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.
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