Pitiless Shepherds
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 -- Week of Proper 29, Year Two
Clement, Bishop of Rome, c. 100
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 995)
Psalms [120], 121, 122, 123 (morning) 124, 125, 126, [127] (evening)
Zechariah 11:4-17
1 Corinthians 3:10-23
Luke 18:31-43
The scenarios for all three readings today seem to prompt in me foreboding about the disease and dysfunction of our nation at this time in our history.
Zechariah denounces the self-centered and corrupt leaders of Judah as shepherds who abuse the flock. "Those who buy them and kill them and go unpunished; and those who sell them and say, 'Blessed be the Lord, for I have become rich'; and their own shepherds have no pity on them." We live in a nation where wealth has become concentrated in fewer hands and taxes on the wealthiest are a record low levels. Our infrastructure crumbles while unemployment remains devastatingly high. "Empathy" has become a word of political ridicule, and leaders are outraged that some of us believe everyone should have access to health care. Instead of taking responsibility for "the common welfare" as the Constitution expects, political debate is simply about power and partisanship. We are bogged down in eternal war, draining life from us. The number one priority of the newly empowered in Washington is not the relief of a suffering nation, it is defeating Obama. More and more we seem like "a flock doomed to slaughter." The two staffs that Zechariah breaks -- "Favor" and "Unity" -- seem broken in our time.
So the prophet seems to say to us, "I will not be your shepherd. What is to die, let it die; what is to be destroyed, let it be destroyed; and let those that are left devour the flesh of one another. ...For I am now raising up in the land a shepherd who does not care for the perishing, or seek the wandering, or heal the maimed, or nourish the healthy, but devours the flesh of the fat ones, tearing off even their hoofs."
Paul reminds us that everyone's work will be disclosed. If we build with "gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw -- the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, ...and the fire will test what sort of work each has done." Paul reminds us that "wisdom in this world is foolishness with God." Paul turns away from those who think they are crafty and wise, who work the system and boast of their power. He turns instead to the inheritance that comes only from the divine. "For all things are yours, whether ...the world or life or death or the present or the future -- all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God."
In our reading from Luke, Jesus tells the twelve of the coming visit to Jerusalem. In the capitol all will go badly. "Everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished." Betrayal, mocking, insults, violence and death. "On the third day he will rise again." The twelve are blind to his meaning. But a beggar... A blind beggar on the roadside creates a scene, screaming and demanding attention, refusing to be quieted. "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus heals him, giving him his sight. Through his suffering, the blind beggar sees the royalty of Jesus which is hidden from the twelve. The blind beggar sees; the insiders are blind.
As I look at this moment in our nation, I cannot see signs of health and hope. I see arrogant shepherds who do not care for the perishing or maimed, but who care only for their own power. I see work of poor quality which will not withstand the fire. I see a future of betrayal, mocking, insults, violence and more death. Blindly I cry, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
I join the psalmist's words. "Deliver us, O God, from lying lips and from the deceitful tongue... Too long have I had to live among the enemies of peace, but when I speak of it, they are for war." "I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come? My help comes from God, the maker of heaven and earth. ...God shall preserve you from all evil, and is the One who shall keep you safe. God shall watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time forth for evermore." I long for the psalmist's vision. "Jerusalem is built as a city that is at unity with itself. ...Peace be within your walls and quietness within your towers. For my kindred and companions sake, I pray for your prosperity." For Washington as well as for Jerusalem.
Clement, Bishop of Rome, c. 100
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 995)
Psalms [120], 121, 122, 123 (morning) 124, 125, 126, [127] (evening)
Zechariah 11:4-17
1 Corinthians 3:10-23
Luke 18:31-43
The scenarios for all three readings today seem to prompt in me foreboding about the disease and dysfunction of our nation at this time in our history.
Zechariah denounces the self-centered and corrupt leaders of Judah as shepherds who abuse the flock. "Those who buy them and kill them and go unpunished; and those who sell them and say, 'Blessed be the Lord, for I have become rich'; and their own shepherds have no pity on them." We live in a nation where wealth has become concentrated in fewer hands and taxes on the wealthiest are a record low levels. Our infrastructure crumbles while unemployment remains devastatingly high. "Empathy" has become a word of political ridicule, and leaders are outraged that some of us believe everyone should have access to health care. Instead of taking responsibility for "the common welfare" as the Constitution expects, political debate is simply about power and partisanship. We are bogged down in eternal war, draining life from us. The number one priority of the newly empowered in Washington is not the relief of a suffering nation, it is defeating Obama. More and more we seem like "a flock doomed to slaughter." The two staffs that Zechariah breaks -- "Favor" and "Unity" -- seem broken in our time.
So the prophet seems to say to us, "I will not be your shepherd. What is to die, let it die; what is to be destroyed, let it be destroyed; and let those that are left devour the flesh of one another. ...For I am now raising up in the land a shepherd who does not care for the perishing, or seek the wandering, or heal the maimed, or nourish the healthy, but devours the flesh of the fat ones, tearing off even their hoofs."
Paul reminds us that everyone's work will be disclosed. If we build with "gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw -- the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, ...and the fire will test what sort of work each has done." Paul reminds us that "wisdom in this world is foolishness with God." Paul turns away from those who think they are crafty and wise, who work the system and boast of their power. He turns instead to the inheritance that comes only from the divine. "For all things are yours, whether ...the world or life or death or the present or the future -- all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God."
In our reading from Luke, Jesus tells the twelve of the coming visit to Jerusalem. In the capitol all will go badly. "Everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished." Betrayal, mocking, insults, violence and death. "On the third day he will rise again." The twelve are blind to his meaning. But a beggar... A blind beggar on the roadside creates a scene, screaming and demanding attention, refusing to be quieted. "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus heals him, giving him his sight. Through his suffering, the blind beggar sees the royalty of Jesus which is hidden from the twelve. The blind beggar sees; the insiders are blind.
As I look at this moment in our nation, I cannot see signs of health and hope. I see arrogant shepherds who do not care for the perishing or maimed, but who care only for their own power. I see work of poor quality which will not withstand the fire. I see a future of betrayal, mocking, insults, violence and more death. Blindly I cry, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
I join the psalmist's words. "Deliver us, O God, from lying lips and from the deceitful tongue... Too long have I had to live among the enemies of peace, but when I speak of it, they are for war." "I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come? My help comes from God, the maker of heaven and earth. ...God shall preserve you from all evil, and is the One who shall keep you safe. God shall watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time forth for evermore." I long for the psalmist's vision. "Jerusalem is built as a city that is at unity with itself. ...Peace be within your walls and quietness within your towers. For my kindred and companions sake, I pray for your prosperity." For Washington as well as for Jerusalem.
Lowell
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| 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 @ 7:54 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
I feel that desperation, too at times and want "the church"- more precisely the Episcopal Church to stand up to the giants of greed and proponents of war. Maybe the institution is too busy trying to survive itself. Thanks for your honest reflections.
Hi Lowell,
Episcopal Peace Fellowship - National is doing good things and bubbling up in Arkansas.
Shall we march on Washington?
I, too, see a deep seated prejudice still present as evidenced by the Obama backlash.
Peace, Janet
Dear Anon:
One of the tragedies about the reaction of those who have been willing to create schism over the inclusion of gay and lesbian Christians in the full life of the church is that their attack on the Body has drained energy from so much else that calls for the Church's attention. One injustice produces many others. How much healthier we all might be had we maintained the unity while debating, arguing and discerning.
And Janet,
I too see a form of prejudice in the backlash against Obama. Some of it is so overt -- you can't call him black, so some question his faith and his birth. Different but same racist buttons.
Lowell
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