Living with Empire

Friday, November 3, 2006 -- Week of Proper 25 (Richard Hooker)

"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. 991)

Psalm 40, 54 (morning) // 51 (evening)

Ecclesiasticus 34:1-8, 18-22 (found in the Apocrypha; also called Sirach)

Revelation 13:1-10

Luke 12:13-31

Ben Sira is not too impressed with dreams. They are fantasy, he thinks, pay no attention to them. (Kathy and I woke up today each with a portion of an active dream to tell. We'll both pay some attention to them) Ben Sira makes an exception for dreams that are "sent from the Most High." But he doesn't say which ones those are. I'm more interested in dreams than Ben Sira is.

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Today and tomorrow we have the two beasts of Revelation, the beast of the sea and the beast of the land. The beast is the Empire -- its power, wealth and rule. The Empire's economic and political system is comprehensive; the Empire's military power is international. For John, the enemy is the Empire, especially the temptation to succumb to its luring riches and its arrogant powers. In today's reading, John tells the little church that escape or rebellion will not work against such power. Perseverance is the only response. Put your trust in God. The period of evil is only partial.

Many commentators have written extensively about the similarities between the Roman Empire of John's day and the American Empire of our day. The globalization of trade and entertainment, the lure of wealth and greed, the corruption of morals, the arrogance of power and manipulation of religion for the state's end. Some comparisons stick frightfully. Others seem stretched to me.

So many people who live among the world's disenfranchised think of America much as John does. We are the beast. There is plenty of literature the speaks of America in language similar to what John uses of the Empire. Can any of us say we are not lured and complicit in the temptation and consumerism of our culture?

The passage from Luke seems to offer some commentary. Someone asks Jesus to judge on a conflict about material possessions, an inheritance. "Tell my brother to share with me," he asks. Jesus refuses to be distracted by the issue or to weigh in on it in any way. He shows no concern for such things.

"I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear... For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things (read Empire), and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for God's kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell you possessions, and give alms." That's the anti-Empire message of Jesus.

How deeply am I embedded in the life and power of the Empire? Jesus offers a pretty good discernment tool: "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

What do I have "the best" of? What do I spend my money on? There's my heart. Empire or God's reign?

Lowell

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