We Need Balaam's Ass
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 -- Week of Proper 8
Today's Reading for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 973)
Psalms [120], 121, 122, 123 (morning) 124, 125, 126, [127] (evening)
Numbers 22:21-38
Romans 7:1-12
Matthew 21:23-32
My mind is filled with Terri Gross' interview yesterday with reporter Seymour Hersh about the Bush-Cheney administration's secret plans for a new war they intend to launch against Iran. Even though our intelligence shows persuasively that Iran abandoned the continuation of its nuclear weapons program, even though the Iraq war was deceptively promoted and turned into something entirely different from the administration's pre-war rhetoric, even though we have recently shown how successful negotiation can be with Korea, even though this may be the worst presidency in our history with near-record levels of disapproval -- before we can be freed from this lame-duck administration, they may mire us into another violent, tragic mistake.
How I wish for Balaam's ass! (Numbers 22) Is there not some donkey in Washington who can see the angel of death in the road ahead and refuse to allow this folly to proceed? Sure, Bush and Cheney will fume and beat them. Fox News and the coordinated propaganda machine of Grover Norquist and his surrogates will beat furiously at any brave soul who might stand up to the renewed lust for war. But is it time for this nation to "just say no!" to any more military adventurism launched by this administration and "no!" to any more attacks on our constitutional traditions by continued seizure of unbalanced, illegal unilateral powers by this administrative branch. God save us between now and 1-20-90.
Psalm 120 speaks my prayer:
When I was in trouble, I called out to God;
I called out to God, who answered me.
Deliver me, O God, from lying lips
and from the deceitful tongue.
What shall be done to you, and what more besides,
O you deceitful tongue?
The sharpened arrows of a warrior,
along with hot glowing coals.
How hateful it is that I must lodge in Mesheh
and dwell among the tents of Kedar!
Too long have I had to live
among the enemies of peace.
I am on the side of peace,
but when I speak of it, they are for war.
(When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.)
Today's set of psalms speak to our heart's cry for God's protection, our hope for the city "that is at unity with itself," with peace within its walls and quietness within its borders. The psalms help carry a prayer for a transition from the politics of dominion and empire toward the restoration of wise strength and true republican government.
Have mercy upon us, O God, have mercy,
for we have had more than enough of contempt,
Too much of the scorn of the indolent rich,
and of the derision of the proud. (the end of Psalm 123)
Lowell
_____________________________________________
Audio podcast: Listen to an audio podcast of the most recent Morning Reflections from today and the past week. Click the following link: Morning Reflection Podcasts
About Morning Reflections
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
The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.
Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org
Our Rule of Life
Lowell Grisham, Rector
Audio podcast: Listen to an audio podcast of the most recent Morning Reflections from today and the past week. Click the following link: Morning Reflection Podcasts
About Morning Reflections
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
The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.
Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org
Our Rule of Life
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.
Lowell Grisham, Rector
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
posted by Lowell @ 7:31 AM
11 comments
11 Comments:
I heard the interview with Seymour Hersh yesterday on NPR and am simply appalled by what this administration continues to do in pushing for war. The weapons industry loves it. Those who believe America can do no wrong love it. Where is the moral courage within the Episcopal Church to stand up for peace and reconciliation? You are a prophetic voice. Thank you....Caroline Stevenson
Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
I wonder if Robert Mugabe is quoting Romans 13:1 today in Zimbabwe?
I wonder if King George did too on the original 4th of July?
And let's use a clearer translation. "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."
Anonymous -- what exceptions would you make to that passage?
How about Dietrich Bonhoeffer plotting to assassinate Hitler? If George Bush starts another war, is it God's will? On what grounds would you have joined the American Revolution. (King George was a Christian monarch, you know.)
Romans 13 is an excellent example of a Biblical scripture that is very time-bound and particular. In fact, I don't even think it is truth in its original context. Caesar as God's appointed authority instituted by God? I don't think so...
Lowell
"The powers that be"
Isn't that just saying that government in general is ordained of God?
And doesn't God permit events to occur? Like Bill Clinton basically lying to the homosexuals, and then throwing them under the bus with "don't ask, don't tell"?
All things will work together for good.(or is that time bound as well?) Redifining gay marriage, the Iraq war, the "if" war with Iran will work together for good to them that love God.
Excuse me but now I have to go sell one of my kidneys to pay for gas that the liberals have caused to be $4 a gallon to save a few carabou. I hope we wait longer for them to have to White House and congress.
I cannot believe what I'm reading... soumynona - what's it gonna take? is there anything that will cause your faith in the Bush Administration to waiver or falter... even just a bit? Anything???
Is everything about money for Republicans?
How much money is enough?
How much war is enough?
Are we trying to provoke Iran to attack us so John McCain can be elected President?
These aren't rhetorical questions, I want to know what you think.
Scott,
Who says it hasn't. I am not defending Bush entire platform.
Money? what exactly does that mean?
Did I defend their spending? How much money is enough for you?
War? What does your question mean? Do you mean the Iran War that Lowell is talking about that hasn't even started yet?
Does Iran even need provoking? Are we going to wait for them to destroy Jerusalem? (from their own words)
Do I know the motives of the Bush presidency? of course not Do you know their motives?
I am just asking, and I would like to know what you think.
What is it going to take? you ask.
I have thought about that question.
What are you asking? Is it really about the Bush admin?
I really think you are asking
When am I going to vote for Obama and the Dems?
Is that what you are really asking?
"secret plans" how did seymour find out.
"may be"
"may mire"
What is going to happen on 1-20-90?
Is that the day the messiah Barack Obama is going to save us all from our sin? Our guilty pleasure of the Bush Admin?
I guess Caroline was right, if you know BHO will win, you must be a prophet.
Soumynona,
Take a look and decide for yourself if you know what's going on... I honestly can't tell you that I do.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article3157055.ece
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/kyle-drennen/2008/01/10/cbs-s-smith-wonders-if-tape-u-s-iran-naval-conflict-was-fake
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Tonkin_Incident
An attack on a US warship in international waters might be considered grounds by this administration for a large-scale war in the middle east. The Israelis have taken to starting fake Al Qaeda.
This is just one instance in what is becoming a widely publicized effort by "Truthalux" to provide disinformation and persuade public opinion. They did it once, and they'll do it again.
I really don't care who you vote for... but vote for someone who you think will actually live up to the following oath.
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Mr. Bush has done the opposite, or at least allowed the Vice-President to do so... which might be worse. I don't know if it would be best for the country, but both of those guys and Rumsfeld could be charged with war crimes... Chaney possibly with treason.
If you haven't seen the documentary "Why we Fight", you should check it out. I don't agree with everything in the flic, but it just provides a different light. Or maybe the "Power of Nightmare".
Take a look at Eisenhower's farewell address... as a conservative, but not Republican, I've thought Eisenhower was one of the most interesting Presidents of the 20th century. He dedicated almost 1/3 of his speech to encouraging caution with regards to the power of the military industrial complex.
Anyway, have a good Fourth of July Soumynona see you next week!
Scott K
It looks pretty straight forward to me. The "wonders if" article is from Jan 10. Have you heard anything from them since? Don't you think a major gov't fabrication would have come out in some keith olberman tv show?
I hope you have a good weekend too.
Paul used the language "powers and principalities" to describe things like governmental structures. Necessary for ordering common life, thus permitted (ordained) by God, but not part of what will be part of the Kingdom of God. The powers and principalities are part of the fallenness of creation. You can't live without them, but you can't live with them. They must be challenged (as Paul challenged the Roman system, taking their language about Caesar and claiming it for Christ); their inevitable claims for absolute power or authority must be resisted; and whenever possible, they can be used for accomplishing the common good which cannot be accomplished any other way.
The powers and principalities is a helpful category whenever we think of our relationship to all kinds of corporate structures -- governmental, economic, business, etc.
The late William Stringfellow was among the best commentators on the powers and principalities. He was truly a 20th century prophet.
Lowell
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