Tricky Reading
Monday, August 28, 2006 -- Week of Proper 16 (Augustine of Hippo)
"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 1, 2, 3 (morning) // 4, 7 (evening)
Job 4:1, 5:1-11, 17-21, 26-27
Acts 9:19b-31
John 6:52-59
(Note: the second half of today's gospel reading along with most of tomorrow's reading was the gospel for yesterday's Sunday Eucharists. My sermon on this passage is found on our web site at http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id165.html or at www.lowellsermons.blogspot.com)
Reading Job can be tricky. You have to remember who the narrator is. Today Eliphaz speaks. He rebukes Job by arguing from a traditional orthodox perspective. He defends the justice of God by saying that the universe will turn against the wrongdoer. He tells Job to trust God who will indeed execute justice -- punishing the wicked and saving the righteous. Job will be safe with God. (You can almost see the Psalmist who wrote today's psalms in the background agreeing. "Listen to Eliphaz, Job. 'For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed. ...Happy are they all who take refuge in him! ...Deliverance belongs to the Lord. Your blessing be upon your people!'"
But it's not that clear. The whole point of the book of Job is that this comfortable, confident, conventional theology falls short. God does not confirm the words and theology of Eliphaz. Sometimes the innocent suffer and the unjust exercise power. That is the way it is.
In the end Job will be overwhelmed by a mystical experience of God which will bring him peace. But the naive religious confidence of voices like Eliphaz and today psalmist is not confirmed by God.
In Jesus, we have another answer to the problem of evil and injustice. Jesus meets and absorbs evil and injustice with nothing but love. He is raised from the dead. Dorothy Sayers says it nicely: "God did not abolish the fact of evil. He
transformed it. He did not stop the crucifixion. He rose from the dead."
Lowell
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posted by Lowell @ 7:44 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
The passage from Acts caught my interest today, specifically the verse where Barnabas advocates for Saul. I have benefitted from having an advocate many times, and I'm grateful to those who have helped me. I read a short essay onetime to the effect that when Jesus gets to heaven he is asked how things went. He answers that they went OK, although he was crucified and really only had about 11 good friends. Asked what the future held for his ministry, he said he didn't know, that he left it in the hands of his friends. I guess that's what we're called to do as Christians, be an advocate for Jesus.
Thanks, Jen and George, for your posts.
Jen, I would think you would find a soul-mate in Job. He lives with so much, and yet remains in relationship with God in his integrity. He comes to know God intimately.
And George. Your note reminds me of a story I read somewhere. When Jesus' incarnation was over and he returned to heaven, the angels asked him what his plan and strategy was. He answered, "I left 11 friends behind who understand." Then skeptical angels asked. "And what's your backup plan." "Haven't got one."
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