Yesterday and Today

Wednesday, October 11, 2006 -- Week of Proper 22 (Philip, Deacon and Evangelist)

"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. 987)
Psalm 119:145-176 (morning) // 128, 129, 130 (evening)
Micah 2:1-13
Acts 23:23-35
Luke 7:18-35

Political intrigue haunts today's readings.

Micah condemns the exploitation of the poor by the rich. He denounces the foreclosures that have caused families to lose their property or to be evicted from their homes. He prophecies that the greedy elites will suffer their own loss. The powerful tell Micah, in essence, to shut up, "Disgrace will not overtake us," they say. History shows that Micah was right. The Assyrian invasions of Sennacherib brought disaster to the wealthy and powerful.

Paul finds protective custody in a Roman application of a law similar to habeas corpus. The tribune has rescued Paul from the accusations and violence of his Jewish opponents and protected him from an assassination attempt. He authorizes an open court process to determine what Paul is charged with. Once again the scripture readings connect with today's newspapers. Our Congress has recently passed a bill backed by the President significantly changing our habeas corpus traditions, restricting a suspect's ability to challenge his detention, examine the evidence against him, and bar testimony acquired through coercion.

In the Gospel today we hear from John the Baptist who has been imprisoned by Herod for accusing Herod of immorality. John will be beheaded on a whim by Herod. No habeas corpus for John. John sends messengers from prison. He wants to know if he was right or wrong about Jesus. Is Jesus "the one who is to come"? Jesus answers by asking his disciples to tell John what they have seen.

They have seen the signs of the Messiah, the work of the kingdom: "the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them." Jesus blesses anyone who is not offended at his agenda.

Contrasting agendas. Exploitation or good news for the poor. Arbitrary power or rule of law. Arrogance or compassion. Greed or healing. We face the same contrasts today.

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