Leadership and Wealth
Monday, November 24, 2008 -- Week of Proper 29
Today's Reading for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 995)
Psalms 106:1-8 (morning) 106:19-48 (evening)
Zechariah 10:1-12
Galatians 6:1-10
Luke 18:15-30
Today's readings all have something to say about leadership and our corporate life.
Zechariah speaks at a time when the political and religious leadership has been poor, "therefore the people wander like sheep; they suffer for lack of a shepherd." He speaks God's promise of restoration and deliverance. He promises that the loss and damage will be repaired and that the people will once again be secure and growing.
The letter to the Galatians reminds everyone that we bear a responsibility both for ourselves and for others. Every person must "carry their own loads" as well as "bear one another's burdens." Paul encourages them not to "grow weary in doing what is right" and to "work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith."
Finally, in Luke we have the story of Jesus' encounter with a conscientious ruler. The story is introduced by an exhortation on behalf of children. "Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." All is gift. We are invited to be as open-handed and expectant toward God as children are toward their parents.
Then a "certain ruler" arrives to ask Jesus a serious question, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" There is an exchange about the commandments. The man has followed the teaching in a life of honor and service. "There is still one thing lacking," Jesus tells him. Jesus invites him into his entourage. "Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." Unlike the child, the ruler is too attached to leave his wealth behind. "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" Jesus exclaims. And I cringe. For I am wealthy.
Wealth is a snare. Possessions become a distraction and preoccupation. How much of our energy and time is spent gaining and taking care of our stuff. How much of our sense of value and security is wrapped up in our cultural symbols of value and power.
It is not clear that Jesus opposed wealth in principle. Several wealthy people such as Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were attracted to him and to his movement. It appears that wealthy women helped underwrite the disciples and their needs as they traveled. Their support and generosity toward Jesus and his purposes may be models for those of us who are wealthy. They invite us to live lightly, with a profound sense generosity, especially toward the poor. A childlike attitude of joyfully receiving and giving might be another model.
In the spirit of St. Paul's words we are to live responsibly and to be willing to bear one another's burdens and to work for the good of all. In the spirit of Zechariah, we are to look ultimately toward God for our restoration, while being willing to give and to sacrifice to bring about God's purposes.
"All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own, hath we given thee."
Lowell
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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 @ 7:36 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
As a rewrite, might I suggest,
The "Information Age" is a snare. Entertainment, pleasure seeking, even interactions become a distraction and preoccupation. How much of our energy and time is spent on what is ultimately noise? How much of our sense of value and security is wrapped up in our dancing in the mosh pit?
Once you are in the mosh pit, it is hard to extract oneself.
Yes, we do seem to be a people easily distracted by entertainments and folly.
What is a mosh pit?
Lowell
Here is the Wikipedia definition.
"Moshing or slamming refers to the activity in which audience members at live music performances aggressively push or slam into each other. Moshing is frequently accompanied by stage diving, crowd surfing, and headbanging. It is commonly associated with concerts by heavy metal, punk rock, and alternative rock and rock artists in general.
Moshing primarily takes place at live shows, though it can be done to recorded music, too. In the 2000s, many variations of moshing exist, such as "thrashing", and the dance is practiced at concerts of many musical genres. Moshing is typically done in an area in front of the stage which is referred to as the mosh pit or mach pit.
While moshing is seen as a form of positive feedback or reflection of enjoyment from live audiences, it has also drawn some controversy over its dangerous nature. However, it is generally agreed that moshers are not trying to harm one another and follow an unwritten "moshing etiquette", or pit hospitality, which promotes safety through behaviors such as immediately helping fallen audience members back to their feet to avoid their being trampled.
I've heard of such things and seen brief pictures in passing, but not part of my experience. Sounds a bit dangerous. Is it fun?
Lowell
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