The System

Thursday, October 9, 2008 -- Week of Proper 22
Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln, 1253

Today's Reading for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 987)
Psalms 131, 132, [133] (morning) 134, 135 (evening)
Micah 3:1-8
Acts 24:1-23
Luke 7:36-50

The system. Paul used the term "powers and principalities." The structures of laws, government, organization, corporation, religion, denomination, rules, regulations, administration, courts, departments, hierarchy... We all live in "the system." Actually, we all live in multiple systems. These are the structures that give order to our lives. Paul says they are necessary for the ordering of society, so they have a certain divine authority. But Paul says they are fallen, corrupt and oppressive; they will not be part of what is retained in the Kingdom of God. The powers and principalities are under God's judgment. Yet, we need them. The system. You can't live with it; you can't live without it.

How do you work the system? We have three snapshots in today's readings.

Micah pronounces judgment upon the system. He accuses the ruling authorities of injustice, especially toward the poor and the peasants. He accuses the religious authorities of speaking only comfortable words that will not offend the contributors who fund their religious activities. In the name of God, Micah says that because of the leaders' failure of justice and integrity, disaster shall follow -- disaster that will affect the entire nation. Micah deals with the system by condemning it.

Paul works the system. He has been arrested, accused of profaning the temple and of stirring up agitation that threatens the peace. Paul uses his status as a Roman citizen to avoid flogging and to appeal for a full, legal hearing. He uncovers an assassination plot and gets the information to the authorities so he can be placed in protective custody. He frames his defense as a religious question about resurrection, guaranteed to attract support from the party of the Pharisees and to deflect Roman interest which focused on civil not religious disturbances. Paul uses the system to his best advantage.

Jesus offers the system an alternative vision. Jesus is a guest at the home of Simon the Pharisee. Simon has standing in the community as being a member of the party of the Pharisees whose mission is to promote the full religious observance of the Jewish law in everyday life. For a Pharisee, the common peasants, the "people of the land," were regarded as sinners because it was impossible for them to observe the law properly. Their lives were inevitably compromised by contact with unclean things.

When "a woman in the city, who was a sinner" -- one of these peasants among the "people of the land" -- anoints Jesus' feet, bathing him with tears and kisses, Simon is offended. She is unclean. She is a sinner. Any prophet, any observant religious leader would realize that she is unclean, and would avoid her contact, Simon thinks.

Jesus invites Simon to re-think the situation. He starts by re-framing the system. Two debtors: one owes a little, the other owes a lot. Both are forgiven their debt. Which will be more appreciative, more loving? Simon answers, the one forgiven the greater debt. Jesus invites Simon to look at this woman's behavior as an act of extravagant love, and Jesus invites Simon to look self-critically at his own modest hospitality. Jesus puts Simon in the same frame as the woman. Both sinners, only different in degree. He reinterprets Simon's reality, and invites him into a world of extravagant generosity. In some sense, he is sabotaging Simon's world view and offering something more compelling in its place. Jesus reinterprets the system and offers an alternative vision.

Micah, Paul and Jesus all teach us ways to live with the powers and principalities. None of them simply accepts the values of the system. Micah condemns the system, Paul works the system, Jesus invites the system into a new vision.

How will you deal with the system today?

Lowell

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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
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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.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas