Swept Away; Snatched Away
Tuesday, October 19, 2010 -- Week of Proper 24, Year Two
Henry Martyn, Priest, and Missionary to India and Persia, 1812
William Carey, Missionary to India, 1834
To read about our daily commemorations, go to our Holy Women, Holy Men blog:
http://liturgyandmusic.wordpress.com/category/holy-women-holy-men/
Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 989)
Psalms 26, 28 (morning) 36, 39 (evening)
Ecclesiasticus* 6:5-17
Revelation 7:9-17
Luke 10:1-16
* found in the Apocrypha; also known as the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach
A phrase jumped out at me from the Psalms today. "Do not sweep me away with sinners nor my life with those who thirst for blood," pleads Psalm 26. And, "Do not snatch me away with the wicked or with the evildoers, who speak peaceably with their neighbors, while strife is in their hearts," begs Psalm 28.
The Psalmists' words are a reminder of how intertwined our lives are. Though we may be at peace, living with as much integrity and compassion as we can, we participate in the actions of others, and we share the consequences of others' choices for better and for worse.
Most of us were far away from the powerful Wall Street investment banks whose greed fueled the housing bubble of 2005-06. Most of us weren't part of the deregulation process, or the hedge funds who swapped mortgage backed securities and collateralized debt obligations so irresponsibly. But we were all swept into the net of economic failure of the 2007 crisis. We are all part of the largest recession since the 1920's. The hardest hit are the unemployed, whose ranks remain so high even as economic recovery slowly begins. We've been economically snatched away and swept away by the bad behavior of the slick and unsavory financial elites.
We've now been at war for a decade. I remember my sense of helplessness in 2002 as the Bush Administration single mindedly pursued its intention to begin a war in Iraq. It seemed so senseless to me. Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11. U.N. inspectors had combed the country and declared there were no weapons of mass destruction. Al Qaeda was somewhere else. Iran seemed more threatening, and Iraq was their major rival. Saddam Hussain didn't seem much worse than another dozen evil dictators. He was effectively contained and deterred -- not a credible threat. It made no sense to me to fixate on Iraq in a world with so many other real threats. But the Bush administration had a "thirst for blood" that was not to be denied. When our leaders send us into war, all of our hands are bloody. Former acolytes and dear friends put their lives on the line and our nation was swept into the violence.
We will continue to pay for it long after I am gone. It is the first war in our history for which we have not passed a tax to fund it. Our wars of the 21st century are all wars of deficit spending, borrowing against our children's futures. I read an article this week that expects the overall war costs to exceed $3 trillion. And many in Congress continue to defend the Bush-era tax breaks for the wealthiest top 1%. "Taxed Enough Already" has become another war cry.
We are all part of the sick consequences when our society makes bad decisions and behaves irresponsibly. We are all swept away and snatched away together, even if we had no part or opposed the policies that initiate unjust war or undermine sound economies.
"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! ...And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No..." says Jesus to those towns that were asleep or hostile when Jesus offered them the invitation to the healing and compassion of the Kingdom of God. But, I think, Capernaum was the town where Jesus was treated well in the synagogue; where Peter and the others made a home.
It is so frustrating that the values and virtues of Jesus do not prevail so often, and we are all enmeshed in the ugly consequences of our corporate sin. We all have greedy debt and blood on our hands.
We long for the vision that John the Evangelist gives, where "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages" stand before God. "They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
There is something about embracing that vision that relativizes the evils of this present time. God will restore. God will triumph.
From that vision, from that hope, we gain energy and strength to persevere. To continue to advocate for justice and peace, compassion and courage, responsibility and integrity. Even though the psalmist knows he is vulnerable to being swept away with sinners, he closes in strong self-definition: "My foot stands on level ground; in the full assembly I will bless you, O God." (Ps. 26) Even though he is threatened with being snatched away with the wicked, he prays confidently to God, our strength and shield, and his heart trusts in God; he knows he has been helped. "Therefore my heart dances for joy, and in my song I will praise you. You are the strength of your people, a safe refuge for your anointed. Save your people and bless your inheritance; shepherd them and carry them for ever." (Ps. 28)
Henry Martyn, Priest, and Missionary to India and Persia, 1812
William Carey, Missionary to India, 1834
To read about our daily commemorations, go to our Holy Women, Holy Men blog:
http://liturgyandmusic.wordpress.com/category/holy-women-holy-men/
Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 989)
Psalms 26, 28 (morning) 36, 39 (evening)
Ecclesiasticus* 6:5-17
Revelation 7:9-17
Luke 10:1-16
* found in the Apocrypha; also known as the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach
A phrase jumped out at me from the Psalms today. "Do not sweep me away with sinners nor my life with those who thirst for blood," pleads Psalm 26. And, "Do not snatch me away with the wicked or with the evildoers, who speak peaceably with their neighbors, while strife is in their hearts," begs Psalm 28.
The Psalmists' words are a reminder of how intertwined our lives are. Though we may be at peace, living with as much integrity and compassion as we can, we participate in the actions of others, and we share the consequences of others' choices for better and for worse.
Most of us were far away from the powerful Wall Street investment banks whose greed fueled the housing bubble of 2005-06. Most of us weren't part of the deregulation process, or the hedge funds who swapped mortgage backed securities and collateralized debt obligations so irresponsibly. But we were all swept into the net of economic failure of the 2007 crisis. We are all part of the largest recession since the 1920's. The hardest hit are the unemployed, whose ranks remain so high even as economic recovery slowly begins. We've been economically snatched away and swept away by the bad behavior of the slick and unsavory financial elites.
We've now been at war for a decade. I remember my sense of helplessness in 2002 as the Bush Administration single mindedly pursued its intention to begin a war in Iraq. It seemed so senseless to me. Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11. U.N. inspectors had combed the country and declared there were no weapons of mass destruction. Al Qaeda was somewhere else. Iran seemed more threatening, and Iraq was their major rival. Saddam Hussain didn't seem much worse than another dozen evil dictators. He was effectively contained and deterred -- not a credible threat. It made no sense to me to fixate on Iraq in a world with so many other real threats. But the Bush administration had a "thirst for blood" that was not to be denied. When our leaders send us into war, all of our hands are bloody. Former acolytes and dear friends put their lives on the line and our nation was swept into the violence.
We will continue to pay for it long after I am gone. It is the first war in our history for which we have not passed a tax to fund it. Our wars of the 21st century are all wars of deficit spending, borrowing against our children's futures. I read an article this week that expects the overall war costs to exceed $3 trillion. And many in Congress continue to defend the Bush-era tax breaks for the wealthiest top 1%. "Taxed Enough Already" has become another war cry.
We are all part of the sick consequences when our society makes bad decisions and behaves irresponsibly. We are all swept away and snatched away together, even if we had no part or opposed the policies that initiate unjust war or undermine sound economies.
"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! ...And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No..." says Jesus to those towns that were asleep or hostile when Jesus offered them the invitation to the healing and compassion of the Kingdom of God. But, I think, Capernaum was the town where Jesus was treated well in the synagogue; where Peter and the others made a home.
It is so frustrating that the values and virtues of Jesus do not prevail so often, and we are all enmeshed in the ugly consequences of our corporate sin. We all have greedy debt and blood on our hands.
We long for the vision that John the Evangelist gives, where "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages" stand before God. "They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
There is something about embracing that vision that relativizes the evils of this present time. God will restore. God will triumph.
From that vision, from that hope, we gain energy and strength to persevere. To continue to advocate for justice and peace, compassion and courage, responsibility and integrity. Even though the psalmist knows he is vulnerable to being swept away with sinners, he closes in strong self-definition: "My foot stands on level ground; in the full assembly I will bless you, O God." (Ps. 26) Even though he is threatened with being snatched away with the wicked, he prays confidently to God, our strength and shield, and his heart trusts in God; he knows he has been helped. "Therefore my heart dances for joy, and in my song I will praise you. You are the strength of your people, a safe refuge for your anointed. Save your people and bless your inheritance; shepherd them and carry them for ever." (Ps. 28)
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 missionstclare.com -- Click for online Daily Office 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 -- Click for Divine Hours Discussion Blog: To comment on today's reflection or readings, go to http://lowellsblog.blogspot.com, or click here for Lowell's blog find today's reading, click "comment" at the bottom of the reading, and post your thoughts. |
| The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love. See 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 |
posted by Lowell @ 8:21 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Lowell and Readers of his Reflections. I'm working on the campaign of a woman who has given her career, her life, in service to this state and particularly young people and yet, polls show she is behind a person who has been a part of all the past abuses of power in Washington. Thank you for putting this race in perspective for me and reminding me that God's word will prevail in all things - in God's time.
I'm guessing you are talking about Joyce Elliott, who has been such a hero to me. Her advocacy for children, for education and for families has been a breath of fresh air in Little Rock for a long time. I'm praying for the Spiritual breath that will bring us wisdom and hope in the calling of our leaders. "The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice," said Martin Luther King.
Lowell
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