This week ends with the powerful word of forgiveness - by Stanley Hauerwas.
My sin is inexorably part of me, but I now no longer need to deny it. As I learn to locate my life within the kingdom of forgiveness found in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, I acquire those virtues of humility and courage that are necessary to make my life my own. That we are only able to have a history, a self, through the forgiveness wrought by God means that the resurrection of Jesus is the absolute center of history. It is on the basis of the resurrection that we can have the confidence to remember the history of our sin. Through the resurrection, by being invited to recognize our victim as our hope, we are gifted with the powers to break the hold our our most determined oppressor - ourselves.
There is a power in this day that brings out the fullness of our lives - forgiveness. Within that power we need not deny any part of lives and we need not step back from leaping into whatever may be before us. How often are we each our own "most determined oppressor" who is able to gather up more than enough evidence to keep us imprisoned? In the face of such power of forgiveness - the powers that attempts to disable us - powers that works to corrupt us - powers that changes our character, are revealed as being powerless in the presence of the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus...a story that does not let the powers of death have their way among us even as we are so often the disciples of such death. The life of forgiveness is one that we do not expect. The life of forgiveness is one that demands that we step back and remember God standing with us in and through all things even when we are being dragged down by the brokenness of the world we have made for ourselves.
Connection: Life is open to a radical newness each time we are lifted up into the story of God unbounded love and forgiveness that creates in us unbounded love and forgiveness.
Come, Lord of New Life, Come and lead us into the fields of forgiveness that let us see clearly that which is behind us and that which is to be. You promise to be reality of hope that is available to us as we see all the rest of life around us. Walk with us in that hopefulness. Amen.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Thursday 9 October 2008
Was there a Wednesday this week? Sorry for the miss.
...the demand that we be holy is possible only because we find that we can rest within ourselves. When we exist as a forgiven people we are able to be at peace with our histories, so that now God's life determines our whole way of being - our character. We no longer need to deny our past, or tell ourselves false stories, as now we can accept what we have been without the knowledge of our sin destroying us.
Again, when we are able to see ourselves as forgiven, we have room to breathe - room to rest - room to begin again - room to enter the day without trying to cover up what we have been - room to dress for this day without carrying along the baggage from earlier days of our lives. We are a holy people because that is what our God calls us. In that name calling, is the word of forgiveness we are invited to hear and then make the center of our character. Without this character, we go on living our lives trying to make room for the brokenness of our lives by covering it over or trying to put dress it up as something it is not. We are free as forgiven people to enter the promise of the peace of God's Reign even when we have so many "good" reasons to remain just as we are.
Connection: It is always the right time to breath and rest in the promises of God's love for us - forgiveness even when we think it makes no sense.
Lord God, by the power of you Spirit of new life lift us up to see your Reign of promise even as we stay tied to the ways of our past that have created divisions and set up wall between us. Amen.
...the demand that we be holy is possible only because we find that we can rest within ourselves. When we exist as a forgiven people we are able to be at peace with our histories, so that now God's life determines our whole way of being - our character. We no longer need to deny our past, or tell ourselves false stories, as now we can accept what we have been without the knowledge of our sin destroying us.
Again, when we are able to see ourselves as forgiven, we have room to breathe - room to rest - room to begin again - room to enter the day without trying to cover up what we have been - room to dress for this day without carrying along the baggage from earlier days of our lives. We are a holy people because that is what our God calls us. In that name calling, is the word of forgiveness we are invited to hear and then make the center of our character. Without this character, we go on living our lives trying to make room for the brokenness of our lives by covering it over or trying to put dress it up as something it is not. We are free as forgiven people to enter the promise of the peace of God's Reign even when we have so many "good" reasons to remain just as we are.
Connection: It is always the right time to breath and rest in the promises of God's love for us - forgiveness even when we think it makes no sense.
Lord God, by the power of you Spirit of new life lift us up to see your Reign of promise even as we stay tied to the ways of our past that have created divisions and set up wall between us. Amen.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Tuesday 7 October 2008
This piece by Hauerwas really seems to speak to the present worldwide economic anxiety.
It is true, of course, that in a sense to be a "forgiven people" makes us lose control. to be forgiven means that I must face the fact that my life actually lies in the hands of others. I must learn to trust them as I have learned to trust God. thus it is not accidental that Jesus teaches us to pray for our daily bread. We cannot live to insure our ultimate security, but must learn to live on a day-to-day basis. Or, perhaps better, we must be a people who have learned not to fear surprises as a necessary means to sustain our lives. For, ironically, when we try to exclude surprise from our life, we are only more subject to the demonic. We become subject to those "necessities" that we are anxious about because without them we fear wee lack to control our lives.
Yesterday I received an e-mail from a friend who attached a piece by someone who suggested that people go to their banks and simply take out enough money to make it through the month and to do it before next week. Talk about trying to be helpful but really creating anxiety! And yet, none of us want to be surprised. We want or even need to be in some control of the life situations around us. In times that appear to be a crisis within the economy, attempting to gain control for oneself actually may bring with it more crisis. So, even if we "save" ourselves in the short term, we eventually cannot maintain that control. One thing that is clear - many are finding how the 'necessities' of our lives often rule us and create anxiety that can immobilize us. When we are told in this piece that "forgiveness means that we must face the fact that that my life actually lies in the hands of others," we are being encouraged to look beyond our individual lives and face the need for community. That again means giving up some of our control and beginning to look at the gift of others - gifts that may see us through all the surprises that come upon us.
Connection: It is amazing how well some people do in the middle of the turmoil of the day. What is stirring within us and beneath us when the days events create anxiety with us and around us? It is not always an easy thing to see and/or admit.
You promise to be our life and our light in the midst of all the days of our lives, O God. For us that does not mean you take away the reality of the situations around us. Rather, you continue to remind us how to be fully alive within your expectations of who we are within your Reign. We then can look around and see the possibilities within the anxieties of our lives. You are present and available even as we struggle through the day. We thank you, O God. Amen.
It is true, of course, that in a sense to be a "forgiven people" makes us lose control. to be forgiven means that I must face the fact that my life actually lies in the hands of others. I must learn to trust them as I have learned to trust God. thus it is not accidental that Jesus teaches us to pray for our daily bread. We cannot live to insure our ultimate security, but must learn to live on a day-to-day basis. Or, perhaps better, we must be a people who have learned not to fear surprises as a necessary means to sustain our lives. For, ironically, when we try to exclude surprise from our life, we are only more subject to the demonic. We become subject to those "necessities" that we are anxious about because without them we fear wee lack to control our lives.
Yesterday I received an e-mail from a friend who attached a piece by someone who suggested that people go to their banks and simply take out enough money to make it through the month and to do it before next week. Talk about trying to be helpful but really creating anxiety! And yet, none of us want to be surprised. We want or even need to be in some control of the life situations around us. In times that appear to be a crisis within the economy, attempting to gain control for oneself actually may bring with it more crisis. So, even if we "save" ourselves in the short term, we eventually cannot maintain that control. One thing that is clear - many are finding how the 'necessities' of our lives often rule us and create anxiety that can immobilize us. When we are told in this piece that "forgiveness means that we must face the fact that that my life actually lies in the hands of others," we are being encouraged to look beyond our individual lives and face the need for community. That again means giving up some of our control and beginning to look at the gift of others - gifts that may see us through all the surprises that come upon us.
Connection: It is amazing how well some people do in the middle of the turmoil of the day. What is stirring within us and beneath us when the days events create anxiety with us and around us? It is not always an easy thing to see and/or admit.
You promise to be our life and our light in the midst of all the days of our lives, O God. For us that does not mean you take away the reality of the situations around us. Rather, you continue to remind us how to be fully alive within your expectations of who we are within your Reign. We then can look around and see the possibilities within the anxieties of our lives. You are present and available even as we struggle through the day. We thank you, O God. Amen.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Monday 6 October 2008
This week starts with the resurrection and the the kingdom of peace and forgiveness - by Stanley Hauerwas.
It is crucial that we understand that such a peaceableness is possible only if we are also a forgiven people. We must remember that our first task is not to forgive, but to be the forgiven. Too often to be ready to forgive is a way of exerting control over another. We fear accepting forgiveness from another because such a gift makes us powerless - and we fear the loss of control involved. Yet we continue to pray, "Forgive our debts." Only by learning to accept God's forgiveness as we see it in the life and death of Jesus can we acquire the power that comes from learning to give up that control.
Hauerwas then directs us to Matthew 6:25-27 (not to be anxious about your life...)
"Such a gift (being forgiven) makes us powerless - and we fear the loss of control involved." To be forgiven means our hands are thrown up into the air and we no longer are able to pull strings or begin to demand things of others. We begin our next step within a new world. What has been becomes powerless over us - even the power we expected to carry over others. Being forgiven is to understand what it is to be on the bottom and yet to be completely embraced by our God who forgives without end. Being in such a position helps us to see others with new eyes. Therefore, the ones we thought we could stand over and be the controlling agent of forgiveness are no longer ones beneath us. Rather, we are standing eye-to-eye.
Connection: Do we walk differently through the day when we remember that we are a forgiven people?
When you forgive us, O God, it is as though we begin to see with new eyes. It is not always what we want to do but when we do it, we notice how clearly the world looks when it is uncluttered by our brokenness. Be our vision, O God. Amen.
It is crucial that we understand that such a peaceableness is possible only if we are also a forgiven people. We must remember that our first task is not to forgive, but to be the forgiven. Too often to be ready to forgive is a way of exerting control over another. We fear accepting forgiveness from another because such a gift makes us powerless - and we fear the loss of control involved. Yet we continue to pray, "Forgive our debts." Only by learning to accept God's forgiveness as we see it in the life and death of Jesus can we acquire the power that comes from learning to give up that control.
Hauerwas then directs us to Matthew 6:25-27 (not to be anxious about your life...)
"Such a gift (being forgiven) makes us powerless - and we fear the loss of control involved." To be forgiven means our hands are thrown up into the air and we no longer are able to pull strings or begin to demand things of others. We begin our next step within a new world. What has been becomes powerless over us - even the power we expected to carry over others. Being forgiven is to understand what it is to be on the bottom and yet to be completely embraced by our God who forgives without end. Being in such a position helps us to see others with new eyes. Therefore, the ones we thought we could stand over and be the controlling agent of forgiveness are no longer ones beneath us. Rather, we are standing eye-to-eye.
Connection: Do we walk differently through the day when we remember that we are a forgiven people?
When you forgive us, O God, it is as though we begin to see with new eyes. It is not always what we want to do but when we do it, we notice how clearly the world looks when it is uncluttered by our brokenness. Be our vision, O God. Amen.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Friday 3 October 2008
Ending the week on a note about resurrection is good - by Stanley Hauerwas.
The risk of so valuing life can only be taken on the basis of the resurrection of Jesus as God's decisive eschatological act. For through Jesus' resurrection we see God's peace as a present reality. Though we continue to live in a time when the world does not dwell in peace, when the wolf cannot dwell with the lamb and a child cannot play over the hole of the asp, we believe nonetheless that peace has been made possible by the resurrection. Through this crucified but resurrected savior we see that God offers to all the possibility of living in peace by the power of forgiveness.
It is no wonder people are so confounded by the lack of the peace of the Reign of God in the world around us. There is so much emphasis on the peace that will come some day...or the peace that will break in down the road...that we do not let ourselves be open to the peace that is possible as we walk in the way of Jesus today. That wonderful vision of peace from the prophet Isaiah brings into view the way the contrary images of the world are ones that can become a part of the wholeness of our lives when we do not let them remain adversaries or enemies. To do that, we look to the power of the resurrection...the power that breaks the warfare and brutality and fear of the world and presents an alternative - forgiveness that cannot be overcome by any power of death. It is in that reminder of the center of the Good News that we are now available to the world around us as good news every day. We are already a part of that news and we are encouraged to be the ones who risk to live in that life that does - at times - get people crucified.
Connection: If you fear crucifixion like I do...than join me in helping one another remember the promise of life that comes as death has been defeated and we need not fear what may be in our path.
Lead us and guide us O God. Lead us and guide us this day as though our hearts are set within peaceable Reign - already. Amen.
The risk of so valuing life can only be taken on the basis of the resurrection of Jesus as God's decisive eschatological act. For through Jesus' resurrection we see God's peace as a present reality. Though we continue to live in a time when the world does not dwell in peace, when the wolf cannot dwell with the lamb and a child cannot play over the hole of the asp, we believe nonetheless that peace has been made possible by the resurrection. Through this crucified but resurrected savior we see that God offers to all the possibility of living in peace by the power of forgiveness.
It is no wonder people are so confounded by the lack of the peace of the Reign of God in the world around us. There is so much emphasis on the peace that will come some day...or the peace that will break in down the road...that we do not let ourselves be open to the peace that is possible as we walk in the way of Jesus today. That wonderful vision of peace from the prophet Isaiah brings into view the way the contrary images of the world are ones that can become a part of the wholeness of our lives when we do not let them remain adversaries or enemies. To do that, we look to the power of the resurrection...the power that breaks the warfare and brutality and fear of the world and presents an alternative - forgiveness that cannot be overcome by any power of death. It is in that reminder of the center of the Good News that we are now available to the world around us as good news every day. We are already a part of that news and we are encouraged to be the ones who risk to live in that life that does - at times - get people crucified.
Connection: If you fear crucifixion like I do...than join me in helping one another remember the promise of life that comes as death has been defeated and we need not fear what may be in our path.
Lead us and guide us O God. Lead us and guide us this day as though our hearts are set within peaceable Reign - already. Amen.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Thursday 2 October 2008
We continue reflecting on the resurrection and the Reign of God - again from Stanley Hauerwas.
...the Christian commitment to the protection of life is an eschatological commitment. Our concern to protect and enhance life is a sign of our confidence that in fact we live in a new age in which it is possible to see the other as God's creation. We do not value life as an end in itself - there is much worth dying for - rather all life is valued, even the lives of our enemies, because God has valued them.
It is vital for us to remember that "we live in a new age in which it is possible to see the other as God's creation." We may not be willing to do that...because we value ourselves and our ways and our own stuff more than the other ones. Then again, it is possible. It is possible to value the life of our enemies. It is possible to come to the table. It is possible to understand how God values all of us and we are invited to both see the other as valued...but also that we are valued. The value is not concerned with what we have done or left undone. It is because we are children of God within God's Reign. Obviously, things are not in a completed peaceable reign. Then again, as we trust in what is promised and what has been completed already in Christ, Jesus, we are free to live as part of the peaceable reign even though it is at odds with the way all the powers of the world live. We must be able to talk about valuing all human life in more ways than simply referring to the issue of abortion. When we value all life we cannot simply carry signs or sign petitions. We become active agents of new life that speak up for and walk along side of all whose lives are in jeopardy - even our enemies.
Connection: How do we learn to value the life of all God's beloved? It could start today by simply remembering that it is God who loves and that love is not shaped by our values...rather God's.
Guide us this day, O God, so that we may continually remember how much you love us and call us to live within that love - as though it is our own. Amen.
...the Christian commitment to the protection of life is an eschatological commitment. Our concern to protect and enhance life is a sign of our confidence that in fact we live in a new age in which it is possible to see the other as God's creation. We do not value life as an end in itself - there is much worth dying for - rather all life is valued, even the lives of our enemies, because God has valued them.
It is vital for us to remember that "we live in a new age in which it is possible to see the other as God's creation." We may not be willing to do that...because we value ourselves and our ways and our own stuff more than the other ones. Then again, it is possible. It is possible to value the life of our enemies. It is possible to come to the table. It is possible to understand how God values all of us and we are invited to both see the other as valued...but also that we are valued. The value is not concerned with what we have done or left undone. It is because we are children of God within God's Reign. Obviously, things are not in a completed peaceable reign. Then again, as we trust in what is promised and what has been completed already in Christ, Jesus, we are free to live as part of the peaceable reign even though it is at odds with the way all the powers of the world live. We must be able to talk about valuing all human life in more ways than simply referring to the issue of abortion. When we value all life we cannot simply carry signs or sign petitions. We become active agents of new life that speak up for and walk along side of all whose lives are in jeopardy - even our enemies.
Connection: How do we learn to value the life of all God's beloved? It could start today by simply remembering that it is God who loves and that love is not shaped by our values...rather God's.
Guide us this day, O God, so that we may continually remember how much you love us and call us to live within that love - as though it is our own. Amen.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Wednesday 1 October 2008
We continue looking at the resurrection as the establishment of the kingdom of peace and forgiveness from Stanley Hauerwas.
As members of such a kingdom, (read Isaiah11:6-9) moreover, we are pledged to extend God's peace through the care and protection of his creation. We do not resist one who is evil, not because life is inherently sacred, but simply because it is God's. As (John Howard)Yoder reminds us, "the idea that human life is intrinsically sacred is not a specifically Christian thought. But the gospel itself, the message that Christ died for His enemies, is our reason for being ultimately responsible for the neighbor's - and especially the enemy's - life. We can only say this [to another] if we say to ourselves that we cannot dispose of him according to our own will."
The life of another person is God's. That is so easy for me to forget. When seen in that light, there must be another way to deal with that person as we are both in the same predicament - God's own children. This is easier to write than it is to live. Under this kind of vision, we must given much more thought to going to war or fighting among us. Doesn't that just drive you nuts to hear that!?!? It take judgment out of my hands...it takes the desire to seek retribution out of my hands. In other words, this Reign of God tears me away from my self-centered life and makes me look out for the welfare of all...even my enemies. I think that is so difficult. But then again, I know some of you have been the voice that has helped me "back off" and look again at what I am saying or doing. There is this way of peace that is a way we can walk together for the sake of the life of all God's beloved.
Connection: Hold fast to this promise that we are God's children together and let's see how it changes the face of the day we are entering.
Lord of Life, you hold us all within your grasp and invite us to see each other as you see us. When we long for the many ways of warfare among us, keep your Spirit tugging at our lives so we will look up to the way of our Lord, Jesus. Amen.
As members of such a kingdom, (read Isaiah11:6-9) moreover, we are pledged to extend God's peace through the care and protection of his creation. We do not resist one who is evil, not because life is inherently sacred, but simply because it is God's. As (John Howard)Yoder reminds us, "the idea that human life is intrinsically sacred is not a specifically Christian thought. But the gospel itself, the message that Christ died for His enemies, is our reason for being ultimately responsible for the neighbor's - and especially the enemy's - life. We can only say this [to another] if we say to ourselves that we cannot dispose of him according to our own will."
The life of another person is God's. That is so easy for me to forget. When seen in that light, there must be another way to deal with that person as we are both in the same predicament - God's own children. This is easier to write than it is to live. Under this kind of vision, we must given much more thought to going to war or fighting among us. Doesn't that just drive you nuts to hear that!?!? It take judgment out of my hands...it takes the desire to seek retribution out of my hands. In other words, this Reign of God tears me away from my self-centered life and makes me look out for the welfare of all...even my enemies. I think that is so difficult. But then again, I know some of you have been the voice that has helped me "back off" and look again at what I am saying or doing. There is this way of peace that is a way we can walk together for the sake of the life of all God's beloved.
Connection: Hold fast to this promise that we are God's children together and let's see how it changes the face of the day we are entering.
Lord of Life, you hold us all within your grasp and invite us to see each other as you see us. When we long for the many ways of warfare among us, keep your Spirit tugging at our lives so we will look up to the way of our Lord, Jesus. Amen.
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