Thursday, December 24, 2009

No Intermediary

Thursday, December 24, 2009 -- Week of 4 Advent, Year Two

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 939)

Morning Prayer
Psalms 45, 46
Baruch 4:21-29* found in the Apocrypha
Galatians 3:15-22
Matthew 1:18-25

Evening Prayer - Christmas Eve
Psalms 89:1-29
Isaiah 59:15b-21
Philippians 2:5-11

NOTE: our Christmas Eve services at St. Paul's --
4:00 Prelude Music / 4:30 Eucharist
6:00 Prelude Music / 6:30 Eucharist
10:30 Prelude Music / 11:00 Eucharist

at 4:00 the Children's Choirs will lead the music
at 6:00 we have harp music and the St. Paul's Quartet singing. No incense at 6:00. tends to have a bit of elbow room
at 10:30 the adult choir will lead the Midnight Mass
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"...(the law) was ordained through angels by a mediator. Now a mediator involves more than one party; but God is one." (Galatians 3:15-22)

This little phrase popped out to me in the midst of Paul's argument about God's promise to Abraham. Paul says that the grace that Jesus gives freely to us is God's fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham generations before the coming of the law, and the subsequent oppression that the law brought with it. Paul says that the law "was ordained ...by a mediator." I think the word "intermediary" actually conveys Paul's sense better. The law comes to us through an intermediary, suchs as through angels.

One of the things that the early church insisted upon when they reflected on their experience of Jesus, was that Jesus was not an intermediary. When God came to us in Jesus, it was God's own divine self coming to us, not something other than God, not some intermediary. To experience Jesus was to experience God. And yes, God is one.

But that's impossible, the theologians said. Tough, said those who had known Jesus. Theologians, go figure it out. Thus the seeds for the doctrine of the Trinity. God is one. God pours out the divine self into Jesus. The living life of God within the love of the Father and of the Son is God's Holy Spirit, which is God's own self. One God in three persons. Any other answer implied that in Jesus, God sent something other than God, God sent some intermediary -- something created -- maybe the highest of creatures, but not God. The early church would never accept that answer. One thing they were certain of -- in Jesus, God comes to us. Not something less than God. Just God.

In Jesus, God comes to us. It is God. God embraces human life into divine life. Jesus tells us that he and the Father are one. He also tells us that we are one with Jesus. Therefore we are one with God. We breathe God's Holy Spirit. Not something less than God. But God. There's not another party involved. God comes into our humanity in Jesus and fills our lives with Holy Spirit. And God is one.

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
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Cousins Visit

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 -- Week of 4 Advent, Year Two

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, 939)
Psalms 72 (morning) 111, 113 (evening)
1 Samuel 7:1-17
Titus 2:11 - 3:8
Luke 1:39-48a(48b-56)

Today we read Luke's story about Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth, which was also our Sunday reading. Chuck had a fine sermon about the earthiness of the whole Christmas story, and about the central place that women occupy in the story (and how the men sit on the sidelines to some degree).

I remember a quote from former Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold: "The meeting of Mary and Elizabeth teaches us... we need human friends who are companions along the way. They are not always friends, for sometimes critics speak the word more deeply than friends -- but they are fellow travelers. They show up to confirm the word we think we are hearing, which invites us to a deeper fidelity."

We all need people with whom we can be completely open and honest. We also need friends who will tell us the truth about ourselves, whether we want to hear it or not.

The church provides a sacramental context for just such a friendship. It is called Confession, or Reconciliation of a Penitent. In Confession, we can be completely open and honest, especially about our sins. The priest tries to help us see the truth about ourselves, and then gives us a great truth, the free gift of God's forgiveness. I had a spiritual director who used to say, "It is not good for one to be alone with one's sins." (A take-off from the creation of Eve, when God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone.")

Spiritual Direction or Spiritual Friendship is another structured relationship for being in a context of open, honest support. Those of us with a Spiritual Director or a circle that will help us with discernment find welcome hospitality and wisdom, like Mary found with Elizabeth.

Most of us have friends that have known us a long time, and when we reconnect, we are instantly back to a place of deep familiarity, even if years have passed. I'm hearing reports of people reconnecting thanks to the Internet and some of the social media we enjoy. Families and friends now can see each other and talk for free on their computers, thanks to Skype. That's been a great connector for us while our son has been living in China.

Holidays are often times for reunion. Cousins visit. Families reconnect. Our families are often much more diverse than our friendships. You don't pick your family. We learn to love and to live with one another despite differences when we live in families. Families are Red and Blue, Episcopalian and Baptist. When we do family well, love transcends those differences of opinion or spirituality. When that happens, the spirit gives us a deep gift.

It takes a little getting ready for family. You have to remember that ole so-and-so will be just like himself/herself again, so don't be surprised or act outraged. Being together is part of God's teaching us about God. God loves us all. Red and Blue / Episcopalian and Baptist. As Tiny Tim exclaimed, "God bless us every one."

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

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Wonder and Acceptance

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 -- Week of 4 Advent, Year Two
Charlotte Diggs (Lottie) Moon, Missionary in China, 1912

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, 939)
Psalms 66, 67 (morning) 116, 117 (evening)
1 Samuel 2:1b-10
Titus 2:1-10
Luke 1:26-38

First, a note about the new observance in our trial calendar, Holy Women, Holy Men.
Charlotte Diggs (Lottie) Moon [Dec. 14, 1840-Dec. 24, 1912] Southern Baptist missionary to China. During a famine, she stopped eating in solidarity with the people she served. As her health deteriorated, she was sent back to US but died when the boat reached Kobe, Japan. The Southern Baptists still hold a Lottie Moon Christmas Food Offering for mission work. (Dec. 22)
_______________

How can it be?
Let it be.

Mary's dual exclamation of wonder and acceptance is a beautiful model. As the angel Gabriel begins to tell her a complicated tale that bears examination, she hears his words with wonder and openness. She asks of the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" She asks an open-ended, wondering question that speaks to the most mystifying part of his announcement. It's an honest question; it's an open question.

In our Circles of Trust ministries, we teach small groups to ask honest, open questions of one another as an aid toward discernment. A circle of listeners will hear a focus person describe briefly a situation in their life about which the focus person is seeking clarity or direction. The listeners will then ask honest, open questions that are intended to help the discerner access one's own inner wisdom.

The creator of the Circles of Trust, Parker Palmer says, "The best single mark of an honest, open question is that the questioner could not possibly know the answer to it." Mary wonders, "How can this be?" She doesn't shut off the conversation. She doesn't go into a long list of issues and complexities. She goes to the place of wonder, and asks the open, honest question that is on her heart.

The angel gives her an answer. She listens. Someone has said that Americans don't listen, they reload. Mary listens. The angel tells her more wonders. For most of us this answer would not be satisfactory. Our need to control would begin to take over, and we'd begin debate with an angel.

"Let it be," Mary says. Fundamental words of trust. Let it be. I quoted from Gerald May the other day, from his wonderful little book "Simply Sane." I think I've read it five times. It's about time for another read. Gerald May says, "Things are as they are whether one accepts them or not. So they may as well be accepted." "Let it be," says Mary. She accepts the reality that has already begun deep within her. We know that it will bring her both joy and pain.

There is something interesting that Mary does not say. She does not object or protest when the angel says of her that she is blessed, that she has found favor with God. She accepts that as well. That may have been the harder acceptance. "Oh no, not me. I have so many faults. God couldn't find such favor in me." That's what most of us would say. Not Mary. She lets the angel announce not only her motherhood, but also her state of beloved favor before God. She accepts such a divine complement. "Let it be."

Going back to Gerald May: "Things are as they are whether one accepts them or not. So they may as well be accepted. If one can accept everything, just as it is, totally, one simply can be. But total acceptance is very rare. There can be no exceptions if acceptance is total. Nothing withheld. If this kind of acceptance sounds passive, then it is incomplete. One has forgotten to accept one's desire to change things. If one can accept each situation, just as it is, and also accept one's own reaction to that situation, just as it is, there is nothing left but wonder.

"Acceptance of one's self is often more difficult than acceptance of a situation. But anywhere, any time, it is possible to do the best one can and then say something like, 'I accept,' or 'Thy will be done,' or 'I offer everything else to the universe.'"

We know that the central message of the gospel is a message of grace. God loves us. We are blessed; we are God's beloved. Despite whatever we may think, we have found favor with God.

How can this be?
Let it be.

The gift that Mary would give us: Wonder and Acceptance.

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

Monday, December 21, 2009

Solstice

Monday, December 21, 2009 -- Week of 4 Advent, Year Two
Saint Thomas the Apostle

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer)

EITHER the readings for St. Thomas, p. 996
Morning Prayer: Psalms 23, 121; Job 42:1-6; 1 Peter 1:3-9
Evening Prayer: Psalms 27; Isaiah 43:8-13; John 14:1-7

OR, the readings for Monday of 4 Advent, p. 939
Psalms 61, 62 (morning) 112, 115 (evening)
Zephaniah 3:14-10
Titus 1:1-16
Luke 1:1-25

I chose the readings for St. Thomas

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy has has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials... Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy..." (1 Peter 1:3f)

It is the darkest day of the year. The longest night. Today is the winter solstice. Modern measurements tell us that at 11:47 a.m. this morning the earth will reach its furthest tilt away from the sun and begin the long reversal which will accomplish the return of length of day and warmth.

The solstice occurs sometime between December 21 and 22. It has been a solemn day of ritual observance for cultures and religions from before recorded history. In the year 45 BCE, Julius Caesar introduced a standardized calendar that set the date of the winter solstice on December 25. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII revised the calendar, moving the solstice up a few days in December as we observe it today. Our church calendar marks our annual observance of the feast of the apostle Thomas each year on December 21.

Thomas seems an appropriate saint for this day. Thomas was the apostle who missed the resurrection of Easter. While the other disciples were rejoicing in the news that Jesus has risen from the dead, Thomas still lived with the dark, haunting memories of the deadly wounds and the hanging corpse of his friend. His condition was made even darker, colder, more isolating because he did not share the bright, wearm joy of his companions. They had seen and experienced something he had not seen. Their enthusiasm was not real enough to overcome the horrifying reality he had seen with his own eyes. Unless he could see something else as real as what he had witnessed on the cross, how could he be glad? How could he be comforted or joyful?

On this night our congregation offers its Blue Christmas service. It is a Eucharist that embraces the darkness at this time of year. It is especially for those who, like Thomas, have experienced such disappointment, death or loss that the holiday joy of others can remind us with new poignancy of the bitterness of our loss. In soft candlelight of a quiet, contemplative place, we can bring our sadness to a place where it can be honored and embraced. We tell the story of Thomas, whose grief and doubt was honored by a special appearance of the resurrected Christ. The living Jesus that Thomas saw still bore the wounds of his crucifixion, but now their meaning had changed. They spoke no longer of pain and death, but now of life and resurrection. Jesus honored Thomas' grief and gave him joy.

Around the world today, people are gathering at ancient shrines such as Stonehenge in England and Newgrange in Ireland, to stand at places where our ancestors marked the return of light and warmth.

In the night of December 24, the evening before the ancient Roman Deus Sol Invictus festival, the festival of the Undefeated Sun god on December 25, Christians will gather in their churches to celebrate the birth of the Son of God. In the morning children will wake up early to visit decorated evergreen trees erected in their homes in the midst of winter, and there they will discover wonderful gifts left by a mysterious visitor whose original identity is rooted in the ministry of a 4th century Bishop of Myra.

The church's stories and the earth's renewing patterns sing to us of "new birth into a living hope" given to us through the gloom and darkness of death's threat. Though we have not seen the return of the sun, we believe that spring will come, and we love the renewing patterns of the earth. Though we have not seen the resurrected Son as did Thomas, we believe the Son has come, and we love the renewing grace of love, hope and joy that he invites us to live in within the renewing patterns of his church. "In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials... Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy..."

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

Friday, December 18, 2009

The Universal Vision

Friday, December 18, 2009 -- Week of 3 Advent, Year Two

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 939)
Psalms 40 (morning) 54 (evening)
Zechariah 7:8 - 8:8
Revelation 5:6-14
Matthew 25:14-30

It is good to remember that in the book of Revelation, before there is any reference to punishment or destruction, we have the beautiful scenes of union and harmony that we've just read in chapters 4 and 5. John says that these are the things that must take place, and he describes the whole in the present tense.

Yesterday culminated with a glorious image of perfect heavenly harmony, as God's people and the whole of creation sings praises centered upon God who reigns in splendor. They are looking for one who is worthy to open the scroll, which is the narrative of human failure, judgment and redemption. The one worthy is "the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David" -- two messianic images of power and righteous violence.

Instead of a mighty warrior king, we see a Lamb appear today, almost unnoticed among the elders of the people. A Lamb is the opposite of a Lion. A Lamb is gentle. Lambs are objects of violence and subjects of sacrifice. This Lamb has the fullness of God's Holy Spirit, and is the one worthy to take the scroll of human history.

As he does, the universe bursts into song. The representatives of earth in heaven take their musical harps and "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints," and they sing of the worthiness of the Lamb. The Lamb is worthy not because it has defeated enemies through warfare and intimidation, but because "you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation." It is the cross that brings life, and the life is for all -- every tribe, language, people and nation. The reign of the Lamb is an earthy reign, and it has religious and political significance -- "you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, and they will reign on earth."

Suddenly the scene expands exponentially, and previously unseen "myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands" of angels join the song of the heavenly court. "Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"

John realizes that the earth has also joined this universal chorus of praise. "Every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, 'To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" And the scene closes with a grateful "Amen" from the people and creatures of heaven.

This is a compelling vision of the reality of God's reign that is behind, above, beneath and throughout the reality of creation. It is God's intention that all of the universe and everything that lives be united in a glorious harmony of joy. The act that accomplishes this glory is not an act of domination or triumphalism, but the gentle act of a sacrificial Lamb. This is God's triumph, and it is complete. Every living thing on earth, under the earth, in heaven and beyond is included in the vision of union and harmony. This is the vision that John gives to us before we begin to look at the reality of human destructiveness or at its consequences. We know that the end is universal reunion and harmony. Even now we are invited to join in that song.

Lowell

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Prepare

Thursday, December 17, 2009 -- Week of 2 Advent, Year Two
William Lloyd Garrison, 1879, and Maria Stewart, 1879, Prophetic Witnesses

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 939)
Psalms 50 (morning) [59, 60] or 33 (evening)
Zechariah 4:1-14
Revelation 4:9 - 5:5
Matthew 25:1-13

First, a note about the new observances from our trial calendar:
William Lloyd Garrison [1805-May 24, 1879] Abolitionist, journalist and social reformer, he was one of the founders of the Anti Slavery Society. After the Civil War, he became an advocate of Women's Suffrage, Temperance, and Civil Rights for Blacks.
Maria Stewart [1803-Dec. 17, 1879] Orator, educator, and first African American woman to speak publicly on behalf of women's rights. Although much criticized for her boldness, she campaigned tirelessly against all forms of oppression. She organized many schools and Sunday schools in major cities along the eastern seaboard. (Baptist) (Dec. 17)
_____

We have a parable today that is unique to Matthew, the story of the ten bridesmaids. It picks up a couple of themes that appear elsewhere in Matthew's gospel. Like several of his parables, it seems to work best as an allegory.

Matthew urges his readers to live virtuous lives that accomplish good deeds. The righteous actions that one does is one's treasure, like a wedding garment, or like the oil for a lamp. They cannot be shared or given away. Each must be responsible for one's own life and for the measurement of one's good deeds. The wise bridesmaids have lived in such a way that they have accumulated enough good deeds (oil) to persevere through any potential delay. The foolish bridesmaids have a more limited supply of oil, and when challenged by an unexpected delay, their supply is exhausted. The others cannot share with them. So the foolish bridesmaids leave and miss the passing opportunity.

The other theme that Matthew repeats here is the reminder that moments of opportunity, moments of grace, may be sudden and unpredictable, therefore, be alert, be prepared always. Earlier Matthew had described the coming of Jesus as the coming of a house burglar. You cannot know when. So be ready always.

There are moments of decision, moments of opportunity. We must seize them or lose them. Often our response is related to our preparation. Have we been wise? Have we been lazy or foolish?

I've written occasionally about my grandfather, who was an important part of my early life. More than any other person, it seemed to me, he gave me unqualified love. Because of him, it was easier for me to imagine a God who loved me absolutely and without qualification.

Granddad was a likable and outgoing person. He had a gregarious personality and the natural gifts of a Southern storyteller. He came from a large family born in the rural hills. Every one of his siblings, I believe there were eight, had lived through childhood, an extremely rare circumstance in those days. In his 70's, every one of his siblings was still alive and healthy, including Uncle Joe, the eldest, at 88.

Granddad talked about that anomaly, that all his siblings had lived and were still alive. It had a mystery and power for him. I believe that he had an almost magical belief that as long as all of his siblings were alive, he couldn't die, he couldn't be threatened by death. So he didn't think about it. He didn't really imagine his end, and he didn't do the kind of preparation that most of us do as we advance in years.

If I am remembering correctly, Carl Jung taught that we spend the first half of our lives becoming who we are and we spend the second half of our lives preparing to die. Granddad was very old before the first of his siblings died, from pneumonia contracted after a bad fall into a well. It seemed to shock him that they weren't all invincible, that they could actually die. The thought of death surprised and insulted him, it seemed. He wasn't ready to face the notion. He didn't really have enough time to absorb it. The last part of his life he lived with a resistance and resentment that had not been present in his earlier life. He didn't seem to make his last journey with the same character that he had lived the rest of his life. He ran out of oil, it seemed.

Preparing is a life's journey. We have little control over timing. Tragedy strikes. Opportunity opens a door. Decision presents itself. Will we be wise? Will we be ready to respond responsibly? Now is the time of preparation.

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

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

A Vision of Centered Harmony

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 -- Week of 2 Advent, Year Two
Ralph Adams Cram, 1942, and Richard Upjohn, 1878, Architects, and John LaFarge, Artist, 1910

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 939)
Psalms 119:49-72 (morning) 49, [53] (evening)
Zechariah 3:1-10
Revelation 4:1-8
Matthew 24:45-51

First, a word about these new additions to our Calendar:
Cram, Ralph Adams (Dec. 16, 1863-Sept. 22, 1942) Architect. Proponent of the Gothic style, Cram designed West Point, St. Thomas (Episcopal Church) Fifth Avenue, Princeton University, St. John the Divine (Cathedral, New York City), and many other famous American buildings. His social philosophy emphasized the importance of a sacramental understanding of reality in the face of power and materialism.
Richard Upjohn [January 22, 1802-August 16, 1878] British-born American architect of many famous churches, including Trinity, Wall Street NY, and public buildings.
John LaFarge [March 31, 1835-Nov. 14, 1910] Catholic artist who not only decorated many famous churches (of many denominations) but also tried to form an aesthetic of religious art. (Dec 16)
_______________

With some help from the annotations in The Access Bible which I use, I'd like to look more closely at the vision of John in Revelation 4. In this scene, John presents the order of creation as it was meant to be, gathered in harmony around God.

It begins with an open door, offering access to heaven. The implication is that the door is always open if we are willing to enter. A voice like that one which opened John's visions invites him to "Come up here." (A three-tiered universe is imagined.) John travels inward to enter this holy place -- "at once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne!" Throughout the book of Revelation, the geography is spiritual geography, and it is an inward journey.

It is surprising that the description of God is as a rock. "The one seated there looks like jasper and carnelian." The commentary says that we cannot be sure what gems John intended by jasper and carnelian. Jasper is usually red, as is carnelian. A rainbow that looks like an emerald surrounds the throne. A throne is a political symbol. Rulers, emperors and kings sat on thrones and exercised their dominion. Statues of Caesar or Zeus might portray them, godlike, exercising authority from their throne. Earlier we had a reference to the throne of Satan in Pergamum, probably a temple dedicated to Zeus. From the throne in John's vision come signs of the divine manifestation and presence -- "flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder."

"In front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God." The number seven is a symbolic number meaning complete -- the Holy Spirit. Something like a sea of glass extends before the throne, possibly as a transparent window into creation below.

"Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads." Twenty-four is a doubling of the number of God's people. Commentators have several possible explanations -- the 12 tribes of Israel plus the 12 apostles; the 24 orders of priests; the 24 figures of the zodiac. These 24 elders are the heavenly counterpart to God's people on earth, the human community of God.

Also around the throne are the four living creatures. They have full understanding (full of eyes) and full mobility (six wings) -- omniscient and omnipresent. These four living creatures are like a lion, an ox, a human, and an eagle -- all earthly creatures, probably the four orders of creation. In Ezekiel we have a vision of similar creatures representing the divine qualities of intelligence (human), royalty (lion), strength (ox), and mobility (eagle). These creatures perpetually sing the Sanctus in praise of God.

So we have around the divine presence the human community and the community of creatures. They live in harmony, worshiping God who is in their midst. They sing of the worthiness of God, who has created all things, and by whose will all things continue into being.

John sees this interior vision of heavenly harmony as that which "must take place" -- this is the vision of the way all existence should be and ultimately will be. John invites us to participate in this vision by living out of its wisdom now -- as it is in heaven, so it shall be on earth. We are to live focused upon God, who is present at the center of all. We are to live in harmony with humanity and with all creation, living lives of praise to the honor and glory of God.

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

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Presence and Passion

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 -- Week of 2 Advent, Year Two
John Horden, Bishop and Missionary in Canada, 1893; Robert McDonald, Priest, 1913

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 939)
Psalms 45 (morning) 47, 48 (evening)
Zechariah 2:1-13
Revelation 3:14-22
Matthew 24:32-44

First, a note about our Calendar today:
Horden, John [1828-Jan. 12, 1893] Bishop and Missionary. Born in England of a working-class family, he educated himself so that he might be a missionary in India. Instead, the Church Missionary Society sent him to Moosonee in Western Canada. There he was able to build on the work of a Methodist missionary among the Cree. Horden was ordained in Canada and soon began training native Christians to help him in his work. After establishing solid missions among the Cree, he began to work with the Inuit. He died in office. (Dec 15)

McDonald, Robert [?-August 30, 1913] Missionary. Because of his mixed blood (he was part Ojibwa), McDonald was treated as a second-class priest by the Church Missionary Society. He ministered in the Yukon and Alaska to Kutchin tribes, helping establish native ministries. His valuable ethnographic work produced ground-breaking studies of native life and language. His devotion to the gospel surmounted prejudice and helped establish vibrant native ministries in the far north. (Dec. 15)
______

The image that Zechariah offers us today is compelling, inviting us to expand our imagination and know the presence of God with us.

The first vision is of a surveyor who is making measurements to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Don't bother, says the angel. You do not need the protection of walls. God will be your protection like "a wall of fire all around" you. And within the walls, God will be present: "I will be the glory within it." Zechariah speaks in God's name to the exiles: "Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! For lo, I will come and dwell in your midst, says the Lord." Then the vision expands universally: "Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in your midst."

There is no need for walls. The reach of God's life extends infinitely. God promises to dwell with us, and God promises to draw the nations into God's life and to dwell in their midst as well.

When Christians began to develop our theology of the incarnation, that God has come to us in the life of Jesus -- to dwell with us in the flesh, to be the human face of God -- we looked to passages like this one from Zechariah which anticipates God's indwelling presence. As we imagine the momentum of God's incarnation, we can also see God's presence as a universal indwelling, drawing all into the eternal love, compassion and justice that is God's presence within us and among the nations.

It is good to celebrate the lives of two who recognized the spirit among the native nations in Canada and Alaska and helped promote God's presence among the tribes, John Horden with the Cree and Inuit, Robert McDonald among the Kutchin. Their passion overcame the prejudice that some held toward these tribes and broke down walls of division.

It takes passion to break down walls and to extend God's grace. Passion seems to be what is missing from the church in Laodicea that John writes to in today's reading. This seems to be the most quoted of all of the messages to the seven churches of Revelation. Passionate preachers employ this section to call people to new energy. "I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

It is a powerful image. Some background: Laodicea was founded as a Roman military colony to reward retired soldiers and to protect an inland trade route. It was a location without a natural water supply, either warm springs or cold streams. So the water had to be piped from elsewhere, lukewarm.

Laodicea was a prosperous trading town that had a vibrant business, including trade in black wool and in an eye salve. Listen to John's words from Christ to them: "For you say, 'I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.' You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me..."

John speaks to the lukewarm and distracted conditions of the church of Laodicea, and tells them Christ is present. Open the door and Christ will enter to be with us, to be in communion with us.

God is in the midst of us. Christ is knocking at the door of our hearts. There is no need of walls. God is present throughout creation. Don't be lukewarm. Be passionate about that. Invest in the real business of life in the spirit, the priceless worth of God's presence with us, the royal clothing from on high, the vision to see truly. An Advent message. Awake! Be alert! Christ is coming! Even now! Prepare!

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

Monday, December 14, 2009

Comfort

Monday, December 14, 2009 -- Week of 2 Advent, Year Two
Henry Budd, Priest, 1875

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 939)
Psalms 41, 52 (morning) 44 (evening)
Zechariah1:7-17
Revelation 3:7-13
Matthew 24:15-31

First, a word about our feast today: Budd, Henry [Ordained Apr. 2, 1875] First Amerindian (Cree) ordained in North America (Saskatchewan). An effective evangelist, he served his people faithfully despite discrimination from the CMS which paid him only half the stipend of the white missionaries. (Dec. 14)
________________

Zechariah speaks of God's concern for God's people in a difficult time. He speaks to the exiles who have returned from Babylon, who now live in a time of want and depression. In the vision of God's heavenly patrol, the four horsemen return to report there is peace throughout the world. That is not good news, says Zechariah, speaking for God. The world should not be at peace, at ease, while God's people are poor and suffering. God's compassion will restore. "Thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity; the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem."

John's vision in Revelation is also a word of comfort. He speaks to the most remote and least prosperous of the seven churches he addresses. He commends their endurance, and encourages their perseverance. He promises that God will honor them in the new Jerusalem.

And though the words from Matthew's Gospel sound ominous to us, they would have been read as comforting words in their original context. This section of apocalypse encourages a weak and troubled community to hope. Though woes and threats may abound, confusion and conflict increase, do not fear. Jesus will return "with power and great glory" to raise up his people and to restore everything.

Over and over the words of scripture speak hope to God's people in times when things look their bleakest. God is with us to sustain the weary and threatened. God promises to execute justice on behalf of the oppressed. God promises renewal to those who have suffered. God promises life in the midst of death's threats.

I had an email from a friend who has just been diagnosed with a threatening disease. The statistics are grim -- 80% mortality rate. Because he's relatively young (early 60's) and in good health, if another test shows clear, maybe he's got a 30% chance.

I've known him a long time, and I've known that for him the words of the vision of St. Julian of Norwich have been a central focus of his spirituality for a long time. At age 30, suffering on what she believed would be her deathbed, Julian received a series of visions that she recalled after her recovery and published as Sixteen Revelations of Divine Love, believed to be the first book written in English by a woman. She spoke of God's compassion. Her revelations are often summarized in the most memorable line, "All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well."

I wrote to my friend last week to ask him how he was doing. His reply: "It runs pretty deep in me about 'All shall be well.' I was reading Merton a few days ago, 'His confidence in God is perfect, because he 'knows,' so to speak, by experience that God cannot fail him. ...For such ...lovers of God ... All things manifest the loving mercy of God. All things enable them to grow in love. All events serve to unite them to God.'"

He embraces that hope that all things, even life threatening illness, are means to our end which is union with God. He's calling on friends to hold him up in his crankiness. Deep within, he's holding on to this hopeful union in the face of his troubles. "Comfort, comfort ye, my people."

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

Friday, December 11, 2009

The Temple at the Center of the Community

Friday, December 11, 2009 -- Week of 2 Advent, Year Two
Thomas Merton, Contemplative and Writer, 1968

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 937)
Psalms 31 (morning) 35 (evening)
Haggai 1:1-15
Revelation 2:18-29
Matthew 23:27-39

First, a note about today's feast (which is actually yesterday's; I looked at my dates wrong).
Thomas Merton [1915-Dec. 10, 1968] Trappist author and poet. Merton's Catholic conversion is the subject of his best-selling The Seven Storey Mountain. He became a contemplative monk at Gethsemane Abbey in Kentucky, yet remained engaged with social justice and world affairs through reading and vast correspondence. (Dec. 10)
_________

We've been reading from Amos for a while, a prophet who spoke to a wealthy and powerful nation, confronting their greed and elitism, and demanding that they respond to the needs of the weak and the poor. Today we switch to the prophet Haggai, a prophet for much different times.

Haggai writes to a nation that is twenty years home from exile. In those years, the people have been struggling to get by in a hostile environment. They have managed to build homes for themselves, but they have not prospered. They feel vulnerable and threatened. But at least they are home, and they have homes.

Haggai makes a single point: Judah's poor harvests and depressed economy is rooted in the people's anemic religious life. He focuses on a single answer: rebuild the Temple and restore God's life to the center of your community. Then you will be blessed.

This passage we read today from Haggai is often cited when congregations embark on a new building project, especially if they are building a place of worship. "You have looked for much, and lo, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because my house lies in ruins, while all of you hurry off to your own houses. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and on the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the soil produces, on human beings and animals, and on all their lands."

Haggai was one prophet that the people listened to. As the result of his preaching, with the support of the civil and religious authorities, the people began reconstructing the Jerusalem Temple in 520 BCE, completing and dedicating it five years later.

There is something powerful about a central place of worship. There is something synergistic when people come together to unite in prayer, to create community that has its identity in a relationship and commitment to God.

Our recent visit to China reinforced my sense of the crucial importance of times and places set aside for people to gather to worship. Very few of China's people have a religious practice. Gatherings at churches and other religious sites are discouraged. The state substitutes grand spectacles that emphasize dance or art or military parades which feature large numbers of individuals in coordinated activity -- the many as one. The people feel a deep sense of pride, a sense I would call religious or spiritual, over these events. They reinforce the message of pride of identity, and of the need for the individual to live in compliance with the all.

My impression is that China is the most materialistic culture I have ever visited. My son who has lived there for a while says it is a soulless people. I've had a hard time putting into words my discomfort with China (after a very brief two week visit, I must admit), but I've rarely felt such an instinctive and intuitive uneasiness and aversion to a place and its people.

I think there is something incalculably powerful about the practice of going to a central place of worship to join with others to acknowledge in community something greater than ourselves. Without the temple, we are prone to shrink our vision to the level of our own selves, our own desires, and our own narrow borders. Haggai knew something important. A community that takes care of its own houses and ignores its temple is unlikely to be a healthy community.

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

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Religious Conflicts

Thursday, December 10, 2009 -- Week of 2 Advent, Year Two
Karl Barth, Pastor and Theologian, 1968

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 937)
Psalms 37:1-18 (morning) 37:19-42 (evening)
Amos 9:1-10
Revelation 2:8-17
Matthew 23:13-26

First, a word about the new observance for Karl Barth:
Barth, Karl [1886-Dec. 10, 1968] Swiss Protestant theologian instrumental in theological foundation of the Confessing Church in opposition to Hitler. Barth tried to lead 20th century Protestantism back to its reliance on God's redeeming grace, and away from pride in scientific and artistic achievements and a faith based on feeling and mysticism. (Dec. 10)
________________

As we come to the conclusion of Amos' visions, we hear his harshest judgments. He speaks complete doom to a wealthy and religious culture that fails to respond to the poverty and needs in its midst. Amos asserts God's authority over every nation, not just Israel. God guides and God judges every people, Amos says. If they will not be just toward all, especially the poor, God will act with decisive judgment.

We hear words of judgment also from John's vision in the Revelation today. He writes to Smyrna, a wealthy community where there is conflict within the Jewish community. Apparently the synagogue is refusing to recognize John's community of Jews who proclaim Jesus as Messiah. If they expel the Christians from the synagogue, the group will be under Roman suspicion as a new religion, and risk reprisal. John encourages them in the midst of this dispute within their religious community.

John also writes the church in Pergamum. I've seen Pergamum. It is a dramatic hill town that overlooks its surroundings. The temple to Zeus built in the 2nd century BCE is sometimes listed among the Wonders of the World. That temple may be what John meant by "Satan's Throne." John commends the congregation for its faithfulness when an unknown martyr Antipas was killed for his witness.

But John criticizes the Pergamum congregation because they tolerated eating food sacrificed to idols. He calls this the "teaching of Balaam," who was an ancient prophet who some traditions condemned for counseling cultural accommodation. Since nearly all meat sold in public markets was dedicated to Zeus (or the city's god), it was a widespread dilemma for Christians whether their eating meat would be tantamount to some form of idolatry. John's answer, "It is idolatry. Do not eat such meat."

We have an inter-apostolic disagreement here. Paul came down decisively on the side of allowing Christians to eat such meat, unless their conscience is offended. After all, Paul argued, we know there is no such thing as these other gods, they don't exist and they are meaningless -- so eat, if you wish. But don't offend the weaker, more sensitive conscience of others if you happen to be at table with them. Another dispute within the religious community.

Finally we have a list of woes from Matthew's gospel. Although these are woes in Jesus' voice, declared against Pharisees and scribes, they have much to say as Matthew's warnings to the early church. Jesus through Matthew complains of those who erect barriers to God's kingdom, and those who bind their religious converts with elaborate rules and laws. He criticizes those who enforce technicalities of interpretation and yet lose sight of the larger context, the weightier matters of "justice and mercy and faith." He condemns those who act self-righteous while they are "full of greed and self-indulgence." "First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean."

There have always been conflicts within the religious community, and I imagine there always will be. How different might life be if relgious, political and economic systems regarded the needs of the poor as more important than the priorities of the powerful? How different might history have been had the synagogues allowed Christians to remain within their community as an accepted Jewish movement following Jesus as Messiah? What if John's judgment forbidding meat sacrificed to idols had predominated? The movement of the early church within the Roman culture would have been seriously impacted; it would have been much more difficult to attract Gentile converts, and Paul's mission would have been more challenged.

Recently I spoke with a young man who is coming to St. Paul's from a Pentecostal tradition that rejects the doctrine of the Trinity. He will face family and community pressure when he tells them he is attending an Episcopal Church.

The Diocese of Los Angeles has just elected a wonderfully qualified priest as one of their suffragan bishops. Because she has been in a faithful, loving, committed gay relationship with her life-partner of 21 years, some are calling for her rejection as the Episcopal Church goes through our consent process. The Archbishop of Canterbury was quick to cast aspersions within hours of her election, yet he has been silent in recent weeks as the Ugandan legislature, a nation with strong Anglican presence, considers legislation that would make homosexuality a crime punishable by death and threaten prison upon those who don't inform on their gay neighbors. Sometimes we do "tithe mint, dill, and cummin" and neglect the weightier matters of "justice and mercy and faith."

It will take a lot of love for us to move through the religious conflicts of our day without damaging one another. Jesus reminded us that all of the law is summarized in the Great Commandment to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. My friend going home to his Pentecostal family will have to love them through the pain of their reaction to his path of faith. And the whole Communion is going to have to love one another through our disagreements about how we love in much the same way the early church had to learn to love one another through disagreements about how we eat. There have always been church disagreements; there always will be. But love eternally transcends division, and perfect love casts out fear.

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

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Warnings and Judgment

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 -- Week of 2 Advent, Year Two

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 937)
Psalms 38 (morning) 119:25-48 (evening)
Amos 8:1-14
Revelation 1:17 - 2:7
Matthew 23:1-12

There are several warnings that may speak to many of us in today's readings.

Amos speaks judgment upon business people who are greedy for gain and who practice forms of economic abuse. He condemns those who find religious holidays to be annoying because they can't be making money. (I remember when nearly every business was closed on Sundays. In my childhood, it was customary for stores to close one afternoon in the mid-week, the day varied from town to town. Retail workers were able to have at least a day and a half free from their labor.)

Amos especially condemns those who cheat or who push the margins -- who "make the ephah small and the shekel great, and practice deceit with false balances..." The ephah measured wheat by its capacity; the shekel measured by weight. The image is of people who will cut corners to improve their profit. Right now we are trying to recover from a major economic depression created in large measure by deceitful business practices. Amos declares that the whole land trembles on account of such evils.

Amos condemns those who take advantage of the needy, "buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, and selling the sweepings of the wheat." Low wages and limited benefits for hourly workers and those at the bottom of the income scale. The Torah commanded that what dropped to the ground from the commercial harvesting should be left on the ground for the poor to sweep. Amos expects the laws insuring that the poor would have access to food should be honored.

The judgment Amos speaks of is both physical and spiritual. He speaks of bitter days of lack and of environmental ruin. He also speaks of a loss of spirit, a famine "of hearing the words of the Lord," and an aimless wandering without roots.

Amos' words apply so easily to our own day. When greed and power exercise free rein (and free reign) to maximize profit and monetary gain without a sense of responsibility for workers, consumers, and the poor, economic abuse and exploitation will produce injustice that God will not ignore, Amos tells us.

From Amos' perspective, the work to regulate business, to oversee lending and the money industries is holy work. The calling to insure living wages, health care benefits, abundant jobs, and universal security is a Godly mission. Amos could have said, "I told you so," about our recent recession. He would encourage today's work of restructuring our economy in a more ethical and humane way. Often the judgment of scripture reads like the day's headlines.

In Revelation we begin today a series of letters that speak to the churches that John's vision addresses in Asia Minor. The first note is to the congregation in Ephesus. They are enduring and working faithfully, but, says the vision, "you have abandoned the love you had at first." They've lost some of the energy and vitality that was theirs at the beginning of their ministry. That could be said for so many of us. Renewing and sustaining the original vision, commitment and enthusiasm that marked our embrace of Christ's work is an ongoing challenge. John reminds us to return to our roots and to renew our vision.

And finally Jesus speaks words of warning to people like me, to religious leaders and others who have high profiles. He warns against being seduced by privilege or roles that convey respect. Our essential calling as followers of Jesus is as servants. "The greatest among you will be your servant." Jesus warns, "All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted."

What if our economic, religious, and political policy was all governed by a service mentality rather than by the quest for money and power? Many people who find themselves today trapped in destructive systems of abuse or control can remember the ideals and hopes that motivated them when they began their work. Amos, John and Jesus call us to reclaim the high calling. We can be servants toward each other and we can create systems that benefit the poor and the weak. If we don't, the scriptures warn, we will lose our grounding and all will suffer.

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

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Amos

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 -- Week of 2 Advent, Year Two
Richard Baxter, Pastor and Writer, 1691

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 937)
Psalms 26, 28 (morning) 36, 39 (evening)
Amos 7:10-17
Revelation 1:9-16
Matthew 22:34-46
___
first, a note about today new observance in the trial calendar, Holy Women, Holy Men:
Baxter, Richard [1615-December 8, 1691] Puritan Divine and influential Evangelical
writer. Author of hymn, Ye holy angels bright. (Dec. 8)
___

In our reading today we get the only account of an event in the life of the great eighth century prophet Amos. Everything else we have is his prophesy. But today we get a story of a pointed conflict between Amos and the priest of Bethel, the great shrine of the northern kingdom of Israel.

Amos has prophesied against Israel and against its king Jeroboam. Speaking in God's name, he says, "See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by; the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword."

In response to these words against the king and nation, Amaziah, the official priest at the great shrine of Bethel responds. He informs on Amos. Amaziah sends word to King Jeroboam that Amos has spoken words that would probably be interpreted to be unpatriotic, treasonous, and potentially liable to imprisonment or exile. Then Amaziah banishes Amos from Bethel, one of the central religious centers of Israel.

"Go home, immigrant. You are not from here. Take your nasty prophecies back to your own country (Judea) and make your living as a prophet there," says Amaziah to Amos (my paraphrase).

"I'm no huckster. I don't make a living as a professional prophet, a religious TV celebrity like you," Amos replies. (obviously, my paraphrase) "I'm just a simple man of the soil. God took me and told me to prophecy to Israel. You tell me to leave? I tell you, your wife shall become a whore, your children will be killed violently, your land will be taken, you will die banished among pagans, and "Israel shall surely go into exile away from its land."

Amos minced no words. He makes Keith Olberman look soft on George W. Bush.

Amos spoke judgment to a secure and wealthy land. Israel was a nation that observed its religious traditions. It was a confident and strong nation. And Amos said that it was under God's judgment. Why? Because of the abuse of power by the strong and the elite.

Amos is Israel's prophet of social justice. True religion is not just ritual observances, but a moral life grounded in fair and equitable treatment of all members of society, especially the poor and powerless, says Amos. Amos demands political justice, judicial justice, and economic justice on behalf of those who are not wealthy or strong. Amos condemns the elite and declares God's judgment upon the entire nation because of their greed and abuse.

Amos is a model of advocacy and ethics. Amos challenges those of us who are religious to exercise our faith on behalf of a just society. He tells us we are to oppose policies that favor the wealthy and powerful. He tells us to advocate on behalf of the poor and oppressed, the alien and the outcast. He tells us that God will judge and condemn our nation unless we create liberty and justice for all. Amos was willing to challenge the entrenched powers of church, state and commerce. He was willing to be called traitor and betrayer. He was willing to change the structures of his age so that all people would have equal access to the necessities of life and the opportunities to flourish. In God's Name, Amos gives to us a moral political and economic agenda for our time. Will we listen, or will we, like 8th century Israel, continue in the ways of pride and greed?

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
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas