| | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions | | | | | | SD-56: Caught the flu-cold of this fall season so I've been down and out. Thought I would comment on Local Issues and a bit of Occupy Wall Street - from a faithful position - I hope I wrote this as part of a letter to the editor - it didn't make it but is being used by We Believe Ohio as part of adding our voice to issue 2 and 3. Hating together unites us - stops our divisions. When this is the shape of our world, we do not need to listen to the other side and take into consideration a reality that is other than the one we want to create. To be truly creative within society means that we use the whole palette of ideas and possibilities and critical analysis in order to bring about something that will be truly beneficial and make room for something new to emerge. S.B 5 - now on the ballot as Issue 2 - is less than creative. It is less than the best we can offer. Rather than bring out our best it does what is so often done when we do not know how to respect and honor others - we scapegoat. I am a part of We Believe Ohio. I think we want something more than Issue 2. We also want something more than the status quo in Ohio. We expect that we can be a creative people who are willing to be self-critical. We are a people who can step into conversations that seek to transform society for the well-being of all. We want to be a part of an Ohio where fear does not command our attention. We need to defeat Issue 2 in order to face the state of our life together in Ohio within a conversational creativity that will not settle for pointing fingers - at them. We believe lines have to stop being drawn - unless of course - they are lines that connect rather then divide. Hating together unites us - stops our divisions - but destroys the heart of us all. In Jesus (as God incarnate) - going to the cross - facing an unjust sentence of death - being a victim of systems that find ways to create scapegoats to silence crowds, we see then end of vengeance and paybacks and victimization. The resurrection reminds us that we are followers of one who was raised for living contrary to that which comes so naturally to us - blame and never-ending divisions that keep the peaceable Reign of God at a distance. It is so easy to find a scapegoat who we must knock down or destroy for what we see is wrong in the world. But that is not our way. Our way is the way of truthfulness. That is, we do not let the evil of the day prevail against us. We speak up and speak with those who are the victims of the day. We bring light that exposes and calls forth justice and mercy. It has been a part of the run of history (this even checks out within Jesus' day) that a very small percentage of the people 'have' and most 'have not' or are trying to keep stable what they do have. So it doesn't seem like a big jump to encourage us to face the day at hand asking about what is just for all -not merely some. The only way to do that is through dialogue - but the way things usually run, there is no dialogue and/or no new outcome from conversations. Connection: What are the alternatives to dialogue and conversation? The Occupy Wall Street people - if they would turn to the power of violence and vengeance - would not merely put up tents and sing and bang on drums and be carted of to jail. They might go in the other direction - the direction of the day - the direction of mode of operation of the elite. They would do all they could do to make the world as they want it. For all of us, that would be tragic. For if that happens - if scapegoating turns into its usual violent ways - the Wall Street individuals would need to be warned for the power of paybacks is an endless cycle in which violence wins and we all lose. Draw us into the wealth of your Reign, O God, for when we turn to other powers to sustain our lives, we tear down the very life that you have handed to us as a gift. Amen. |
| | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions | | | | | | SD-51: Lost yesterday to a drive to Cleveland, I will continue today with the first lesson from Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 (here's the whole context). Leviticus 19:1-18 19The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:2Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.3You shall each revere your mother and father, and you shall keep my sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.4Do not turn to idols or make cast images for yourselves: I am the Lord your God.5When you offer a sacrifice of well-being to the Lord, offer it in such a way that it is acceptable on your behalf.6It shall be eaten on the same day you offer it, or on the next day; and anything left over until the third day shall be consumed in fire.7If it is eaten at all on the third day, it is an abomination; it will not be acceptable.8All who eat it shall be subject to punishment, because they have profaned what is holy to the Lord; and any such person shall be cut off from the people.9When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest.10You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the Lord your God. 11You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another.12And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the Lord.13You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning.14You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.15You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor.16You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the Lord.17You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself.18You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. In this reading of the text I was drawn to the last bit - the highlighted part that will be the last part of this Sunday's lesson. Love once again rules. It does not rule as a "let things go" or "don't correct evil." Rather, this love -that is what is holy about us- is the life that does not 'go after the other even when the other has done us wrong.' No, we are not to be weak as though weakness is a goal. We are to be strongly confident in the position we hold according to our God - holy. Therefore, we need no attack the other even when the other seeks to put an end to us. What we must do is point out the evil - name it - pull back the curtain - rumble around in the Temple and call out the people of power who claim to be valued more than we are. Ha! No one is valued by God more than we are - we are all valued - precious -worthy. No more vengeance - no more false witness in order to get back at others - no more cutting down - no more back-biting. We can risk being filled with the truth -and with telling that kind of story. It may involve forgiveness and it may involve saying "no" to any power that attempts to lessen the power of another. That is what this love is all about. It is the power to stand against evil and stand for what is just and honorable and holy among us all. That is when we will take a hit for something called love - a love that is holy - a live that is us: from the beginning to the end. Connection: There is no need for pay-backs - ever. The resurrection puts an end to any power that thinks it must have its say and its way. Most often we think it is the other side that condemns and tries to destroy. And yet, it is also all of us - we want our way and we will do the most terrible things to make it so - even things we can justify with a boat load of arguments. How does love look when we really, really want to play the game of pay-backs and vengeance? Draw us into the wealth of your Reign, O God, for we like to go the cheap route and take life as we would control it and own it. Amen. |
| | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions | | | | | | SD-49: Since I started a series looking at this week's texts, I will continue today with the first lesson from Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 (here's the whole context). Leviticus 19:1-18 19The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:2Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.3You shall each revere your mother and father, and you shall keep my sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.4Do not turn to idols or make cast images for yourselves: I am the Lord your God.5When you offer a sacrifice of well-being to the Lord, offer it in such a way that it is acceptable on your behalf.6It shall be eaten on the same day you offer it, or on the next day; and anything left over until the third day shall be consumed in fire.7If it is eaten at all on the third day, it is an abomination; it will not be acceptable.8All who eat it shall be subject to punishment, because they have profaned what is holy to the Lord; and any such person shall be cut off from the people.9When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest.10You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the Lord your God. 11You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another.12And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the Lord.13You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning.14You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.15You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor.16You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the Lord.17You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself.18You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. Before anyone considers what is to be done in life according to the commandments, all is complete and in place - God's people are holy - without action. It is an announcement - it is an eternal truth that creates life. It is enough. But we must remember that we are not a people who believe that about ourselves. We are usually on the march to prove ourselves - to come off to others as though we are someone special because of what we have or do. Holy comes to us a a gift - a description of what God sees. God is holy - God's people are holy. That is the way the package comes. With that being the truth that starts the day at hand, what is next. It is actually quite simple - be who we are God's holy people. But for simple minds like mine, there comes the question about what that means. Holy is not something 'other' or something like a prize or medal that we receive later for work well done. Holy is the birthmark of our lives. Since we are a relational people, holy unfolds in all we do - it is something that can be witnessed - it is as real as our human relationship - it is not distant, it is an available life. So we are given some hints - suggestions - guides. If you want to see holy alive, here is what it looks like when we are going through the day. The simple commands are much more profound than they appear. There is a whole world of life within one command that may simply say: honor your mother and father. Connection: So how does holy come to life for you today. How does it pull you to do and be and act? Holy is a frightening word for many folks because it can appear to be all about a reality that is foreign - alien - beyond us. And yet, Holy is the beginning and it will be the shape of the end. We are God's Holy people - imagine that. Draw us into the wealth of your Reign, O God. Within the simplicity of this day may we bring to life this holy realm that is our homeland that you have provided for us from the beginning of all things. Amen. |
| | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions | | | | | | SD-48: Here's another look at the second lesson for Sunday. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 2 You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain,2but though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition.3For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery,4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts.5As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed;6nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, 7though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children.8So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us. There can be such a pull to 'please people.' When that takes place, preachers talk around the edge of things or they jump into the 'issue of the day' without the vision of the Good News. In either case, I wonder if the Good News is being brought forth. Insiders in the church often think that we always bring forth the Good News because that is what we say we do. Unfortunately if the word that comes forth from us is laced with nothing more than an attempt to have someone one like who we are so that they will want to be one of us, then what is it that we are offering. What people want is not always that which brings the life of the peaceable Reign of God. In fact it often brings division and war. But what is 'pleasing God'? In some ways it is as simple as extending a hand rather than pointing with that hand. When we open our hand to another we do not know what the response will be. And yet, we still open ourselves up to the other person. We may take a hit for that action - and yet we extend ourselves to the other person because humanity is at its fullest when we are relational - we are the image of God. To be relational, we must move out to others. If we do that moving in order to please others, we cannot say that we are truly offering ourselves to the relationship. There is another agenda on the table - and it is one that can very easily turn sour. So when we hear that God 'tests our hearts' it is a reminder to us to look at the character of the One whose image we display. Everyday is an opportunity to exercise that image and show the world a piece of the life-giving love that has the power to create relationships of peace, respect, and honor. Connection: Extending a hand to another is one thing. Then we have to remember that most often, we screen who it is that will be at the other end of our hand. That becomes the point of contact even before contact is made - or extended. Before engaging someone, it is so easy to disengage - limit access - make a world as we want it not as ones who live within the Image of God. Our work is to keep our minds on what it is that makes me and you a part of that image. Draw us into the wealth of your Reign, O God. There before us are those who remind us of the fullness of your glory. Too often we turn away and deny your presence. Open our eyes again - we long to see you. Amen. |
| | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions | | | | | | SD-47: Today I will go in a different direction - commenting on what will be the second lesson for this coming Sunday. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 2 You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain,2but though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition.3For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery,4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts.5As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed;6nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, 7though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children.8So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us. The ones who share the Good News - become the Good News. It is not merely some kind of sales pitch or a good argument about how one needs to live a moral life or how one can hitch onto a way to some after-life reward. The Good News that is brought to all we encounter is like that mother - that nursing mother - that mother who will sustain one who is helpless and cannot even ask for what s/he needs. That is Good News. We become for anyone - anyone and everyone - people who nurture the well-being of those we encounter. There can be no qualification to that extension of love. When there are qualifications, the Good News is not the life we offer to others. We all know people we have judged as being 'them' and sometimes 'other' and at other times 'the evil ones' and then again 'dirty, lying, fools.' Yes, we know that. We can see how they live and what they have done to people - maybe even to us. And yet, as we are Good News people - followers of Jesus - we are pulled into a contrary way of facing off with others. We love neighbors - without pulling back (damn that's hard - if not impossible). Within that love comes words that must be said to one another and actions that must take place. We will not be the recipients of kind words when we love as we have been commanded. That is why we come back and say the words and do the loving even when we are rejected. Good News is meant to remain Good News even when we think it is impossible for it to be Good anymore. Connection: I have a list of people I do not want to be around. I could name some of them - but I will not. I also know that I cannot name many of those people - I simply hear them, see them, watch them interact with others - and I want them gone - even removed. Then I am left to wrestle again with the news our God hands us about life within God's Reigning power of love. It is the Spirit that does that reminding- again and again. And yes, the reminder is there because our God created us to be a living image of a creative love that will persist without end. When we are less than the Good News, inspire us. When we are easily fooled into believing that our way is the way and others must fit in, inspire us. When we turn away from our neighbor for many good reasons, forgive us and inspire us to hold onto your breaking news of life. Amen. |
| | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions | | | | | | SD-44: Last day with comments on the Church and Empire from reflections on a trip to Italy. The paintings and the murals and the mosaics helped to teach. When few people read, this was a way to tell the story. It might not be the whole story - but it could capture your attention.The 'torment of hell' could be seen and it just might scare you into behaving. Then again, the glorious shine of the resurrection and heaven could be the thing that pulls you into acts of loving kindness. Walking into many of the church - even the smallest ones - could pull you into another world of sorts. Those ceilings and walls and windows were not like anything out beyond those front doors - even now. People - including me - often gasp when turning the corner and coming into full view of the beauty of the space. Is it just the beauty that causes us to gasp? I wonder if in those kinds of places we really are invited to wonder about how full life is and the promises we hear from Scripture. In that wondering it must be noted that we can end up in many different places in regard to our God and what it is to be a follower of Jesus. At that point, it seems as though we eventually fall back on words.The storytelling of Scripture demands that those stories inform the art and the artists. An example is the sculpture of Moses that is in St. Peter in Chains. There he sits with two nice horns on the top of his forehead - a misinterpretation of a verse in the Hebrew scriptures. It is an unfortunate mistake - ask the Jews and hear their story of a people made into a demonic brew because of such images. The Church does not only change its art, we change the way we see the words of the stories and lessons in Scripture. I am presently reading a book that is re-shaping how I look at the whole story of the Christ - the life of Jesus - his teachings and much of the Hebrew story. Faithful fun. Connection: What are the pictures that you carry with you? Some of them may be from old books with Bible characters. Some may be from what was said again and again and became a part of you even if you don't agree with them. And yet we each faithfully keep moving forward. That is vital - to keep moving - questioning - contemplating - and putting to life the way of Jesus as come to understand it more and more. Blessed are you, Maker of all that is and all that will be. When we carry many images of our relationship with you, O God, keep fresh in our minds the grace and love that turns continues to turn over the ways of the world. Amen. |
| | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions | | | | | | SD-43: The physical world and the spiritual world - that's how some of the art separates life. It was a description I did not like. The 'otherworldliness' of religious life is the perfect way to take us away from everyday living that is free from coercion and threat and rewards. When we separate one from the other and say that we all eventually go to the 'spiritual' realm (heaven or hell) our focus too quickly sends our eyes to another place. In many paintings, the two realms were obvious. Demons and angels were running or flying around the characters who were moving through everyday scenes (although even the everyday scenes seemed more grand or perverse than what is ordinary). Spiritual does not mean 'some other place' or 'some other reality' or 'some other influence.' It has to do with the fullness of our humanity. It is the everyday that is seen with new eyes. It is when we so honor and respect everyday living that we find in that living a fullness of life that can capture our hearts and our minds and our imagination. For example, I seem to think that Gandhi saw in the middle of poverty - the beauty of each person. He then made sure that such beauty was no crushed down by any power that claimed to be able to rule over and direct life. I may be wrong here, but the act of 'bowing and bending" (shaker song) is part of the journey of life that is essential the spirit of our humanity. Jesus also made the common and ordinary like the most sacred of places. Therefore, birth in a manger - death as a criminal - becomes how we see the depths of what it is to physical and spiritual - that is, whole. Connection: What is a part of your everyday life that reminds you of how connected you are to the whole of God's creation and the grand vision of life that is handed to us as human beings in the image of God. If you were a painter, when would you put in "other" images to make that moment seem connected to that which is not seen? Blessed are you, Maker of all that is and all that will be. We give you thanks for what is close by and the many ways we see how gifted we are as your children. Amen. |
| | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions | | | | | | SD-42: How about a little bit on the ceilings of those Italian church buildings. From the flat paintings that had no depth to them to the one that would appear to be popping beyond the bounds of the painting to the ones that had sculptures alongside the painting to emphasize movement from ceiling to the space of the nave, being in these buildings are enough to rattle people. Their beauty is beyond words. Their presence is enough to draw you up into the dynamics of what is being portrayed. What is being portrayed, are scenes of scripture or characters of scripture and all the 'otherness' that is used to connect ordinary humanity with God and all that one might call the 'spiritual' world. Much of the art not only displayed the gifts of the day, they also help us see how the people of certain time periods viewed life and death and what is called holy and mundane. It made we wonder about what ceilings would look like now if I was able to paint and was asked to 'do' a ceiling. Then I thought of how we are Redeemer asked for people to come up with ideas for three stained-glass windows that would give us a glimpse at the Trinity. We wrote a half page for each window (traditionally God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit) that offered some theological and biblical notion of each person of the Trinity. Then the artists acted. We now have windows that make you look beyond the windows. They invite you to let yourself into the 'painting' and come up with what you are seeing - even though we have a guided vision of what each one may comprise. Connection: When we are followers of Jesus, we are tied to a old story. Over the years the story has been told from many perspectives. That retelling takes place today again and again. When we each retell the story what does it say about how we see ourselves as children of God in real, everyday life? That is what is so important. How do you and I see ourselves within the grand drama that has captured the imagination and wonder of artistic saints through the ages. Blessed are you, Maker of all that is and all that will be. Open our eyes that we may see your living presence among us enter into that presence with life that continues to rest in you alone. Amen. |
| | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions | | | | | | SD-38: So, if the Empire and the Church were so closely tied together 'once upon a time,' is that still the case? Imagine a Church able to go throughout an Empire and do as it pleased. Imagine a Church whose leaders were often more powerful than rulers. Imagine how a person not in the Church would have no say and unable to have any authority or power in the Empire. In Italy, there was a constant reminder that the 'Church' ruled once it became the sister of the Empire. Maybe 'mother' church means - don't mess with mom. Let me bring this home. Since arriving back in the U.S. there have been a number of articles about the role of religion in the election process. This means - almost exclusively Christian - one must be able to show solid grounding as a 'Christian' before one can be accepted as one capable or worthy of being President. I would use 'Christian' here as a derogatory word over against a description like 'follower of Jesus.' Just look at the Romney and Perry rumble over who is a 'Christian' and who is a part of a cult and who receives support from some of the weirdest edges of 'Christianity.' In the Holy Roman Empire, you could rise to a position of power by your wealth - therefore, Popes tended to be members of - let's say - the Medici family. I don't know of anyone who became Pope from humble background back then and I don't think that any family with a Pope in your family heritage suffered much within the Empire. In the U.S., it still takes money to rise to the political top but if you cannot claim some connection to 'Christianity,' your chances of being President are not worth betting on. Being 'Christian' simply means noting it on paper. That's good enough - even if it means nothing or little in your life. I would submit that it would be good for the 'followers of Jesus' to come out of the closet and be upfront and say that a candidate for office need not (should not) list a religious affiliation as part of a campaign. Let their lives and their words and the harmony of those two aspects of their lives be a better credential for an office. In that way, 'Christians' will not be able to be stuck under one roof of people who differ as greatly as any other people. Also, there will be no pre-screening that happens simply when a word is placed alongside the name. Imagine if 'agnostic' or 'atheist' was next to a politician name - s/he would most likely not be a candidate. So - remove the name - the bias - the abuse - the insignificance of such a description for office. We don't need a 'Christian' as political leader - or a "Muslim' or a 'Hindu.' Connection: There are many ways to come out of the closet. One way is to always and at every chance speak up and say 'this doesn't matter.' Another might be to call the 'stamp' into question. What do you/they mean by that? What does Christian stand for? Let's see what comes out of their mouths. More important to all of us is to know what we mean when we say we are 'followers of Jesus.' For then, we will be able to draw their responses into more and more question and really reveal that it means not much more than most other people - a worldly way to gain some power and prestige and honor. That doesn't sound like Jesus to me. Blessed are you, Maker of all that is and all that will be. Continue to make us bold and hold onto you call to seek out the welfare of all without distinction. Amen. |
| | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions | | | | | | SD-38: When is the Church a functioning part of Empire? In the many visits to places in Italy, it was obvious that we have been given great works of art - remarkable - stunning - majestic - bewildering. My jaw dropped again and again as I walked into churches or museums. All of what I was viewing was the life work of gifted people who were able to show us the way the very vision and perception of humanity changes in time. The art is a commentary of the way culture and people change and begin to interpret life - its worth - its goal - its meaning. Having said that, I was always wrestling with what were the costs. I don't merely mean that in a financial way. There were lives - the lives of the common people - that were used for the creation of these places. Yes, there were the great artists. Yes, there were the great benefactors who brought in the artist. Yes, there was the masses who were used to help make this all happen. I have always scratched my head over the power of the Church in the midst of the growing Empire. The Church not only became the power who offered a stamp of approval over the work of the Empire, it also became the face of Empire. A simple example. The villa in which we stayed in Tuscany was on the property of a Duke and Princess (side note: the Princess taught us how to make biscotti). The family has been a part of the royalty since one of their ancestors was 'crowned' Pope. The villa in which we stayed was one of many that dotted 'their land' and supplied housing for the 'share croppers' who worked the land for the owners. In a land and time when a few had much and most had little, Church and Empire were indistinguishably joined together as the few at the top. The vision of the followers of Jesus being the ones who upheld the lowly and offered themselves for the welfare of the forgotten and left out somehow vanished. Instead, the Church found its home in the pocket of the established rulers - who could give you much if you entered into the games and ways of Empire. Connection: Am I being too cynical? I would prefer to say that I need to be reminded of just how easy it is to move - just a bit - and find a home in the camp of the Empire (I use that term loosely - as many don't like to hear that term today). What then is our life as followers of Jesus to be in a world that longs for the Empire to direct our days and our deeds? Again, in the Dispatch today, Penn (from Penn and Teller) wrote an editorial that took the term Christian to task. What I heard (he is an atheist) is that the word has become a meaningless word. It has become nothing more than something tagged onto your name so that you can wave it around in order to be elected. Ah - the Empire Religion, again. Blessed are you, Maker of all that is and all that will be. Continue to surprise us with your grace that enables us to step back from all the gains we can make in the world and hold onto the life of love that you offer to all your Beloved. Amen. |
| | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions | | | | | | SD-36: Today I want to follow up from my comments about the 'arena' and the power that comes to the church when it is a part of empire - all from reflections on my trip to Italy. The way of Jesus is not one of domination or control or falling-in-line. It is a way that means we listen to a love that will transform us so that we do not simply become like the world around us. I picture I drew yesterday based on what the 'Christians' did in their looting of the Colosseum was simply to set up what happens when we begin to use the standard mod of operation of the world around us. This is particularly important when we are on the side of the powerful within our day. The question that is most important and the one to which we must help one another always ask and answer is: Who are we following and what does following mean to us today? In the shadows of the power of the Roman Church and its fellowship with Empire, I wondered about John and James and their mother and the concern about what will come when Jesus gains his kingdom. Jesus turns the conversation to servanthood - that is - giving oneself to another for the welfare of this other one. But when the Church becomes like the structure of Empire, we are made for warfare and control. We will then follow and the following will not necessarily be 'following Jesus.' Rather, it will be following the power of the day and all of the thinking that goes with 'what will save us - what will keep us safe' - what must we do. This morning a piece in the Dispatch noted that the Roman Catholic Church has put down a new ruling about what language in the liturgy is to be used. Something to do with being more faithful. One person commented that most priest will follow this new directive because they are faithful. Faithful? To what? This kind of faithfulness is not to the way of Jesus, it is faithfulness to the power of Empire - religious yes - but still Empire. Such faithfulness led the church into crusades and the heavy burden laid upon the poor to build the temples the Empire loves to have for itself. Connection: This may sound like bashing the RC Church. Again, it is not meant to be that - although, in some ways, I am being critical of the historical roots of the Church. For me, it is becoming important to keep pointing to the way of Jesus and asking myself - what's guiding me - what's taking me by the hand - what has won over my heart? Blessed are you, Maker of all that is and all that will be. In the middle of the routines of our lives, take over our hearts. Open our eyes that we will see your way as we are about to move along the ways that Empire is able to sell us so easily. Bring your Reign close at hand again. Amen. |
| | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions | | | | | | SD-36 Arrived back from Italy last evening. Much rest, much food and wine, but I could not get away from the whole arena of religion and what it is and does to us all. Since I used the word 'arena' let me start with a comment about what Christians did to the Colosseum - many of you know this. Though it is a wonderful ruin that allows us to take a glimpse back at the past (the movie The Gladiator was not far off at all) it was the Christians within the "Roman Empire" that ruined this arena. To facilitate the building of their churches and adorn them with fine metals and marble, they removed the facade and the precious metal stakes that held the stone in place. Even though that arena was used for the entertainment of the masses so as to keep the 'folk' happy with free, thrilling events, the Christians did not mess up the arena because of this. They pretty much looted the arena. It shows that when you are one of the powers that are used to keep people in order - which the church became after Constantine - anything goes when you want something to go your way. We are not meant to be a power-filled people who live and use power in the way of empires and nations. When we follow Jesus, we step back and enter into a vision for life that brings wholeness tot he whole world. Whenever we tie ourselves to an empire - the least will never have enough for we will step back from justice and mercy and kindness and hospitality in order to become or remain one of the 'players.' In the Colosseum, there is now a prominent cross in the ruins. It is noted to be a way to honor the 'martyrs' of the faith who died there. It is my understanding that there were many, many more people butchered in that place than Christians. I would like to continue on for a few days of reflection on the brutality we (Christians) committed as we moved into being an empire religion - a religion that took the images of the faith and transformed them into a kind of propaganda for the well-being of empire. Tomorrow I will simply comment on this arena - who benefited and who were betrayed. Connection: On this return home, I am in a tailspin as the church that emerged alongside the empire is still the church of today. Can we - Will we - How will we - find our way home. Blessed are you, Maker of all that is and all that will be. Though we have traveled so far from the way of our Lord, Jesus, we trust that you are with us still. Bring us home again. Nurture our hearts that our lives will be filled with the wonder of your Reign. Amen. |
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