The way of discipline

Tuesday, November 21, 2006 -- Week of Proper 28

"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 97, 99, [100] (morning) // 94, [95] (evening)
Habakkuk 3:1-10 (11-15) 16-18
James 3:1-12
Luke 17:1-10

There is a deep humility, acceptance and obedience at the heart of much of the scripture. Today we hear three themes from different streams of that invitation to discipline.

Jesus widens the range of responsibility by focusing today less on occasions when we may stumble and more on the circumstances that may provoke another to stumble. Woe to us if we do something that entices another to wrong. It is a terrible violation of community. Yet, if another wrongs us, we are told to confront the other and forgive repeatedly. This high ethic of Jesus is so tough that the disciples cry out, "Increase our faith."

Jesus doesn't bite. It's not that hard, he insists. It only takes a little trust in God. And when you have successfully accomplished this high ethic, don't get puffed up. You've only done what you were supposed to.

James addresses the discipline of the tongue. The tongue is small, but it has a great effect, like a small rudder that directs a large ship. How unnatural the tongue can be. No spring produces both fresh and brackish water. No fig tree yields olives. But from the same mouth we can bless God and curse our fellow human beings made in God's image. Put a bridle on your tongue and control it.

The final hymn from Habakkuk imagines the appearance of God to conquer chaos and establish order. It is spoken in the context of a time when the corrupt leaders of Judah have been punished by God's sending the conquering army of Chaldeans, who prove to be as bad as the ones they replaced. Habakkuk lives in a time of evil, injustice and disillusion.

His closing words speak of the deep trust of faith:

"Though the fig tree does not blossom,
and no fruit is on the vines;
though the produce of the olive fails,
and the fields yield no food;
though the flock is cut off from the fold,
and there is no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will exult in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
and makes me tread upon the heights."

The call is to mature responsibility and trust. Disciplining one's self so as not to cause harm, forgiving others who may harm you, and trusting God deeply in times of trouble. Humility, acceptance, and obedience. Such a spirit can make you feel like a deer leaping great heights, jumping over troubles with a deep sense of joy.

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