Unexpected Reversals

Monday, January 29, 2007 -- Week of 4 Epiphany; Year One

"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. 946)
Psalms 56, 57, [58] (morning) // 64, 65 (evening)
Isaiah 51:17-23
Galatians 4:1-11
Mark 7:24-37

The scriptures are full of unexpected reversals. Today each reading has some expression of a reversal of standing before God.

The prophet Isaiah speaks to Jerusalem, "Rouse yourself, rouse yourself! Stand up, on Jerusalem, you who have drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath." Isaiah says that God has reversed the divine judgment. Because of their unfaithfulness and injustice, God caused Jerusalem to be punished, says Isaiah. The blessed became the cursed. But now the time of discipline has ended. Their circumstances reversed. "See, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering; you shall drink no more from the bowl of my wrath." God is enabling Jerusalem's return and rebuilding.

Paul is writing to the Gentile Christians who have moved from their elemental faith into full relationship with God. They now inherit full standing as children of God who can approach the divine with the familiar, childlike cry, "Abba, Father!" Paul uses the analogy of a minor growing into an inheritance. Even though an heir, a minor has no rights to property. But once the minor reaches majority, the power of inheritance is complete. Paul is telling these Gentile Christians to embrace their full inheritance and do not go back to former superstitions and fears.

One of the reasons all was so energetic in his mission to the Gentiles was the example he inherited from Jesus. Chapter 7 expresses a turning point in Jesus's ministry as Mark accounts for it. Jesus has left Israel. He is in Gentile territory. A Gentile woman approaches him for healing on behalf of her child. "Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." It sounds like a familiar Jewish aphorism. Thus far, Jesus has seen his own vocation and ministry like John's, to recall Judaism to faithfulness. He is called to proclaim the Kingdom to the children of Jacob.

But this woman's dramatic reply shows that there is faith outside Israel. "Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Her words of humble faith are words of the Kingdom. From this moment on Jesus will offer the same ministry to Gentiles as he has given to Jews. He goes to the Gentile region of the Decapolis and heals a man who is deaf and mute. Those who were outsiders are now in.

These stories are reminders that things can change and reverse dramatically. Those who have known themselves to be securely within the circle of God's choosing may find themselves judged. Those who have felt themselves under divine judgment may find themselves freed. Those thought to be outside of God's grace and choosing may find themselves beloved heirs. Surprise reversals are ordinary in the scripture accounts. We'd better stay on our toes.

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