Dire Warnings

Tuesday, December 9, 2008 -- Week of 2 Advent; Year One

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 936)
Psalms 26, 28 (morning) 36, 39 (evening)
Isaiah 5:13-17, 24-25
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Luke 21:29-38

We are in readings that are filled with admonishments and warnings. Isaiah 5-12 are the oldest part of the collection. They date from the 8th century in the days when Israel was threatened by Assyria (740-732 BCE). Like the other 8th century prophets Amos and Micah, Isaiah condemns the greed and conspicuous consumption of the wealthy. He decries their abuse of their power and how they ignore the struggles of the poor. In today's reading he speaks judgment. The nation will go into exile. The proud and powerful will be humbled and punished; the multitude and the people will be brought low.

Paul writes of an end-time ethic, urging the congregation in Thessoloniki to live with a keen sense of the imminent return of Jesus. All are to work responsibly. Help anyone who needs it. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances." Listen to the words of warning from prophets and test what they say. "Hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil." Paul blesses the community as the letter closes.

And Luke's Gospel closes the section of Jesus' teaching in the Temple by taking the little parable of the fig tree as an image for the coming day of judgment. As soon as the fig sprouts its leaves, you know summer is near. He references yesterday's readings that recall Jeremiah's oracles about the destruction of the original Temple, which may also be commentary on the destruction of the Temple in Luke's day, in 70 CE. In the midst of these dire and threatening things, you can know that the kingdom of God is near. Don't get weighed down with worry or dissipation. Though hard times await, Jesus and his triumph is near.

It is not difficult to connect the warnings of the scriptures with our contemporary scene. So many of the conditions of the 8th century BCE parallel our own. We have watched for the past few decades as wealth has become more concentrated in the hands of fewer people, as greed and dishonesty has compromised the core of our economy, as the earth gives warning of its ecological stress, as access to health care shrinks and justice is applied unevenly according to who can pay, as the powerful lobby the powerful to expand their influence, as the darkness of extremism explodes into violence. Signs of judgment abound.

Like Isaiah we look for new and anointed leadership and like Luke we pray for "strength to escape all these things that will take place." We can take Paul's end-time ethic to heart. Be responsible. Care for others, especially the weak. Do good; abstain from evil. Pray. And even in the midst of threatening times, "rejoice always, ...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

The Hebrew prophets and the New Testament authors always looked at dire circumstances with an unquenchable hope in God -- God's justice and God's ultimate triumph. Even catastrophe such as exile and the Temple's destruction they could see as part of God's hand to bring renewal and justice.

How can we walk through our own hard times in faith and hope? We can accept part of it as judgment upon our greed and injustice, and we can be motivated to share in God's work of healing and transformation. That's the example our heritage gives us.

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