereby God is celebrated in power, is a claim that the earth is ordered differently because of the one who governs it.
Under this Reign "the earth is ordered differently." We begin to see the order of that Reign when we listen to the voices of scripture that serve to call us to a new way to build an order in life that makes sure of the welfare of all of God's people. This is an order in which those without bread, health care, shelter, and a time and place to bring about some re-creation will be brought into a life of abundant care and a life-giving nourishment. Our God who is poetically placed above us, is, by that imaginative placement, completely available to all in all times. Now, it is to those who know such a God that we are invited to walk within that order of a new creation. It is not going to look like the world we see around us - a world that is based on a hierarchy of worth. Rather, this "father-God" will be the one who liberates all and sets us all on a common ground so that we will see each other face to face and begin to treat one another as the beloved of God - all one people.
Connection: Based on the love of God for all of us, how will you day be ordered? What will be the path you upon which you will walk? How will God's presence be seen among us within the order we follow?
Lord of New Life, we come again and again into your presence and we ask that your will be done among us. We ask that by the power of your Spirit, our live will dance within the order of your life-giving power for all. Amen.
This father-God to whom we pray "our father" rides the clouds not as a joy rider, but rather to be in a position to see and to know and to care and to intervene and to feed and to heal and to forgive and to reconcile and to liberate. It turns out that ascension, whereby God is celebrated in power, is a claim that the earth is ordered differently because of the one who governs it.
Under this Reign "the earth is ordered differently." We begin to see the order of that Reign when we listen to the voices of scripture that serve to call us to a new way to build an order in life that makes sure of the welfare of all of God's people. This is an order in which those without bread, health care, shelter, and a time and place to bring about some re-creation will be brought into a life of abundant care and a life-giving nourishment. Our God who is poetically placed above us, is, by that imaginative placement, completely available to all in all times. Now, it is to those who know such a God that we are invited to walk within that order of a new creation. It is not going to look like the world we see around us - a world that is based on a hierarchy of worth. Rather, this "father-God" will be the one who liberates all and sets us all on a common ground so that we will see each other face to face and begin to treat one another as the beloved of God - all one people.
Connection: Based on the love of God for all of us, how will you day be ordered? What will be the path you upon which you will walk? How will God's presence be seen among us within the order we follow?
Lord of New Life, we come again and again into your presence and we ask that your will be done among us. We ask that by the power of your Spirit, our live will dance within the order of your life-giving power for all. Amen.
Wednesday 16 May 2007
Today's devotion again is based from the book "Mandate to Difference" by Walter Brueggemann.
First Brueggemann wrote of the "ascent to power" in Psalm 68. Now he moves to another word in that Psalm.
It turns out that God's reign is not simply about power. It is about a relationship of caring fidelity, wherein God is in solidarity with the most vulnerable and the most needy in society, which in ancient Israel includes...orphans who lack a protector in a patriarchal society...widows who lack a male protector in a patriarchal society...prisoners who, then as now, were characteristically poor people who lacked resources or a smart lawyer.
It turns out that the one who has ascended into power is not transcendent in remoteness, is not splendid in indifference, but is deeply in touch with the reality of the earth where money and power and societal leverage and differentiation of gender, race, and class leave some dangerously exposed.
After reading "Infidel" by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, I am caught by the images of our God who becomes the protector of the widow and orphans. She wrote of the dangerous places women are placed in patriarchal society even in our day. It is too easy to say women and orphans do not need to worry in a society like ours, but if we simply look around we will see in the poor just such brothers and sisters and as they sit in poverty and danger, we give our resources to the powers of the day so that we can boost our machismo that we think is real power. We are blessed with a God who touches and comes close. We are invited to come as close and touch one another with just such a loving presence that risks to work for justice and the healing of our world. Yes, our God is powerful. Unfortunately, we forget to consider how this power is a power for those who are without power or status or security. It is power on behalf of. It is power that risks defeat and scorn in order to lift up the lowly. It is the power of the mother hen bringing in the vulnerable and putting herself between the powers of threat and her defenseless chicks.
Connection: We are the saints of God available and on the front lines of the moving power of compassion that can change the condition of those around us. To be in such a place and to be a witness to this serving power of God, may begin with our seeing. We begin to move for and with those in need by first taking a second look to find the ones we would usually scoot by.
O God, you touch is one that forgets no one. We are each blessed by your willingness to again empower your people to be your image in the world. We long for peace and justice and we pray that by your Spirit we will be encouraged to take the steps in our lives that press for both justice and peace and the welfare of all. Amen.
First Brueggemann wrote of the "ascent to power" in Psalm 68. Now he moves to another word in that Psalm.
It turns out that God's reign is not simply about power. It is about a relationship of caring fidelity, wherein God is in solidarity with the most vulnerable and the most needy in society, which in ancient Israel includes...orphans who lack a protector in a patriarchal society...widows who lack a male protector in a patriarchal society...prisoners who, then as now, were characteristically poor people who lacked resources or a smart lawyer.
It turns out that the one who has ascended into power is not transcendent in remoteness, is not splendid in indifference, but is deeply in touch with the reality of the earth where money and power and societal leverage and differentiation of gender, race, and class leave some dangerously exposed.
After reading "Infidel" by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, I am caught by the images of our God who becomes the protector of the widow and orphans. She wrote of the dangerous places women are placed in patriarchal society even in our day. It is too easy to say women and orphans do not need to worry in a society like ours, but if we simply look around we will see in the poor just such brothers and sisters and as they sit in poverty and danger, we give our resources to the powers of the day so that we can boost our machismo that we think is real power. We are blessed with a God who touches and comes close. We are invited to come as close and touch one another with just such a loving presence that risks to work for justice and the healing of our world. Yes, our God is powerful. Unfortunately, we forget to consider how this power is a power for those who are without power or status or security. It is power on behalf of. It is power that risks defeat and scorn in order to lift up the lowly. It is the power of the mother hen bringing in the vulnerable and putting herself between the powers of threat and her defenseless chicks.
Connection: We are the saints of God available and on the front lines of the moving power of compassion that can change the condition of those around us. To be in such a place and to be a witness to this serving power of God, may begin with our seeing. We begin to move for and with those in need by first taking a second look to find the ones we would usually scoot by.
O God, you touch is one that forgets no one. We are each blessed by your willingness to again empower your people to be your image in the world. We long for peace and justice and we pray that by your Spirit we will be encouraged to take the steps in our lives that press for both justice and peace and the welfare of all. Amen.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Tuesday 15 May 2007
Today we continue on in "Mandate to Difference" by Walter Brueggemann.
Think back with me to what the church celebrates as the Ascension of Jesus... The ascension refers to the poetic, imaginative claim of the church that the risen Jesus has "gone up" to share power and honor and glory and majesty with God. It is a claim made in our creed that "he ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the father almighty.
As Brueggemann will point out there is nothing scientific about this claim - in fact it is prescientific. It is a claim and an affirmation of the position Jesus now holds in our lives. Is he gone? No. Jesus is completely available for all - always - in every place. This position is one that bring to mind who we are and the life we have been invited to share each day. For me, another way of saying that is to remember the simple creed, "Jesus is Lord." Lord of a way...Lord of a life...Lord of a contrary vision that is not going to fall in line with the grand visions of nations and kings and presidents. We are talking about the Lord of Love and the Prince of Peace. When we come within the availability of that Reign, we are indeed living within something other than the dominant culture. Brueggemann takes the poetic imagery of the ascension and ties it to the imagery of Psalm 68 and the ascent to power of God into a recognizable position among the cultures of that day. It makes me think of the procession at the beginning of worship. We stand, we sing, we turn to the cross as it is carried at the front of a procession, we carry banners, we dress in robes, we are reminded of the grandeur and power of our God in Christ, Jesus, in the middle of all of us ordinary folk. All of that stuff -the robes...he banners...the singing...the procession itself - is all a part of the poetic imagery that is meant to lift us up to see the image of the Christ as Lord of All with us and calling us and always present.
Connection: Remember, poetic imagination does not need to be scientifically proven. It cannot be. Rather, within these images we are lifted up to face whatever will come to us because we can see beyond the appearances of all things to the power that makes all things come to life. Therefore, we can act contrary to the norms of society. We can be the children of this available God - even now.
In all time and in ever place, O God, you are graciously present to receive us into your Reign. As we walk within that domain, we find encouragement in the many stories of your love for us through the ages and how, even now, you preside over a new life into which we are invited to leap....for Joy. Amen.
Think back with me to what the church celebrates as the Ascension of Jesus... The ascension refers to the poetic, imaginative claim of the church that the risen Jesus has "gone up" to share power and honor and glory and majesty with God. It is a claim made in our creed that "he ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the father almighty.
As Brueggemann will point out there is nothing scientific about this claim - in fact it is prescientific. It is a claim and an affirmation of the position Jesus now holds in our lives. Is he gone? No. Jesus is completely available for all - always - in every place. This position is one that bring to mind who we are and the life we have been invited to share each day. For me, another way of saying that is to remember the simple creed, "Jesus is Lord." Lord of a way...Lord of a life...Lord of a contrary vision that is not going to fall in line with the grand visions of nations and kings and presidents. We are talking about the Lord of Love and the Prince of Peace. When we come within the availability of that Reign, we are indeed living within something other than the dominant culture. Brueggemann takes the poetic imagery of the ascension and ties it to the imagery of Psalm 68 and the ascent to power of God into a recognizable position among the cultures of that day. It makes me think of the procession at the beginning of worship. We stand, we sing, we turn to the cross as it is carried at the front of a procession, we carry banners, we dress in robes, we are reminded of the grandeur and power of our God in Christ, Jesus, in the middle of all of us ordinary folk. All of that stuff -the robes...he banners...the singing...the procession itself - is all a part of the poetic imagery that is meant to lift us up to see the image of the Christ as Lord of All with us and calling us and always present.
Connection: Remember, poetic imagination does not need to be scientifically proven. It cannot be. Rather, within these images we are lifted up to face whatever will come to us because we can see beyond the appearances of all things to the power that makes all things come to life. Therefore, we can act contrary to the norms of society. We can be the children of this available God - even now.
In all time and in ever place, O God, you are graciously present to receive us into your Reign. As we walk within that domain, we find encouragement in the many stories of your love for us through the ages and how, even now, you preside over a new life into which we are invited to leap....for Joy. Amen.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Monday 14 May 2007
After several weeks in parables, today we are making a move into selections from "Mandate to Difference by Walter Brueggemann.
You might think
You might think
- if you cringe at the boisterous, cocky new sound of religion in politics,
- if you worry about the divisiveness of "red" and "blue" and
- If you are vexed that too many people claim to be speaking directly for Christ...
you might thing that our Christian faith is all about getting the moral issues right and leveraging others to think and act the right way, as do we. But if you think that, you are very wrong, because such contemporary loud posturing is not so much about faith as it is about anxiety and maintaining control in the world. Our faith, I propose, is not about pinning down moral certitudes. It is rather, about openness to wonder and awe in glad praise. (p.1)
These are the opening words of chapter one. Brueggemann doesn't waste any time jumping in and attempting to help us all look more deeply at who we are and what possibilities we have for living in the time we exist. I find that it is so easy to be caught up in the issues of the day that attempt to drive me around between here and there. As I often find, some of this running around is just that...running....running....hoping to be right or at least show that the other side might be wrong. When I fall prey to such work and posturing, it is very difficult to dream. Faith becomes a fixed target - a goal - a plan - a "must be." It is a seductive game and pulls at us all the time. But, as Brueggemann writes, faith...is about openness to wonder and awe in glad praise. Faith is not a calculated move. It is rather, a move that may be more like a leap that looks and even feels odd and out of place and, quite frankly, embarrassing in the middle of all the "common sense" that we are told we should always have. To be open to such a reality that is beyond our control and yet open too our participation gives us the space to look again at promises and covenants and eternity and the fullness of time in which we find ourselves. And there, out of the control of a lame moral certitude, we are introduced again to that awe of God that draws from us simple praise that is released from a relieved heart and life.
Connection: Pause. That could be what we need to do again and again in these days. Pause. Pause. As we are pulled between here and there....pause and wonder about the creative and redeeming presence of our God with us.
Within your embrace, O God, we are given a place within this day to journey beyond what appears to be so fixed and in place and in control within our world. You still liberate your people and yet we so often refuse to be liberated. We remain within our warring worlds rather than turn and walk into another way that trusts your abiding presence that is already healing the world. Amen.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Friday 11 May 2007
We end the week with the ending tagged onto the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt. (Luke 18:9) "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God I thank you that I am not like other people; thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' (Luke 18:10-12) But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" (Luke 18:13) I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted. (Luke 18:14)
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt. (Luke 18:9) "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God I thank you that I am not like other people; thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' (Luke 18:10-12) But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" (Luke 18:13) I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted. (Luke 18:14)
We are given our place in the Reign of God. It is not something we can plan to achieve. It is not something for which we plot. We are not expected to make an argument about who we are and how we are who we are. We are to claim that we are gifted - we are the beloved of God - we trust that what God had done and how God sees us is enough. The Pharisee was not at all ready to settle into that reality - even in the temple. He was within the walls of what one could say was the "home" of God in in mindset of the Jews, and yet he felt the need to justify himself and to also stand there at the expense of others. He was at home and yet he could not be as one who is at home and safe and beloved. What great sorry there is in that picture. Home is the place in which we can be vulnerable to the point of opening up and being honest with all of our shortcomings but also with our great thanks that we are forgiven and welcome even when we do not warrant such hospitality. When we do not try to make the world spin around us, there is great opportunity to see the beauty of God's Reign and to see how interconnected we all are. To be in the temple together - to be in our congregations together - to look around and see those not like me and yet still with us in temple or congregation is a vision of life that we do not make ourselves. It is a gift that exalts all of us.
Connection: The home of God is among God's people and that puts us right in the middle of that home no matter where we will venture today. Be here - today - as though those around us are truly our brothers and sisters within God's Reign.
We give you thanks, O God, for bringing us all home. We give you thanks for not waiting for us to come back to you. We give you thanks for being the power that creates a home even when we attempt to separate and divide. We are humbled by your gracious love and we long to be empowered for life by such graciousness. Amen.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Thursday 10 May 2007
Today we enter into the ending section of the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt. (Luke 18:9) "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God I thank you that I am not like other people; thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' (Luke 18:10-12) But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" (Luke 18:13)
There is a difference between the Pharisee "standing by himself" and the tax collector "standing far off." The Pharisee is separating himself from other by way of privilege and by viewing the world from the perspective of a hierarchy in which he is up toward the top. The tax collector is put in his position. He is one that this Pharisee and others expect to be put off at a distance. They create the distance. Even if he wanted to come close, he would not find his movement appreciated by those who have been able to rise to the top of this hierarchy of privilege. In this parable we are viewing a tear in the fabric of God's people. The God who rescued the people from such a hierarchy in Egypt and then acted again to shake up the oppressive hierarchy of Israel before the Exile does not want a temple with a split in the household. Walter Brueggemann writes about how the temple itself was set up to keep in place this kind of division. There were various levels of acceptance in the temple - places for Gentiles, for women, for men, for priests, etc. And yet, as we can see, Jesus is even noting the divisions within the divisions. What leads to such separation? An abandonment of the vision of the Reign of God. A vision of self and power that transcends the vision of God's Reign. Who is to be welcome - fully? All of God's people...not all of my people...all of God's people.
Connection: It is so easy to live by lines and barriers. It seems safe and it appears to work. But no matter what those lines and barriers we put in place in our lives today, none of them make us a part of this great vision of God's Reign.
You, O Lord, are our God, the only one who bring life that is beyond our pettiness and our idolatry. Continue to show us your ways and by your Spirit, make us a courageous people of love, mercy, justice, and peace. Amen.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt. (Luke 18:9) "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God I thank you that I am not like other people; thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' (Luke 18:10-12) But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" (Luke 18:13)
There is a difference between the Pharisee "standing by himself" and the tax collector "standing far off." The Pharisee is separating himself from other by way of privilege and by viewing the world from the perspective of a hierarchy in which he is up toward the top. The tax collector is put in his position. He is one that this Pharisee and others expect to be put off at a distance. They create the distance. Even if he wanted to come close, he would not find his movement appreciated by those who have been able to rise to the top of this hierarchy of privilege. In this parable we are viewing a tear in the fabric of God's people. The God who rescued the people from such a hierarchy in Egypt and then acted again to shake up the oppressive hierarchy of Israel before the Exile does not want a temple with a split in the household. Walter Brueggemann writes about how the temple itself was set up to keep in place this kind of division. There were various levels of acceptance in the temple - places for Gentiles, for women, for men, for priests, etc. And yet, as we can see, Jesus is even noting the divisions within the divisions. What leads to such separation? An abandonment of the vision of the Reign of God. A vision of self and power that transcends the vision of God's Reign. Who is to be welcome - fully? All of God's people...not all of my people...all of God's people.
Connection: It is so easy to live by lines and barriers. It seems safe and it appears to work. But no matter what those lines and barriers we put in place in our lives today, none of them make us a part of this great vision of God's Reign.
You, O Lord, are our God, the only one who bring life that is beyond our pettiness and our idolatry. Continue to show us your ways and by your Spirit, make us a courageous people of love, mercy, justice, and peace. Amen.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Wednesday 9 May 2007
Now that we have set the prelude to this new parable yesterday, we can move into it.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt. (Luke 18:9) "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God I thank you that I am not like other people; thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' (Luke 18:10-12)
The most striking image here is that we have these two men up at the temple. It was a place filled with people. It was where the people of Israel gathered to worship their God...and this is the God of all who gather. Well, within that setting , the Pharisee is "standing by himself." Separated from other. This "holy" man is separated from others. It is a place he chooses to be - separated from others...by himself. That would also lead us to say that he is separated from the God to whom he prayers. In this faith, to be separated from either God or others is to be separated from the other. This is a definition of sin. So we have this Pharisee, piously praying about the condition of others and what a "good boy am I," and yet, he does not see his great separation from the God to whom he prays. He approaches God not as one who has been graciously embraced by God. He approaches God as one who has earned the right to be in God's presence by what he has been able to do. He counts on himself. He is breaking the first commandment upon which all commandments are based. He has placed himself and his actions above the actions of the one God of all.
Connection: Sometimes amnesia would not be so bad. That is, if it allowed us to stay present with those around us without looking back at what we have done - to the good or to the bad. For in that moment, we would all be together at a point of equality that may allow us to look at and treat others as though we are in the presence of God when we are with them.
Come, O God of This New Day. Come and remind us of your love and how you invite us to reconsider all the ways we judge and value life so that we might begin to look at our neighbors with the love you have for us. Amen.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt. (Luke 18:9) "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God I thank you that I am not like other people; thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' (Luke 18:10-12)
The most striking image here is that we have these two men up at the temple. It was a place filled with people. It was where the people of Israel gathered to worship their God...and this is the God of all who gather. Well, within that setting , the Pharisee is "standing by himself." Separated from other. This "holy" man is separated from others. It is a place he chooses to be - separated from others...by himself. That would also lead us to say that he is separated from the God to whom he prayers. In this faith, to be separated from either God or others is to be separated from the other. This is a definition of sin. So we have this Pharisee, piously praying about the condition of others and what a "good boy am I," and yet, he does not see his great separation from the God to whom he prays. He approaches God not as one who has been graciously embraced by God. He approaches God as one who has earned the right to be in God's presence by what he has been able to do. He counts on himself. He is breaking the first commandment upon which all commandments are based. He has placed himself and his actions above the actions of the one God of all.
Connection: Sometimes amnesia would not be so bad. That is, if it allowed us to stay present with those around us without looking back at what we have done - to the good or to the bad. For in that moment, we would all be together at a point of equality that may allow us to look at and treat others as though we are in the presence of God when we are with them.
Come, O God of This New Day. Come and remind us of your love and how you invite us to reconsider all the ways we judge and value life so that we might begin to look at our neighbors with the love you have for us. Amen.
Tuesday 8 May 2007
We begin a look at a new parable today.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt. (Luke 18:9)
No one likes to be put into this category - but we all plop down into this mindset now and then. Unfortunately, it is not merely a mindset...it touches on what we believe to be the truth about life. The Good News is something we hear that awakens us to our God whose love and mercy is extended to all - not holding back on anyone. When I start to view myself as standing a bit higher on a mythical ladder that extends up to God and there are others who are seen as being below me, that begins to have an impact on how I will act toward them. If there is no ladder...no climbing...no measurement between me and you...and no judgment between us, the ground is quite level. We stand in the eyes of God as one people - beloved. God makes that call for all. The "saving" word of the Christ, Jesus, is one that brings down the heights and brings up the depths of our lives and gives us all complete access to our God and to one anther. Without this work by God on our behalf, we too often continue to judge, ridicule, forbid, deny, puff up our heads, and all the other wonderful games that come to life when we begin to evaluate the worth of other and our own world on the basis of our views and opinions.
Connection: So before the day even begins, it is easy to find ourselves someplace on that ladder. With that we will inevitably put others higher and lower on the ladder and that begins to take control of the day. It may make my day to change positions on the ladder - but this is the day the Lord, God, has made. Ladders have been cast down!
O Lord God, it is by your love that each of us begins to see the glory of your Reign that builds a community of people whose lives are seen within the power of your love that creates and renews. We give you thanks for your glorious love. Amen.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt. (Luke 18:9)
No one likes to be put into this category - but we all plop down into this mindset now and then. Unfortunately, it is not merely a mindset...it touches on what we believe to be the truth about life. The Good News is something we hear that awakens us to our God whose love and mercy is extended to all - not holding back on anyone. When I start to view myself as standing a bit higher on a mythical ladder that extends up to God and there are others who are seen as being below me, that begins to have an impact on how I will act toward them. If there is no ladder...no climbing...no measurement between me and you...and no judgment between us, the ground is quite level. We stand in the eyes of God as one people - beloved. God makes that call for all. The "saving" word of the Christ, Jesus, is one that brings down the heights and brings up the depths of our lives and gives us all complete access to our God and to one anther. Without this work by God on our behalf, we too often continue to judge, ridicule, forbid, deny, puff up our heads, and all the other wonderful games that come to life when we begin to evaluate the worth of other and our own world on the basis of our views and opinions.
Connection: So before the day even begins, it is easy to find ourselves someplace on that ladder. With that we will inevitably put others higher and lower on the ladder and that begins to take control of the day. It may make my day to change positions on the ladder - but this is the day the Lord, God, has made. Ladders have been cast down!
O Lord God, it is by your love that each of us begins to see the glory of your Reign that builds a community of people whose lives are seen within the power of your love that creates and renews. We give you thanks for your glorious love. Amen.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
We begin this week in the middle of the parable from last week: The widow and the unjust judge.
Then Jesus told them a parable about the need to pray always and not to lose heart. (Luke18:1) He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' (Luke 18:2-3) For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" (Luke 18:4-5)
Again and again she came to the judge. Non-violent civil disobedience is also about this kind of "again and again" - even when nothing seems like it will bring justice. We continue to pray for the healing of the world and for justice and reign and peace to sit down alongside justice...and yet, we are witnesses to corruption and special interests and those with little or no power being trampled or simply forgotten ( a slow trampling). We pray and we work for justice without being assured that the world will change. And yet, we continue. Even the powers of the world have a history of bending under the pleas of minorities and the oppressed and the dispossessed. Those constant prayers that take the shape of actions of resistance where the unexpected is expected to come and change all things. Great examples of this prayer-full living can be seen in the life of Gandhi who challenged the British Empire with the simplicity of honest calls for justice - honest depiction of the injustice of so much of the life within the legal system of Empire. The British - an honorable people - were finally able to see themselves and the hell they brought to life. It was this constant prayer-full life that exposed them and made them look at themselves. If such powers can be made to change and give in and establish justice, then we too can be moved to expect that our God - who loves us without end - will bring forth justice. Until that day, we are agents of that justice on the way. Persist.
Connection: Seeking justice is a persistent adventure. It doesn't always see the end of injustice. Therefore, be encouraged to be patient and remain active for the welfare of others.
There is no justice greater than your will to bring all your people together as one within your Reign of peace, O God. In the middle of that vision we wait and live and pray and hope for signs of your beloved community to emerge within this day. Amen.l
Then Jesus told them a parable about the need to pray always and not to lose heart. (Luke18:1) He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' (Luke 18:2-3) For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" (Luke 18:4-5)
Again and again she came to the judge. Non-violent civil disobedience is also about this kind of "again and again" - even when nothing seems like it will bring justice. We continue to pray for the healing of the world and for justice and reign and peace to sit down alongside justice...and yet, we are witnesses to corruption and special interests and those with little or no power being trampled or simply forgotten ( a slow trampling). We pray and we work for justice without being assured that the world will change. And yet, we continue. Even the powers of the world have a history of bending under the pleas of minorities and the oppressed and the dispossessed. Those constant prayers that take the shape of actions of resistance where the unexpected is expected to come and change all things. Great examples of this prayer-full living can be seen in the life of Gandhi who challenged the British Empire with the simplicity of honest calls for justice - honest depiction of the injustice of so much of the life within the legal system of Empire. The British - an honorable people - were finally able to see themselves and the hell they brought to life. It was this constant prayer-full life that exposed them and made them look at themselves. If such powers can be made to change and give in and establish justice, then we too can be moved to expect that our God - who loves us without end - will bring forth justice. Until that day, we are agents of that justice on the way. Persist.
Connection: Seeking justice is a persistent adventure. It doesn't always see the end of injustice. Therefore, be encouraged to be patient and remain active for the welfare of others.
There is no justice greater than your will to bring all your people together as one within your Reign of peace, O God. In the middle of that vision we wait and live and pray and hope for signs of your beloved community to emerge within this day. Amen.l
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Friday 4 May 2007
So, let's actually move into this parable today.
Then Jesus told them a parable about the need to pray always and not to lose heart. (Luke18:1) He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' (Luke 18:2-3)
We have a powerful person here. The judge appears to be an island to himself and also a person who sees that there is no need to be connected - to anyone! There was no awe in regard to God and I would suggest that such a lack of awe is unfortunate. It is unfortunate because it shows that this judge may not see the vision of God's Reign and the life that it creates and manifests and builds. Therefore, why have awe of God if God is simply a "supreme being" with whom we have no contact. The awe comes, for me, when we are given the vision to see the life that begins to unfold as the vision of God's Reign begins taking place in the lives of those who are filled with awe of what God is able to create among us...by using us. In front of the judge is an opportunity. There in the presence of a widow - a powerless woman - is the gateway into another reality that is a available as merely the act of paying attention and responding. This widow seeks the well-being, the healing, the mercy, the wholeness, the shalom, the justice that is all a part of the Reign of God. Unfortunately, the Judge doesn't appear to be to aware of here urgent need. I always have to remember that she is not seeking to have another person "done in." She is seeking justice. That may mean she will not receive all that she wants...but she will receive justice. Big difference.
Connection: Sometimes we simply need to hold things up and press for the time that is needed to bring justice among us. Even when the powers of the day - no matter what their shape - do not listen or care not about such concerns. Within this day, we will all experience opportunities to keep our ground - be grounded...and begin to change what is.
Come, Holy Spirit, and help us to patiently and persistently seek justice within our day. Without such power, we too often settle for the imbalance of our world. Amen.
Then Jesus told them a parable about the need to pray always and not to lose heart. (Luke18:1) He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' (Luke 18:2-3)
We have a powerful person here. The judge appears to be an island to himself and also a person who sees that there is no need to be connected - to anyone! There was no awe in regard to God and I would suggest that such a lack of awe is unfortunate. It is unfortunate because it shows that this judge may not see the vision of God's Reign and the life that it creates and manifests and builds. Therefore, why have awe of God if God is simply a "supreme being" with whom we have no contact. The awe comes, for me, when we are given the vision to see the life that begins to unfold as the vision of God's Reign begins taking place in the lives of those who are filled with awe of what God is able to create among us...by using us. In front of the judge is an opportunity. There in the presence of a widow - a powerless woman - is the gateway into another reality that is a available as merely the act of paying attention and responding. This widow seeks the well-being, the healing, the mercy, the wholeness, the shalom, the justice that is all a part of the Reign of God. Unfortunately, the Judge doesn't appear to be to aware of here urgent need. I always have to remember that she is not seeking to have another person "done in." She is seeking justice. That may mean she will not receive all that she wants...but she will receive justice. Big difference.
Connection: Sometimes we simply need to hold things up and press for the time that is needed to bring justice among us. Even when the powers of the day - no matter what their shape - do not listen or care not about such concerns. Within this day, we will all experience opportunities to keep our ground - be grounded...and begin to change what is.
Come, Holy Spirit, and help us to patiently and persistently seek justice within our day. Without such power, we too often settle for the imbalance of our world. Amen.
Friday 4 May 2007
So, let's actually move into this parable today.
Then Jesus told them a parable about the need to pray always and not to lose heart. (Luke18:1) He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' (Luke 18:2-3)
We have a powerful person here. The judge appears to be an island to himself and also a person who sees that there is no need to be connected - to anyone! There was no awe in regard to God and I would suggest that such a lack of awe is unfortunate. It is unfortunate because it shows that this judge may not see the vision of God's Reign and the life that it creates and manifests and builds. Therefore, why have awe of God if God is simply a "supreme being" with whom we have no contact. The awe comes, for me, when we are given the vision to see the life that begins to unfold as the vision of God's Reign begins taking place in the lives of those who are filled with awe of what God is able to create among us...by using us. In front of the judge is an opportunity. There in the presence of a widow - a powerless woman - is the gateway into another reality that is a available as merely the act of paying attention and responding. This widow seeks the well-being, the healing, the mercy, the wholeness, the shalom, the justice that is all a part of the Reign of God. Unfortunately, the Judge doesn't appear to be to aware of here urgent need. I always have to remember that she is not seeking to have another person "done in." She is seeking justice. That may mean she will not receive all that she wants...but she will receive justice. Big difference.
Connection: Sometimes we simply need to hold things up and press for the time that is needed to bring justice among us. Even when the powers of the day - no matter what their shape - do not listen or care not about such concerns. Within this day, we will all experience opportunities to keep our ground - be grounded...and begin to change what is.
Come, Holy Spirit, and help us to patiently and persistently seek justice within our day. Without such power, we too often settle for the imbalance of our world. Amen.
Then Jesus told them a parable about the need to pray always and not to lose heart. (Luke18:1) He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' (Luke 18:2-3)
We have a powerful person here. The judge appears to be an island to himself and also a person who sees that there is no need to be connected - to anyone! There was no awe in regard to God and I would suggest that such a lack of awe is unfortunate. It is unfortunate because it shows that this judge may not see the vision of God's Reign and the life that it creates and manifests and builds. Therefore, why have awe of God if God is simply a "supreme being" with whom we have no contact. The awe comes, for me, when we are given the vision to see the life that begins to unfold as the vision of God's Reign begins taking place in the lives of those who are filled with awe of what God is able to create among us...by using us. In front of the judge is an opportunity. There in the presence of a widow - a powerless woman - is the gateway into another reality that is a available as merely the act of paying attention and responding. This widow seeks the well-being, the healing, the mercy, the wholeness, the shalom, the justice that is all a part of the Reign of God. Unfortunately, the Judge doesn't appear to be to aware of here urgent need. I always have to remember that she is not seeking to have another person "done in." She is seeking justice. That may mean she will not receive all that she wants...but she will receive justice. Big difference.
Connection: Sometimes we simply need to hold things up and press for the time that is needed to bring justice among us. Even when the powers of the day - no matter what their shape - do not listen or care not about such concerns. Within this day, we will all experience opportunities to keep our ground - be grounded...and begin to change what is.
Come, Holy Spirit, and help us to patiently and persistently seek justice within our day. Without such power, we too often settle for the imbalance of our world. Amen.
Thursday 3 May 2007
In the eighteenth chapter of Luke, there is a parable of a widow and and judge.
Then Jesus told them a parable about the need to pray always and not to lose heart. (Luke18:1)
I know the parable hasn't even started yet and here I go. Well, it seems to me that we are all in this boat. Prayer is a way of life within God's Reign - a way to be focused - a way to settled - a way to move through time - a way to breath. We are already characters within God's Promise for life....but now, we need to be present within that life. Prayer is how that happens. Prayer is as simple as a reminder of who you are in God's sight. That isn't a long prayer. It is as short as a breath taken between this moment and that moment. Remember that it is often between this moment and that moment that we all seem to forget whose we are. In that short of a time, it is easy to lose heart. I know I do! What we can expect within the moments of our lives is life that is transforming. Therefore it is all the more important to keep in mind and put into life the simple discipline of prayer. There is no need to see prayer as a chore. It is a breath - taken quickly or else nurtured for as long of a time as is needed. Losing heart can be devastating and it can be an experience that jumps on us. We all have to breathe. In that way, you could say that we all have time to have that vision of God's Reign and God's promise touch us on the head and hand us a new way to remain grounded in the middle of everything that tries to befuddle us.
Connection: Breathe. Prayer can be both the inhaling or the exhaling...or both. It can be the difference between a creative moment in time and one that is destructive. Breathe.
Lord of New Life, by your Spirit you coax us and bid us to stand within your Reign. When you touch our hearts and minds with the promise of your Reign, we begin to breathe by your Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit. Come and revive us again. Amen.
Then Jesus told them a parable about the need to pray always and not to lose heart. (Luke18:1)
I know the parable hasn't even started yet and here I go. Well, it seems to me that we are all in this boat. Prayer is a way of life within God's Reign - a way to be focused - a way to settled - a way to move through time - a way to breath. We are already characters within God's Promise for life....but now, we need to be present within that life. Prayer is how that happens. Prayer is as simple as a reminder of who you are in God's sight. That isn't a long prayer. It is as short as a breath taken between this moment and that moment. Remember that it is often between this moment and that moment that we all seem to forget whose we are. In that short of a time, it is easy to lose heart. I know I do! What we can expect within the moments of our lives is life that is transforming. Therefore it is all the more important to keep in mind and put into life the simple discipline of prayer. There is no need to see prayer as a chore. It is a breath - taken quickly or else nurtured for as long of a time as is needed. Losing heart can be devastating and it can be an experience that jumps on us. We all have to breathe. In that way, you could say that we all have time to have that vision of God's Reign and God's promise touch us on the head and hand us a new way to remain grounded in the middle of everything that tries to befuddle us.
Connection: Breathe. Prayer can be both the inhaling or the exhaling...or both. It can be the difference between a creative moment in time and one that is destructive. Breathe.
Lord of New Life, by your Spirit you coax us and bid us to stand within your Reign. When you touch our hearts and minds with the promise of your Reign, we begin to breathe by your Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit. Come and revive us again. Amen.
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