Karma

Monday, November 20, 2006 -- Week of Proper 28 (Edmond of East Anglia)

"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. 993)
Psalm 89:1-18 (morning) // 89:19-52 (evening)
Habakkuk 2:1-4, 9-20
James 2:14-26
Luke 16:19-31

I have been interested in listening to our Buddhist friend Geshe teaching the philosophy that he follows as a Tibetan monk. He speaks with profound faith about karma -- the belief that each being experiences future consequences for their present actions. The affirmation that justice will occur -- whether attributed to God or to universal principles -- is present in many religious systems. Our readings today bring Hebrew and Christian voices into that conversation.

The second half of Psalm 89 remembers the promise of God to the faithful ruler David. "I will establish his line for ever and his throne as the days of heaven." Even if "his children forsake my law," God promises and unbreakable oath to protect David's lineage.

That promise of God is broken. "But you have cast off and rejected your anointed; ...you have broken your covenant with your servant, defiled his crown, and hurled it to the ground." The nation has been conquered. The Psalmist reminds God how short human life is and asks God to fulfill the old promise. He hurls his anguish toward a hidden God, and closes: "Blessed be the Lord for evermore! Amen, I say, Amen."

His voice finds echo in Habakkuk, who in chapter 1 complains first about the corruption of Judah, which God punishes through the armies of the invading Chaldeans. Then Habakkuk complains that the Chaldeans are evil themselves. Standing watch, Habakkuk sees an answer from God. God will bring justice. "If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay." He speaks five proverbs about how injustice is reversed -- power, greed, arrogance, falsity will be dealt with. Habakkuk waits.

James teaches a way of exercising faith (or building good karma). What you say you believe is meaningless, he says, without action. Live out your faith through good works.

Finally, we have a Christian version of karma -- the reversal of fates between the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man enjoyed his good things during his lifetime while Lazarus suffered in poverty at his gates. In the next life Lazarus is comforted at Abraham's bosom and the rich man suffers agony in Hades.

Deep in our hearts is a longing for justice. We also know that perfect justices does not happen on earth within our lives. We look for something more, even as we work for something more. "Make justice happen" is one of the great themes of Hebrew and Christian tradition. The other side of that coin adds, "And trust God to bring justice; wait faithfully." Have faith and act faithfully. Act faithfully and have faith.

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