Finding the Lost

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 -- Week of Proper 27
Charles Simeon, Priest 1836

Today's Reading for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 993)
Psalms 119:97-120 (morning) 81, 82 (evening)
Joel 2:12-19
Revelation 19:11-21
Luke 15:31-10

Luke 15 is one of the most compelling chapters in the Bible. It opens with grumbling. The observant religious people, those who are earnestly trying to do right, complain that Jesus is so lax and complacent toward the non-observant and those who do not even try to lead a righteous life. "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." In that culture, to sit at table with another person was a public acknowledgment of your acceptance and approval of that person as well as a lifetime covenant of friendship and loyalty. To eat with another was to identify with that person. Jesus conveyed all of that meaning in the radical hospitality of his table fellowship.

Jesus offers the grumblers three stories -- the lost sheep, the lost coin and (tomorrow's reading) the prodigal son. All three stories are metaphors of God's extravagant love, especially for those who are lost and alienated.

It is good to retain these images of God's searching love and compassion for the lost as we read the end of chapter 19 of Revelation. We have finished a courtroom scene where the victims of the empire's greed and violence have been vindicated. Now the judge appears upon a white horse -- the rider called "Faithful and True." He is "clothed in a robe dipped in blood" -- the eucharistic vestment of the blood of the cross. His "name is called The Word of God... From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations..." Once again we learn it is by witness, by the word that comes from the mouth, that the victory over evil will be accomplished.

John has an image of the two armies ready for battle. But there is no battle described. The beast and the false prophet are captured and "thrown into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur." (An image of hell as well as an image of purification, such as refining gold through fire.) Then the rider on the horse slays the enemies entirely by his word and testimony. The images are violent (killed by the sword), but the sword comes from the rider's mouth; he is the Word of God who triumphs by his testimony, by his martyrdom. The same Jesus who leaves the ninety nine in the wilderness to search for the one lost, and to rejoice when the lost is found.

We close with the troubling image of "the birds that fly in midheaven," who are invited to "the great supper of God." They are coming "to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of the mighty, the flesh of horses and their riders -- flesh of all, both free and slave, both small and great." After the rider called Faithful and True has slain the evil by his word, there is a different kind of eucharistic feast. Just as the flesh of Jesus is consumed in Christian worship, becoming the bread of life, we see this alternative "great supper of God" where the effects of evil and wickedness are removed from the earth by the birds from midheaven who devour their flesh.

Again, this is not to be taken literally. This is spiritual imagery. We are left with the confidence that we can struggle against the lures of luxury, pride and violence that are the by-products of the empire. Our witness joins Christ's witness, which will defeat these powers that assault our faithfulness and truth. The Word of God will triumph, in us and in the world. Stand fast and persevere.

The prophet Joel also encourages us to courage in the face of catastrophe. Return to God with lamentation, fasting and repentance, Joel tells us, and God will restore us. The lost are found.

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
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.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas