Low Expectations and High Hopes

Tuesday, February 20, 2007 -- Week of Last Epiphany, Year One (Shrove Tuesday)

"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. 950)
Psalms 26, 28 (morning) // 36, 39 (evening)
Deuteronomy 6:16-25
Hebrews 2:1-10
John 1:19-28

The scripture is full of hope and expectation. But it is also laced with caution, for we misinterpret and fall away from God's intention so easily.

In Deuteronomy we see the people of Israel in the desert. They have been liberated from Pharaoh's slavery in Egypt. God has shown some wonderful signs and promised them a good new land. There is so much hope and so much promise. But the warnings are present also. Be faithful to God's commands. Execute justice. Do not become like the Egyptians.

In Hebrews we celebrate that Jesus has become one with us even to "the suffering of death." Now he is "crowned with glory and honor." We share in his victory and glory. It is a glory so much greater than that given to Moses and the congregation in the desert. Therefore, cautions the writer of Hebrews, do not neglect so great a salvation as the Israelites once did.

John the Baptist excites the hopes and expectations of the people. The authorities are excited also. "Who are you?" They are searching and hoping for the coming Messiah. "I am not the Messiah." John says he is "the voice of one crying out in the wilderness," the forerunner of the Messiah. There is hope and expectation; but we read this with caution. We know that the One whom John speaks of will be crucified.

These thoughts of hope and caution draw me to a favorite quotation. This is something that is actually in needlepoint framed on my office wall. It is called "Paradigm of Openness."

Have low expectations and high hopes. Have low expectations of people so you don't force them directly or indirectly to meet certain anticipations you've might have as to how they should or should not respond to you and your actions. But have high hopes for them based on a ruthless faith in God that something good, something dear and beautiful will come of it if you are looking and listening with an open heart.

Forgive yourself and other people for their defensiveness. Being cautious is natural for faithless and hopeless persons -- and we all fall into this category more or less.

Be as open as possible to being surprised by the encounter. In other words, we must not look for our god and reactions that we feel would be important and right. We must position ourselves instead to see whatever we will see amidst the joy, pain, apathy, anxiety, peace, depression, or tension we experience. When we are truly open, we will be surprised by something in the encounter. And that surprise -- that unique presence of God -- can be called by another name: holiness. (from Robert J. Wicks, "Living Simply in an Anxious World")

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

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
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live generously.