| We continue with "The Divine as Poetic" - Walter Brueggemann. In contemporary United States culture, it is not yet clear how such an emergence of hope might occur. It is certain that the old, tired imperial ideology to which much corporate wealth and much military power is committed cannot yield such possibility. Mostly in the midst of society disarray what we get is moralistic or ideological posturing. Neither of these can amount to a possible newness outside the categories of what is old and failed.
We need the dreamers and poets. These are the voices that take us beyond what is and the way things have been done. In many ways, I must laugh at the pitiful ways some folks are trying to 'make cuts' so that we can reduce deficits. It is as though we lack dreamers and poets in that cutting bunch of folk. Why have we resisted cutting the huge budget that feeds the military and the industries that work long hours at making the instruments of war? We we ever become a nation that works for the well-being of all rather than one that cannot see or live outside the bounds of what we want and what we are afraid to lose? The exiles from Babylon never knew how to live in a way that was different from the prevailing culture of the day. And yet, somehow, enough of them/a remnant started to envision that which seemed so impossible. I suppose it is really easier to become moralistic and focus on individual 'sins' or life choices rather than change the ethic of a whole people. That is quite unfortunate. Then again folks, we are the ones that move us into new possibilities - into promise. Connection: The tough part is trusting that we can make something else happen. It is so easy to step back rather than step into something new - something out of step with what we have trusted for so long. But - it is time to come out of Babylon. When the poetry of your Reign falls upon us, O God, our eyes open and we are able to see beyond all the powers that hold us and keep us in place. Take us up into the the language of your Reigning power and help us live anew. Amen |
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