The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus moves along to its end.
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. (Luke 16:19-21) The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. (Luke 16:22) In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so and no one can cross from there to us.' (Luke 16:23-26) He said, 'Then father, I beg you to send him to my father's house - for I have five brothers - that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' He said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. (Luke 27-31)
Everyone seems to want special attention or another chance or a special event to come about to bring everything in line with how we would like the world to be. Don't you think it odd that this rich man still wants Lazarus to be involved in the saving of his brothers? Lazarus was pretty much ignored while he was alive - his hunger and sores and poverty completely missed - none of those associated with the rich man probably even knew he died. So...that would be like sending a poor person to deliver a message - who is going to listen to Lazarus even now. More important for all of us the note that what needs to be heard is what is already available. Go to the writings you have. Here it is Moses and the Prophets. It is enough. From those scriptures and adding now the Christian scriptures we are handed a gift for life - life always - life eternal. These writings are not as so much filled with what we must do; they are filled with the reminder of who we are in relationship to God. That identity is what creates transformation. If I see my self as a rich man and my wealth defines me, there is a good chance that I will not let my identity as a beloved child of God rule my life. Too often the concrete stuff around us begins to rule us very quickly and quite thoroughly. I find the rich man to be like someone who expects solve the conditions of the world with a plan. He may be one of the original backers of self-help books. "If only...I had read...If only I bought...If only I made that team." No. Rather than stepping forward into life we make for ourselves, it is better for us to step back into the story that is eternally for us. Nothing can defeat that word - or separate us from its life - death - resurrection.
Connection: The story telling of our lives is the story in which we are setting off today. It has already started - it is already blessed - it is a part of who and whose we are. It can make a difference in how we move through the gift that is this day.
We give you thanks, O God, for the simple gift of you story of love that is the power to halt us and pull us and deliver us into the power of your Reign of love and peace and justice. You give us eyes to see how your love is the light for this day. Amen.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Tuesday 1 May 2007
Let's continue with The Rich Man and Lazarus.
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. (Luke 16:19-21) The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. (Luke 16:22) In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so and no one can cross from there to us. (Luke 16:23-25)
Well, here we are in the land of the dead and some things just haven't changed. The rich man having created a great chasm between his life and the life of the poor - such as Lazarus - is not able to see the chasm that he created. It is simply amazing how much we can see when we are put in the right situation to look at life from an angle that is not so "turned-in-on-self." During life, Lazarus had only one thing he could do - trust that God did and would abide with him even when the world around him was nothing more that sheer separation. The separation is something on which the Rich Man worked his whole life. Yes, he became rich and yes, he was able to make for himself (make for himself) a life of luxury without consideration for those around him who could have been rescued by his attention. But now...the separation he created becomes a reminder of what he has been building for himself. This is a story about life - not death. Or maybe, it is a story about the death we continue to embrace without stepping through it into a life that is quite contrary to the standard pattern of life in the world.
Connection: Even as I sit here writing, I realized that there are people in this day I need to approach so that I can take a look at the chasm I have been building...or at least allowing to exist.
Lord of the Living and the Dead, it is within your embrace that we are encouraged to become more than people seeking life for ourselves. Trusting in you, we become open to trusting others and we are thus moved from isolation to community in more and more expanding ways. We treasure your love for us. Amen.
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. (Luke 16:19-21) The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. (Luke 16:22) In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so and no one can cross from there to us. (Luke 16:23-25)
Well, here we are in the land of the dead and some things just haven't changed. The rich man having created a great chasm between his life and the life of the poor - such as Lazarus - is not able to see the chasm that he created. It is simply amazing how much we can see when we are put in the right situation to look at life from an angle that is not so "turned-in-on-self." During life, Lazarus had only one thing he could do - trust that God did and would abide with him even when the world around him was nothing more that sheer separation. The separation is something on which the Rich Man worked his whole life. Yes, he became rich and yes, he was able to make for himself (make for himself) a life of luxury without consideration for those around him who could have been rescued by his attention. But now...the separation he created becomes a reminder of what he has been building for himself. This is a story about life - not death. Or maybe, it is a story about the death we continue to embrace without stepping through it into a life that is quite contrary to the standard pattern of life in the world.
Connection: Even as I sit here writing, I realized that there are people in this day I need to approach so that I can take a look at the chasm I have been building...or at least allowing to exist.
Lord of the Living and the Dead, it is within your embrace that we are encouraged to become more than people seeking life for ourselves. Trusting in you, we become open to trusting others and we are thus moved from isolation to community in more and more expanding ways. We treasure your love for us. Amen.
Monday 30 April 2007
A bit of a delay today - but we still continue with the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. (Luke 16:19-21) The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. (Luke 16:22)
It was not my intention to stop at this point in the story for today. Then, it struck me. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham...the rich man died and was buried. Hum. Is this the difference between one who is known and has means to provide for proper burial and one who has nothing. What happens to the poor - the homeless - the forgotten when life finally comes to an end? I remember taking part in a funeral in Detroit in which one of the young men who had been a part of our congregation was killed. There was no money for a "proper burial" and so when we went to the graveside, it was a long trench in which two or three levels of caskets were placed. There was no special place, well-marked, and available for the family to visit in the future. His casket would sit on top of another, and then another would be placed on top of his. Everything would be covered over and the graves would be noted by numbers posted on the fence at the edge of the graveyard - a paupers field. What a contrast to a funeral in which the deceased was placed in what was the most expensive of caskets and the most well-sealed vault. Lazarus is taken up because - as is the case of the poor - no one is there to oversee a burial. What a powerful picture of how God remembers and keep close the poor even as they are again forgotten - at death. As far as the rich man - well, we all know that burial...we all are a part of that scene...much to be done and said on behalf of the loved one now gone.
Connection: There are people all around us without an identity - they have one...but we are not aware of it. These do not have to be strangers. They can be people with whom we walk through life...they can be in our congregations. Eyes open can create a new world.
We give you thanks, O God, for you alone keep us within your loving embrace even when we are forgotten and ignored by the world. You keep your promise...you hold us...you remember us...you treat us to the wonder and kindness of your Reign - forever. Amen.
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. (Luke 16:19-21) The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. (Luke 16:22)
It was not my intention to stop at this point in the story for today. Then, it struck me. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham...the rich man died and was buried. Hum. Is this the difference between one who is known and has means to provide for proper burial and one who has nothing. What happens to the poor - the homeless - the forgotten when life finally comes to an end? I remember taking part in a funeral in Detroit in which one of the young men who had been a part of our congregation was killed. There was no money for a "proper burial" and so when we went to the graveside, it was a long trench in which two or three levels of caskets were placed. There was no special place, well-marked, and available for the family to visit in the future. His casket would sit on top of another, and then another would be placed on top of his. Everything would be covered over and the graves would be noted by numbers posted on the fence at the edge of the graveyard - a paupers field. What a contrast to a funeral in which the deceased was placed in what was the most expensive of caskets and the most well-sealed vault. Lazarus is taken up because - as is the case of the poor - no one is there to oversee a burial. What a powerful picture of how God remembers and keep close the poor even as they are again forgotten - at death. As far as the rich man - well, we all know that burial...we all are a part of that scene...much to be done and said on behalf of the loved one now gone.
Connection: There are people all around us without an identity - they have one...but we are not aware of it. These do not have to be strangers. They can be people with whom we walk through life...they can be in our congregations. Eyes open can create a new world.
We give you thanks, O God, for you alone keep us within your loving embrace even when we are forgotten and ignored by the world. You keep your promise...you hold us...you remember us...you treat us to the wonder and kindness of your Reign - forever. Amen.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Friday 27 April 2007
Today we begin a look at a parable that isn't noted directly as being a parable in Luke. But...it sure feels like one - the rich man and Lazarus.
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. (Luke 16:19-21)
I was going to stop today with the simple description of the rich man. What a picture of abundance and wealth this is! At this point in the story there is nothing wrong with the picture. Wealth is not bad in and of itself. In fact, most often across our globe, those who are wealthy are often the ones others consider blessed and hard-working and even, honorable. It is not until we see this wealth side-by-side with the poverty of Lazarus and the conditions poverty creates. Today I'm simply struck once again at how wealth and poverty, rich and poor, play into the central concerns of Scripture. I know this is the case in Luke...but it is throughout the Bible. I'm finishing up the book "Infidel" by Ayann Kirsi Ali and noticing how much of the daily routine of life deals with sex and sexuality - as though it is the most important concern of religious people. I mention this because though it is a book about a woman breaking free of the culture of Islam and what she sees as its oppressive manner of looking at sexuality and especially that of women, it is much like how much time and energy Christians spend on sexuality. And yet, it allows both religions to forget about the oppressive and daily separation between the rich and the poor. In this parable, we have a person by whom the rich man or his family and slaves would walk regularly. Lazarus was not an unknown part of the culture. And yet, he living as a dog next to the wealth of the rich man - a dog willing to eat scraps from the table while the other dogs like his wounds. The contrast is amazing. And yet the contrast is not one unknown to us. While we often say much about sex and point fingers and use words that degrade sexuality and sexual identity, we would do well to turn our attention to that which is right in front of us and most pressing. But then....who could be blame for the evil in the world?!?
Connection: I'm not sure how we each can bring a bit of life and fellowship and kindness across the border between the rich (most of us) and the poor (most of the people in our world). Again, it begin with today and it begins with working with others in order to open all of our eyes and lives.
Lord of all, it is by your Spirit that we step out of our routines and begin to engage the world around us and the many people around us from whom we have let ourselves become separated. It is so easy to stay separated and ignore others...and yet, we hear your command to love our neighbor - all of them. By the power of your Spirit, give us the eyes of compassion that will not walk by those who are your beloved and also our brothers and sisters. Amen.
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. (Luke 16:19-21)
I was going to stop today with the simple description of the rich man. What a picture of abundance and wealth this is! At this point in the story there is nothing wrong with the picture. Wealth is not bad in and of itself. In fact, most often across our globe, those who are wealthy are often the ones others consider blessed and hard-working and even, honorable. It is not until we see this wealth side-by-side with the poverty of Lazarus and the conditions poverty creates. Today I'm simply struck once again at how wealth and poverty, rich and poor, play into the central concerns of Scripture. I know this is the case in Luke...but it is throughout the Bible. I'm finishing up the book "Infidel" by Ayann Kirsi Ali and noticing how much of the daily routine of life deals with sex and sexuality - as though it is the most important concern of religious people. I mention this because though it is a book about a woman breaking free of the culture of Islam and what she sees as its oppressive manner of looking at sexuality and especially that of women, it is much like how much time and energy Christians spend on sexuality. And yet, it allows both religions to forget about the oppressive and daily separation between the rich and the poor. In this parable, we have a person by whom the rich man or his family and slaves would walk regularly. Lazarus was not an unknown part of the culture. And yet, he living as a dog next to the wealth of the rich man - a dog willing to eat scraps from the table while the other dogs like his wounds. The contrast is amazing. And yet the contrast is not one unknown to us. While we often say much about sex and point fingers and use words that degrade sexuality and sexual identity, we would do well to turn our attention to that which is right in front of us and most pressing. But then....who could be blame for the evil in the world?!?
Connection: I'm not sure how we each can bring a bit of life and fellowship and kindness across the border between the rich (most of us) and the poor (most of the people in our world). Again, it begin with today and it begins with working with others in order to open all of our eyes and lives.
Lord of all, it is by your Spirit that we step out of our routines and begin to engage the world around us and the many people around us from whom we have let ourselves become separated. It is so easy to stay separated and ignore others...and yet, we hear your command to love our neighbor - all of them. By the power of your Spirit, give us the eyes of compassion that will not walk by those who are your beloved and also our brothers and sisters. Amen.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Thursday 26 April 2007
Today we bring this parable to an end - for now.
Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.' Then the manager said to himself, 'What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. (Luke 16:1-3) I have decided what to do when so that, people may welcome me into their homes.' So summoning his master's debtors one by one, he asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' He answered, 'A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.' then he asked another, ''And how much do you owe?' He replied, 'A hundred containers of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill and make it eighty.' (Luke 16:4-7) And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. (Luke 16:8)
The manager took the day...and lived to the fullest. He entered the time left as though it was a gift and he literally gifted others. Grace is something that goes around - it must - it cannot be contained. Most often, we simply forget about the time that is ours today - blessed and broken and ready to become life anew. The master can see the brimmed full vision of this guy and the way he took a vision and a gift and turned it into life. We are people of grace and we are invited to take the time at hand and deal with it as though our character will become known by a graciousness that transforms all things. We must get by the note of this being a dishonest manager and begin to see through him to the the story that allows for new life in the middle of the great messes of our lives. I think it is a humorous story that does shake us up and make us wonder about this God of ours.
Connection: Well...the day is at hand. How will the gracious Reign of our God become the very breath of life that make us a gracious people? Prayerfully consider this movement of the power of grace to create life.
Come, O Spirit of Life, it is by your wind that we begin to be moved to see the day in a fresh way and then to step within it as though we have a great opportunity to be a gift to the world. Grant us vision to move now...in your name. Amen.
Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.' Then the manager said to himself, 'What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. (Luke 16:1-3) I have decided what to do when so that, people may welcome me into their homes.' So summoning his master's debtors one by one, he asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' He answered, 'A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.' then he asked another, ''And how much do you owe?' He replied, 'A hundred containers of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill and make it eighty.' (Luke 16:4-7) And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. (Luke 16:8)
The manager took the day...and lived to the fullest. He entered the time left as though it was a gift and he literally gifted others. Grace is something that goes around - it must - it cannot be contained. Most often, we simply forget about the time that is ours today - blessed and broken and ready to become life anew. The master can see the brimmed full vision of this guy and the way he took a vision and a gift and turned it into life. We are people of grace and we are invited to take the time at hand and deal with it as though our character will become known by a graciousness that transforms all things. We must get by the note of this being a dishonest manager and begin to see through him to the the story that allows for new life in the middle of the great messes of our lives. I think it is a humorous story that does shake us up and make us wonder about this God of ours.
Connection: Well...the day is at hand. How will the gracious Reign of our God become the very breath of life that make us a gracious people? Prayerfully consider this movement of the power of grace to create life.
Come, O Spirit of Life, it is by your wind that we begin to be moved to see the day in a fresh way and then to step within it as though we have a great opportunity to be a gift to the world. Grant us vision to move now...in your name. Amen.
Thursday 26 April 2007
Today we bring this parable to an end - for now.
Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.' Then the manager said to himself, 'What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. (Luke 16:1-3) I have decided what to do when so that, people may welcome me into their homes.' So summoning his master's debtors one by one, he asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' He answered, 'A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.' then he asked another, ''And how much do you owe?' He replied, 'A hundred containers of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill and make it eighty.' (Luke 16:4-7) And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. (Luke 16:8)
The manager took the day...and lived to the fullest. He entered the time left as though it was a gift and he literally gifted others. Grace is something that goes around - it must - it cannot be contained. Most often, we simply forget about the time that is ours today - blessed and broken and ready to become life anew. The master can see the brimmed full vision of this guy and the way he took a vision and a gift and turned it into life. We are people of grace and we are invited to take the time at hand and deal with it as though our character will become known by a graciousness that transforms all things. We must get by the note of this being a dishonest manager and begin to see through him to the the story that allows for new life in the middle of the great messes of our lives. I think it is a humorous story that does shake us up and make us wonder about this God of ours.
Connection: Well...the day is at hand. How will the gracious Reign of our God become the very breath of life that make us a gracious people? Prayerfully consider this movement of the power of grace to create life.
Come, O Spirit of Life, it is by your wind that we begin to be moved to see the day in a fresh way and then to step within it as though we have a great opportunity to be a gift to the world. Grant us vision to move now...in your name. Amen.
Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.' Then the manager said to himself, 'What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. (Luke 16:1-3) I have decided what to do when so that, people may welcome me into their homes.' So summoning his master's debtors one by one, he asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' He answered, 'A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.' then he asked another, ''And how much do you owe?' He replied, 'A hundred containers of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill and make it eighty.' (Luke 16:4-7) And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. (Luke 16:8)
The manager took the day...and lived to the fullest. He entered the time left as though it was a gift and he literally gifted others. Grace is something that goes around - it must - it cannot be contained. Most often, we simply forget about the time that is ours today - blessed and broken and ready to become life anew. The master can see the brimmed full vision of this guy and the way he took a vision and a gift and turned it into life. We are people of grace and we are invited to take the time at hand and deal with it as though our character will become known by a graciousness that transforms all things. We must get by the note of this being a dishonest manager and begin to see through him to the the story that allows for new life in the middle of the great messes of our lives. I think it is a humorous story that does shake us up and make us wonder about this God of ours.
Connection: Well...the day is at hand. How will the gracious Reign of our God become the very breath of life that make us a gracious people? Prayerfully consider this movement of the power of grace to create life.
Come, O Spirit of Life, it is by your wind that we begin to be moved to see the day in a fresh way and then to step within it as though we have a great opportunity to be a gift to the world. Grant us vision to move now...in your name. Amen.
Wednesday 25 April 2007
We continue with the parable of the dishonest steward from Luke's gospel.
Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.' Then the manager said to himself, 'What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. (Luke 16:1-3) I have decided what to do when so that, people may welcome me into their homes.' So summoning his master's debtors one by one, he asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' He answered, 'A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.' then he asked another, ''And how much do you owe?' He replied, 'A hundred containers of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill and make it eighty.' (Luke 16:4-7)
At this point in the story, even though this manager has now acted in an unethical manner again, everyone should do well. The debtors have all received a "break" of approximately the same worth of product. The rich man, though losing some of his income, will be seen by all as a benevolent person - almost beyond expectation. The manager, moving quickly to get it all done, has a village of people for whom he will appear to be a friend. Remember from yesterday...this all comes out of a window of a sliver of grace when the rich man does not fire the manager immediately but lets him go and put the "books" in order. In that bit of time...right now...without waiting...in the face of an unknown future, the manager acts within that "grace period." Ah...isn't that what we are all given even now...a "grace period." Isn't the time at hand the time of the Reign of God already breaking in upon us and yet there is opportunity at hand to live as though we are betting our lives on this grace of God that is wider and higher and deeper than all things? Now is the time to live within the realm of God's grace - now...without hesitation - now...for the benefit of all you could say.
Connection: The other day our plane took off and as we were beginning to rise over Columbus, the fire alarm started going off and smoke started coming out into the cabin. Obviously, we were told we were returning to Columbus. A bit of an anxious moment...made more precarious by an awkward landing and the appearance of fire trucks and ambulances. We live today in the domain of grace - how will it go for you - how will this grace of our God shape the time at hand?
By your grace, O God, we are pulled into a life becomes your a witness to your grace. By your grace we are given the opportunity to live within a blessed time. Encourage us to consider the wealth of this time and live boldly within its domain. Amen.
Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.' Then the manager said to himself, 'What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. (Luke 16:1-3) I have decided what to do when so that, people may welcome me into their homes.' So summoning his master's debtors one by one, he asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' He answered, 'A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.' then he asked another, ''And how much do you owe?' He replied, 'A hundred containers of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill and make it eighty.' (Luke 16:4-7)
At this point in the story, even though this manager has now acted in an unethical manner again, everyone should do well. The debtors have all received a "break" of approximately the same worth of product. The rich man, though losing some of his income, will be seen by all as a benevolent person - almost beyond expectation. The manager, moving quickly to get it all done, has a village of people for whom he will appear to be a friend. Remember from yesterday...this all comes out of a window of a sliver of grace when the rich man does not fire the manager immediately but lets him go and put the "books" in order. In that bit of time...right now...without waiting...in the face of an unknown future, the manager acts within that "grace period." Ah...isn't that what we are all given even now...a "grace period." Isn't the time at hand the time of the Reign of God already breaking in upon us and yet there is opportunity at hand to live as though we are betting our lives on this grace of God that is wider and higher and deeper than all things? Now is the time to live within the realm of God's grace - now...without hesitation - now...for the benefit of all you could say.
Connection: The other day our plane took off and as we were beginning to rise over Columbus, the fire alarm started going off and smoke started coming out into the cabin. Obviously, we were told we were returning to Columbus. A bit of an anxious moment...made more precarious by an awkward landing and the appearance of fire trucks and ambulances. We live today in the domain of grace - how will it go for you - how will this grace of our God shape the time at hand?
By your grace, O God, we are pulled into a life becomes your a witness to your grace. By your grace we are given the opportunity to live within a blessed time. Encourage us to consider the wealth of this time and live boldly within its domain. Amen.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Tuesday 24 April 2007
Today we begin a look at the parable of the dishonest manager in Luke's gospel.
Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.' Then the manager said to himself, 'What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. (Luke 16:1-3)
Once again we will spend a few days on this parable - this is the first portion. The parable immediately follows the parable of the Two Sons and the Father. It is not a parable that people like. This comment is primarily focused around what the manager will do to get himself out of the mess he now finds himself. On commentator notes that there is a very thin sliver of a note of grace around which this parable builds itself so that this manager will be commended. It happens in this first section of the parable. In this kind of situation, this manager would be long gone - already. There would be no hesitation. There would be no command that sends him back to his books to make an accounting - he's gone. But, this rich man who holds all the cards and all the power acts with a bit of grace...just a bit...well, just a sliver. The question about what the manager will do is all based on this sliver of an opening....a bit of breath. The manager has a plan and we will read it tomorrow. But...the plan is a leap of faith. He is going to throw his next actions into gear by trusting this sliver of grace that allowed him a bit of time...allowed him access to the books...allowed him to make an accounting. He goes for it...a gracious opening will be the only opening to life...no matter how small it looks.
Connection: We act for many reasons every day. Sometimes it is hard to imagine that the grace of God can change the way the day flows. And yet, there are many opportunities to see how the Grace of God does encourage us risk and take chances based on this grace and in line with its story.
Unfortunately, O God, there are many times we walk away from you. So often it is because we have been fooled into hearing about how we must perform appropriately before we are one of your people. Too often, you love and grace is seen as something we must deserve. And yet, you continue to be the source of a life that is handed to us freely. That gracious gift is then the power to bring new possibilities to life. We give you thanks. Amen.
Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.' Then the manager said to himself, 'What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. (Luke 16:1-3)
Once again we will spend a few days on this parable - this is the first portion. The parable immediately follows the parable of the Two Sons and the Father. It is not a parable that people like. This comment is primarily focused around what the manager will do to get himself out of the mess he now finds himself. On commentator notes that there is a very thin sliver of a note of grace around which this parable builds itself so that this manager will be commended. It happens in this first section of the parable. In this kind of situation, this manager would be long gone - already. There would be no hesitation. There would be no command that sends him back to his books to make an accounting - he's gone. But, this rich man who holds all the cards and all the power acts with a bit of grace...just a bit...well, just a sliver. The question about what the manager will do is all based on this sliver of an opening....a bit of breath. The manager has a plan and we will read it tomorrow. But...the plan is a leap of faith. He is going to throw his next actions into gear by trusting this sliver of grace that allowed him a bit of time...allowed him access to the books...allowed him to make an accounting. He goes for it...a gracious opening will be the only opening to life...no matter how small it looks.
Connection: We act for many reasons every day. Sometimes it is hard to imagine that the grace of God can change the way the day flows. And yet, there are many opportunities to see how the Grace of God does encourage us risk and take chances based on this grace and in line with its story.
Unfortunately, O God, there are many times we walk away from you. So often it is because we have been fooled into hearing about how we must perform appropriately before we are one of your people. Too often, you love and grace is seen as something we must deserve. And yet, you continue to be the source of a life that is handed to us freely. That gracious gift is then the power to bring new possibilities to life. We give you thanks. Amen.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
23 April, 2007
Taken from 1 Peter 2:20-23
"…But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps…. When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly."
Almost every system of morality for sale out there is either based on rewards or rules. "Be good, because you'll get a prize if you do." Or, "Do this (or don't do that), because that's what the rules say will give you value." And when it comes to having to suffer, those systems offer the same quick answers: "you should endure hardship because there's a pot of gold waiting at the end for you," or sometimes we hear, "you'll only suffer if you're breaking the rules-it's punishment for someplace you've crossed the line." How strange, then, to hear from 1 Peter that the reasons we have for living in a new way are about neither incentives nor injunctions. Our way of life comes from who God in Christ is revealed to be. We are called to turn the other cheek, not in order to win a heavenly lottery (although there is the unconditional promise of eternal life), but because of the Roman cross where God in human flesh turned the other cheek for us. We are called to love our enemies, not because following that rule will surely make the world a better place (although it might), but because while we were "enemies" of God (Romans 5:10), God loved us nevertheless. How radically different from all other voices clamoring for our attention-and how wonderfully freeing!
Connection: Before we stumble through the question, "What should I do?" in any given situation, and even before we ask the popular wristband's question, "What would Jesus do?", we first have to let the grace sink in that comes from the question, "What has Jesus done-already?"
Lord Jesus, teach us to find in the scars you still wear both the promise of your love for us, and the freedom to make it our love for others.
"…But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps…. When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly."
Almost every system of morality for sale out there is either based on rewards or rules. "Be good, because you'll get a prize if you do." Or, "Do this (or don't do that), because that's what the rules say will give you value." And when it comes to having to suffer, those systems offer the same quick answers: "you should endure hardship because there's a pot of gold waiting at the end for you," or sometimes we hear, "you'll only suffer if you're breaking the rules-it's punishment for someplace you've crossed the line." How strange, then, to hear from 1 Peter that the reasons we have for living in a new way are about neither incentives nor injunctions. Our way of life comes from who God in Christ is revealed to be. We are called to turn the other cheek, not in order to win a heavenly lottery (although there is the unconditional promise of eternal life), but because of the Roman cross where God in human flesh turned the other cheek for us. We are called to love our enemies, not because following that rule will surely make the world a better place (although it might), but because while we were "enemies" of God (Romans 5:10), God loved us nevertheless. How radically different from all other voices clamoring for our attention-and how wonderfully freeing!
Connection: Before we stumble through the question, "What should I do?" in any given situation, and even before we ask the popular wristband's question, "What would Jesus do?", we first have to let the grace sink in that comes from the question, "What has Jesus done-already?"
Lord Jesus, teach us to find in the scars you still wear both the promise of your love for us, and the freedom to make it our love for others.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Friday 20 April 2007
The final verses of the parable of the two sons and the father bring us to the end of this week.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and there squandered his property in dissolute living. (Luke 15:11-13). When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! (Luke 15:14-17) I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." So he set off and went to his father. (Luke 18-20a) But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe - the best one - and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:20b-24) Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your Brother has come and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. (Luke 15:25-28) But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him.' (Luke15:29-30) The the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'" (Luke 15:31-32)
Why not take a look at what is your reality...what is your life...what are the gifts that you have? The older brother gripes about the younger brother and forgets everything he has been given. The world of nit-picking religious folks means that we rarely see and hear of people simply thrilled with being whose we are - the beloved children of God. Instead, we hear, "Look at them" or "How can they possibly be included here." The father reminds all of us of the place we already have and the place that belongs to the father. This father is rich in love and celebration and joy. We can always expect that this is the shape and face of the Reign of God. In some ways, it must be. Otherwise we would be saying that the Reign of God has our face...and our face can so easily be nothing more than the angry, bitter, unforgiving face of the older brother. Remember this story started with religious folks in a bit of a grumbling mood over how Jesus was bringing to life this love of God. A love for all....and the all means the lost, the lowest, the least...and yes, even those who think they are the best. To all of these comes the power of the love of God. It is only within that embrace that we are able to be something other than the finger-pointers we can so easily become. That love is our starting point and our returning point. It is as I say so often the beginning and the end. Now we are invited to celebrate those points in the in-between time of today.
Connection: So how does one...like me or you...remain focused on this love of God so that it really does have the power to remake all things?!? I would suggest that God's love is already tugging at us and bidding us to come and live within it power. We...are to simply trust that love...and live.
Abide with us, O God, as you have promised. We will drift away and we will run away and we will turn our backs to you...but we must have you near us so that we can hear your words of love and your forgiveness and be assured of your everlasting embrace. Lead us, O Lord, into the expansiveness of your Reign with all your beloved. Amen.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and there squandered his property in dissolute living. (Luke 15:11-13). When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! (Luke 15:14-17) I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." So he set off and went to his father. (Luke 18-20a) But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe - the best one - and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:20b-24) Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your Brother has come and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. (Luke 15:25-28) But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him.' (Luke15:29-30) The the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'" (Luke 15:31-32)
Why not take a look at what is your reality...what is your life...what are the gifts that you have? The older brother gripes about the younger brother and forgets everything he has been given. The world of nit-picking religious folks means that we rarely see and hear of people simply thrilled with being whose we are - the beloved children of God. Instead, we hear, "Look at them" or "How can they possibly be included here." The father reminds all of us of the place we already have and the place that belongs to the father. This father is rich in love and celebration and joy. We can always expect that this is the shape and face of the Reign of God. In some ways, it must be. Otherwise we would be saying that the Reign of God has our face...and our face can so easily be nothing more than the angry, bitter, unforgiving face of the older brother. Remember this story started with religious folks in a bit of a grumbling mood over how Jesus was bringing to life this love of God. A love for all....and the all means the lost, the lowest, the least...and yes, even those who think they are the best. To all of these comes the power of the love of God. It is only within that embrace that we are able to be something other than the finger-pointers we can so easily become. That love is our starting point and our returning point. It is as I say so often the beginning and the end. Now we are invited to celebrate those points in the in-between time of today.
Connection: So how does one...like me or you...remain focused on this love of God so that it really does have the power to remake all things?!? I would suggest that God's love is already tugging at us and bidding us to come and live within it power. We...are to simply trust that love...and live.
Abide with us, O God, as you have promised. We will drift away and we will run away and we will turn our backs to you...but we must have you near us so that we can hear your words of love and your forgiveness and be assured of your everlasting embrace. Lead us, O Lord, into the expansiveness of your Reign with all your beloved. Amen.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Our run into and through this parable from Luke is about to come to an end...about to...
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and there squandered his property in dissolute living. (Luke 15:11-13). When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! (Luke 15:14-17) I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." So he set off and went to his father. (Luke 18-20a) But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe - the best one - and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:20b-24) Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your Brother has come and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. (Luke 15:25-28) But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him.' (Luke15:29-30)
When someone thinks they deserve something notice how it can be picked up in mere punctuation. I know that translators put in the exclamation point after the older sons first word (Listen!), but it does convey some of the emotion and much of the way this son views not only his father but his brother and the whole nature of how things are to happen in the world. He has been invited to join the celebration that is merely an expression of great love and thanksgiving and he has to smack it down as though the father doesn't get it. Well, maybe it is the oldest son who doesn't get it. He moves right into blame that is filled with anger and hurt and disapproval. What he has missed in all this time with his father is that the fatted calf and other animals like goats and the rest were always there. They were his...they were all apart of the inheritance (and the greater share - as he was the oldest son) that was, in essence his. He could have had a party at anytime. The father never stopped him. The father never put conditions on how the oldest son must carry on in the presence of the father. "You want to throw a party...then party! You are my eldest son...you are my beloved." But this son...never got it. He has been living in a world according to his own boundaries and guides and laws and rules and expectations. He has, you could say, forgotten that he is the son and the house has been open to him all along. As it is, though, we do not always want to live in this home that is ours. We want to make due with rules that actually demean the gift and turn it into something it is not...something we must earn. Not only does this son get on the father for not living according to the rules of the eldest son's world, this son also attacks the younger son for stuff he didn't do. There's nothing in this story that talks about the sexual conduct of the younger son. But...we all know...that is a way to draw more attention and make someone look and sound and smell "bad & dirty." But...But...even if that was the case...to this father, there is a love that nothing...nothing...nothing can cancel or qualify. It is party love - it is celebration.
Connection: A good exercise for all of us would be to try and catch ourselves in the act of putting conditions on our relationships. My bet is...it will not happen just once.
By your love, O God, we are brought home into the presence of the celebration of life that comes when your rule is the creative power in our lives. Sometimes it is too amazing to consider. Then again that is why we call such grace and love - amazing. Praise to you, O Lord. Amen.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and there squandered his property in dissolute living. (Luke 15:11-13). When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! (Luke 15:14-17) I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." So he set off and went to his father. (Luke 18-20a) But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe - the best one - and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:20b-24) Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your Brother has come and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. (Luke 15:25-28) But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him.' (Luke15:29-30)
When someone thinks they deserve something notice how it can be picked up in mere punctuation. I know that translators put in the exclamation point after the older sons first word (Listen!), but it does convey some of the emotion and much of the way this son views not only his father but his brother and the whole nature of how things are to happen in the world. He has been invited to join the celebration that is merely an expression of great love and thanksgiving and he has to smack it down as though the father doesn't get it. Well, maybe it is the oldest son who doesn't get it. He moves right into blame that is filled with anger and hurt and disapproval. What he has missed in all this time with his father is that the fatted calf and other animals like goats and the rest were always there. They were his...they were all apart of the inheritance (and the greater share - as he was the oldest son) that was, in essence his. He could have had a party at anytime. The father never stopped him. The father never put conditions on how the oldest son must carry on in the presence of the father. "You want to throw a party...then party! You are my eldest son...you are my beloved." But this son...never got it. He has been living in a world according to his own boundaries and guides and laws and rules and expectations. He has, you could say, forgotten that he is the son and the house has been open to him all along. As it is, though, we do not always want to live in this home that is ours. We want to make due with rules that actually demean the gift and turn it into something it is not...something we must earn. Not only does this son get on the father for not living according to the rules of the eldest son's world, this son also attacks the younger son for stuff he didn't do. There's nothing in this story that talks about the sexual conduct of the younger son. But...we all know...that is a way to draw more attention and make someone look and sound and smell "bad & dirty." But...But...even if that was the case...to this father, there is a love that nothing...nothing...nothing can cancel or qualify. It is party love - it is celebration.
Connection: A good exercise for all of us would be to try and catch ourselves in the act of putting conditions on our relationships. My bet is...it will not happen just once.
By your love, O God, we are brought home into the presence of the celebration of life that comes when your rule is the creative power in our lives. Sometimes it is too amazing to consider. Then again that is why we call such grace and love - amazing. Praise to you, O Lord. Amen.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Wednesday 18 April 2007
Movement continues within the parable of these two sons and their father.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and there squandered his property in dissolute living. (Luke 15:11-13). When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! (Luke 15:14-17) I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." So he set off and went to his father. (Luke 18-20a) But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe - the best one - and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:20b-24)
Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your Brother has come and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. (Luke 15:25-28)
What will come out of the older son's mouth will be saved for tomorrow. As for today, we must live again with unconventional love. At first I wondered why anyone would draw into question a party. Isn't a party all about celebration? Maybe this son wondered how a celebration could begin without being informed about it or at least having some say in the party. The slave says an important word to this older brother. He identifies him as "your brother." Even the slave - more than likely, one of the neighborhood children - knows of the relationship and the connection. No matter how the younger son left the homestead, this is still son...this is still brother....this is still all about relationship as essential to our life and our future. Unfortunately, the relationship - now reestablished and back in place - cannot be permitted...it cannot be experienced as joy. As in the case of the father who recklessly runs after the youngest son who was still far off, so does the father now leave his position as head of household and all of its status to go out and do what a slave should do - beacon the older brother to come into the party. But no! This loving father will let himself be humiliated in order to reach out to this older son so that in his reaching out to him, the distance between those in this family will be eliminated. The older son will have nothing to do with this gesture of utmost love that will step down in order to bring in those on the outside of the party.
Alas, this son is not going to go near and he will listen without hearing.
Connection: We all play games with love and gifts and honor and relationships. Game playing never allows us to see them or him or her as one of us. There are always reasons to draw lines when we play games with each other...there are always going to be winners and losers for those who live in the middle of "fatted calf games." What will keep us from going into the party today?
How sweet is your love that binds us together as one family within your gracious Reign! But we all know that there are times when we do not want to be bound together and instead we would insist on being separated and within our own world that moves along in the ways we would have it move. Praise to you, O God, for continuing to extend a hand - offer a word - give all you have - and, put us with us even as we reject you. For by this love of yours, is our hope and the life to come in your name. Amen.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and there squandered his property in dissolute living. (Luke 15:11-13). When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! (Luke 15:14-17) I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." So he set off and went to his father. (Luke 18-20a) But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe - the best one - and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:20b-24)
Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your Brother has come and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. (Luke 15:25-28)
What will come out of the older son's mouth will be saved for tomorrow. As for today, we must live again with unconventional love. At first I wondered why anyone would draw into question a party. Isn't a party all about celebration? Maybe this son wondered how a celebration could begin without being informed about it or at least having some say in the party. The slave says an important word to this older brother. He identifies him as "your brother." Even the slave - more than likely, one of the neighborhood children - knows of the relationship and the connection. No matter how the younger son left the homestead, this is still son...this is still brother....this is still all about relationship as essential to our life and our future. Unfortunately, the relationship - now reestablished and back in place - cannot be permitted...it cannot be experienced as joy. As in the case of the father who recklessly runs after the youngest son who was still far off, so does the father now leave his position as head of household and all of its status to go out and do what a slave should do - beacon the older brother to come into the party. But no! This loving father will let himself be humiliated in order to reach out to this older son so that in his reaching out to him, the distance between those in this family will be eliminated. The older son will have nothing to do with this gesture of utmost love that will step down in order to bring in those on the outside of the party.
Alas, this son is not going to go near and he will listen without hearing.
Connection: We all play games with love and gifts and honor and relationships. Game playing never allows us to see them or him or her as one of us. There are always reasons to draw lines when we play games with each other...there are always going to be winners and losers for those who live in the middle of "fatted calf games." What will keep us from going into the party today?
How sweet is your love that binds us together as one family within your gracious Reign! But we all know that there are times when we do not want to be bound together and instead we would insist on being separated and within our own world that moves along in the ways we would have it move. Praise to you, O God, for continuing to extend a hand - offer a word - give all you have - and, put us with us even as we reject you. For by this love of yours, is our hope and the life to come in your name. Amen.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Tuesday 17 April 2007
Yes, we continue with the two sons and the father - a parable from Luke's gospel.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and there squandered his property in dissolute living. (Luke 15:11-13). When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! (Luke 15:14-17) I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." So he set off and went to his father. (Luke 18-20a) But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe - the best one - and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:20b-24)
Please note that in the telling of this story the father knows nothing of the son's adventure in the far off land. The father simply sees - his son. Nothing else matters. The villager neighbors who know what this boy has done...are not given a second thought. The father goes out there to protect his son. He runs - that is he picks up his outer wear, exposes his legs and undergarments and runs to the boy...he makes a scene of himself for the likes of that boy. Ahhhhh!....but that boy is his son. This is no stranger. This is no bad boy. This is no disrespectful snob who will have to pay his way back into the fold. This is his son. All the "to do" is to show everyone that this "son of mine" remains as I see him - "my beloved." No other opinion matters and no other status will be given to him. This is such a powerful image that the confession of the son - the one he had planned to use to save himself - was not allowed to come to completion. This is my beloved - my son who has been away from me - my lost boy - the one I thought was dead is alive. Nothing is on the father's mind but party and celebration. Who cares what the motives of the son were. All the father considers is the simple fact that this is my son. Nothing trumps this love...nothing. In fact, this love only knows how to be shown by way of celebration - sheer joy - utter foolishness - that includes including the whole village (that is, everyone) in on the celebration. What message does this send to those looking on? Either this father has no memory or the power of memory to create separation has no power over the joy of reunion. Either this father has lost his values and status and image or he holds none of that as a treasure above the love he has for his son. Wow.
Connection: That boy/girl off in the distance full of excuses is...all of us...everyday. No chance to become something other than what we are. And yet, we are the beloved of God and in that reality we stand within this day as ones who begin from there...again. No other agenda make us. No other opinion shapes us. No other story needs to be heard. We begin with that loving God who, as some might think, foolishly rushes after us...again.
Come, O Lord of Love, and yet we already trust that you will and you do come to take us into your life and your future that is already touching us and guiding us. We give you thanks for making your love the home to which we are always welcome....again. Amen.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and there squandered his property in dissolute living. (Luke 15:11-13). When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! (Luke 15:14-17) I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." So he set off and went to his father. (Luke 18-20a) But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe - the best one - and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:20b-24)
Please note that in the telling of this story the father knows nothing of the son's adventure in the far off land. The father simply sees - his son. Nothing else matters. The villager neighbors who know what this boy has done...are not given a second thought. The father goes out there to protect his son. He runs - that is he picks up his outer wear, exposes his legs and undergarments and runs to the boy...he makes a scene of himself for the likes of that boy. Ahhhhh!....but that boy is his son. This is no stranger. This is no bad boy. This is no disrespectful snob who will have to pay his way back into the fold. This is his son. All the "to do" is to show everyone that this "son of mine" remains as I see him - "my beloved." No other opinion matters and no other status will be given to him. This is such a powerful image that the confession of the son - the one he had planned to use to save himself - was not allowed to come to completion. This is my beloved - my son who has been away from me - my lost boy - the one I thought was dead is alive. Nothing is on the father's mind but party and celebration. Who cares what the motives of the son were. All the father considers is the simple fact that this is my son. Nothing trumps this love...nothing. In fact, this love only knows how to be shown by way of celebration - sheer joy - utter foolishness - that includes including the whole village (that is, everyone) in on the celebration. What message does this send to those looking on? Either this father has no memory or the power of memory to create separation has no power over the joy of reunion. Either this father has lost his values and status and image or he holds none of that as a treasure above the love he has for his son. Wow.
Connection: That boy/girl off in the distance full of excuses is...all of us...everyday. No chance to become something other than what we are. And yet, we are the beloved of God and in that reality we stand within this day as ones who begin from there...again. No other agenda make us. No other opinion shapes us. No other story needs to be heard. We begin with that loving God who, as some might think, foolishly rushes after us...again.
Come, O Lord of Love, and yet we already trust that you will and you do come to take us into your life and your future that is already touching us and guiding us. We give you thanks for making your love the home to which we are always welcome....again. Amen.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Monday 16 April 2007
This week begins back in the parable of the father with two sons.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and there squandered his property in dissolute living. (Luke 15:11-13). When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! (Luke 15:14-17) I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." So he set off and went to his father. (Luke 18-20a)
Oh what control we want to have! Oh how we can attempt to put the world together the way we would like it to fit together. Oh how everything needs to be about me - mine. The younger son sets up his plan. This plan of his will save his behind. This plan will put him into a position he can accept - a plan with which he can get things back under control. No, it won't be as it was when he was home, but it will be better than it is with the pigs. I wonder how much of our religious contemplation has to do with how we would have our lives go on from here to there? I wonder about how much of what we do as religious people can simply be ways that we have decided with save our skin or make us look good or be safe simply in the way we have decided is safe. I find it interesting that he is trying to be something other than what he is. He's is going back to become a hired hand...when he is a son. Does being a child of God or being a child of a loving parent simply have to do with what we have or don't have, what we able to make of ourselves? Or...are we sons and daughters - forever. Even when we have been trying like mad to be something other than who we are, does that mean that we are not exactly who God and a loving parent would consider us. How quickly we try to take control of the universe in which we live.
Connection: You are the beloved of God...you are more than you can imagine you are...you are the sons and daughters - of the Creator...of the one who remember loving relationships...of the one whose promises to abide with us have no end...of the one who has claimed us and does not let go even when we think we have cut all the strings we have put in place.
Lord, Who Rescues, Delivers and Remembers, it is by your grace that this day opens up into something beyond our plans and controls and wants. We give you thanks for being the one who waits as we wander and walks with us when we are fumbling along with our own ideas of who we are. Praise to you, O God. Amen.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and there squandered his property in dissolute living. (Luke 15:11-13). When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! (Luke 15:14-17) I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." So he set off and went to his father. (Luke 18-20a)
Oh what control we want to have! Oh how we can attempt to put the world together the way we would like it to fit together. Oh how everything needs to be about me - mine. The younger son sets up his plan. This plan of his will save his behind. This plan will put him into a position he can accept - a plan with which he can get things back under control. No, it won't be as it was when he was home, but it will be better than it is with the pigs. I wonder how much of our religious contemplation has to do with how we would have our lives go on from here to there? I wonder about how much of what we do as religious people can simply be ways that we have decided with save our skin or make us look good or be safe simply in the way we have decided is safe. I find it interesting that he is trying to be something other than what he is. He's is going back to become a hired hand...when he is a son. Does being a child of God or being a child of a loving parent simply have to do with what we have or don't have, what we able to make of ourselves? Or...are we sons and daughters - forever. Even when we have been trying like mad to be something other than who we are, does that mean that we are not exactly who God and a loving parent would consider us. How quickly we try to take control of the universe in which we live.
Connection: You are the beloved of God...you are more than you can imagine you are...you are the sons and daughters - of the Creator...of the one who remember loving relationships...of the one whose promises to abide with us have no end...of the one who has claimed us and does not let go even when we think we have cut all the strings we have put in place.
Lord, Who Rescues, Delivers and Remembers, it is by your grace that this day opens up into something beyond our plans and controls and wants. We give you thanks for being the one who waits as we wander and walks with us when we are fumbling along with our own ideas of who we are. Praise to you, O God. Amen.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Friday 13 April 2007
Today we continue with the third parable that follows this scene in Luke's gospel:
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and there squandered his property in dissolute living. (Luke 15:11-13). When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough to spare, but here I am dying of hunger. (Luke 15:14-17)
I stop here because I don't want us to hear what his plan is...yet. We ended yesterday with "dissolute living." Most of the time this is seen as "immortal" living or spending time and money on prostitutes. NOT. If there was anything immoral about his living is that he was most likely counting on the money he had to win friends and influence people. Odd how we don't consider that immoral living - that is - so focused on make a name and getting a place in life that we forget what we already have and who we are. This was a son who had a village and a home and a future. It is not unreasonable that one would want to strike out on one's own, but to ever think we need to count on more than the fact that we are beloved already becomes a problem. Well as we see, he doesn't really fall into a bad situation until there is this famine that hits everyone. In famine, everyone draws inward - we want to protect our own before reaching out. Therefore, this younger son - now without the money to make him somebody - is left out. Kenneth Bailey notes that when you tended pigs, it was not in a muddy barnyard. Rather you watched over them as they wandered around the area eating whatever they could. People around you knew you were a pig person in town tending pigs and as we can assume from the introduction to these parables, this was a young Jewish man. It is only here that he begins to remember life with his father. Only in distress...only when the gods we hope will make us somebody give out and we are left alongside the road as other pass by...only when our choice of life comes up in a ditch. In remembering, he begins to think...but his thoughts will only be the same old thinking that put him in a far off place.
Connection: We are a people blessed and loved by our God. It is the beginning of the day and it will be with us as we fall off to sleep - from beginning to end. We can live under that banner and at the same time view others as just the same. It can and it does have a way with us - whether we are safe at home or out in the middle of nowhere. The question is, how does this reality shape us?
O Lord God, your Reign continues to be present even as we move away from you. But as we forget, you move with us...you never leave us even though we feel and see ourselves far away from you. It is your loving presence that is the power that changes the day and transforms us and brings us to life - really new life. Alleluia.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and there squandered his property in dissolute living. (Luke 15:11-13). When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough to spare, but here I am dying of hunger. (Luke 15:14-17)
I stop here because I don't want us to hear what his plan is...yet. We ended yesterday with "dissolute living." Most of the time this is seen as "immortal" living or spending time and money on prostitutes. NOT. If there was anything immoral about his living is that he was most likely counting on the money he had to win friends and influence people. Odd how we don't consider that immoral living - that is - so focused on make a name and getting a place in life that we forget what we already have and who we are. This was a son who had a village and a home and a future. It is not unreasonable that one would want to strike out on one's own, but to ever think we need to count on more than the fact that we are beloved already becomes a problem. Well as we see, he doesn't really fall into a bad situation until there is this famine that hits everyone. In famine, everyone draws inward - we want to protect our own before reaching out. Therefore, this younger son - now without the money to make him somebody - is left out. Kenneth Bailey notes that when you tended pigs, it was not in a muddy barnyard. Rather you watched over them as they wandered around the area eating whatever they could. People around you knew you were a pig person in town tending pigs and as we can assume from the introduction to these parables, this was a young Jewish man. It is only here that he begins to remember life with his father. Only in distress...only when the gods we hope will make us somebody give out and we are left alongside the road as other pass by...only when our choice of life comes up in a ditch. In remembering, he begins to think...but his thoughts will only be the same old thinking that put him in a far off place.
Connection: We are a people blessed and loved by our God. It is the beginning of the day and it will be with us as we fall off to sleep - from beginning to end. We can live under that banner and at the same time view others as just the same. It can and it does have a way with us - whether we are safe at home or out in the middle of nowhere. The question is, how does this reality shape us?
O Lord God, your Reign continues to be present even as we move away from you. But as we forget, you move with us...you never leave us even though we feel and see ourselves far away from you. It is your loving presence that is the power that changes the day and transforms us and brings us to life - really new life. Alleluia.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Thursday 12 April 2007
Today we move into the third parable that follows this scene in Luke's gospel:
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and there squandered his property in dissolute living. (Luke 15:11-13
By this time in the parable, the crowds would be booing. The younger son - rather than live with his father in the home that is his and share that life with his brother - asks for what "will" belong to him. That means - when you are dead and gone - give me that share now. Some people who know much more about social customs in the ancient and modern middle east do a wonderful job of setting up what a situation this really is. One point that is so dramatic is that this is not simply a family matter. In a village, everyone would know about this. In fact one person notes that the property was stuff - animals and the like. All that had to be sold...and in a hurry...therefore at a lesser price....so that the younger one could go!. What caught my attention in this read through was the simple note that the father - without comment or direction or question - divided the property between them. He gave the younger his...and...he gave the older son his because really all that was now left was to be the older sons. The father is left with nothing...nothing material. What the father has is two sons. Even here he has two sons. We are never told that the father disowned the younger one. The villagers were probably disgusted with the young man. The older son was more than likely fit to be tied. But the father still had two sons. Love that will let go and not know where things will go or not have any control....wow!
Connection: Sometimes at great cost we must let go and love as though we are giving a gift even when we do not know what will come of it and we cannot see beyond the moment at hand.
Loving Lord, within the great embrace of your love, you are willing to let us go and give us all things and then and forever....love us. It sounds absurd...but it is you and we can't quite put our arms around that...but you put your arms around us and that is finally enough. Praise be to you. Amen.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and there squandered his property in dissolute living. (Luke 15:11-13
By this time in the parable, the crowds would be booing. The younger son - rather than live with his father in the home that is his and share that life with his brother - asks for what "will" belong to him. That means - when you are dead and gone - give me that share now. Some people who know much more about social customs in the ancient and modern middle east do a wonderful job of setting up what a situation this really is. One point that is so dramatic is that this is not simply a family matter. In a village, everyone would know about this. In fact one person notes that the property was stuff - animals and the like. All that had to be sold...and in a hurry...therefore at a lesser price....so that the younger one could go!. What caught my attention in this read through was the simple note that the father - without comment or direction or question - divided the property between them. He gave the younger his...and...he gave the older son his because really all that was now left was to be the older sons. The father is left with nothing...nothing material. What the father has is two sons. Even here he has two sons. We are never told that the father disowned the younger one. The villagers were probably disgusted with the young man. The older son was more than likely fit to be tied. But the father still had two sons. Love that will let go and not know where things will go or not have any control....wow!
Connection: Sometimes at great cost we must let go and love as though we are giving a gift even when we do not know what will come of it and we cannot see beyond the moment at hand.
Loving Lord, within the great embrace of your love, you are willing to let us go and give us all things and then and forever....love us. It sounds absurd...but it is you and we can't quite put our arms around that...but you put your arms around us and that is finally enough. Praise be to you. Amen.
Wednesday 11 April 2007
Today we move on to the parable of the lost coin.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
"Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:8-10)
The coin never repents...as in "I did something wrong, I want to change my ways." Rather, the coin - the lost coin - is found. Or we could say that the coin is brought back to be with the other coins. It regains its position. That finding and that regaining of its "home" is something that stirs up joy. The coin does nothing. Somehow the coin was missing and the absence of one from the ten caused the woman to do whatever she could do in her house to find that coin. If we are going to imagine angels rejoicing over one sinner who repents, it is because God is the God who never stops pulling us home...never stops finding us...never stops counting us out...never goes on with business as it is and take the loss. No. This is another one of the parables that makes me want to go into every book store I enter and tell the manager to put the "Left Behind" books in the fiction or science fiction area of the store and keep them away from "spirituality" or "religion" or "Christian" books. There is joy in God bringing us home....in God finding us...in God's action that makes us whole - makes us a part of the whole - brings utter joy.
Connection: Imagine being lost - alone - isolated - without contact with others, and then all of the sudden you are in the presence of ones who have been looking for you and hoping to find you and longing to have you with them - no conditions. I would imagine it would be a bit overwhelming to be so wanted.
O God who never fails to turn and find us and bring us home, we are too often tricked into playing the part of someone who can change ourselves in order to say we have found you. But fortunately, you, by your grace, already grasp us and never make us play any games with your love. Amen.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
"Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:8-10)
The coin never repents...as in "I did something wrong, I want to change my ways." Rather, the coin - the lost coin - is found. Or we could say that the coin is brought back to be with the other coins. It regains its position. That finding and that regaining of its "home" is something that stirs up joy. The coin does nothing. Somehow the coin was missing and the absence of one from the ten caused the woman to do whatever she could do in her house to find that coin. If we are going to imagine angels rejoicing over one sinner who repents, it is because God is the God who never stops pulling us home...never stops finding us...never stops counting us out...never goes on with business as it is and take the loss. No. This is another one of the parables that makes me want to go into every book store I enter and tell the manager to put the "Left Behind" books in the fiction or science fiction area of the store and keep them away from "spirituality" or "religion" or "Christian" books. There is joy in God bringing us home....in God finding us...in God's action that makes us whole - makes us a part of the whole - brings utter joy.
Connection: Imagine being lost - alone - isolated - without contact with others, and then all of the sudden you are in the presence of ones who have been looking for you and hoping to find you and longing to have you with them - no conditions. I would imagine it would be a bit overwhelming to be so wanted.
O God who never fails to turn and find us and bring us home, we are too often tricked into playing the part of someone who can change ourselves in order to say we have found you. But fortunately, you, by your grace, already grasp us and never make us play any games with your love. Amen.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Tuesday 10 April 2007
Today we move into the parable of the lost sheep.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
So he told them this parable: "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was last.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:3-7)
Remember that we read the parable with those opening verses (1-2) in mind. That lost sheep was as good as dead out there in the wilderness. Sheep are not known for their ability to defend themselves from predators. The most often comment I hear about this text is how could he leave the 99 out there by themselves. Surely he would lose more of them. Well, someone like Kenneth Bailey is able to comment about the cultural aspects of shepherds in the middle east and he notes that there would have been more than one shepherd out there. Having said that, let's get on to the finding and the rejoicing. Not only is the sheep found...it is brought home. Not only is it brought home...it is brought home under no power of its own. The shepherd finds...the shepherd carries it home. There is no information on why the sheep was missing. We only know that the lost is found. We only know that everyone in the village is brought in to celebrate the safe return - the saving of the sheep - the homecoming. When the lost are found, it is not merely an individual event. This is a community affair for we are always reunited with other - be it sheep or people. The religious leaders may put up a fuss about the "kind of people" Jesus welcomes into his presence as friend and guest and equal, but Jesus is all about bringing people home and making it a homecoming that will make even the least the most welcome one at the party.
Connection: Sometimes it is easy to forget the parables and their way of ripping open the door to God's Reign. Sometimes it is too easy to keep things as we once knew them and never consider how wonderful it is when the lost are carried home to join in the festive life of the body of Christ. Today is another good day to welcome someone home.
Lord God, you find us in many and various place in our lives and you never forget us. It is by your grace that we gathered up and brought into the community of your beloved. We give you thanks again for all your life-giving love. Amen.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
So he told them this parable: "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was last.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:3-7)
Remember that we read the parable with those opening verses (1-2) in mind. That lost sheep was as good as dead out there in the wilderness. Sheep are not known for their ability to defend themselves from predators. The most often comment I hear about this text is how could he leave the 99 out there by themselves. Surely he would lose more of them. Well, someone like Kenneth Bailey is able to comment about the cultural aspects of shepherds in the middle east and he notes that there would have been more than one shepherd out there. Having said that, let's get on to the finding and the rejoicing. Not only is the sheep found...it is brought home. Not only is it brought home...it is brought home under no power of its own. The shepherd finds...the shepherd carries it home. There is no information on why the sheep was missing. We only know that the lost is found. We only know that everyone in the village is brought in to celebrate the safe return - the saving of the sheep - the homecoming. When the lost are found, it is not merely an individual event. This is a community affair for we are always reunited with other - be it sheep or people. The religious leaders may put up a fuss about the "kind of people" Jesus welcomes into his presence as friend and guest and equal, but Jesus is all about bringing people home and making it a homecoming that will make even the least the most welcome one at the party.
Connection: Sometimes it is easy to forget the parables and their way of ripping open the door to God's Reign. Sometimes it is too easy to keep things as we once knew them and never consider how wonderful it is when the lost are carried home to join in the festive life of the body of Christ. Today is another good day to welcome someone home.
Lord God, you find us in many and various place in our lives and you never forget us. It is by your grace that we gathered up and brought into the community of your beloved. We give you thanks again for all your life-giving love. Amen.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Monday 9 April 2007
This week we will look at three parables in chapter 15 in Luke's gospel. But first the incident that brings them all into the picture.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
When the lines are drawn between people - lines as basic as us and them - there are certain actions that will be allowed and there are others that will not be allowed. This scenario has not changed throughout time. These introductory sentences need only have a word or a name changed and we could be talking about life within a religious group - most any religious group - today. This being the day after the Sunday of the Resurrection of our Lord and having heard Paul write about a resurrection life in which there is no partiality is good reason to use these verse in Luke to look at ourselves - the people who show no partiality and yet spend time and money making sure we are indeed noted by our partiality. In fact to the world around us, we are better known by our partiality - our exclusion - than we are known by our life together. This is not to say that we don't feed the poor, clothe the homeless, help build homes for the families in need, care for people with AIDS...we do all of that. But too have them mix with us...to have them as people who are welcome to be with us and sit at table with us...that can be a bit much. You may already feel the disgust in these introductory lines in chapter 15. It is disgust. It is disappointment. It is and will grow into anger. The grumbling will generate shouts and when that starts, someone is going to get hurt. It is usually the ones invited to sit near someone like Jesus...or it will be the ones who, like Jesus, invite...make room...will not live according to bias and fear and anxieties. So what do we do when the church does not have the willingness or the ability to have its doors open and to let the grace of our God be embodied in, with and under our lives so that the world is absolutely amazed at our living presence. We may have to go back to telling parables.
Connection: We all hear many words of exclusion and we may see just as many of these words put into action. It may do us well to ask why. And when we are told why, wonder or say out loud, "What does that have to do with the life in the Reign of God in these post-Easter times. Gee....I thought there was no partiality among us." Chances are our voices and questions will be laughed at.
Lord of the Resurrection, if it is not one person it is another person and if not that person then another. We cannot seem to be set free from our need to control the reins of your Reign. Touch our hearts so that your love that affirmed Jesus' radical notion of life might fire up our days. Amen.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
When the lines are drawn between people - lines as basic as us and them - there are certain actions that will be allowed and there are others that will not be allowed. This scenario has not changed throughout time. These introductory sentences need only have a word or a name changed and we could be talking about life within a religious group - most any religious group - today. This being the day after the Sunday of the Resurrection of our Lord and having heard Paul write about a resurrection life in which there is no partiality is good reason to use these verse in Luke to look at ourselves - the people who show no partiality and yet spend time and money making sure we are indeed noted by our partiality. In fact to the world around us, we are better known by our partiality - our exclusion - than we are known by our life together. This is not to say that we don't feed the poor, clothe the homeless, help build homes for the families in need, care for people with AIDS...we do all of that. But too have them mix with us...to have them as people who are welcome to be with us and sit at table with us...that can be a bit much. You may already feel the disgust in these introductory lines in chapter 15. It is disgust. It is disappointment. It is and will grow into anger. The grumbling will generate shouts and when that starts, someone is going to get hurt. It is usually the ones invited to sit near someone like Jesus...or it will be the ones who, like Jesus, invite...make room...will not live according to bias and fear and anxieties. So what do we do when the church does not have the willingness or the ability to have its doors open and to let the grace of our God be embodied in, with and under our lives so that the world is absolutely amazed at our living presence. We may have to go back to telling parables.
Connection: We all hear many words of exclusion and we may see just as many of these words put into action. It may do us well to ask why. And when we are told why, wonder or say out loud, "What does that have to do with the life in the Reign of God in these post-Easter times. Gee....I thought there was no partiality among us." Chances are our voices and questions will be laughed at.
Lord of the Resurrection, if it is not one person it is another person and if not that person then another. We cannot seem to be set free from our need to control the reins of your Reign. Touch our hearts so that your love that affirmed Jesus' radical notion of life might fire up our days. Amen.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Friday 6 April 2007
Today the whole parable of the great dinner is before us.
One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, "Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" Then Jesus said to him, "Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now. But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land, and I must go see it; please accept my regrets.' Another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.' Another said, 'I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.' (Luke 14:15-20) So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to the slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' And the slave said, 'Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.' (Luke 14:21-22) Then the master said to the slave, 'God out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you none of those who were invited will taste my dinner. (Luke 14:23-24)
I made a goof. Maybe it was a typo...maybe a Freudian slip. But as I was typing the first part of this new section I typed "pastor" instead of "master." Interesting. The dinner would have gone on with just the few people who were invited and did indeed come. But there would have been so much more available at the dinner. The master had to draw a bigger circle and then a bigger one. It becomes so big that none are outside the bounds of those invited to share in the feast. As often as I hear pastors complain about lay people and why things do move forward in ministry, it is more than often the pastor who is not able or willing to open the doors. For if you are the one suspected of opening the doors, you are the one who has allowed "them" in. And yet, there is plenty for all. The church does not simply offer an invitation to those who are poor and sick - even though many do. The church is given the opportunity to invite/compel anyone and everyone who may be walking by. The master in the parable is taking a risk. What will the original guests think. What will the ones who "had other things to do" think. But the dinner goes on and all who come are fed. Who knows, in the process of this new dinner the whole shape of this master's feasts may change and in the mixing of the people connections are made that would never have been considered previously. Sounds like the Reign of God at hand...at the barbecue.
Connection: Open the doors...no...send folk out to invite...no...prepare a meal that will fill the lives of anyone and everyone and compel them to come and share in all of it.
When the doors of your Reign are open, O God, we find a new definition of brother and sister and friend and neighbor. In that banquet within your Reign, we are already feasting upon the expansiveness of your grace and love. Amen.
One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, "Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" Then Jesus said to him, "Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now. But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land, and I must go see it; please accept my regrets.' Another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.' Another said, 'I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.' (Luke 14:15-20) So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to the slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' And the slave said, 'Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.' (Luke 14:21-22) Then the master said to the slave, 'God out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you none of those who were invited will taste my dinner. (Luke 14:23-24)
I made a goof. Maybe it was a typo...maybe a Freudian slip. But as I was typing the first part of this new section I typed "pastor" instead of "master." Interesting. The dinner would have gone on with just the few people who were invited and did indeed come. But there would have been so much more available at the dinner. The master had to draw a bigger circle and then a bigger one. It becomes so big that none are outside the bounds of those invited to share in the feast. As often as I hear pastors complain about lay people and why things do move forward in ministry, it is more than often the pastor who is not able or willing to open the doors. For if you are the one suspected of opening the doors, you are the one who has allowed "them" in. And yet, there is plenty for all. The church does not simply offer an invitation to those who are poor and sick - even though many do. The church is given the opportunity to invite/compel anyone and everyone who may be walking by. The master in the parable is taking a risk. What will the original guests think. What will the ones who "had other things to do" think. But the dinner goes on and all who come are fed. Who knows, in the process of this new dinner the whole shape of this master's feasts may change and in the mixing of the people connections are made that would never have been considered previously. Sounds like the Reign of God at hand...at the barbecue.
Connection: Open the doors...no...send folk out to invite...no...prepare a meal that will fill the lives of anyone and everyone and compel them to come and share in all of it.
When the doors of your Reign are open, O God, we find a new definition of brother and sister and friend and neighbor. In that banquet within your Reign, we are already feasting upon the expansiveness of your grace and love. Amen.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Thursday 5 April 2007
We continue looking at the parable of the great dinner.
One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, "Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" Then Jesus said to him, "Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now. But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land, and I must go see it; please accept my regrets.' Another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.' Another said, 'I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.' (Luke 14:15-20) So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to the slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' And the slave said, 'Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.' (Luke 14:21-22)
Remember the meal was ready. It was ready to eat and it appears as though many were not coming. We are not told that all of the original guests did not come. What we do know is that there is going to be great waste and the excuses for not coming angers the host. We also know that the doors are made open to those who were not originally guests. That means "guests" would be sitting with and eating with people who were not on the original list "of preference." We all have those kinds of lists - that's life. Imagine what that scene of mixed guests must have been like. This mixing is intensified by the ones who are brought in. In some ways, this first group of people is a kindly gesture by the host. These are the ones the community needs to be considering and the ones for whom they must act every day. Ar these not the ones who would benefit from alms giving? If the guests who were originally invited have now turned down the time of the feast - why not extend the offer to those know in the community - those in need. Now, even these local outsiders are guests. The dinner has been expanded and those who would usually have to beg for food are treated to a feast. Will those original refusing guests be there at the next dinner?
Connection: The hospitality within the Reign of God today is one that asks that we keep our eyes on those who are not at the table and make sure that they are also given an invitation. Who knows who will want to come to take part in the rich grace of this party. And yet, there are many who will not hesitate to come to the meal - invitation is so necessary.
Lord of the Meal, even as you extend your loving presence to all, many turn away to follow the whim of their lives. That is at times all of us. And yet, your Reign continues to offer invitation and encouragement to all people. By your grace, keep us mindful of opportunities to graciously see and embrace and welcome those who may not be considered among our list of guest - now. Amen.
One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, "Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" Then Jesus said to him, "Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now. But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land, and I must go see it; please accept my regrets.' Another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.' Another said, 'I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.' (Luke 14:15-20) So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to the slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' And the slave said, 'Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.' (Luke 14:21-22)
Remember the meal was ready. It was ready to eat and it appears as though many were not coming. We are not told that all of the original guests did not come. What we do know is that there is going to be great waste and the excuses for not coming angers the host. We also know that the doors are made open to those who were not originally guests. That means "guests" would be sitting with and eating with people who were not on the original list "of preference." We all have those kinds of lists - that's life. Imagine what that scene of mixed guests must have been like. This mixing is intensified by the ones who are brought in. In some ways, this first group of people is a kindly gesture by the host. These are the ones the community needs to be considering and the ones for whom they must act every day. Ar these not the ones who would benefit from alms giving? If the guests who were originally invited have now turned down the time of the feast - why not extend the offer to those know in the community - those in need. Now, even these local outsiders are guests. The dinner has been expanded and those who would usually have to beg for food are treated to a feast. Will those original refusing guests be there at the next dinner?
Connection: The hospitality within the Reign of God today is one that asks that we keep our eyes on those who are not at the table and make sure that they are also given an invitation. Who knows who will want to come to take part in the rich grace of this party. And yet, there are many who will not hesitate to come to the meal - invitation is so necessary.
Lord of the Meal, even as you extend your loving presence to all, many turn away to follow the whim of their lives. That is at times all of us. And yet, your Reign continues to offer invitation and encouragement to all people. By your grace, keep us mindful of opportunities to graciously see and embrace and welcome those who may not be considered among our list of guest - now. Amen.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Wednesday 4 April 2007
After two days of leading into the parable of the great dinner, here is the first day on the parable.
One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, "Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" Then Jesus said to him, "Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now. But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land, and I must go see it; please accept my regrets.' Another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.' Another said, 'I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.' (Luke 14:15-20)
Let's stop here before we continue. First it must be noted that all of these excuses are actually quite lame. None of these reasons are reasons that would keep someone from coming to a feast to which they had been invited. I won't go into detail here. So let's go back to the comment made by the person who heard Jesus speak. It sounds like someone who comes to eat bread in the kingdom of God will be special...well...what does that mean? Special because they were able to come into circle of people invited - and maybe even a small circle. Within the sounding of this statement, Jesus goes into the parable. What is of note here is that the people who were invited had been invited previously. That means, they had the invitation and they had probably agreed to come so that the person throwing the dinner would have a notion of how many people would be coming. That is important because then the host knows what kind of animal to slaughter in order to fill the plates of those who said they were coming. When the slave is sent out to gather the folk, these are ones who already said, "Yes, we'll be there." But now, they offer excuses and do not come to the dinner to which they were the primary guests! The food is ready - the time is now - the dinner is at hand - the smell of food is bursting from the home of the host...but no one is coming. As we will see tomorrow...it must have been a dinner with some size to it...for the next invitees are without limit. Hum.... "Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God."
Connection: We have already been invited to the dinner...today is the day when it is ready for the taking...today the table of this blessed Reign is set for the benefit of the guests. Dig in.
Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest and let this food to us be bless. Guide us to the feast of your promised life and lead us to our place at the table when it is time to partake in your Reign as it is set out before us today. Amen.
One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, "Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" Then Jesus said to him, "Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now. But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land, and I must go see it; please accept my regrets.' Another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.' Another said, 'I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.' (Luke 14:15-20)
Let's stop here before we continue. First it must be noted that all of these excuses are actually quite lame. None of these reasons are reasons that would keep someone from coming to a feast to which they had been invited. I won't go into detail here. So let's go back to the comment made by the person who heard Jesus speak. It sounds like someone who comes to eat bread in the kingdom of God will be special...well...what does that mean? Special because they were able to come into circle of people invited - and maybe even a small circle. Within the sounding of this statement, Jesus goes into the parable. What is of note here is that the people who were invited had been invited previously. That means, they had the invitation and they had probably agreed to come so that the person throwing the dinner would have a notion of how many people would be coming. That is important because then the host knows what kind of animal to slaughter in order to fill the plates of those who said they were coming. When the slave is sent out to gather the folk, these are ones who already said, "Yes, we'll be there." But now, they offer excuses and do not come to the dinner to which they were the primary guests! The food is ready - the time is now - the dinner is at hand - the smell of food is bursting from the home of the host...but no one is coming. As we will see tomorrow...it must have been a dinner with some size to it...for the next invitees are without limit. Hum.... "Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God."
Connection: We have already been invited to the dinner...today is the day when it is ready for the taking...today the table of this blessed Reign is set for the benefit of the guests. Dig in.
Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest and let this food to us be bless. Guide us to the feast of your promised life and lead us to our place at the table when it is time to partake in your Reign as it is set out before us today. Amen.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Tuesday 3 April 2007
As we continue to lead into the parable of the great dinner, here is another bit of the context prior to the parable.
(from yesterday)
We he (Jesus) noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to talk the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when you host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Luke 14:7-11)
(and today)
He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. (Luke 14:12-14)
Now attention is drawn to the host. The guests have agendas as to where they sit and why they sit there....but now...what about the one who does the inviting. We all have our boundary issues and our lists of "oh they wouldn't fit in" or "not with this group." It is easy to become exclusionary. It is easy to stay with what is comfortable. It is easy to fall into the trap of if we do this, they may do that for us. Many games can be played in the world of hospitality. So, why not open up the list. There are specifics listed in the text but I would suggest it is a good start for all of us to find those first places when we can expand our understanding of what it is to really be a gracious host. It is in this kind of treatment of guests and the making up of the list of guests that we begin to reflect the way of Jesus in the most basic and intimate ways of coming together - around the table - at the party. We are not a people who seek to rise to the top of the social ladder as though that makes something of us. We are already the beloved of God. Nothing can be added to that - nor to those for whom the world may have little or no regard.
Connection: Following Jesus is usually a hard thing to talk about because it becomes so real - so ordinary - so everyday - so at our table of welcome. It may even be harder to do. It is here where the Spirit of our Lord enters this day and draws us to act as the righteous who rise to the mundane life of the Reign of God.
Free us, O God. Free us from making the story about us and how we can benefit and do well. Free us so that we can be free to take hold and welcome all whom you welcome into your great banquet of hope and life. Amen.
(from yesterday)
We he (Jesus) noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to talk the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when you host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Luke 14:7-11)
(and today)
He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. (Luke 14:12-14)
Now attention is drawn to the host. The guests have agendas as to where they sit and why they sit there....but now...what about the one who does the inviting. We all have our boundary issues and our lists of "oh they wouldn't fit in" or "not with this group." It is easy to become exclusionary. It is easy to stay with what is comfortable. It is easy to fall into the trap of if we do this, they may do that for us. Many games can be played in the world of hospitality. So, why not open up the list. There are specifics listed in the text but I would suggest it is a good start for all of us to find those first places when we can expand our understanding of what it is to really be a gracious host. It is in this kind of treatment of guests and the making up of the list of guests that we begin to reflect the way of Jesus in the most basic and intimate ways of coming together - around the table - at the party. We are not a people who seek to rise to the top of the social ladder as though that makes something of us. We are already the beloved of God. Nothing can be added to that - nor to those for whom the world may have little or no regard.
Connection: Following Jesus is usually a hard thing to talk about because it becomes so real - so ordinary - so everyday - so at our table of welcome. It may even be harder to do. It is here where the Spirit of our Lord enters this day and draws us to act as the righteous who rise to the mundane life of the Reign of God.
Free us, O God. Free us from making the story about us and how we can benefit and do well. Free us so that we can be free to take hold and welcome all whom you welcome into your great banquet of hope and life. Amen.
Monday, April 2, 2007
2 April 2007
This week will focus on the parable of the great dinner in Luke chapter 14. And yet, we need to back up a few verses to set the stage for the parable.
We he (Jesus) noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to talk the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when you host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Luke 14:7-11)
First note that all who are at this wedding banquet are guests. That is already a place of honor. Each one has been invited to come and share in the feast and the party that follows. I suppose there may be a rush for the lowest seat after hearing this parable. And yet, it would be my bet that there is never a rush for the lowest seat. This kind of action - taking a position that appears to be lower than others - is not something that comes to most of us too easily. Let's go back to the notion that all are guests at the banquet. With that in mind, there is no one of greater honor. We need not seek out a position of greater honor in the room - we are already honored by the invitation. Now there is opportunity to simple enjoy, celebrate, be filled, dance, and meet the others who have come by invitation. In fact, like the gracious invitation extended to us, we have the opportunity to extend invitation to other to sit at the table we choose. Invitation is something to be shared...it is always a gift and it always shows the value of each. Yes, there are some at a party or wedding feast who place a special role - but that is not a role we designate for ourselves and it is not something that makes one better than another. A good host will make sure that all who are invited are welcome and greeted and partake in all that is to come. That....is enough.
Connection: Be a guest within God's Reign. Invited to share in the life that has been give to us and sealed with a simple cross on our forehead at baptism. It is not something seen...but it is an invitation and recognition of our part in the party...today.
Blessed are you, O Giver of Life, for you extend to us a simple gift - an invitation to share in the bounty of your love and mercy and kindness. Help us to humbly walk with one another so that we each are able to come to an appreciation of each other and the many roles we play in the community of your beloved. Amen.
We he (Jesus) noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to talk the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when you host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Luke 14:7-11)
First note that all who are at this wedding banquet are guests. That is already a place of honor. Each one has been invited to come and share in the feast and the party that follows. I suppose there may be a rush for the lowest seat after hearing this parable. And yet, it would be my bet that there is never a rush for the lowest seat. This kind of action - taking a position that appears to be lower than others - is not something that comes to most of us too easily. Let's go back to the notion that all are guests at the banquet. With that in mind, there is no one of greater honor. We need not seek out a position of greater honor in the room - we are already honored by the invitation. Now there is opportunity to simple enjoy, celebrate, be filled, dance, and meet the others who have come by invitation. In fact, like the gracious invitation extended to us, we have the opportunity to extend invitation to other to sit at the table we choose. Invitation is something to be shared...it is always a gift and it always shows the value of each. Yes, there are some at a party or wedding feast who place a special role - but that is not a role we designate for ourselves and it is not something that makes one better than another. A good host will make sure that all who are invited are welcome and greeted and partake in all that is to come. That....is enough.
Connection: Be a guest within God's Reign. Invited to share in the life that has been give to us and sealed with a simple cross on our forehead at baptism. It is not something seen...but it is an invitation and recognition of our part in the party...today.
Blessed are you, O Giver of Life, for you extend to us a simple gift - an invitation to share in the bounty of your love and mercy and kindness. Help us to humbly walk with one another so that we each are able to come to an appreciation of each other and the many roles we play in the community of your beloved. Amen.
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