You Are Gods

Thursday, April 2, 2009 -- Week of 5 Lent, Year One
James Lloyd Breck, Priest, 1876

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 956)
Psalms 131, 132, [133] (morning) 140, 142 (evening)
Jeremiah 26:1-16
Romans 11:1-12
John 10:19-42

Jesus is in the middle of a stinging controversy. On the one hand, he has done something wonderful and laudable -- he has healed a man who was born blind. On the other hand, he has done his work in violation of the conventional understanding of the sabbath law. When he picked up mud and made it into a paste, he violated the commandment to do no work (the 4th of the Ten Commandments). As he was told elsewhere in our accounts, you have six days to do your healing; leave it alone on the sabbath. There is a division over him. He did something good, but in doing it he violated our sacred tradition.

In the ensuing dispute, as John's Gospel composes it, Jesus uses exalted language to defend himself, culminating in the words, "The Father and I are one." To everyone's ears this is blasphemy; now he has violated the first commandment. They prepare to stone him, the traditional punishment for blasphemy.

Then Jesus offers a fascinating argument. He quotes from Psalm 82:6 -- "Now I say to you, you are gods..." (the rest of the verse reads, "...and all of you children of the Most High.") Jesus claims this word for God's people. Then he reiterates his relationship to God the Father, renewing his claim, "I am God's Son." He argues, if the scripture said "you are gods" to the people who received it, how much more may I claim my identity as God's Son since I have been sent by God?

Then he returns again to the signs. He says, in effect, "Even if you don't believe my words, look at the good works I do. These are signs of God's presence. Let the good works stand and speak for me."

There are two invitations here for us. The first is the invitation to do good. Whenever we do good works -- works of love, compassion, healing and reconciliation -- we too are doing the works of God who sent us. We are signs of God's presence.

The second invitation is to accept our identity as being one with God. We also are children of God. Elsewhere Jesus sets up the equivalence -- you and I are one; you live in me as I live in you; and I am one with the Father, therefore we are all united within the dynamic life of the Divine.

Paul reflects on a similar reality that he lives within the early Church: his kinfolk the Jews have largely rejected the mission that Paul continues in Jesus' name. Yet look what goodness God brings out of their rejection. God opens the message of grace and inclusion universally. "Through (the Jews') stumbling, salvation has come to the Gentiles... Now if their stumbling means riches for the world, ...how much more will their full inclusion mean!"

Paul is certain that God's triumph will be total. God has already saved the Jews, and God's promise will be fulfilled despite what you may see now. Their rejection has opened the door for God to save all. (Another of Paul's statements of universal salvation.) All are children of God.

The invitation to identity is clear, spoken in several ways. You are all gods. You are all children of the Most High. God lives in you and you live in God. Jesus and the Father are one, and you are one with Jesus. The Gentiles are given the same identity as the Jews: We are all children of God. And even if this identity is rejected, God is faithful. God has ways to accomplish God's will. God will not lose even one of all that God has created or even one whom God loves. And God loves all.

So be who you are -- God's beloved, one with God, sharing the divine life of God, living in the heart of God so that your heart beats as God's heart.

Lowell

_____________________________________________

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.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas