Thursday, May 31, 2007

Earnest Prayer

Thursday, May 31, 2007 -- Week of Proper 3
Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"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
for Thursday of Proper 3 (p. 968)
Psalms 37:1-18 (morning) 37:19-42 (evening)
Deuteronomy 4:25:31
2 Corinthians 3:1-18
Luke 16:1-9

OR
for the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (p. 997)
Morning Prayer: Psalm 72 // 1 Samuel 1:1-20 // Hebrews 3:1-6
Evening Prayer: Psalms 146, 147 // Zechariah 2:10-13 // John 3:25-30

(I chose the readings for the Visitation)


There is something profound in the catharsis that Hannah experiences when she prays in 1 Samuel. She pours out her heart before God, presenting her pain and need with earnest energy. She is so engaged in her prayer that the priest Eli thinks she has been drinking. (Or maybe Eli had lost his ability to tell the difference between the holy and the profane.) When Hannah speaks of her "great anxiety and vexation" Eli answers, as is so easy for a priest to answer, "God in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him." (It sounds almost dismissive to my ears.)

But something profound has happened within Hannah. She has given her heartache to God, and rises anew. "Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer."

The facts and circumstances of her life have not changed perceptively. She still has no child; she is not pregnant. She is still living with her husband's other wife who taunts her. She returns from her prayer to the same circumstances that she has lived with for so long. But everything has changed. She has given her distress to God, and her countenance is sad no longer. She is trusting, relaxed, and open. That night she conceives Samuel.

Over and over I have experienced the same thing in my life. When I pour out my "great anxiety and vexation" to God, giving and offering it with pleas for help, sometimes I can leave my prayer trusting, relaxed and open, with a countenance that is sad no longer. Those days tend to go better than others. And so often, new possibilities are conceived which directly address my worries and concerns. Even if the circumstances don't change, I have changed. I am more able to be whole in their presence rather than be distressed.

That came to mind as I recalled the Psalm I had just read, Psalm 72. Psalm 72 is a prayer asking God to make the King a good one. It describes the kind of political leadership that I want for my nation. (I translate verses 10-11 a bit; they are triumphalistic verses about the other kings. I include among the "kings" the "multinationals" -- the real powers in our day. "All political authorities and multinationals shall bow down before him, and all the powers do him service.)

The prayer is a compelling one. Justice, righteousness, prosperity. Defending the needy, rescuing the poor, overcoming the oppressor. Peace. Abundance. And all the powers of politics and economy are bent toward these good ends. "He shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, and the oppressed who has no helper. He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; he shall preserve the lives of the needy. ...May there be abundance of grain on the earth." This is the kind of government that I want; the kind of leadership that I yearn to support.

I'm going to re-pray that psalm, with Hannah's sincerity.

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

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

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

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

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Extravagant and Wanton Love

Wednesday, May 30, 2007 -- Week of Proper 3

"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. 968)
Psalms 38 (morning) 119:25-48 (evening)
Deuteronomy 4:25:31
2 Corinthians 1:23 - 2:17
Luke 15:1-2, 11-32


Extravagant love. Uncalculating, wanton love. That's how the father is in this famous story of the prodigal son and the elder brother.

The story is about the father. He has two sons, and they grieve him in two different ways. The more obvious is the younger, who defies traditional paternal respect and demands his inheritance before his father is dead. Then he wastes it all in profligate irresponsibility. He deserves whatever happens to him, doesn't he.

But before he can get his rehearsed words out of his mouth -- words of repentance or self-serving desperation? -- the father has declared a feast and restored the son to community and honor.

The elder son keeps score. He believes responsibility is to be rewarded and negligent behavior punished. He won't stand for this other kind of profligate activity either -- this extravagant, uncalculating, wanton love of the father. It's rewarding bad behavior. Enabling. I've been the good son. I've been dutiful and responsible. No one ever gave me anything I didn't earn.

The father's love is too much for him. He will have nothing of it.

How do you know the difference between enabling and generosity? What's the difference between injustice and reconciliation?

The story is about the father and the father's love. It's pretty easy to tell what the father wants. He wants the younger son to return.

He wants the younger son to give up his indulgent life and return to the fold. He wants the younger son to accept the gift of responsibility, and use his energy creatively within the family. That possibility is worth celebrating.

He wants the elder son to be happy. He wants him to be generous and joyful, ready to forgive and reconcile and rejoice. He wants him to stop keeping score. He invites the son to come enjoy the party.

It's obvious to see the good news this story offers to everyone whose wheels have fallen off. This is good news to those who have been obviously stupid and self-indulgent.

It is less obvious how good this news is for the elder son. He too can be freed from his bad choices. He can come out of his prison of sullen responsibility. He doesn't have to keep score. He doesn't have to hold on to his resentment over the ones who haven't been doing right.

Both brothers can be freely responsible. Both can celebrate a father's love together. This father forgives both folly and pride.

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

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

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

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

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Extravagant and Radical Hospitality

Tuesday, May 29, 2007 -- Week of Proper 3

"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. 968)
Psalms 26, 28 (morning) 36, 39 (evening)
Deuteronomy 4:15-24
2 Corinthians 1:12-22
Luke 15:1-10


The extravagance of God and of God's love is a common theme of the Christian gospel. One of the most remarkable characteristics of Jesus' ministry was the extravagance of his table hospitality. In a culture where eating a meal together was a public act which communicated one's acceptance and alliance with those at the table, choosing whom to dine with was a decision that could have religious, moral, and political significance. From a Jewish perspective, the purity laws were paramount. An observant Jew would be careful to eat only with other observant Jews, taking care to follow the Biblical kosher laws. A rabbi would never spoil his reputation by sitting at a table for a meal with people who are deliberately unobservant of the biblical laws. But Jesus was different.

Jesus scandalized the religious establishment by welcoming tax collectors and sinners to his table. This may have been the most characteristic feature of his ministry, along with his healing. Elsewhere we have the story of Jesus invited himself to the home of Zaccheaus, a tax collector. It was an unthinkable act for a rabbi or an observant Jew.

Jesus practiced a form of radical, extravagant hospitality. His attention was particularly focused towards those who had been unable to respond to the conventional religious appeal. One commentator likes to say that Jesus reached out to the "little, lost, and leprous."

When religious authorities grumble about Jesus' scandalous associations, he answers with two parables. In one story a shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep in the wilderness to search for the one missing sheep. When he finds it he celebrates with his neighbors. In the other story a woman sweeps diligently for a lost coin until she finds it. When she finds it, she rejoices with her friends. Jesus says there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over all the good people who need no repentance.

Recognizing this central focus of Jesus' ministry invites our self reflection. How extravagant is our hospitality? Where is the focus for our priorities? Do we extend an extravagant and welcoming care to the "little, lost, and leprous?" Is our first concern the same concern we see reflected in Jesus' values? Or do we tend to take care of the ninety-nine? Do we avoid associations that might be disreputable? Do we welcome the same kind of people that Jesus welcomed?

Social divisions are deep and wide. For many of us, we will not be in contact with the "little, lost, and leprous" unless they are serving us. We don't go to their homes. We probably don't even drive through their neighborhoods. They aren't at our tables. So few are present in our church. Jesus found ways to reach out to them, to search diligently for the marginalized. His example is a challenge to us.

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

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

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

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

Friday, May 18, 2007

Wonderful and Terrible

Friday, May 18, 2007 -- Week of 6 Easter

"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. 962)
Psalms 85, 86 (morning) 91, 92 (evening)
Ezekiel 1:28 - 3:3
Hebrews 4:14 - 5:6
Luke 9:28-36


There is something wonderful and terrible about our lives with God.

God speaks to Ezekiel and calls him "Mortal" -- literally "son of adam." The Hebrew word "adam" means "man." It is related to the word for "ground" -- "adamah." In English we retain a similar relationship with the words "humus" and "human" or "earth" and "earthling." Consistently God addresses Ezekiel as "son of adam." The contrast is profound.

We have just read Ezekiel's vision of God with the imagery of a throne of four living creatures below the fiery splendor of God. God tells the son of earth/ground/humus -- mortal human, earthling to stand and be sent to "a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me." God gives this mortal a written scroll. On it are words of lamentation and mourning and woe, but when these words are ingested, they are as sweet as honey in the mouth.

The encounter with God is wonderful and terrible.

Peter and James and John are with Jesus as he prays on the mountain. Suddenly they experience an epiphany. Jesus is gloriously transfigured in glory, and with him appears Moses and Elijah, the law and the prophet, speaking to him. They are speaking of something terrible -- "his departure, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem" -- his bitter passion. The disciples try to grasp this and memorialize it in some human, traditional way. A terrifying cloud envelops them and a voice speaks. All they can do is respond in silence.

In the presence of God we are mortal -- small, earthy, rebellious and limited. Silence and repentance are our only response. But what a wonderful sweet encounter.

The writer of Hebrews talks of our new status, since "we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God." This Son of God is one who can sympathize with our weaknesses," who in every respect has been tested as we are." The Son of God has come in compassion to the son of earth/ground/humus. "Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

The wonderful and terrible encounter which brings life to light.


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

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

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

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

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Humanity taken into Divinity

Thursday, May 17, 2007 -- Week of 6 Easter
Ascension Day

"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. 962)
Psalms 8, 47 (morning) 24, 96 (evening)
Ezekiel 1:1-14, 24-28b
Hebrews 2:5-18
Matthew 28:16-20

Our reading in Hebrews includes an interpretation of Psalm 8, which is also appointed as a morning psalm for Ascension Day. We are invited to expand our vision.

We see the limitations and sufferings of mortals. "What are human beings that you are mindful of them...?" We know that life can be oppressive and chaotic. Yet God has promised to us that all things shall be subjected under our feet. That is not our experience. We do not yet see that. "But we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone."

Hebrews reminds us that this exalted Jesus is the pioneer of our salvation because he has been made perfect through suffering. And this glorified Suffering-One calls us brothers and sisters.

In Jesus, the Divine shows to us that God is one with us -- "he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect." In Jesus, the Divine experiences fully the limitations, sufferings, oppressions and chaos of mortal life, even unto death. In Jesus, God raises all of that, including all of humanity, into the Divine life. So we are raised into the very life of God. Because we are one with the human Jesus, we are also one with the divine. God has taken on our humanity and raised us into eternity. Indeed, all things are subjected under our feet, because we dwell here within creation but we also dwell within the divine life.

The spatial imagery speaks of Jesus descending into our humanity -- God's life completely poured out into human life. Then Jesus ascends into Divinity -- human life completely glorified into God's life.

That is our condition. It is our state of being here and now. We are simultaneously living within the limitations of humanity as we are completely enveloped into the life of God.

Jesus' parting words in Matthew's Gospel -- "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

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

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

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

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

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Worrying

Wednesday, May 16, 2007 --Week of 6 Easter
Eve of Ascension

"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. 962)
Psalms 119:97-120 (morning) ------- (evening)
Baruch 3:24-37 found in the Apocrypha
James 5:13-18
Luke 12:22-31

Eve of Ascension (for Evening Prayer)
Psalms ------- (evening) 68:1-20
2 Kings 2:1-15
Revelation 5:1-14

I wish I could live without worry. I wish I weren't anxious about so many things. It is not unusual for my sleep to be bothered. (I wasn't this way years ago.) In the middle of the night I think about problems that are unresolved. Things I need to do. After a while, I go to another room and read long enough to let my mind settle so I can return to sleep.

I know that when I grit my teeth and try to work harder and faster to solve everything that is troubling me, I seem to fall further behind. I know that when I relax and trust, things seem to fall into place. And yet, I keep worrying, and translating that into more frantic activity.

Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life... Consider the ravens: they neither store nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more vow you are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying and a single hour to your span of life? ...Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."

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

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

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

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

Friday, May 11, 2007

Principles and Compromise

Friday, May 11, 2007 -- Week of 5 Easter

"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. 962)
Psalms 106:1-18 (morning) 106:19-28 (evening)
Wisdom 16:15 - 17:1
Romans 14:13-23
Luke 8:40-56


When do you stand up for the sake of principle and when do you stand down for the sake of community?

Romans 14 echoes 1 Corinthians 8 where Paul urges those whose principles allow them certain freedoms to limit their personal liberty for the sake of the scruples or conscience of others. The presenting conflicts concern foods that are regarded as unclean by some and the observation of special days, maybe the sabbath. Among the members of the early Christian community were some Jews who continued their observation of the Biblical kosher laws. There were also some Gentiles who had left the religious practice of eating meat that had been dedicated to the Roman gods and were troubled by any participation in such foods.

Paul's position is that in Christ we have been given freedom from such dietary limitations. All food has been made clean in Christ, and other gods do not exist. Therefore, we are free to eat anything we wish. But if it would injure the conscience of another when he is at table with them, Paul says he will restrain from eating foods that would offend. He still claims the right of his own convictions: "Let all be fully convinced in their own minds... The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God." But he will limit his freedoms for the sake of being in community with others.

That's Paul's stand on these disagreements about food, and they are significant disagreements. But he takes a very different tact when it comes to circumcision. Paul stands on principle and will not compromise when some Jewish Christians are offended that Gentile converts are not circumcised. For Paul, Christ is liberation from the law and one's living under the constraints of rules, statutes, and Biblical admonitions. That is of the essence of his experience of the Risen Lord. Jesus freed him from the constraints of the law and the anxiety that goes with trying to live under the law. For Paul, circumcision is the symbol of the yoke of life under the law. He will broke no compromise with that essential freedom. Paul uses the strongest language, especially in his letter to the Galatians, to declare "no compromise" about circumcision. Gentile converts will not be forced to be circumcised in Paul's churches.

"In essentials, unity; in non-essentials liberty; in all things charity." Paul didn't say it, but it fits his theology. But the devil is in the details. What is essential and what is non-essential? For Paul, dietary laws were non-essentials; freedom from the law and circumcision was essential.

A couple of conflicts that tend to divide the church today -- literal or non-literal interpretation of the scripture; acceptance or non-acceptance of non-celibate gay Christians. The first is pretty easy for me. When I am visiting in a church that practices a literal interpretation, I go with the flow and don't raise objections. When in worship together I'll watch my tongue and curb my interpretations. We are nourished by the food of the Word; we we dine together we can do so within the dietary limitations of the literalist.

The latter is harder for me, because it cuts to some essentials about who we are. To force people of a same-sex orientation to betray their God-given nature and be unnaturally like me, or to force them involuntarily to embrace the gift and discipline of celibacy seems a lot like the first century Jewish-Christian expectation that Gentiles must be circumcised and observe the Torah.

Paul remained in communion with observant Jewish Christians, but he drew the line over letting them circumcise Gentile converts. It seems to me that we can remain in communion with those who recognize only heterosexual love, but it is wrong to let them imprison gay Christians behind those permanent circumscribed bars. Just like the early church, we can disagree; we can be charitable toward one another. But just as Paul defended Gentiles who embraced Jesus and protected them from the expectation that they become like Jews, so we can defend gay and lesbian brothers and sisters who embrace Jesus and protect them from the expectation that they become like heterosexuals. It's more important than choosing diets.

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

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

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

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

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Idolatry, Polemic & Living Together

Thursday, May 10, 2007 -- Week of 5 Easter

"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. 962)
Psalms [70], 71 (morning) 74 (evening)
Wisdom 14:27 - 15:3
Romans 14:1-12
Luke 8:26-39


How do we challenge bad religion? How do we live in a pluralistic world?

This section of Wisdom is a passage of polemic against idolatry. It is similar to other contemporary writers such as Pseudo-Philo, the author of Biblical Antiquities. Wisdom says that "the worship of idols... is the beginning and cause and end of every evil..." The list of evils is pretty extreme and repeats stereotypes about Gentiles that appear elsewhere in Jewish literature, especially sexual stereotypes. Jews have been targets of similarly polemic from Gentiles.

When I read passages like this, I usually try to do two things. First, I try to hear and understand the original context for the polemic. What is the history of conflict that motivates the animosity? What abuse, violence or oppression has left damage? What might heal or reconcile the division? Where in our contemporary scene is there similar hostility and polemic?

And, second, when I read about idolatry, I usually see how well the language and exhortation connects with our own idolatry. It seems to me that our idols are consumerism, materialism, power and control. It can be revealing how on-target the ancient admonitions against idolatry are when they target our gods.

What I don't try to do is read the exhortations against idolatry as a commendation of my right-religious-thinking and a condemnation of the people I disagree with. That's a formula for religious delusion.

Here's where Romans 14 is helpful. Paul offers very constructive instructions about how people from different backgrounds with strongly held opinions can live together as a community of faith. "Let all be fully convinced in their own minds." Paul recognizes that good people come to different conclusions about important things. He doesn't force the win-lose condition of resolution or agreement. He lets people agree to disagree. He discourages one passing judgment on the other. He tells us each side can serve Christ in good conscience even while believing different things and practicing opposite behaviors. Our accountability is to God. "Let's all be fully convinced in their own minds."

Jesus takes it one step further. He encounters one who is the physical manifestation of every evil, immorality, uncleanness and idolatry. If there is someone in his society who is going to receive the projections of fear, hate, judgment and prejudice, it is a demon-possessed Gentile who lives among the unclean tombs. What is Jesus's response? It is not polemic or judgment or condemnation or avoidance. Jesus reaches out with compassion.

Jesus talks with the man and creates true understanding. Jesus helps him and restores him to community. In some ways it is a costly conversation. It cost somebody some money and property. When everything is done, there is a residual feeling of resentment and fear among the neighbors, and they ask Jesus to leave.

You could write these same stories about many divisions and animosities that trouble our planet -- conflicts between religions, between political and economic orientations; conflicts about sexual orientation, race, beginnings and endings of life. All of the stuff that separates us and creates suspicion, prejudice and polemic.

We can ask ourselves -- What are my idols? What do I give priority to which is less than God? What do I cling to?
We can ask ourselves -- What conflicts of conscience do I discover between myself and others? How can we live in community as we disagree?
We can ask ourselves -- How can I reach out to the other with the kind of understanding that brings reconciliation and healing?

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

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

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

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

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Love & Loyalty

Wednesday, May 9, 2007 -- Week of 5 Easter
(Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop of Constantinople, 389)

"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. 962)
Psalms 72 (morning) 119:73-96 (evening)
Wisdom 13:1-9
Romans 13:1-14
Luke 8:16-25


Jesus had family problems. Today Luke's Gospel chronicles one of several encounters passed to us from the Evangelists. His mother and brothers could not reach Jesus because of the crowd. When told of the situation, Jesus says, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it." His words were culturally shocking to his listeners. Family fidelity and filial responsibility were an essential part of one's identity and standing in the Roman and Jewish world. Jesus expanded the definition of family beyond blood relation. His family values were very different from the culture's.
_____________________

Had I been a conventional Anglican priest in the colonies of the late 1700s, I might have preached from Romans 13 trying to discourage the rebellion against England, as many other Anglican priests did in that formative time. "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment."

During the Revolutionary War, most of our clergy were Tories. Part of their ordination vow to the Church of England was a pledge of allegiance to the King of England. They took those vows seriously, and most were faithful to them.

Many of their parishioners were the leaders of the rebellion against what they saw as abuse of authority. The rebels made arguments from natural law and from the scriptural values which encourage freedom and resistance to tyranny. Loyalists quoted Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2:13-17, New Testament passages with a positive view of civil authority and an exhortation to obedience.

Contemporary Christians also find themselves with conflicting issues where both sides can find justification from Scripture. How do you know who is right? (I remember seeing an historical marker in London on the residents of Benedict Arnold, the patriot.) We don't always know for sure. Therefore, some humility is in order. In these conflictive situations I tend to ask "Where it is love most manifest?" Romans 13 offers that standard as well. "Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."

If there is a conflict between law and love, between fear and love, between control and love -- go with love.
_____________________

Wisdom 13:1b -- "they were unable from the good things that are seen to know the one who exists, nor did they recognize the artisan while paying heed to his works"

I buried a man named Bob. He had been emotionally scarred by his early experience of Christianity. He turned his back on a religion of fear and judgment and never looked back. What he knew of Christianity was so traumatizing that he protected himself from any part of it.

But Bob knew God. On weekends he would drive two hours to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. There he would sail and fish, living in communion with the mysterious depths of the ocean, the life and vitality of water, wind and sky. There he was at peace.

Bob also knew love. He was a loving husband and he adored his daughters. His love was returned. But they worried about his soul after his unexpected death. He didn't come to church with them. What would happen to him?

I told them that I believe that when Bob met God face to face he saw the origin and ground of all that had touched his soul these many years. He recognized the source of the mystery and beauty that had drawn him to the sea. He experienced the fountainhead of the love he had cherished with his family. I believe that when he met God face to face, he knew he was home. "For from the greatness and beauty of crated things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator." Wisdom 13:5

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

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

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

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

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Beginning the Day

Tuesday, May 8, 2007 -- Week of 5 Easter
(Dame Julian of Norwich, c. 1417)

"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. 962)
Psalms 61, 62 (morning) 68:1-20 (21-23) 24-36 (evening)
Wisdom 10:1-4 (5-12) 13-21
Romans 12:1-21
Luke 8:1-15


Our readings are so rich today that I feel over satiated. The 12th chapter of Romans is particularly compelling.

"Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." What a wonderful resolution to begin the day -- to offer myself completely to God as an act of worship.

"We who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members of one another." We begin the day seeing ourselves in organic union with all others to constitute the body of Christ. Each of us is different; we have different gifts and tasks. Each of us is similar; we belong to the body.

"Let love be genuine; ...hold fast to what is good... Rejoice in hope, be patient and suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers." A pro-active, positive ethic.

And, what to do about conflict and problems? "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ... Beloved, never avenge yourselves, ... for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' No, ' if your enemies are hungry, feed them'... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

When I read Paul's advice about overcoming evil with good, I wish we could push the clock back and start over with our response to the attacks of September 11. What if we had taken advantage of the sympathy and concern that the whole world expressed toward us to inspire a worldwide response of generosity and care? What if we had used the moral goodwill we had earned to broker a just peace between Israel and Palestine; to respond to the desperate needs of those who suffer so bitterly that they are vulnerable to the destructive message the terrorists. What if we had left vengeance to God and overcome evil with good? I daresay we would be in better condition than we are today.

Paul says, "If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." Or, as the popular song goes, "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me." So, I can begin my day offering myself completely to God as an act of worship, recognizing myself in organic union with all others in the body of Christ, living generously with hope and love, and trying to do my part to overcome evil with good. That is how the Kingdom of God can be present in my immediate vicinity.

Today is the feast of Dame Julian of Norwich. She lived during the Black Death and during fierce church conflicts and scandals. In one of her visions she is asked to hold a hazelnut. When she asks God "what is this?" she hears the answer, "It is all that exists." She marvels that such a small thing can continue exist at all. Then she realizes that the reason that the universe continues to exist is because "God made it; God loves it; and God keeps it."

"'Wouldst thou learn the Lord's meaning in this thing? Learn it well. Love was his meaning. Who showed it thee? Love. What showed he thee? Love. Wherefore showed it he? For Love. Hold thee therein and thou shalt learn and know more in the same.' Thus it was I learned that Love was our Lord's meaning."

"I can make all things well; I will make all things well; I shall make all things well; and thou canst see for thyself that all manner of things shall be well."

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

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

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

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

Monday, May 07, 2007

Wisdom's Liberations

Monday, May 7, 2007 -- Week of 5 Easter

"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. 962)
Psalms 56, 57, [58] (morning) 64, 65 (evening)
Wisdom 9:1, 7-18
Colossians (3:18 - 4:1)2-18
Luke 7:36-50


The figure of Sophia-Wisdom functions like God's Holy Spirit in the book of Wisdom. The book of Hebrews picks up similar imagery for Christ. Wisdom is spoken of as "a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness." (8:26) "For she knows and understands all things, and she will guide me wisely in my actions and guard me with her glory." Sophia is the divine feminine presence that guides and leads humanity.

We have some mixed feminine presence toward the end of Colossians. The author sends greetings "to Nympha and the church in her house." The early church found patronage among wealthy women, some of whom owned their own property. In Phillipi, Paul made Lydia his first European convert to the faith and founded the church there in her home. There is a reference in 1 Corinthians and again in Romans to the church that met in the house of Prisca and Aquila. Some later scribes changed the name Nympha in our passage today to Nymphas (masculine), possibly marking the transition when women were denied leadership in the early church.

During the days of the American abolitionist movement, some Christian teachers referenced today's verse in Colossians "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything..." as one of many Biblical references which depict slavery as a normative feature of social life. There are quite a few similar New Testament references to slavery. Christian abolitionists had to argue from general principles -- God's love for all and God's desire for abundant, liberated life for all -- in their opposition to the institution of slavery. Supporters of slavery were able to parade many quotes to buffer their argument that slavery is a normal, God-appointed institution. For them the issue was the Biblical call for Masters to "treat your slaves justly and fairly." Today such pro-slavery Biblical arguments are an embarrassment of our past.

The twentieth century saw movements to ban slavery universally as well as movements to grant women full standing and equality. The institution of slavery is illegal worldwide. Full women's equality is still far away.

Those of us who support the full and equal inclusion of gay people in the life of church and society see our movement in a similar spirit. Thankfully, gay people do not have as many oppressive Bible verses directed toward them as do slaves and women. The spirit of Wisdom tends to bend toward the recognition of the full value of all human beings and seems to work for their freedom.

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, May 04, 2007

Generosity Toward the Other

Friday, May 4, 2007 -- Week of 4 Easter

"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. 960)
Psalms 40, 54 (morning) 51 (evening)
Wisdom 6:12-23
Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 7:1-17


Today Jesus heals the slave of a Roman army officer. Some Jewish elders commend the centurion to Jesus for the soldier's goodness and generousity. Being sensitive to the Biblical purity laws, the officer sends word to Jesus not to come inside, where Jesus would risk ritual defilement, but "onl
y speak the word, and let my servant be healed." Jesus remarks, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." Jesus heals his servant.

Many would not have responded as Jesus did. Some in Israel saw a Roman officer only as the enemy, an instrument of occupation and oppression. Many who were religious might have seen him only as a non-believer, one who is profane and impure and worthy of God's judgment and wrath. Jesus saw him
as a fellow human being with qualities of faith and goodness.

May those of us who follow in his name be as generous as Jesus toward those of other faiths and traditions.

I've shared this story before in preaching, but it bears repeating. Beginning in 1948, the country of Tibet was invaded by China. In a series of events, China overran, annexed, and attempted to wipe out the entire culture of that remarkable and gentle nation. The temporal and spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, had to flee his home and has lived in exile for almost fifty years.

One of his companions, another Lama, was not so lucky. He was captured by the Chinese and imprisoned for years. Much of the time he endured torture, physical and mental torture. After years of international pressure, the Chinese finally released him. When he was reunited with his old friend the Dalai Lama, the Dalai Lama asked him how it had been for him. He said that he had been in grave danger two or three times. Grave danger! On two or three occasions he said, he was in danger of losing his compassion for the Chinese.

May those who profess and call ourselves Christians be so faithful and compassionate.

As I type this, I am reminded of another moving story. Although this takes me beyond my usual discipline of words, I'd like to share a story of another generous spirit, this one from our own Christian tradition.

On May 21, 1996 an Algerian Terrorist group - the GIA - beheaded seven French Trappist monks who, against all advice, decided to remain at their abbey in the Atlas Mountains alongside their Muslim neighbors with whom they had established deep bonds of affection. Their compassion and their vow of stability led them to stay put in spite of all dangers.

Five days after their assassination, on May 26, the Feast of Pentecost that year, the testament of one of the slaughtered monks, Père Crétien was opened and read. It was dated January 1, 1994, two-and-one-half years before his kidnapping and murder. It reads in part:

If it should happen one day -- and it could be today --
that I become a victim of the terrorism
which now seems ready to engulf
all the foreigners living in Algeria,
I would like my community, my Church and my family
to remember that my life was GIVEN
to God and to this country.
I ask them to accept the fact
that the One Master of all life
was not a stranger to this brutal departure.
I would ask them to pray for me:
for how could I be found worthy of such an offering?
I ask them to associate this death
with so many other equally violent ones
which are forgotten through indifference or anonymity.
My life has no more value than any other.

I would like, when the time comes,
to have a moment of spiritual clarity
which would allow me to beg forgiveness of God
and of my fellow human beings,
and at the same time forgive with all my heart
the one who will strike me down.

Obviously, my death will appear to confirm
those who hastily judged me naïve or idealistic:
"Let him tell us now what he thinks of it!"
But these persons should know that finally
my most avid curiosity will be set free.
This is what I shall be able to do, please God:
immerse my gaze in that of the Father
to contemplate with him His children of Islam
just as he sees them, all shining with the glory of Christ,
the fruit of His Passion, filled with the Gift of the Spirit
whose secret joy will always be to establish communion
and restore the likeness, playing with the differences.

Père Crétien then addresses his assassin, the one who will do him evil:

And also you, my last-minute friend,
who will not have known what you were doing:
Yes, I want this THANK YOU and this "A-DIEU"
to be for you, too,
because in God's face I see yours.
May we meet again as happy thieves
in Paradise, if it please God, the Father of us both.

Amen.

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Unconnected Thoughts

Thursday, May 3, 2007 -- Week of 4 Easter

"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. 960)
Psalms 50 (morning) [59, 60] or 114, 115 (evening)
Wisdom 5:9-23
Colossians 2:8-23
Luke 6:39-49


A few unconnected thoughts.

What happens after we die? Nobody knows, of course. The disciples' experience of the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of the church's hope of the resurrection of the body. In other parts of scripture we find other beliefs -- after death there is nothing; or a shadowy semi-existence in Hades; or the immortality of the soul; or reward for some in heaven and punishment for some in Hell; or the healing of all life raised into God's eternal victory.

The Wisdom of Solomon proposes that the righteous will live as immortal souls, comforted by God in a life of peace that rewards their earthy virtue and reverses history's injustice. For the unrighteous, Wisdom proposes dishonor and permanent extinction rather than permanent punishment. Some images from today's reading: for destiny of the unrighteous, they will be like the trail of a ship after it has passed through water, or the invisibility of the path of a bird that has flown past or of an arrow that has been shot. Nothing is left behind. "But the (souls of the) righteous live forever," says the Wisdom of Solomon.

Colossians picks up on some baptismal imagery, connecting it with Jewish circumcision. Baptism is the ritual of incorporation and identity for Christians just as circumcision is the ritual of incorporation and identity for Jewish males. Baptism is like a "spiritual circumcision" (NRSV) or a "circumcision made without hands" (literal Greek). Colossians picks up the death, burial and resurrection imagery of baptism. "When you were buried with (Christ) in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead."

Baptism is a rich symbol. Among other things, it is a ritual drowning of our old self, a death of our old identity grounded upon our own family and our human power. Under the waters of this drowning we are united with Christ in his death, and raised to the new life of his resurrection. Our identity is changed. We belong to Christ. His resurrection life is our inheritance.

One little note about the reading from Luke. Jesus' statements in this section of the Sermon on the Plain emphasize our obedience of faith through our actions. Take care of your own faults and shortcomings before criticizing another. Be a good tree that bears good fruit. If you hear his words and act on them, you are like the man who built a house on the strong foundation. Actions speak louder than words.

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

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

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

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

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

God's Nature

Wednesday, May 2, 2007 -- Week of 4 Easter
(Athanasius of Alexandria)

"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. 960)
Psalms 119:49-72 (morning) 49, [53] (evening)
Wisdom 4:16 - 5:8
Colossians 1:24 - 2:7
Luke 6:27-38


This passage in Luke's gospel is simply incredible. Wonderful stuff! I think it is important to read it not only as a moral exhortation, but also as a theological statement. Jesus tells us how to live within the values and vision of God's Kingdom which he has inaugurated as Messiah. He tells us how to live as citizens of that Kingdom.

But more than that, we are told to live this way because this is how God is. God loves enemies and does good to those who hate God. God blesses those who curse God and prays for those who abuse God's Being. God offers the other cheek and does not withhold anything, giving to everyone who begs and asking not from those to whom God gives. God loves those who do not love God. God is generous in the hope that we might be like God -- that we might extend the Golden Rule even to our enemies. That we might not judge or condemn; that we might forgive; that we might give extravagantly -- because this is the way God is.

The punch line: "For he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." [Marcus Borg makes a strong argument from linguistic analysis and content that the latter verse would more accurately be translated "Be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate."]

These are the values of the Kingdom because they describe the character of God. What is God like? God is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked; God is merciful; God is compassionate. This is the Ground in which we are planted. This is the Ground of our Being.

Colossians offers us an image of this Kingdom-life growing in us. "Christ in you, the hope of glory... As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

We can imagine ourselves first as the recipients of this grace, compassion and love. God is kind to us even in our ungratefulness and wickedness. We can root our lives in this amazing grace. Then, secure and grateful, we can live toward others as God has lived toward us.

Jesus extends the Golden Rule -- "Do to others as you would have them do to you" -- even to "love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return."

We have not been judged or condemned; we can forego judgment. We have been forgiven; we can forgive. We have been given to extravagantly; we can give extravagantly. God is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked; we can be kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. God is completely compassionate to us; we can be completely compassionate toward every other human being on the planet.

Be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

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

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

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

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

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Living With Injustice

Tuesday, May 1, 2007 -- Week of 4 Easter
Feast of Saint Philip and Saint James, Apostles

"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
Tuesday of Week of 4 Easter (p. 960)
Psalms 45 (morning) 47, 48 (evening)
Wisdom 3:1-9
Colossians 1:15-23
Luke 6:12-26

OR
Feast of Saints Philip & James (p. 997)
Morning Prayer: Psalm 119:137-160 / Job 23:1-12 / John 1:43-51
Evening Prayer: Psalm 139/ Proverbs 4:7-18 / John 12:20-26

[I used the readings for Tuesday of 4 Easter]


For the next two weeks we will be reading from the Wisdom of Solomon, written in Greek by a Hellenized Jew from the diaspora, probably living in Alexandria, Egypt. Scholars date it around the turn of the first century of the Common Era, contemporaneous with several New Testament writings.

Alexandria was a city with one of the most vigorous and successful Jewish communities, but it also was a place of some of the most serious persecutions of Jews. Anti-Jewish rioting during Caligula's reign (37-41 CE) was particularly violent. Wisdom seems to have been composed in response to persecution.

If good people, righteous people can be unjustly accused and wrongly condemned to death, where is justice? Such questions are especially poignant in the wake of religious persecution. What is God's answer to evil? One possible answer is that if there is life after death, God will right all wrongs in that afterlife.

Virtually all of the books in the Hebrew Scripture reflect an assumption that human life ends at death. But following the success of Greek culture after the conquests of Alexander the Great (d. 323 BCE), many Jews began to believe in life after death. There were two schools of thought about afterlife possibilities: (1) the resurrection of the body, and (2) the immortality of the soul. Conservative Jews such as the party of the Sadducees continued to deny that there was any life after death, following the tradition of the Torah. The Wisdom of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) is written in this tradition. The Christian New Testament asserts a belief in the resurrection of the body.

The Wisdom of Solomon is among other Jewish writings which assert a belief in the immortality of the soul. We read of that today: "But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them..." From their heavenly existence with God, like the stars of the astrologers, these souls "will govern nations and rule over peoples."

In Colossians we have a beautiful hymn to the cosmic Christ, universal agent of creation. This cosmic Christ has come to earth and reconciled all things in himself. The writer urges his readers to remain steadfast to the teachings they have received, to endure and to be patient. Their reward is secure in the promised bodliy resurrection from the dead. The hope that this post-Pauline author commends is a hope for a post-mortem life in heaven. It is a very different kind of hope from that of the undisputed letters from Paul. Paul's hope is a vigorous, assured expectation of the return of Christ to earth.

Then there is the very earthy hope given to us by Luke in his version of Jesus' preaching from the Sermon on the Plain. Luke's account poses the contrast between the present need of the poor and their future abundance. The poor are blessed, favored by God. Jesus adopts the traditional view of the prophets that God cares particularly for the poor. He pictures a reversal of situation, contrasting the future abundance of the poor with the the future depravation of the rich. He imagines similar reversals for the hungry & full; the weeping & laughing; the hated & praised. Jesus spoke of these reversals as characteristics of the coming Kingdom of God which has been initiated in the life and works of Jesus.

So, how does God respond to injustice? There are several answers represented in our tradition today. Some involve possibilities of life after death; some involve changing the conditions of life here on earth.

The classic Christian position has been for us to live within the values of the Kingdom of God here and now and to hope for its fulfillment on earth in the future. Such a life is a steadfast, faithful life. And, we add, we trust in the resurrection of the body after we die. It is also clear that resurrection life and eternal life are qualities of life that we participate in here and now. We know Christ risen from the dead now, and we live in the power of the resurrection to accomplish the values of the Kingdom here and now. The Christian Gospel is mostly focused on life in this world, with a vigorous hope for a coming earthly fulfillment, and a trust in Christ for the resurrection of the body.

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

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

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

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