Just as we continue to be shaped by the Spirit of God, the Corinthian church was being shaped by a vision of God's Reign that is beyond our rule.
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind - just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you - so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Cor.1:4-9)
Paul gives thanks for what has been given to the people. These are gifted people - just as we are. They have been given a word about the very center of God's love for us - just as we have. Not only this. We are given this gift so that the grace of God - revealed in Jesus - will become a revealing event among us. Paul gives thanks for he knows how the grace of God is, by its very definition, a gift that will never settle for any other word about God -- for there is no other word but the one that opens up its arms to reveal a love the world cannot produce nor does it really want to. Giving thanks for the Corinthians is a sign of hope. Like the closing of any generation, it is a blessed event to see that this love of God that knows no bounds continues to wrap itself around the people who are just now stepping out to live within the boundlessness of God's grace.
Connection: The powers of this world and the situations we encounter can be overwhelming to us. Fear and anxiety and the many forms these are manifest in the most simply and basic aspects of our day can easily dominate our every move. I hate being anxious...and yet I know that is all I will be if I do not have others who will, like Paul, keep my eyes fixed on this essential foundation for life that really does give us a life other than our anxious pursuits.
O God who walks with us when we are not sure of our next step, we need your hand to be a reminder of the peace you bring and the life you create so that we will not run away from your gracious Reign. Amen.
Saturday, May 7, 2005
9 May 2005
With so many divisions in the Church I would like to return to 1 Corinthians and the graciousness of the Community of the followers of Jesus.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 1:3)
I wanted to start with a simple notion. Grace and Peace comes into the mix of the community that is being shaped by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit moves among us. The Spirit moves us beyond ourselves. The Spirit carries us into the living reality of the Grace of God that is always made known among the people who call Jesus, Lord and Christ. The Spirit creates - in the middle of this graciousness within the community - the Peace of God's Reign that, quite frankly, befuddles us. The Peace that abounds among is part of our character. Peace is always an interactive reality because a body/community cannot be at peace unless it is completely connected and has a sense of balance and unity. Paul will eventually talk about the body and unity and resolution of conflict within this letter to the Corinthians, but it all takes place as he stand on a foundation of the Grace of God that is and will be and makes for our Peace.
Connection: The more I listen to the divisiveness of the Church (which can even be heard outside the Church) the more I am convinced of our need to rest - breathe - and consider the Good News of the Reign of God. When we are about to fight or swear at the "other" side, how do we keep in mind the universal nature of the love of God that we can see so vividly in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus? This does not mean we do not stand tall. Rather it means we do not give up this Gracious foundation for anything less. In that stand is a Power that is beyond our capabilities and yet is a gift to us.
Open our eyes again, O Lord. Just as you always take our hand and lead us beyond the turmoil of this day be our guide that walks us within the domain of your gracious Reign when there is nothing but talk of division and hatred. Amen.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 1:3)
I wanted to start with a simple notion. Grace and Peace comes into the mix of the community that is being shaped by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit moves among us. The Spirit moves us beyond ourselves. The Spirit carries us into the living reality of the Grace of God that is always made known among the people who call Jesus, Lord and Christ. The Spirit creates - in the middle of this graciousness within the community - the Peace of God's Reign that, quite frankly, befuddles us. The Peace that abounds among is part of our character. Peace is always an interactive reality because a body/community cannot be at peace unless it is completely connected and has a sense of balance and unity. Paul will eventually talk about the body and unity and resolution of conflict within this letter to the Corinthians, but it all takes place as he stand on a foundation of the Grace of God that is and will be and makes for our Peace.
Connection: The more I listen to the divisiveness of the Church (which can even be heard outside the Church) the more I am convinced of our need to rest - breathe - and consider the Good News of the Reign of God. When we are about to fight or swear at the "other" side, how do we keep in mind the universal nature of the love of God that we can see so vividly in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus? This does not mean we do not stand tall. Rather it means we do not give up this Gracious foundation for anything less. In that stand is a Power that is beyond our capabilities and yet is a gift to us.
Open our eyes again, O Lord. Just as you always take our hand and lead us beyond the turmoil of this day be our guide that walks us within the domain of your gracious Reign when there is nothing but talk of division and hatred. Amen.
Friday, May 6, 2005
6 May 2005
The week ends with "The Prophetic Imagination" by Walter Brueggemann.
The cross is the ultimate metaphor of prophetic criticism because it means the end of the old consciousness that bring death to everyone... Without the cross, prophetic imagination will likely be as strident and as destructive as that which it criticizes. The cross is the assurance that effective prophetic criticism is done not by an outsider but always by one who must embrace the grief, enter into the death, and know the pain of the criticized one.
This makes me think about political elections. No matter who wins the day, the way things are run doesn't really change very much for those who do not have the kind of power that usually is in control of how the government will run. If we are to help change anything, we too must follow that way that leads to the cross. For on that life journey, we will be less likely to forgot those who have no power at all within our world - city - church. When we keep in mind all the people who make up the whole, the notion of love becomes an active style of life that will not let go of anyone. As you might expect, when do not let go of anyone, we can expect to see the cross in a very real and concrete manner.
Connection: Remember to look around the room - better yet - step outside and see who is not even allowed to be in the room. Then...then, we will have a better picture of who we are.
Gracious Lord, you set the table for all you people so that when we look down the table we experience the graciousness of your Reign simply by glancing at the those who are ready to take part in the feast you offer. We give you thanks for such a wide and all encompassing love. Amen.
The cross is the ultimate metaphor of prophetic criticism because it means the end of the old consciousness that bring death to everyone... Without the cross, prophetic imagination will likely be as strident and as destructive as that which it criticizes. The cross is the assurance that effective prophetic criticism is done not by an outsider but always by one who must embrace the grief, enter into the death, and know the pain of the criticized one.
This makes me think about political elections. No matter who wins the day, the way things are run doesn't really change very much for those who do not have the kind of power that usually is in control of how the government will run. If we are to help change anything, we too must follow that way that leads to the cross. For on that life journey, we will be less likely to forgot those who have no power at all within our world - city - church. When we keep in mind all the people who make up the whole, the notion of love becomes an active style of life that will not let go of anyone. As you might expect, when do not let go of anyone, we can expect to see the cross in a very real and concrete manner.
Connection: Remember to look around the room - better yet - step outside and see who is not even allowed to be in the room. Then...then, we will have a better picture of who we are.
Gracious Lord, you set the table for all you people so that when we look down the table we experience the graciousness of your Reign simply by glancing at the those who are ready to take part in the feast you offer. We give you thanks for such a wide and all encompassing love. Amen.
Wednesday, May 4, 2005
5 May 2005
A look at the crucifixion from Walter Brueggemann in "The Prophetic Imagination."
The crucifixion...is...the full expression of dismantling that has been practiced and insisted upon in the prophetic tradition since Moses confronted Pharaoh. As with Moses, so Jesus' ministry and death opposed the politics of oppression with the politics of justice and compassion. As with Moses, so Jesus' ministry and death resisted the economics of affluence and called for the economics of shared humanity. As with Moses, so Jesus' ministry and death contradicted the religion of God's captivity with the freedom of God to bring life where he will, even in the face of death.
God brings freedom and brings it even when we would rather have things go the way they are going. Freedom, for all the many ways we say we love it, does not suit people who can only see one side of a coin or an issue or situation. To only see one side means the other side does not exist...since we can't see it. When that side does show its face, it is easy to reject it or try to put a stop to it. The Freedom that comes within the Good News of the Reign of God is much more than we ever hope to have. It is a freedom that truly sets us free from all the powers that want so much to have the world run in just one way...from one side...with one viewpoint. Sometimes, those who want to have a country or church or business run according to one side - even if it is a majority - do not realize how closely they come to being oppressive and really dismantle the whole notion of freedom.
Connection: Do not be afraid to see and hear what is on the other side of the coin. Most importantly, remember that though there will be different views and people different from us, they are still people who deserve to have a voice and be honored and not destroyed or discounted.
Liberating God, when we do not see the obvious works of oppression, we forget that oppression is most often subtle and yet very powerful in our lives. Liberate us and bring us leaders like Moses who needed as much help as you were able to give him to help lead Israel into the grand potential for life as a free people. Amen.
The crucifixion...is...the full expression of dismantling that has been practiced and insisted upon in the prophetic tradition since Moses confronted Pharaoh. As with Moses, so Jesus' ministry and death opposed the politics of oppression with the politics of justice and compassion. As with Moses, so Jesus' ministry and death resisted the economics of affluence and called for the economics of shared humanity. As with Moses, so Jesus' ministry and death contradicted the religion of God's captivity with the freedom of God to bring life where he will, even in the face of death.
God brings freedom and brings it even when we would rather have things go the way they are going. Freedom, for all the many ways we say we love it, does not suit people who can only see one side of a coin or an issue or situation. To only see one side means the other side does not exist...since we can't see it. When that side does show its face, it is easy to reject it or try to put a stop to it. The Freedom that comes within the Good News of the Reign of God is much more than we ever hope to have. It is a freedom that truly sets us free from all the powers that want so much to have the world run in just one way...from one side...with one viewpoint. Sometimes, those who want to have a country or church or business run according to one side - even if it is a majority - do not realize how closely they come to being oppressive and really dismantle the whole notion of freedom.
Connection: Do not be afraid to see and hear what is on the other side of the coin. Most importantly, remember that though there will be different views and people different from us, they are still people who deserve to have a voice and be honored and not destroyed or discounted.
Liberating God, when we do not see the obvious works of oppression, we forget that oppression is most often subtle and yet very powerful in our lives. Liberate us and bring us leaders like Moses who needed as much help as you were able to give him to help lead Israel into the grand potential for life as a free people. Amen.
Tuesday, May 3, 2005
4 May 2005
We begin again with a piece from Walter Brueggemann.
Jesus' sayings on the cross as preserved in the various traditions are the voice of an alternative consciousness. His initial plea for forgiveness for his enemies is an act of criticism (Luke 23:34), for it asserts the insanity of the dominant culture. On behalf of that world which has now sentenced him, he enters a pleas of temporary insanity...
Second, his cry of despair (Mark 15:34) is an announcement of abandonment. The whole network of meaning has collapsed and a new dangerous situation of faith has emerged...
Third, the ultimate criticism ends in submission (Luke 23:46), the last thing possible in a world of competence and control. Thus in that very world of control Jesus presents a new way of faithfulness that completely subverts the dominant way.
And finally, his assertion of paradise (Luke 23:43) is a speech about the delegitimization of the world that killed him.
We are given some powerful ways to look at Jesus' voice in those final moments of his life on the cross. It shows that in the middle of what appears to be a position of complete despair and death, another reality exists and cannot be eliminated. In fact, Jesus speaks up right in the face of all the powers that should have been able to silence him. But...they did not...and cannot...and will not silence that criticism of one way to move through life and his affirmation of life that is available to us as a contrary existence. This is not something for which we are to wait, it is already here in his announcement and through the power of the resurrection.
Connection: Though the voices of the powers around us can be very strong and persuasive (even when those voices come in very familiar and related sources) we are assured that Jesus provide another way and the power of God will be with us as we step out of the power those voices try to have over us. That will happen in many and various ways today. Remember to listen, because in the middle of it all, God is calling us to freedom.
Liberating Lord, by your compassion you call us forth within this day to trust in you alone. You see the suffering and trouble within this day and you remind us that you will be our rock upon which we can rest and regroup and re-engage in this world in a new way. Thanks be to you. Amen.
Jesus' sayings on the cross as preserved in the various traditions are the voice of an alternative consciousness. His initial plea for forgiveness for his enemies is an act of criticism (Luke 23:34), for it asserts the insanity of the dominant culture. On behalf of that world which has now sentenced him, he enters a pleas of temporary insanity...
Second, his cry of despair (Mark 15:34) is an announcement of abandonment. The whole network of meaning has collapsed and a new dangerous situation of faith has emerged...
Third, the ultimate criticism ends in submission (Luke 23:46), the last thing possible in a world of competence and control. Thus in that very world of control Jesus presents a new way of faithfulness that completely subverts the dominant way.
And finally, his assertion of paradise (Luke 23:43) is a speech about the delegitimization of the world that killed him.
We are given some powerful ways to look at Jesus' voice in those final moments of his life on the cross. It shows that in the middle of what appears to be a position of complete despair and death, another reality exists and cannot be eliminated. In fact, Jesus speaks up right in the face of all the powers that should have been able to silence him. But...they did not...and cannot...and will not silence that criticism of one way to move through life and his affirmation of life that is available to us as a contrary existence. This is not something for which we are to wait, it is already here in his announcement and through the power of the resurrection.
Connection: Though the voices of the powers around us can be very strong and persuasive (even when those voices come in very familiar and related sources) we are assured that Jesus provide another way and the power of God will be with us as we step out of the power those voices try to have over us. That will happen in many and various ways today. Remember to listen, because in the middle of it all, God is calling us to freedom.
Liberating Lord, by your compassion you call us forth within this day to trust in you alone. You see the suffering and trouble within this day and you remind us that you will be our rock upon which we can rest and regroup and re-engage in this world in a new way. Thanks be to you. Amen.
Monday, May 2, 2005
3 April 2005
Again from "The Prophetic Imagination" by Walter Brueggemann.
That the passion saying of Jesus constitute the ultimate criticism of the royal consciousness is evident in the reaction of the faithful: First (Mark 8:32-33) Peter, on behalf of the church, rejects the criticism as too radical and he is roundly reprimanded. Second (9:32), the disciples did not understand and are afraid to ask. Third (10:35-37), they respond, indicating they understood nothing, by fresh dispute about their own power and authority. The criticism of Jesus is too radical, not only for the imperial managers but also for his own followers. None of us is prepared for such decisive criticism.'
None of us is prepared for the power and expansive reality that comes into being by grace alone. That is why we all resist it. Jesus' passion takes us through all of our "stuff" and all of our ways of holding onto something and reminds us that none of it can stand through the power of death. And yet, Jesus will and did and does. By grace we are called to follow the same path but too often we dare not follow. Instead, we come up with many and various ways of saying this gracious action of Jesus is too radical of a position to be taken seriously among us. It is a story for us but not a story of us. In reality, we are invited to make it our story. One teacher of mine would say, "Jesus does not die for us, Jesus dies before us." Death is the way we will go. Will it have power over us and make us run from it or will we hear that voice of Jesus calling us beyond the reality of death into the promise of what will be and already is unfolding around us?
Connection: I know it is difficult to follow the lead of our Gracious Lord. I know it is easy to pull back, maybe just a bit, so as to keep ourselves safe and secure. Unfortunately, our idea of safe and secure is neither safe or secure.
Forgiving God, as you invited us along the way of our Lord, Jesus, remind us that we are not alone. Remind us that the Spirit of Hopefulness will be rushing in to refresh us and renew us so that we will continue to walk with you each and every day. Amen.
That the passion saying of Jesus constitute the ultimate criticism of the royal consciousness is evident in the reaction of the faithful: First (Mark 8:32-33) Peter, on behalf of the church, rejects the criticism as too radical and he is roundly reprimanded. Second (9:32), the disciples did not understand and are afraid to ask. Third (10:35-37), they respond, indicating they understood nothing, by fresh dispute about their own power and authority. The criticism of Jesus is too radical, not only for the imperial managers but also for his own followers. None of us is prepared for such decisive criticism.'
None of us is prepared for the power and expansive reality that comes into being by grace alone. That is why we all resist it. Jesus' passion takes us through all of our "stuff" and all of our ways of holding onto something and reminds us that none of it can stand through the power of death. And yet, Jesus will and did and does. By grace we are called to follow the same path but too often we dare not follow. Instead, we come up with many and various ways of saying this gracious action of Jesus is too radical of a position to be taken seriously among us. It is a story for us but not a story of us. In reality, we are invited to make it our story. One teacher of mine would say, "Jesus does not die for us, Jesus dies before us." Death is the way we will go. Will it have power over us and make us run from it or will we hear that voice of Jesus calling us beyond the reality of death into the promise of what will be and already is unfolding around us?
Connection: I know it is difficult to follow the lead of our Gracious Lord. I know it is easy to pull back, maybe just a bit, so as to keep ourselves safe and secure. Unfortunately, our idea of safe and secure is neither safe or secure.
Forgiving God, as you invited us along the way of our Lord, Jesus, remind us that we are not alone. Remind us that the Spirit of Hopefulness will be rushing in to refresh us and renew us so that we will continue to walk with you each and every day. Amen.
2 May 2005
From "The Prophetic Imagination" by Walter Wink.
It is the crucifixion of Jesus that is the decisive criticism of the royal consciousness...the ultimate act of prophetic criticism in which Jesus announces the end of a world of death and takes that death into his own person. Therefore we say that the ultimate criticism is that God himself embraces the death that his people must die. The criticism consists not it standing over against but in standing with; the ultimate criticism is not one of triumphant indignation but one of passion and compassion that completely and irresistibly undermine the world of competence and competition. --this passionate man set in the midst of numbed Jerusalem. And only the passion can finally penetrate the numbness.
Jesus does not play the game as the game has been played. This does not mean that he is not involved. Rather, it means that he is completely involved and engaged within the world around him - much more than any of the "numb" systems that will never dare to be involved with most of the people. Because of a love for all people, Jesus move toward them and is constantly aware of their pain and the threat of death that surrounds them and he makes sure that he too fall prey to such a reality. Within his journey, he never lets the "numbness" of the system stay "numb" to his presence. By his compassion he brings the world that is ignored and pushed to the side onto center stage. This is center stage of the Reign of God - a place they have inherited. This action, as we know, is repulsive to the power-that-be because now "those" people are seen and heard and cannot be silenced.
Connection: The truth of the whole reality around us must be engaged. When it is not, we become afraid of what is not like our own world. It takes deliberate action to stay connected to those who are disconnected. And at the end of the day, everyone is more honored.
We give you thanks, O Lord of New Life, as we hear again how you lead us into the passionate ways of your Reign. When we find ourselves becoming numb to our world, help us to feel again so that we may not leave behind the rest of your children who you call beloved. Amen.
It is the crucifixion of Jesus that is the decisive criticism of the royal consciousness...the ultimate act of prophetic criticism in which Jesus announces the end of a world of death and takes that death into his own person. Therefore we say that the ultimate criticism is that God himself embraces the death that his people must die. The criticism consists not it standing over against but in standing with; the ultimate criticism is not one of triumphant indignation but one of passion and compassion that completely and irresistibly undermine the world of competence and competition. --this passionate man set in the midst of numbed Jerusalem. And only the passion can finally penetrate the numbness.
Jesus does not play the game as the game has been played. This does not mean that he is not involved. Rather, it means that he is completely involved and engaged within the world around him - much more than any of the "numb" systems that will never dare to be involved with most of the people. Because of a love for all people, Jesus move toward them and is constantly aware of their pain and the threat of death that surrounds them and he makes sure that he too fall prey to such a reality. Within his journey, he never lets the "numbness" of the system stay "numb" to his presence. By his compassion he brings the world that is ignored and pushed to the side onto center stage. This is center stage of the Reign of God - a place they have inherited. This action, as we know, is repulsive to the power-that-be because now "those" people are seen and heard and cannot be silenced.
Connection: The truth of the whole reality around us must be engaged. When it is not, we become afraid of what is not like our own world. It takes deliberate action to stay connected to those who are disconnected. And at the end of the day, everyone is more honored.
We give you thanks, O Lord of New Life, as we hear again how you lead us into the passionate ways of your Reign. When we find ourselves becoming numb to our world, help us to feel again so that we may not leave behind the rest of your children who you call beloved. Amen.
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