Contrasting Styles of Power

Wednesday, August 23, 2006 -- Week of Proper 15

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 981)
Psalm 119:145-176 (morning) // 128, 129, 130 (evening)
Judges 18:16-31
Acts 8:14-25
John 6:1-15

Today's readings offer some contrasting examples of ways to exercise power and authority.

In our first lesson we read the conclusion of the story of the founding of the tribe of Dan. It's a pretty sorry story. It starts with some cursed silver that the household of Micah tries to redeem by taking part of it and casting an idol. Then a traveling priest comes by and accepts the opportunity to become the priest of the household.

Spies from the tribe of Dan discover the household while they are scouting for vulnerable cities. They find the isolated town of Laish where they observe a people "living securely, ...quiet and unsuspecting, lacking nothing on earth, and possessing wealth." They also find the home sanctuary of Micah. The tribe returns, attacks and burns the city, then forcibly takes the idol and appointments of Micah's sanctuary. The opportunistic priest goes with them. It's a good deal for him economically. He can be bought. Might makes right. (There are several references elsewhere in scripture to the belligerent nature of the tribe of Dan.)

That's one way to exercise power and authority. We get a different picture in the two New Testament readings. In John's gospel Jesus takes the modest offering of peasant's bread and fish from a little boy. He feeds the multitude. All are satisfied and there is an abundance left over. In the Acts of the Apostles, a scouting party of Hellenists go to Samaria (a region hostile to Jews; the home of an heretical sect). When the people receive the gospel the apostles Peter and James come to help promote the spread of the Holy Spirit. They have a confrontation with a local magician named Simon who offers money for the spiritual power they demonstrate. Peter chastises Simon in strong terms. The gifts of the Spirit are not for sale. Purify your heart.

Contrasting stories. In one power is exercised in that old fashioned way -- money and physical threat. In the others, a new manifestation of power -- generosity and service. Not a bad measuring rod when judging between authorities.
___________________________

Lowell

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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR