Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Holy lives and earthly justice... for all

Tuesday, October 31, 2006 -- Week of Proper 25

"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

Discussion Blog: To comment on today's reflection or readings, go to http://lowellsblog.blogspot.com, find today's reading, click "comment" at the bottom of the reading, and post your thoughts.

Today's Readings for the Daily Office
(p. 991
Psalm 45 (morning) // 47, 48 (evening)
Ecclesiasticus 24:1-12 (found in the Apocrypha; also called Sirach)
Revelation 11:14-19
Luke 11:27-36

or for Evening Prayer (Eve of All Saints = All Hallows Eve = Halloween)
Psalm 34 Wisdom 3:1-9 Revelation 19:1,4-10

In Ecclesiasticus we hear the voice of Wisdom herself as the Glory of God filling the whole earth and choosing particularly to dwell in the Jerusalem Temple. In the Revelation we read of John's vision into the heavenly temple, which opens with great drama not unlike the splitting of the Temple curtain on the day of Jesus' crucifixion.

Ben Sira urges us to seek wisdom in the pursuit of honor and the heritage of a good name among people. John hears the trumpet of the seventh angels and the song of the twenty-four elders who rejoice that the reign of God has come.

The reign of God is described as the time of God's justice. This vision defines God's justice in both positive and negative terms. Positive justice is reward for God's servants the prophets and saints and all who reverence God's name. Negative justice await "those who destroy the earth."

The traditional ways of preparing for God's reign have included both a personal and a corporate dimension. Wisdom invites us to prepare our hearts and minds and souls with the light of the Gospel by becoming a holy people. Justice invites us to prepare the earth for God by creating equity among people and by caring for the earth. Inner sanctification and outer blessing.

Jesus makes a comment that might reference these traditions in today's reading from Luke. When a woman in the crowd seeks to personalize his message by praising his heritage, Jesus turns the message upon the hearers. "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!" He urges them to be filled with light.

Jesus also criticizes the faithfulness of the people of Israel who have been entrusted with God's presence and Wisdom. He uses Jonah and the Queen of Sheba as signs of his critique. Jonah preached to the Gentile enemies of Nineveh and they came to bless God. The Queen of Sheba listened the wisdom of Solomon and honored it. Faithful foreigners have become a judgment upon the "this generation," he says.

The blessing of God's reign and the judgment of justice apply equally to insider and outsider, to this faith and that. Holy hearts and lives of blessing are a universal calling.

Lowell
_____________________

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list,
go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

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

Monday, October 30, 2006

The Inner Landscape

Monday, October 30, 2006 -- -- Week of Proper 25

"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 41, 52 (morning) // 44 (evening)
Ecclesiasticus 19:4-17 (found in the Apocrypha; also called Sirach)
Revelation 11:1-14
Luke 11:14-26

Today we have some exploration of our interior landscape.

In delightful language Ben Sira warns against gossip. "Never repeat a conversation and you will lose nothing at all. ...Have you heard something? Let it die with you. Be brave, it will not make you burst! ...Like an arrow stuck in a person's thigh, so is gossip inside a fool." Ben Sira advises that you discreetly check it out. It may not be true. (On the net, go to snopes.com or urbanlegends.com before forwarding that tangy email.)

Luke (v. 24f) gives us another bit of spiritual wisdom. Sometimes when we have cleaned up our act, dispensed with a bad habit, changed a destructive behavior, unless we have found a way to replace healthily the gift that bad habit gave us, the temptation will return with what feels like even greater power. Our feeling of despair can be even deeper, for we thought we had won are and no better off.

Sometimes, the only way to read Revelation is as a spiritual metaphor. That helps today, it seems to me. The temple and the altar might be the true self of the person or the inner reality of God's people which is safe and protected even while the outer reality is threatened or suffering. The period of the time of evil and suffering is limited -- forty-two months = 1,260 days = three and 1/2 years, or half of seven. Seven is the complete number. So the period of evil is always incomplete, broken. Therefore, take heart when times are evil.

The two faithful witnesses could be seen as representatives of the people who God who are called king and priest, two olive trees. The are both conquered and victorious. Their witness as testimony is like fire from their mouth. Like the two great prophets Moses and Elijah, they have authority over sky, rain, water and plague. (We have similar powers over our interior landscape. When I decide to be dark and dry, bloody and plagued, I can behave that way.)

There is a beast from a bottomless pit within us. It can do such damage, that we appear destroyed. It can happen to us in our holiest places, "where also their Lord was crucified." But after a short period of evil (three and a half days) "the breath of life from God" can reenter us. We can ascend to our home which is our live in God's divine life. Our inward gift of the breath of life is our great testimony.

Lowell
_________________

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list,
go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

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

Friday, October 27, 2006

God or Empire; Mary or Martha?

Friday, October 27, 2006 -- Week of Proper 24

"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

Discussion Blog:
To comment on today's reflection or readings, go to http://lowellsblog.blogspot.com, find today's reading, click "comment" at the bottom of the reading, and post your thoughts.

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 989)
Psalm 31 (morning) // 35 (evening)
Ecclesiasticus 11:2-20 (found in the Apocrypha; also called Sirach)
Revelation 9:13-21
Luke 10:38-42

I've said before that the vision of the apocalypse the Revelation of John of the destruction and killing much of the earth as the means by which God establishes justice is not reconcilable with other Biblical visions of God's justice. It does not reflect how Jesus lived or how he described God. Yet the plagues and destruction Revelation describes are all things that we human beings are capable of unleashing upon the world.

The world that John is visioning for such judgment is remarkably like ours. For John the enemy is the Roman Empire. Interestingly enough, his complaint against the empire occurs not in reference to any form of persecution against Christians, but simply against the empire itself -- its arrogance and its wealthy materialism.

Rome has established peace through the power of its military legions. Rome has colonized the world (at least to the border Euphrates that John references), established markets and infrastructure (especially roads, fresh water, and baths), stabilized government, built great public works, and created global economic machine. This is the enemy, according to John. More than one scholar has said that the United States is today's Roman Empire. Flee from Roman idolatry, John would say. It is good for nothing but destruction.
____________

As one who commits to more than I can accomplish and finds some days have more promises than I can keep, I was struck by some of Ben Sira's words, especially in context of the gospel reading.

"My child, do not busy yourself with many matters; if you multiply activities, you will not be held blameless. If you pursue, you will not overtake, and by fleeing you will not escape. There are those who work and struggle and hurry, but are so much the more in want. There are others who are slow and need help, who lack strength and abound in poverty; but they eyes of the Lord look kindly upon them; he lifts them out of their lowly condition and raises up their heads to the amazement of many."


Maybe you've seen the t-shirt -- "The One Who Dies With the Largest Checklist, Wins." I read a study that showed that peasant herders in a remote, primitive tribe in Africa score as high on a happiness quotient as the happiest of Americans, and considerably higher than Americans living in poverty.

Today Jesus does not get caught up in the anxiety of an over-busy Martha, but invites her to let go of her distractions and "many things." "There is need of only one thing." Mary is sitting, visiting with Jesus in conversation. "Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her." Jesus won't let the pressure of Martha's busy-ness take away that better part.

Who will run my life today? Mary or Martha? God or Empire?

Lowell
__________________________

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list,
go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

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

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Voting Values

Thursday, October 26, 2006 -- Week of Proper 24 (Alfred the Great)

"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

Discussion Blog:
To comment on today's reflection or readings, go to http://lowellsblog.blogspot.com, find today's reading, click "comment" at the bottom of the reading, and post your thoughts.

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 989)
Psalm 37:1-18 (morning) // 37:19-42 (evening)
Ecclesiasticus 10:1-18 (found in the Apocrypha; also called Sirach)
Revelation 9:1-12
Luke 10:25-37

On my "to do" checklist today is "Go Vote." I remembered that bit of anticipated business as a started to read Psalm 37. This psalm is an invitation to hope during a time of trouble. It is a reminder that God defends the poor and vulnerable from the wealthy and powerful. That's a major theme throughout scripture. To me it is a political agenda as well.

Ben Sira starts the 10th chapter of Ecclesiasticus with a paean of praise for education -- "A wise magistrate educates his people, and the rule of an intelligent person is well ordered." He speaks of the importance of good leadership. Then he follows with a meditation on humility, reminding the reader that God replaces the proud ruler with the humble.

In the book of the Revelation of John we have the fifth and six trumpets, which are pretty incomprehensible to me and to scholars. But the woes of the apocalypse are reminders to our generation that we have to capacity to wreak unparalleled destruction upon earth through our military and environmental violence, and we also have unparalleled opportunity to abolish poverty, hunger, and much disease through our technology and knowledge. Will we promote blessing or woe? Many of those decisions rest among our elected leaders.

The final reading is a paradigm of right action. The scene is not unlike the setting of a political debate or hearing. A lawyer asks Jesus a question. Like many questions, it has a self-serving motivation. "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus gives him an answer. His answer describes our agenda -- personal and corporate: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." That is the foundation of all activity -- personal, social, religious, political.

Like a good press conference, the lawyer gets a follow-up question. "Who is my neighbor?" (Where do we put boundaries around our responsibility to love?) Jesus answers with a story about the good Samaritan.

The man is injured and in need. Officials from both the religious and political/business worlds find excuses to pass him by. But a Samaritan treats him with generous compassion. A Samaritan is an outsider -- a foreigner, a heretic, and enemy. But he is the one "who was a neighbor to the man." The punch line: "Go and do likewise."

Today's readings offer a fine context for the exercise of civic duties. I want to vote for leaders who I believe will defend the poor and needy from the wealthy and powerful, who will promote the education of all, who will lead with humility, who will eschew violence and enable the well-being of the earth and all its inhabitants, and who will be a servant leaders who act with neighborly compassion toward all in need. That's a good agenda for our corporate life.

Lowell
_____________________

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list,
go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

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

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

The Demons

Wednesday, October 25, 2006 -- Week of Proper 24

"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. 989)
Psalm 38 (morning) // 119:25-48 (evening)
Ecclesiasticus 7:4-14 (found in the Apocrypha; also called Sirach)
Revelation 8:1-13
Luke 10:17-24

Jesus sends seventy disciples out two-by-two. They are charged with a remarkable message: Proclaim that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Then they demonstrate the power and presence of the Kingdom of God -- "even the demons submit to us!" They experience an empowered freedom from all sense of threat or fear. In a trinitarian prayer, Jesus thanks God for revealing such things to the humble.

One of the signs of the presence and power of Jesus was the reintegration of whatever may be broken and the liberation of whatever may be bound. The symbol "demon" is an effective word describing the experience of being threatened and trapped. The classical Gospel story tells of a man who is so tortured he lives unclean, among the tombs, disintegrated and isolated from life. Jesus cleanses and frees him. He is made whole. He returns to community.

There are so many fears, threats and addictions that seem to fit the bondage described by the word "demon." Attachment to money and security drives some to grasp for more. Attachment to place and honor drives some to compulsive achievement. Addictive emotions drive some into substance abuse or other forms of escapeism. Illness, weakness, the inevitability of death... There are so many fears, so many threats. There are so many ways we can feel insecure, unloved, out-of-control. These fears possess us. They are our demons.

God's hope for us is liberation from fear and bondage, an empowered freedom. The Gospel message that the disciples embodied is the good news of God's perfect, unqualified, powerful love. That love is so deep and so strong that within it we are safe. We are perfectly secure, because even death cannot threaten and even pain is transformed when offered in union with Jesus' cross. We are perfectly and completely loved, regardless of past or present, status or behavior. God is truly in control, so that we can surrender, and that surrender is our power.

Out of the liberation from those demons, we can live congruent, courageous, free lives.

Lowell

_____________________________

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list, go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

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

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Complicated friendships

Tuesday, October 24, 2006 -- Week of Proper 24 (St. James of Jerusalem)

"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. 989)
Psalm 26, 28 (morning) // 36, 39 (evening)
Ecclesiasticus 6:5-17 (found in the Apocrypha; also called Sirach)
Revelation 7:9-17
Luke 10:1-16

Living in relationship, living in community is complicated. Today our readings have comments on some of those complications.

Jesus ben Sira writes in Ecclesiasticus that it is good to have many friends, but he is also cautious. Much of ben Sira's concern is about the pursuit of honor. His ethical advice is centered on the gain of honor and the avoidance of shame, almost in an economic sense. For him, honor is more than reputation, but is more like a commodity or stock. Men of honor competed for social status with their peers, gaining and losing honor in the sight of others. The ultimate honor comes from God who alone gives a good name that lasts forever.

So, in such a "zero sum" game, one must be cautious, even defensive in friendship, for these friends are potential competitors in the pursuit of honor. "Let those who are friendly with you be many, but let your advisers be one in a thousand. When you gain friends, gain them through testing, and do not trust them hastily. ...Keep away from your enemies and be on guard with your friends." It is an anxious, competitive world view of friendship.

The Revelation of John sees a glorious vision of friendship. The tribes of God's people are gathered and "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nations, from all tribes and peoples and languages" is gathered. All stand joyfully "before the Lamb, robed in white with palm branches." They worship with great thanksgiving. They have come out of "the great ordeal" (life is difficult); "they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Christ's death is the first fruits of resurrection for all). They live without earthly suffering -- no more hunger, heat or tears. It is a beautiful vision of universal divine protection and reconciliation for all the earth. John's vision is encouragement in difficult times.

Jesus sends out seventy to prepare for his mission. They go out "like lambs in the midst of wolves." They carry no defenses or power of wealth. They offer peace to all. Remarkably, they will eat whatever is given to them, ignoring Biblical kosher laws. They heal those who need healing; they announce that God's reign is at hand. If they experience resistance, they let it go and move on, leaving any consequences to God.

The first and last vision (Jesus ben Sira and Jesus of Nazareth) contrast dramatically. The latter Jesus sees no zero-sum game, but an unquenchable renewable of grace. His vision is a culture of abundance, not competition. And the greatest honor is humble service. There is no anxiety over status or rejection. His invitation is to a freedom which is joyful, confident service.

In the middle, we see the goal -- a reconciled, resurrected humanity. All are joyful, all are raised, all are one. After all, everyone goes through the trial of death. Ultimately, we are all one. God will wipe away all tears.

Lowell
___________________________

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list, go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

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

Friday, October 20, 2006

Mystery

Friday, October 20, 2006 -- Week of Proper 23

"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. 989)
Psalm 16, 17 (morning) // 22 (evening)
Ecclesiasticus 1:1-10, 18-27 (found in the Apocrypha; also called Sirach)
Acts 28:1-16
Luke 9:28-36

Following a prologue written by the author's grandson who translated this work from Hebrew to Greek, Ecclesiasticus, or the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach, opens this way:
All wisdom is from the Lord, and with him it remains forever.
The sand of the sea, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity -- who can count them?
The height of heaven, the breadth of the earth, the abyss and wisdom -- who can search them out?

In the presence of mystery we are reverent. Mystery surrounds us.

One of my major reservations about any form of fundamentalism is the presence of mystery. Certainty is the first temptation. In the garden the tempter compromised the original couple with the false promise of the forbidden fruit, "when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Wisdom begins with the tangible tension between the unknowable depths of mystery and our gladness with what God has revealed to us. "The fear of the Lord" is the attitude that Jesus Ben Sirach invites us to embrace. Reverence the mystery. Honor God. Accept human finitude. In that spirit, mystery is revealed, God opens to us the depths, humanity is blessed.

With reverent, humble gladness we can attain to much that is true. But only God can count the sand of the sea, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity. We hold lightly the little we are given to know.

In Luke's account of the Transfiguration of Jesus, Peter, James and John, though weighed down with sleep, stay awake and witness the revelation of mystery. They see the glory of Jesus. Their vision is momentary, but wonderful. The cloud overshadows them, and they know what they only previously intuited.

Peter's temptation is to make something concrete out of the mystery. He would contain it, objectify it, concretize it. "Let us make three dwellings." But Mystery cannot be contained. Mystery cannot be contained by sacred writings, doctrines, religious practice, or tradition. Ultimately, Peter and the others are simply silent before the utterness of what they have experienced.

Much of what we offer in the Church, through the worship, prayer, study, practice, service, ministry, teaching and fellowship, is intended to create in us an openness to mystery, a context for the possibility of an encounter with God. Yet even when God reveals the divine self to us, we touch only a fringe of the whole, we see through a mirror, dimly. Such is beyond words. At best we retreat into silence, God's first language.

But there is left with us the tingling gladness that we have been touched by truth, we have known some of the mystery. The vast ocean remains, but the wonders of having been immersed in a small corner of the whole is fulfilling and grounding. We are left with reverence and awe.

The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish.
She rained down knowledge and discerning comprehension, and she heightened the glory of those who held her fast.
To fear the Lord is the root of wisdom, and her branches are long life.


Lowell
______________________________

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list, go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

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

Thursday, October 19, 2006

What shall we do about Nineveh?

Thursday, October 19, 2006 -- Week of Proper 23 (Henry Martyn)

"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. 989)
Psalm 18:1-20 (morning) // 18:21-50 (evening)
Jonah 3:1 - 4:11
Acts 27:27-44
Luke 9:18-27

Jesus: "What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?"

Jonah: "This is why I fled to Tarshish at the beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing."

Today we finish the wonderful little book of Jonah. Jonah's preaching mission to Nineveh was "successful." The people (and even the animals) repented, and God "changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it."

Jonah is furious. Angry enough to die. He hates Nineveh and the Ninevites. He wants them destroyed. They are Israel's ancient enemies. Twice their armies invaded and violently attacked Israel. He wants them destroyed not reconciled.

This book was written during a time of resurgent Jewish nationalism. It was a time when borders were being sealed to prevent the immigration of non-Jewish people and when marriages with non-Jews were being pressured. In that context, Jonah was protest literature (along with Ruth; written about the same time). The books of Jonah and Ruth dared to speak compassionately about Israel's enemies and about non-Jews. Such speech was considered unpatriotic, if not sedicious and treasonous. But time has proved their words to be inspired and blessed.

A word about Nineveh, the great Assyrian capital. Today it is the city of Mosul in Iraq. Mosul has had a large Kurdish population and a recent history of conflict between Kurds and Sunni Arabs. There are valuable oil fields nearby. Many of Saddam Hussein's military leaders were from Mosul, and his sons Uday and Qusay were killed there. After the destruction of Fallujah, the Sunni police force resigned and turned the city over to Sunni militia insurgents. U.S. and Kurd forces retook the city and there has been occasional conflict since. You may remember the suicide bomb at the base dining hall where 14 U.S. soldiers, 4 U.S. Halliburton employees and 4 Iraqis were killed. We might expect Mosul to be in future news reports from Iraq from time to time as the violence is continuing to escalate. What should we do about Nineveh?

Today is the feast of Henry Martyn, an English priest who translated the Book of Common Prayer into Hindi while he was in India and translated the New Testament into Persian while in Iran. He is warmly remembered as one of the modern founders of the church in India and Iran.

In our gospel reading today Jesus reveals that he is the Messiah. He sternly tells his disciples not to tell anyone. He knows his mission would be misinterpreted. Everyone was waiting for a conquering Messiah who would defeat Israel's foes and force the Romans out of their occupation. Jesus redefined the meaning of Messiah. "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."

Henry Martyn was one of those who eagerly embraced that mission. Jonah, not so eagerly. And history is filled with those who believe their problems are to be solved by violence rather than by following the way of the cross of Jesus or by following the God whom Jonah resented because he knew God to be "a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing."

Lowell
______________________________

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list, go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

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

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Wednesday, October 18, 2006 -- Week of Proper 23 (St. Luke the 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
Either these readings for Wednesday of Proper 24 (p. 989)
Psalm 119:1-24 (morning) // 12, 13, 14 (evening)
Jonah 1:17 - 2:10
Acts 27:9-26
Luke 9:1-17

or these readings for the Feast of St. Luke
Morning: Psalm 103, Ezekiel 47:1-12, Luke 1:1-4
Evening: Psalms 67, 96; Isaiah 52:7-10; Acts 1:1-8

(I read the readings for Wed of Pr 24)

Psalm 12 is among the most compelling of the Psalms when you live in a period of injustice, corruption and abuse of power. It has spoken for me from the time segregationists dominated Mississippi even to today. It is nicely followed by the passionate prayer of Psalm 13 and the strong affirmations of Psalm 14.

In a way, the reading from Jonah is a parallel with the psalm readings. From the depths Jonah prays and God delivers. Yet he is faced with the command to do what he had fled -- to preach and prophecy to the despised enemy in Nineveh. Ironically, these awful people in Nineveh do what Israel never seems to be able to do, they listen to the prophet and they repent. (It is a bitter irony to Jonah who wants only their punishment.) God changes God's mind and doesn't bring punishment to the wicked. They have changed.

When we get to Luke we see another way of living in the midst of injustice, corruption and abuse of power. Jesus sends his small band of twelve out to do something radical. They are to proclaim that the awaited reign of God has come. Jews had been waiting for centuries for God to come decisively to right wrongs, redress injustice, punish evil, and establish shalom/peace. One day, they said, God will come and turn everything around.

Jesus tells these twelve to announce the kingdom has already arrived! They would have authority to heal and to bring integration to broken lives. They traveled lightly, accepted hospitality, and let go of failure and its corresponding responsibilities of worry or guilt. The new reign of God that Psalms 12-14 pray for has arrived, they announce.

But the shadow of Herod looms. He has heard of this movement. He had snuffed out an earlier prophetic attempt by beheading John. What is this one up to? This proclamation of the kingdom is like light being pursued by darkness.

This section closes with the feeding of 5,000. In a deserted place it appears there is scarcity. Jesus tells his disciples, "You give them something to eat." Five loaves and two fish are enough. This is the kingdom present. There is abundance and more. It happens in the eucharistic act -- Jesus takes, blesses, breaks and gives. All eat and are filled. Indeed, this is what we long for.

Lowell
____________________________

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list, go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

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

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

The unclean, boundaries, and restoration

Tuesday, October 17, 2006 -- Week of Proper 23 (Ignatius Bishop of Antioch)

"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 5, 6 (morning) // 10, 11 (evening)
Jonah 1:1-17a
Acts 26:24 - 27:8
Luke 8:40-56

Today Jesus restores community and fecundity, but he must cross some unclean borders to do so. Today Jonah is called to the unclean enemy, and he flees trying to cross some border to escape God.

While Jesus is on the way to the home of Jarius, a synagogue leader, a woman with a hemorrhage touches the fringe of his clothes. She has been bleeding chronically for twelve years. Such bleeding would make her ritually unclean. According to the law (Lev. 15) she would be prohibited from touching anyone and from joining the congregation in worship. Her illness probably rendered her infertile, unable to bear children. When she touches Jesus, she is breaking the Biblical law.

Jesus feels the power of healing go out of him at her touch. When he asks, "Who touched me," the disciples are confused because many in the crowd had touched him. The woman tried to hide. She would face punishment (stoning?). When she realizes she cannot remain hidden, she confesses. Instead of punishment, Jesus commends her faith and confirms her healing. Now she is clean, she can re-enter the community. Now she can be a complete woman, and bear children. (Interpreting from the point of view of that time.)

Then Jesus arrives too late at the home of Jarius. The little girl is dead. In violation of the Biblical law prohibiting the touching of a corpse, Jesus took her by the hand and revived her. She is restored to life, to her family and community, and to her own potential to become a mother. Nothing is said of Jesus' violations of the ritual laws of purity -- his touch of a corpse and a hemorrhaging woman. Instead, he has crossed boundaries to restore community, fecundity and life.

Jonah is trying to cross some borders too. God has called him to preach to Nineveh, the great city of the Assyrians. The Assyrians are among Israel's most bitter and hated enemies. More than once the Assyrian armies invaded and conquered Israel. Now Jonah hears God call him to go and prophecy to Nineveh.

As you read Jonah, you might try substituting Baghdad, or Tehran, or Kabul, or Pyongyang, or even the camp of Al Qaeda. Jonah is being called to travel to the despised enemy and to preach mercy to them. Jonah wants nothing of it. He tries to flee God.

It is impossible for him to flee God, however. And going in the opposite direction of Nineveh only lands him in greater danger. The storm threatens to capsize the ship, and with it all of the sailors who sail with him.

Another way to escape, when you have gone beyond your means to control things, is to take your own life. Suicide is the ultimate act of control. Jonah tells them to throw him overboard. Maybe his death will appease the God of the storm. Jonah will finally have escaped even God and God's despised call.

Jonah's journey takes him to the depths -- the depths of existence and his own depths. His suicide turns into surrender. In the helplessness of surrender he will find deliverance. He will find what he needs to go to Nineveh -- Baghdad/Tehran/Kabul/Pyongyang/Al Qaeda -- as God's prophet and preacher. It's a great story. More to come.

But note the shared themes today -- crossing borders to bring healing and community to the unclean other.

Lowell
_____________________

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list, go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

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

Friday, October 13, 2006

Brief thoughts

Friday, October 13, 2006 -- Week of Proper 22

"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 140, 142 (morning) // 141, 143:1-11(12) (evening)
Micah 3:9 - 4:5
Acts 24:24 - 25:12
Luke 8:1-15

There are moments in each of the three readings today that invite comment.

We probably hear from two different prophets in the book of Micah today. At the end of chapter three, Micah gives the third of his prophecies against the ruling elite indicting Jerusalem's political and religious leaders. He speaks what some would have regarded as treason, predicting the fall of Jerusalem. The prophet Jeremiah used Micah's words 100 years later as a precedent for his defense when he was tried for treason. It is not treason, or unpatriotic (in our day), to speak critically to power or to predict its downfall.

As we get to chapter 4 we are probably hearing words from a different prophet in a different time. But this is an important passage. Isaiah preserves almost the same oracle. It anticipates a future eschaton, when God will bring justice to a fallen world. Zion will be the center of learning and peace. God will be the world's judge. Universal peace will reign and all will live in economic security -- "they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid." Even the religions will live peacefully, "For all the peoples walk, each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God." This is one of the great visions of scripture. Though justice is thwarted by humanity, God will bring about a kingdom on earth. It will be a kingdom of peace. Jesus' teaching about the kingdom of God drinks from this tradition. (In contrast, the vision of Revelation imagines a violent end with the annihilation of the Roman enemies. The two visions are not compatible.)
_____

We have a brief study in Roman law and order in Acts today. Felix is the governor, a Roman official. Like several previous rulers in Israel, he is married to a Jewish wife as a political asset for his rule in this Jewish region. Paul speaks of faith in Jesus Christ, a non-violent expression of Messianic Judaism. Verse 25 says they discussed "justice, self-control, and the coming judgment." Rome imposed justice by force. Jews looked for justice from God in a coming judgment. Each vision had a tradition of self-control. Justice and self-control meant different things to Romans and Jews, and the Jewish conviction that Messiah would bring God's coming judgment was a particularly sensitive topic to Roman ears.

Felix kept Paul in prison for two years. No charges. No legal process. (No habeas corpus.) Acts implies that some money in the right place would have greased the wheels for Paul's case. Two years of confinement pass. Then a new governor Festus succeeds Felix. Paul's situation becomes more vulnerable. It appears that the new governor wants to start off by making friends with the elites in Jerusalem. They've got it in for Paul. He lets them make their case. It's understood -- we'll bring Paul to Jerusalem for a hearing. Paul knows the gig is up. He exercises his rights as a Roman citizen and appeals to the emperor. We'll learn later his appeal might have been unnecessary had he had opportunity to appear before King Herod Agrippa rather than the governor.
_____

Luke's version of the parable of the sower. I like to think of the field as my own life. The seed is sowed in my mind, emotions, body, time... all parts of my life and being. There are parts where the seed takes deep roots. But there can be situations where I fail in testing, and I can certainly be "choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life." That field is me. How can I better nurture the seed of God's word that has been planted in me?
______________

Lowell

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list, go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

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

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

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
________________________________

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list, go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

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

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
________________________________

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list, go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

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

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

The Biblical Political Agenda

Tuesday, October 10, 2006 -- Week of Proper 22

"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 [120], 121, 122, 123 (morning) // 124, 125, 126, [127] (evening)
Micah 1:1-9
Acts 23:12-24
Luke 7:1-17

Reading today's lessons is like watching television news. Psalm 123 says, "Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy, for we have had more than enough of contempt, Too much of the scorn of the indolent rich, and the derision of the proud." Micah prophecies against the ruling elites in Samaria and Jerusalem. Their corruption is bringing ruin upon their nations. Micah accuses the rulers and authorities of misleading the people. He accuses them of economic injustice. He says that God will judge their actions and bring disaster -- the utter destruction of Samaria and a threat against Jerusalem.

Much of the complaint of the prophets was directed at the abuse of power by the wealthy and the politically connected. The prophets accuse the powerful of using their power to expand their own economic interests, often at the expense of the peasants and smaller landowners. There was lying, arrogance and corruption in the high places, particularly the seat of government. God detests such behavior, says Micah and the prophets. Such behavior brings God's judgment.

This stuff reads like today's headlines. When you read the 8th century prophets it is like reading a contemporary newspaper or watching TV news -- just substitute Washington for Samaria and Jerusalem. The 8th century BCE was a time when Israel was wealthy and politically powerful. It was also a time of increasing economic contrasts. The wealthy were concentrating much of the wealth and power into the hands of the elite, a circumstance guaranteed to draw the ire of the prophetic tradition.

What does Micah want? What do the prophets say God wants? There are three prophetic words that Micah uses to summarize the prophetic demand:

"Mishpat" is justice. Justice is the kind of fairness and equality that the prophets proclaimed should characterize all social and economic relationships.

"Hesed" is usually translated "steadfast love" or "kindness" or "mercy." It has a strong element of loyalty and integrity. Hesed describes how we are to fulfill our social responsibilities, with loyal and kind integrity.

"Hatsnea lekhet" is to walk humbly. It is the way of life that is the opposite of the arrogant abuse of power so characteristic of the elite. Walking humbly prevents corruption, injustice and exploitation.

These are major Biblical themes. You can find this message throughout the scriptures. These words describe the political agenda of the Bible -- mishpat, hesed, and hatsnea lekhet. Economic and social fairness and equality; fulfilling social obligations with loyal kindness; walking humbly.

The next time you read or watch the news, ask yourself, "What would the prophets say?"
__________________

Lowell


To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list, go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

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

Monday, October 09, 2006

Specks and Logs in Eyes

Monday, October 9 -- Week of Proper 22 (Robert Grosseteste)

"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 106:1-18 (morning) // 106:19-48(evening)
Hosea 14:1-9
Acts 22:30 - 23:11
Luke 6:39-49

"The unexamined life is not worth living," said Socrates. "Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?" said Jesus.

I often find it very helpful to read things that are written by people that I'm pretty sure I disagree with. There's a two-fold benefit. First, I might gain some insight into what makes them click. What are their values? Usually, if I can understand their values and motivations, I can find some places of connection and empathy. I think it was F. D. Maurice who said that people are usually right in what they affirm and often wrong in what they deny. Often, when I discover what it is that someone disagreeable is affirming, I might affirm the same values. Then our discussion is more about strategy or effectiveness. We're closer to working together. Understanding another's values helps us make constructive connections.

The second benefit to learning from people whom we disagree with is that they might help us see the log in our own eye. I'm usually blind to my own blindness. It takes someone else, someone coming from a different perspective to me see what I don't yet see. Reading the works of people who oppose what I think helps me understand the flaws and weaknesses in my own thought.

Occasionally I run across someone whose point of view is deeply antithetical to mine and seems fundamentally flawed. It is easy to allow a lot of energy to get displaced into imaginary conflict with that other person. I can create dialogues in my mind where I correct and defeat the wrong thinker. I can get wrapped up in taking the speck out of another's eye, especially if the other is not present to get the benefit of my wisdom (or talk back). Much of that energy seems wasted, disturbing and militant.

A couple of things can help me disengage from these internal dialogues, if I will allow myself. First, it is good to remember that every wrong-headed person has (or had) a mother who loves them. That's a way of saying that there is good in everyone. Somebody loves the person who I find troubling. How can I see that person through those loving eyes?

Second, it usually helps if I can learn what it is that the person I disagree with values. What does this person affirm? Often I find that we have vast places of agreement. Sometimes I find that I may agree with 100% of the values of another but disagree only in ways of implementing those values. Sometimes I find we have a common purpose in nearly everything, but we disagree on one. Great. That means we are fundamentally allies. How lonely (and crazy) would any of us be if we expected everyone to agree with us on everything?

It usually sheds light on a conflict when you can ask non-anxiously, what is the other afraid of? It is our fears that drive us into much craziness, and all of us carry fears to some degree or another. The religious journey is an invitation for us to release our fears. After all, most of us fear what does not threaten. Ultimately we are completely secure -- fearless freedom is the gift of God's divine gifts and being -- ultimate security, love, and power. Whenever we can shed light on our fears or on another's, we are in the healing business. Everybody could use liberation from fear. We're all together in that same boat. Many of our conflicts are merely the projection of our fearful shadows onto others. How can we help each other become less fearful? How can we bring light instead of more shadow into the world's fearful conflicts?

Finally, it helps to separate issues from people. Anyone who has loved another knows that it is possible to disagree and remain in love. We can agree to disagree and remain deeply connected. The alternative is isolated universes of singularities or blind battles of group-think. Good people disagree. They disagree about things that they hold deeply. And they are still people, fellow human beings with mothers who love them. I know that my mother disagrees with some of the things I think, but I also know, she loves me. She loves me completely. Anybody who disagrees with me needs to know that. And I need to remember my enemy's momma too.

Lowell
______________________

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list, go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

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