Proud Towers
Thursday, December 4, 2008 -- Week of 1 Advent; Year One
John of Damascus, Priest, c. 760
Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 936)
Psalms 18:1-20 (morning) 18:21-50 (evening)
Isaiah 2:12-22
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
Luke 20:27-40
There is much that is troubling in the readings today. Isaiah has a terrifying and violent vision of God's punishment of human pride. Isaiah declares that God is opposed to "all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up and high." God acts to overthrow the high towers, the fortified walls, and the wealthy merchant ships. "The haughtiness of people shall be humbled, and the pride of everyone shall be brought low." All of our false idols -- our silver and our gold -- "shall utterly pass away."
We live in the wealthiest and most powerful nation on earth. Some will argue that we are the proudest and most arrogant nation on earth. It is easy to see connections between Isaiah's words and our situation today.
Isaiah told the people of the fifth century BCE to change their ways, to repent. (That is a central message of Advent.) He told them to repent of their greed, their dishonesty and corruption, their love of luxury, and their indifference to the plight of the poor. "Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow." (1:17) Isaiah tells them to follow God's agenda or they will incur God's judgment.
It doesn't take much imagination to hear Isaiah's words as we watch proud towers tremble and fall: Bear Stearns, WaMu, Lehman, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, AIG, Wachovia, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Citibank, Countrywide, IndyMac, GM, Ford, and Chrysler. "The haughtiness of people shall be humbled, and the pride of everyone shall be brought low."
There is some comfort from the Psalmist. "I love you, O God, my strength, my stronghold, my crag, and my haven. My God, my rock in whom I put my trust, my shield, the horn of my salvation, and my refuge; you are worthy of praise. I will call upon you, O God, and so shall I be saved..."
It is the consistent message from scripture that we are to trust in God and walk in God's ways. It is the consistent message from scripture that when we trust in our own might and fail to walk in God's ways, disaster awaits.
What would Isaiah tell us to do as our high towers tremble? "Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow." That's a pretty consistent teaching throughout the Bible. Abandon greed and power. Embrace compassion and justice. What might our financial and political institutions looks like if we listened to the Biblical prophets with more respect than the financial profits?
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 @ 7:47 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Thank you, Lowell, for sharing your God given insight on the readings and giving modern day applications for the current troubles that our nation is facing. This challenges me as a Christian to be a good example during this time and turn conversations that are all gloom and doom to more positive conversations about turning to God and relying on him alone for our strenth. Thank you!
Thanks for your good comments. We're all going to have to work to take care of each other during this time. I recall many conversations from ancestors who lived through the Depression and who tell about how they shared so freely, even though "we all were poor." They were a people who seemed to know and trust God.
Lowell
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