| Many of us know that there are parts of the liturgy that carry us over into the week. Walter Brueggemann looks at the liturgical life of a people dominated by the power of Babylon. ....the liturgy itself intends to challenge and override the chaos of exilic social circumstance. Among the features that provide liturgical stability are the following: - The assurance that God's powerful spirit is at work in the world, which is therefore an arena of blessing. Generativity of life is assured there.
- The process of ordering is articulated in separating elements of creation into their proper zones (Genesis 1:4, 6, 7, 14) and by assuring that all fruitfulness is "of every kind" (Gen. 1:21, 24-25). this is a world in which nothing is out of place.
- The ordering is repeatedly acknowledged to be "good," and finally "very good." It is probably that "good" here means lovely, aesthetically pleasing. This is a beautiful place in which to reside.
- The liturgy culminates in sabbath rest, whereby the members of this community desist from production, and do so without anxiety. They are sure that the world will hold, because it is authorized by the creator God.
The liturgy of these captives in Babylon becomes the way they stand up and become a people not under the rule of their captives. They retell the story of whose they are. There God brings life - good life - very good life - into every place; simply because this is what God will do. When we gather for worship, do we come away with such a powerful message? I think so. Listen to the words of our liturgy. There is vision and an affirmation of God's gracious Reign. In the face of any and all powers, we are given a vision of our God who, like the God of the Jews, sets us within a new world with a word of promise that cannot be taken from us no matte what the situation of our daily lives appears to be. Connection: I often tell people that there is little more to any sermon I give than that which I share with the children in their lesson. It is always interesting to see that as a child grows up - s/he appears to doubt that message of "God for you - always and in all places" because other cultural messages begin to pull at them. The wonder of God's promises are meant to create even more and more wonder in our lives. God of Creation, continue to inspire us with your promises and your great act of liberation. Amen. |
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