23 March 2005

We will continue with "The Prophetic Imagination" as we move into the life of Jesus.

As in ancient Israel, it is characteristic of kings to deny the end of the old order and in their blindness to take any steps to perpetuate what has in fact already ended. Thus Herod engages in self-deception and denial using his best talents, but they are not enough because the king cannot stop the end. In contrast to this is the pathos of Rachel, seen in Jeremiah. The raging of the king comes to an end in grief and lamentation. It is the work of the prophetic tradition to grieve the end, the very end which the king cannot face, cannot stop, and surely cannot grieve.

O how we hate to see the end of what is known to us and that which we love...as we would have it. Imperialism is wonderful when we think we own the world and can run it as we like. But like any power that tries to be above all powers, we all fall down. That can be corporately, nationally, or even individually. We all fall down. What is so awkward is that we rarely will admit to falling and if we are told that we are falling or have fallen, we deny it or run away in silence so as to not face the notion that we are losing what we love to have and keep. In Matthew's gospel, Herod is King but as all kings know, there will come a time when new kings will rule. Then again, there comes a time when, though I am king, I am nothing more than a pawn in a grand game in time. Kings and Rulers and Powers of the Day rarely grieve - especially not in public. Rather they go to war to make others wail. It is as though it is a lotion that brings a sense of relief...but it does not and it cannot.

Connection: We all have our own little domains over which we like to rule and stay in command. What we would do well to add to our lives would be an ability to let go and grieve when things begin to fall down and then find others who will help us with that and stand with us during our pain.

You awaken us, O God, to a sense of wonder in which we are not content to let life stay as it is or work unto the death to keep things as is. You, O God, keep making things new and within that aura of newness, we are free to wonder at how brilliant and gracious is your Reign above all others who say they reign over us. Amen.