Signs of Times

Tuesday, November 28, 2007 -- Week of Proper 29 (Kamehameha and Emma)

"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. 995)
Psalms [120], 121, 122, 123 (morning) // 124, 125, 126, [127] (evening)
Zechariah 11:4-17
1 Corinthians 3:10-23
Luke 18:31-43

In Luke's passage, Jesus tells his inner circle that their trip to Jerusalem will accomplish "everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets." But then he annotates what that will be. It is (for the most part) bad stuff -- being handed over to Gentiles, mistreated, killed, and raised. In a fascinating sentence, the writer says in three different ways -- they didn't understand.

They probably were thinking about other things that the prophets wrote about the expected One. The prophets wrote a lot about a triumphant leader who would defeat Israel's enemies, restore justice and peace, and reestablish Israel as preeminent among the nations. What about those things that were written about the Son of Man? They can't see what Jesus is talking about.

Then a blind man cries out from the side of the road, calling Jesus by the royal title, "Son of David." Jesus restores his sight -- fulfilling a messianic prophecy -- and the blind man sees.

The blind man sees; the disciples are blind.

Zechariah satirizes the shepherds, the leaders of Judah. They are corrupt. They are not shepherds, they are sheep merchants, buying and selling and killing the flock with no pity upon them. So the prophet contends with these corrupt, greedy leaders. He seeks to bring Favor and Unity. But his reform is unsuccessful. He is redeemed by dirty money that he throws into the Temple treasury, symbolizing its corruption too. A new shepherd is coming, "who does not care for the perishing, or seek the wandering, or heal the maimed, or nourish the healthy, but devours the flesh of the fat ones, tearing off even their hoofs."

Things are going from bad to worse.

The four psalms (I'm reading the evening psalms in this cycle) bounce around. Psalm 124 declares relief that God has rescued them from grave danger. Psalm 125 confidently asserts a state of security and justice. Psalm 126 rejoices over God's deliverance of the people from exile even while asking for help in the continued restoration. And Psalm 127 places all trust in God and family.

Things are going to be okay.

Finally Paul uses the image of building a home or Temple as a way to speak to his churches. Paul laid a good foundation, Jesus Christ. Each member now contributes to the building. The quality of the work will be disclosed. Will it hold up under fire? Don't think too much of yourselves, Paul warns. Or of your leaders. All things are yours, but only through Christ. Life, death, past, present -- "all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God."

Work with careful diligence; all is well.

I like these "mixed messages." They seem to reflect reality.

Sometimes when we think we know, we're really blind, and enlightenment comes from the unexpected. There is so much that is corrupt and likely to get worse. Yet things are ultimately in God's hands and will be okay. Work hard. All is well.

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