Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Quitting

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 -- Week of Proper 8, Year Two

Today's Readings for the Daily Office
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 973)
Psalms 119:145-176 (morning)       128, 129, 130 (evening)
Numbers 22:41 - 23:12
Romans 7:13-25
Matthew 21:33-46

(I was gone for a meeting Monday & Tuesday and didn't have time to set up sending the readings for those days before I left.  Sorry.)


"I do not understand my own actions.  For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate...  I can will what is right, but I cannot do it.  For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do...  Wretched man that I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Paul describes the awful prison of conscience that has trapped him all of his life.  He's a good man.  He wants to do right.  He intends to do right.  But he fails.  He keeps messing up. 

There are two options.  (1) Try harder.  (2)  Quit.

Paul chose (2) Quit.

Paul didn't quit being a good person and trying to do good.  He quit judging and condemning himself.  He quit trying harder.  Instead, he surrendered to the love of God as poured out in Christ Jesus. 

Paul surrendered to the love and forgiveness that he discovered was his gift all along.  He relaxed.  He didn't try so hard to be good.  He quit worrying about himself. 

When he did all of that quitting and surrendering, he found that something lifted.  He was no longer anxious and self-absorbed.  There was more of himself left to simply be.  Free from all of that worry, he found himself more able to be conscious and aware in the present.  Knowing himself to be safe and beloved of God, he was liberated to let go and let God.  He found he was not afraid. 

Paul began to see himself more as a happy, willing slave, giving his life away for others for the sake of Christ who had freed him and given him everything.  With nothing to lose, no chance of failure, he was happy to risk anything for good. 

In some way there was nothing there to risk.  Paul had quit himself too.  The old Paul -- the one that was trying to measure up, be somebody, gain respect, earn his way -- was dead. 

Everything he needed had already been given.  A gift from God through Christ.  Acceptance, forgiveness, love, belonging, life, freedom.  All given.  There was nothing else he needed to earn.  So he quit trying and started living. 

Sure he messed up.  But it didn't frighten or enslave him any more.  He was God's beloved.  Forgiven, loved and free.  He just said, "Ooops.  Sorry," and dropped it.  He quit again.  The he went forward as God's beloved to be free again.  "With such vast, expansive freedom, what shall I do?"  Whatever.  God will present the opportunity.  No big deal.  Just do whatever you can.  That's enough.  Relax.  Breathe.  Enjoy.  "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

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, June 25, 2010

"Much More Surely" -- Paul's Universalism

Friday, June 25, 2010 -- Week of Proper 7, Year Two
James Weldon Johnson, Poet, 1938

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 973)
Psalms 102 (morning)       107:1-32 (evening)
Numbers 20:1-13
Romans 5:12-21
Matthew 20:29-34

First a note about today's new observance from our proposed calendar Holy Women, Holy Men:  James Weldon Johnson [June 17, 1932-June 26, 1938] Poet, Writer. A major figure in the Harlem Renaissance, Johnson was also active in the NAACP and served as consul to Venezuela and Nicaragua. Author of God's Trombones and wrote lyrics to Lift Every Voice and Sing. (June 25)

Today's argument from Paul is one of several places in the scripture that invite an interpretation that it is God's intention to save all humanity, and that God will succeed in God's intention.  The theological word for that conviction is Universalism. 

Paul is using a common device in Rabbinical debate.  He is arguing from the lesser to the greater.  If the lesser is true, how much more surely is the greater true.  In this argument, the lesser is Adam, law, sin and death.  The greater is Jesus, obedience, grace and eternal life. 

Paul begins with the lesser:  "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man (Adam), and death came through sin..."  Paul gets into a bit of a tight place, because "death is not reckoned when there is no law," and yet there was sin and death for all who came after Adam and before the law began with Moses.  But Paul has established the lesser conditions -- one man's trespass has resulted in the death of all.

Then Paul introduces the greater.  He uses the phrase "much more surely" to establish the greater power and effect of Jesus, and his obedience which leads to the "free gift" of grace and eternal life:  "For if the many died through the one man's trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many.  For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification."  Again Paul shows which is the greater:  "If, because of the one man's trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."

Then Paul makes the implication explicit.  If Adam's sin brought death to all, much more surely will Jesus' obedience bring eternal life to all.  Paul's words:  "Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all."  Paul says Jesus' act is an act of universal salvation.  Just as everyone dies because of Adam's sin, much more surely shall all be justified into eternal life through the grace of Jesus' obedience.  Jesus' triumph is total.  His victory is greater than Adam's sin and humanity's failure.

Paul sees the function of the law as a magnifier of the deadly effects of Adam's sin.  "But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied."  Again there is a greater grace that overcomes the lesser trespasses amplified by the law:  "...but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Paul will still have to deal with some objections to his message of radical, universal grace.  Some will say, well then, if everyone is saved and if grace always abounds more than sin, why can't we just sin all we want to, knowing we will ultimately be forgiven and saved?  (We'll read about that tomorrow.  The cleaned up English translation of Paul's answer is "By no means!")  Some will say, well what about those who have rejected the gift?  What about those who said "No!" when offered the gift of grace through Jesus Christ?  The audience need not look very far to point to their Jewish relatives who have rejected the gift.  Paul will go back to his focus on God and on Christ.  Again his answer will be "By no means!"  Paul always emphasizes the power and grace of God who intends to extend the free gift to everyone.  Paul can't seem to imagine that God will ever fail, toward Jew or Gentile.

His is a glorious vision of God.  Paul has confidence in God's power to save.  After all, Paul argues, if God came to liberate and save one who was as lost as I was, "much more surely" will God's grace extend mightily to everyone. 

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, June 24, 2010

Different Pattern

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

EITHER the readings for Thursday of Proper 7, p. 973
Psalms 105:1-22 (morning)       105:23-45 (evening)
Numbers 17:1-11
Romans 5:1-11
Matthew 20:17-28

OR the readings for the Nativity of John the Baptist, p. 998
Morning Prayer:  Psalms 82, 98; Malachi 3:1-5; John 3:22-30
Evening Prayer:  Psalm 80; Malachi 4:1-6; Matthew 11:2-19

I was facing a deadline today and needed to write something early this morning, so I'm changing my pattern and reading Evening Prayer this afternoon. 

Sorry to be so late sending today's readings for the Daily Office.  I hope I didn't disrupt your daily patterns too much.
 
Lowell

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

The Laborers in the Vineyard

Wednesday, June 23, 2010 -- Week of Proper 7, Year Two

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 973)
Psalms 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30 (morning)       119:121-144 (evening)
Numbers 16:36-50
Romans 4:13-25
Matthew 20:1-16

There are few parables that challenge our conventional beliefs as much as today's story of the laborers in the vineyard.  "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard..."

The landowner agrees to pay the laborers hired at the first hour a denarius, the usual daily wage.  It is a just and customary compensation.

But there is more work to be done, so the landowner continues to seek others to help in the vineyard.  Equally significant, there are those who are standing around idle in the marketplace.  They have no work.  They do not share in the dignity of work.  Working and the opportunity to work is an important theme in the scripture.  Everyone needs work, not just for its life-giving compensation, but also for the opportunity for meaning and contribution that work conveys. 

The landowner continues to hire laborers throughout the day -- at nine and noon and even at the last hour of the day.  His promise to them:  "I will pay you whatever is right." 

At evening, the field manager lines up the workers to distribute their wages, beginning with the last hired.  The ones who have worked all day see that those were were last in the field are paid the denarius, the usual daily wage.  When they see that, an expectation blooms in their imaginations.  They expect to be paid more.  But when they reach the manager, he pays them the same denarius as those who only worked one hour.  They are angry.  It doesn't seem fair.

"Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual denarius/daily wage?  Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you.  Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?  Or are you envious because I am generous?"

The impact of the story seems to depend on where you stand in line. 

If you are one of those last laborers, you are thrilled.  Throughout the day you did not have the dignity and security of work.  In that culture your plight also means that you have not earned what you need to supply the daily bread for your family.  A denarius is a subsistence wage.  No pay, or less than a denarius, means hunger at home.  The generosity of the landowner means survival -- daily bread for your family.  You can only be thankful.

But how do you feel if you were among the first laborers?  You have worked all day, presumably from 6:00 a.m.  Yes, you agreed to the usual daily wage, the denarius.  But you see these latecomers, who only worked an hour, are being paid a denarius.  It doesn't seem fair, does it?

Underneath the sense of injustice is a sense of privilege.  I deserve more.  I earned it.  They didn't do the same work.  They didn't earn it. 

Yet my sense of justice is not acknowledged by the landowner.  The kingdom of God is NOT like this. 

Jesus' parable is a challenge to this latter group and to their sense of justice.  Can we rejoice in the good fortune of the others?  Can we surrender our sense of privilege and welcome these others as equals?  Can we accept our daily bread without expecting more?  When is enough enough?  Do we begrudge generosity?  Must everything be earned?  Is status earned?  Is subsistence earned? 

What does this parable say about God? 

What does this parable say about economics?  ...about justice?  ...about work?  ...about our social fabric and relationships within society?  ...about competition?  ...about reward?

This is a parable about the kingdom of God.  If the kingdom of God is like this, am I fit for the kingdom 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, June 22, 2010

Counter-Cultural Religion

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 -- Week of Proper 7, Year Two
Alban, First Martyr of Britain, c. 304

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 973)
Psalms 97, 99 [100] (morning)       94, [95] (evening)
Numbers 16:20-35
Romans 4:1-12
Matthew 19:23-30

There are a couple of things that are completely counter-cultural in today's New Testament readings. 

The first is Jesus' insistence that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."  In the cultural context of Jesus' age, wealth meant power.  People assumed that God had blessed the wealthy.  Words like "good," "beautiful," and "upright" were synonyms for "wealthy," "powerful," and "well-born."  The poor and weak were associated with the low-born, bad, ugly and base.  Jesus turns the cultural assumptions on their ear. 

The cultural assumptions of the Greco-Roman world were not that different from ours.  We give respect and honor to wealth, power and celebrity.  We tend to blame the poor for their condition.

Peter and the apostles were astonished by Jesus' words.  "Then who can be saved?"  Jesus continues to insist on the impossibility for a rich person, like a camel to go through the eye of a needle.  "For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible."

The second cultural assumption that is turned over comes in Paul's letter to the Romans.  In the Hellenistic world belief was not an important component of religion.  Religion was centered on practice.  It was a poly-theistic world, with gods for everything.  The gods weren't particularly interested in human beings, but they expected respect.  As long as human beings made signs and offerings of respect to the various gods, all was well.  The gods stayed in their own world and didn't cause mischief in this one. 

So religion was about practice, not belief.  You made an offering to the rain god to placate the deity who controls rain.  The butcher went to the temple to slaughter and carve the meat, and to leave the inedible parts for Apollo so that the gods would bless the food.  What or whether people believed wasn't an issue.  It was more like paying taxes.  You don't have to believe in taxes.  You have to pay them.  If you don't pay, you'll wind up in mischief. 

For Paul, Judaism was also about practice rather than belief.  The whole of Judaism was the correct following of the law.  If you correctly observe all of the laws -- many of them involving ritual cleanliness and sabbath -- you are righteous.  If you fail in these practices, you are unclean, unrighteous.  It's not about what you believe; it's about what you do -- your religious practice.

The civil religion of Rome was based on patriotic observances.  A good citizen would participate in the civic observances that honor Caesar as Lord.  It was so much about believing that Caesar was divine, it was about doing your patriotic duty and giving honor to the state as personified in Caesar.  You didn't have to believe, you just had to show the respect.  Not to participate in the civic observances was unpatriotic and potentially treasonous. 

Paul turned religion on its ear when he insisted that religion is not about what you do, about practice.  Paul found he only became anxious and self-absorbed when he tried to achieve perfection through his observance of all of the law.  It brought him no peace; he felt no connection with God, only performance anxiety.  What Paul experienced in Jesus was liberation from practice and from religious/civic observance.  On the road to Damascus he became convinced that God's acceptance wasn't contingent upon correct practice, but rather, God's acceptance was God's free gift to us.  On the cross, Christ died to the whole offering, sacrifice, and practice system.  His resurrection is participation in a new life -- relationship with God as God's free gift.  All we need do is accept the gift.  That's what Paul means by "justification by grace through faith." 

Accept the fact that you are accepted.  That's all.  You don't need to be circumcised.  You don't need to follow the law.  Just believe that you are accepted by God, because you are. 

Today's argument in Romans says that Abraham is the model.  God accepted and blessed Abraham before Abraham was circumcised, before Abraham had done anything to earn his acceptance and blessing.  And Abraham accepted that God had accepted and blessed him, so Abraham was counted as righteous.

Then who can be saved?  It's not about wealth and power nor is it about practice and ritual.  It's all about God.  For God all things are possible.  God accepts and blesses us all, and invites us to accept that as our fundamental reality.  God loves us.  Period.  Believe that.  Accept it.  Love God.  All is well. 

Then, go and live in that spirit.  See your neighbor as being equally loved, blessed and accepted, and love your neighbor as yourself.  It is a completely revolutionary, counter-cultural religion.  

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

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Early Hospital Trip today

Monday, June 21, 2010 -- Week of Proper 7, Year Two

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 973)
Psalms 89:1-18 (morning)       89:19-52 (evening)
Numbers 16:1-19
Romans 3:21-31
Matthew 19:13-22

I've got to go to the hospital very early in the morning, so here are the readings for Monday.

Lowell

Friday, June 18, 2010

Generous Forgiveness

Friday, June 18, 2010 -- Week of Proper 6, Year Two
Bernard Mizeki, Catechist and Martyr in Mashonaland, 1896

Today's Readings for the Daily Office
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 971)
Psalms 88 (morning)       91, 92 (evening)
Numbers 13:1-3, 21-30
Romans 2:25 - 3:8
Matthew 18:21-35

"What if some were unfaithful?  Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?  By no means!  Although everyone is a liar, let God be proved true."

Paul is writing a rhetorical argument with Jews, or more likely, Jewish Christians.  He claims that circumcision is unimportant.  A Gentile who follows the ethical law of the Torah is more praiseworthy than  Jew who does not.  Yet Paul honors the "oracles of God" which were passed down through Judaism, and he values the foundational traditions that have brought God's revelation to us through the Jews.

Paul's intention is to switch the focus.  He intends that we focus on God and God's faithfulness, justice and truthfulness. 

Human beings have all failed.  Though the Jewish faith may be the highest and most moral achievement of human history, it is ultimately a failure.  No one can achieve perfection, Paul says.  Especially by the self-absorbed concentration on your own performance that law-following requires.  Paul is convinced that making your life into some sort of perfection-project only creates personal anxiety and frustration.

Paul found peace and freedom when he quit.  He quit trying to fix himself.  He quit making his life a project to try to please God.  Instead, he accepted the fact that he had already been accepted by God as God's gift to him, and to all of us.  God loves us before we are lovable.  God gives us the gift of intimate relationship -- including our forgiveness and exaltation -- as pure gift.  Nothing needed but to accept the gift. 

What if you were unfaithful?  "Although everyone is a liar, let God be proved true."  God's gift of acceptance is free and is universal.  Simply accept the gift.  You are accepted.  Accept the fact that you are accepted.  That's Paul's gospel.

Within the spirit of that freedom and grace, Paul says it is natural (almost easy) then to be loving and gracious to others.  We've been given everything, we can live more generously and freely.

We hear a story about the consequences of acceptance, forgiveness and freedom in the parable that Matthew gives us today.  A king settles accounts with a slave by forgiving that slave of an enormous, unpayable debt.  (The amount is huge:  10,000 talents; a talent is more than 15 years wages for a laborer.)  All of that debt is forgiven.  That's good news. 

Then that same slave throws a fellow slave into debtor's prison for failing to pay him 100 denarii.  (A denarius was the usual day's wage for a laborer.)

When the king discovers the forgiven slave's harshness, the king retaliates.

"Forgive us our debts/trespasses as we forgive our debtors/those who trespass against us." 

God loves and forgives all.  If we have accepted the gift of God's generous love and forgiveness, we are obligated to extend the divine love and forgiveness to others.  To all.  Including those who are not of our faith.

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, June 17, 2010

Another Early Meeting Today

Thursday, June 76, 2010 -- Week of Proper 6, Year Two
 
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 971)
Psalms [83], or 34 (morning)       85, 86 (evening)
Numbers 12:1-16
Romans 1:12-24
Matthew 18:10-20 

I've got another early meeting today.  Don't have time to write.  Here are the readings.

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, June 16, 2010

Early Meeting Today

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 -- Week of Proper 6, Year Two
George Berkeley, 1753, and Joseph Butler, 1752, Bishops and Theologians

Today's Readings for the Daily Office
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 971)
Psalms 119:97-120 (morning)       81, 82 (evening)
Numbers 11:24-33(35-35)
Romans 1:28 - 2:11
Matthew 18:1-9

I've got an early meeting today.  Don't have time to write.  Here are the readings, and a note about George Berkeley who is added to our calendar along with long-time Lesser Feast Joseph Butler.

Berkeley, George [March 12, 1685-January 14, 1753] Irish  philosopher and Church of England clergyman (later a bishop), he claimed that individuals can only directly know sensations and ideas of objects, not abstractions-a view that would influence Hume, Kant and Schopenhauer. Berkeley was always interested in educational schemes. For three years, he settled on a  plantation near Newport, Rhode Island, hoping to raise money to found a college in Bermuda. When this failed, he gave the money he collected to Harvard and Yale to build up their libraries. He then returned to Ireland where he was instrumental in building up Trinity College in Dublin. Berkeley, California, is named after him.
 
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,

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

The Didrachma and the Stater

Tuesday, June 15, 2010 -- Week of Proper 6, Year Two
Evelyn Underhill, 1941

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 971)
Psalms 78:1-39 (morning)       78:40-72 (evening)
Numbers 11:1-23
Romans 1:16-25
Matthew 17:22-27

Thanks to the footnotes in the NRSV and the annotations from The Access Bible that I read from, I noticed something in today's gospel that I've never noticed before.  The coin to pay the temple tax that Jesus tells Peter he will find from the mouth of the fish is a stater, not a didrachma.  That may be significant.  Here's the course of the conversation as Matthew composes it.

In Matthew 17:24, the collectors of the didrachma ask Peter whether Jesus pays the didrachma (that's a more literal paraphrase of the verse).  The didrachma was worth two drachmas or half a shekel.  The half-shekel tax for the upkeep of the Jerusalem Temple originates in Nehemiah 10 and Exodus 30.  There was a debate during Jesus' day whether the Temple tax should be a one-time donation or an annual one.  NRSV translates Matthew 17:24 to imply that this conversation was about the tax for the Jerusalem Temple:  "...the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and said, 'Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?"  There is a footnote beside both instances of the term "temple tax" letting us know the Greek is "didrachma."  (Other English translations render this verse differently.  You can look at a list of various translations at this link:  http://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/17-24-compare.html)

Then Jesus has an interesting dialogue with Peter.  Jesus asks him, "From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute?  From their children or from others?"  Great question.  Peter knows.  The kings take their tribute from others.  Jesus answers enigmatically, "Then the children are free."  The message is clear, and revolutionary.  We are children of the Most High God, the King of Kings.  We are free indeed. 

Then Jesus goes on.  "However, so that we do not give offense to them, go out to the sea and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me."  The word for "coin" is not didrachma, the half-shekel tax for the Jerusalem Temple.  The word is "stater."  A stater is worth two didrachmas.  The stater is also the Roman tax imposed on Jews for the upkeep of a temple to Jupiter.  That tax was a hated and humiliating tax imposed on Jews beginning in 70 CE, just before the time when Matthew is writing.

It is a fascinating shift of language.  Some commentators who notice the difference will explain the difference by saying that Jesus is paying the Jerusalem Temple tax for himself and for Peter.  But it might be that Matthew is saying something to the early church community.  As a vulnerable new religious movement, potentially misunderstood by Rome and subject to Roman persecution, it is in the community's interest to fly below Rome's radar in order to survive.  Taking issue with Roman taxation is one of the quickest ways to provoke reprisal.  Saying that the children are free, and then finding the tax for the Jupiter temple gives the church a teaching that avoids some threatening consequences while affirming its autonomy.  This comment is a bit like the "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and render unto God that which is God's," another nuanced affirmation of religious freedom cast within the context of the realities of taxation.

Regardless of which tax this passage refers to -- Jerusalem or Jupiter or both -- the point seems to be that it is good to pay the tax for the sake of community peace, "so that we do not give offense to them." 

I think that is a message that will preach, especially for those who are offended by things such as the removal of Christian prayer in public schools and at public events, and the removal of Christian symbols from public buildings and spaces.  There are those who are outraged that out of respect for those who are not Christian, we have gradually withdrawn some of the symbols of Christian dominance as the majority religion in our nation.  Yet such acts seem consistent with the spirit of today's passage.  We are free.  We are free to pray in school (and some wag has said there will always be prayer in school as long as there are math tests).  We are free to pray at public events.  We are free to pray "at all times and in all places."  Our hearts may always be inclined in prayer, and we don't need a microphone to do so.

Yet, "so that we do not give offense" to those who are equally citizens but of different or no faith in our land of religious freedom, it is completely appropriate that we as a majority religion respect the rights of others and refrain from the acts of domination and presumption implied when we behave as if other faiths are invisible or less privileged than ours.  "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." the First Amendment declares.  Christianity is not an established religion.  "So that we do not give offense" to others, we should not treat it as such.

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

Monday, June 14, 2010

The Cloud and Hobab

Monday, June 14, 2010 -- Week of Proper 6, Year Two
Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea, 379

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 971)
Psalms 80 (morning)       77, [79] (evening)
Numbers 9:15-23; 10:29-36
Romans 1:1-15
Matthew 17:14-21

The fiery cloud of God in the wilderness both reveals and covers God's presence.  Moses and the people can see the cloud; they can observe the appearance of fire.  They know God is with them.  But they cannot see God, for the divine mystery is shrouded in the darkness and light of the fiery cloud.  God is mysterious and free; unknowable and beyond definition.  God is present and dwelling among them; leading and guiding them through the wilderness into the Promised Land.

It is that way for us as well.  We see the presence of God in the beauty and wonder of creation, in the gifts of the sacraments, and in the relationships of the community.  Yet we cannot look directly upon the mystery of God, who is free and beyond our depths.  The mysterious presence.

The reading from Numbers 9 says that the people would travel according to the command of God by following the cloud.  When the cloud remained, the people stayed in the camp.  When the cloud lifted, the people would set out to travel.  Even with the lifting of the cloud, when they can see ahead to travel, there is a certain mystery about the travel and the destination.  The people must move with faith, not knowing everything about their journey.  Trusting each day that God will lead and guide them through the wilderness, day by day.  We are given sufficient knowledge, not all knowledge.

The cloud is a powerful symbol for divine presence.  When the disciples witnessed the glory of Jesus manifested in communion with Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration, a cloud then covered the vision.  When it lifted, Jesus was alone, looking like he always did.  After his resurrection, when he had appeared to the disciples from time to time for forty days, a cloud took him from their sight, and Jesus ascended into heaven.  One of the classics of contemplative devotion is the Cloud of Unknowing, inviting us through prayer into the cloud of divine presence where we let go of our thoughts and feelings and allow God to be the content of our prayer.  Centering Prayer is a modern reclamation of the tradition of the prayer of the Cloud.  The cloud is an image of the surrender of consent.

Yet we are also called to be responsible and to take responsibility for our own journey.  We are responsible for our spiritual growth and for our preparation and the skill along the way.  We read in the second part of this passage from Numbers that Moses urges his father-in-law to travel with the people of Israel.  His father-in-law (here named Hobab; elsewhere named Jethro or Reuel) is a member of another tribe; he is not an Israelite.  Moses promises to treat Hobab well, and asks him to leave his kindred and travel with Israel, "for you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will serve as eyes for us." 

Although Moses follows the cloud, he also takes advantage of the best available knowledge of the desert wilderness by using Hobab as a guide for finding appropriate camping places.  Hobab knows where the oasis are.  He knows the shelters and the water.  Moses will follow God's lead.  Moses will also bring the best human knowledge to bear on his travel and work.

One might look on this arrangement as the positive, creative relationship between faith and knowledge, between religion and science, between unknowing and knowing, between revelation and research, between intuition and logic.  We follow the mysterious presence of God, led by the cloud.  As we do so, we use the best information and knowledge available to support our journey. 

The numinous mystery draws us on by faith.  We walk according to the best insights human wisdom can offer us.  We need both sources for our pilgrimage.

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, June 11, 2010

Early Meeting Today

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

Either the readings for Friday of Proper 5, p. 971
Psalms 69:1-23(24-30)31-38 (morning)       73 (evening)
Ecclesiastes 11:9 - 12:14
Galatians 5:25 - 6:10
Matthew 16:21-28

Or the readings for St. Barnabas, p. 998
Morning Prayer: 
Psalms 15, 67;  Ecclesiasticus 31:3-11; Acts 4:32-37
Evening Prayer: 
Psalms 19, 146;  Job 29:1-16;  Acts 9:26-31

I've got an early meeting today and don't have time to write.  But I read the readings for St. Barnabas Day.  It is a special day for me.  I was ordained deacon 30 years ago on St. Barnabas Day.  (Which also means I have my full 30 years in the Church Pension Fund.)

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, June 10, 2010

Fruit of the Spirit and Luck

Thursday, June 10, 2010 -- Week of Proper 5, Year Two
Ephrem of Edessa, Syria, Deacon, 373

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 971)
Psalms [70], 71 (morning)       74 (evening)
Ecclesiastes 11:1-8
Galatians 5:16-24
Matthew 16:13-20

Paul and the Teacher of Ecclesiastes have some similar arguments to make today.

Paul has told his congregation that they are free from the law, free from living under objective precepts of right and wrong.  Now he tells them that freedom is not license.  How do you, as a free agent, live authentically?  Paul contrasts two directions -- the way of the flesh and the way of the Spirit.  Move away from the former and move toward the latter. 

How do we know the difference?  Look at their fruits, Paul says. 

Here are the works of the flesh -- don't go this way:  "fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these."  Sounds a little like a "don't do" list, doesn't it?  Paul doesn't intend to create a new law, but he wants to offer examples of things that take us the wrong direction.

It's probably better to concentrate on the good stuff.  Be drawn into the way of the Spirit.  "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  There is no law against such things."  That's a great list.  (This is a verse worth memorizing -- learning by heart; taking it into your self so deeply that it lives in our heart.)

Many of the conflicts that haunt our communities are conflicts between those who have been taught that one form of social relationship is right, proper, the rule, or the law, and others who see the fruit of the Spirit evidenced in a different direction.  That's the debate about sexuality in a nutshell.  Some say anything other than a received, established tradition is sinful and wrong; others say we see the fruit of the Spirit in another form.  On that basis the church changed its canon laws about remarriage after divorce.  We saw the fruitfulness and love of some Christians who had remarried (outside the Episcopal Church) and experienced a resurrection in their lives and evidenced the signs of the spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.  So we changed our laws (in 1968, I think) and made it possible for someone who has been divorced to be married again in the church.  Today, we're having a similar debate about the loving, committed relationships of gay people.

In essence, Paul says you can't make up a set of rules on the front end and expect them to work for you.  Be liberated from the law.  But use your freedom responsibly, in the pursuit of the things of the Spirit.

The Teacher of Ecclesiastes says, in essence, you can't know squat about anything.  So give up the quest for certainty and any attempt to control the future, and enjoy your work when you can; enjoy the little things in life as you can.

The wonderful wisdom parables in today's reading remind me of an old story from Eastern wisdom.  Here's an abbreviated version (from Geraldine Wagner) of the version of the story that Anthony de Mello tells: 

A farmer's horse ran away one day and all the villagers came to him saying, Oh what bad luck you've had! Your horse that you need to do your work is gone!  The farmer shrugged his shoulders and said, Good luck, bad luck. Who knows?

Several days later, the farmer's horse returned, followed by a herd of wild horses!  Oh what good luck you have, cried the same villagers! Not only has your horse returned, he has brought you many horses!  The farmer again shrugged his shoulders and said, Good luck, bad luck. Who knows?

One day not long after, the farmer's son was trying to break one of the wild horses. He was thrown off the horse and broke his leg.  Oh what bad luck you have! Cried the villagers. Now your son has a broken leg. Who will help you?  The farmer shrugged his shoulders and said, Good luck, bad luck. Who knows?

Not long after, as the son was recuperating, an army came through the village and took all the young males to fight in a war in another region. They did not take the farmer's son because of his broken leg.  Oh what good luck you have! The villagers cried once again. Your son has been spared being taken off to war because of his broken leg!  The farmer shrugged his shoulders and said, Good luck, bad luck. Who knows?


The Teacher warns:  "Whoever observes the wind will not sow; and whoever regards the clouds will not reap.  ...In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hands be idle; for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good."

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, June 09, 2010

Warning and Wisdom

Wednesday, June 9, 2010 -- Week of Proper 5, Year Two
Columba, Abbot of Iona, 597

Today's Readings for the Daily Office
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 971)
Psalms 72 (morning)       119:73-96 (evening)
Ecclesiastes 9:11-18
Galatians 5:1-15
Matthew 16:1-12

All three readings today give warnings. 

In both Paul and Matthew's writing, they use the metaphor of yeast as an image of decay and corruption.  It only takes a little yeast to leaven the whole store of flour. 

In Matthew's gospel, Jesus warns the disciples of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees as he reminds them of the miracle of the feeding of the multitudes.  The Pharisees and Sadducees display a party spirit, each withdrawing into a circle of settled and certain teaching, unable to be open to the surprising and creative Spirit of God's new activity.  Look at the miracle of the loaves.  Jesus fed a multitude of Jews and another multitude of Gentiles.  Everyone was welcome.  Everyone was fed.  There was abundance.  Open your eyes and see, he tells his disciples.

Paul's argument is with the Judaisers in the congregation in Galatia.  These are Christian followers of Jesus who also insist that the baptized continue to observe the laws and statutes of the Jewish Torah.  For Gentile converts into the Church, it would mean that they would need to be circumcised in order to join the congregation.  Paul passionately objects.  To justify yourself by following an objective set of laws nullifies the gift that Christ brings us.  He says it cuts us off from grace.  In one of his most exemplary sentences, Paul exclaims, "the only thing that counts is faith working through love."

We are at the core of Paul's teaching here.  It starts with the gift of God through Jesus -- the gift of acceptance, justification.  We are offered a whole and right relationship with God.  It is a gift.  Pure gift.  No strings attached whatsoever.  You don't have to do anything to be offered the gift.  No laws, no performance, no circumcision.  All you need do is accept the gift.  That's what faith is.  The acceptance of the gift of acceptance. 

"The only thing that counts is faith working through love."  There is an alternative translation.  "The only thing that counts is faith made effective through love."  You have been lovingly accepted, therefore, love your neighbor -- live in love.  The summation of Christian ethics for Paul is the commandment to love.  We are accepted and made free as a gift.  Through faith accept the gift, then make that free gift effective by living in love toward your neighbor.  "For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.  For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"  Of there is anyone who compromises this gift by demanding the observance of laws and traditions outside the simple commandment of love, that person is the yeast that is corrupting the gospel, says Paul.  Their teaching is so damaging, Paul says, that he cries out in frustration, "I wish those who unsettle you would castrate themselves!"

Well!  That's how strongly Paul feels about those who would turn Christianity into a religion of behavior according to rules and conventions rather than a living relationship of love grounded in the grace and gift of God.

One more warning.  You may activate your faith by living in love, but that doesn't guarantee that you'll have a pleasant, effective or just life.  The New Testament reminds us of that by the story of the cross and our invitation to pick up our cross and follow in the way of Jesus, the good and just One who was crucified. 

The Teacher of Ecclesiastes gives word to that warning -- "the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to the skillful; but time and chance happen to them all."  He gives an example of a small city that is saved by the wisdom of one man, but that same man is forgotten later and ignored.  It is good to be wise, but don't expect people to pay attention to your wisdom. 

Enjoy what you can, says the Teacher.  Love, says Jesus and Paul.  And be aware that there is much that corrupts and destroys the best we can do.

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, June 08, 2010

Enjoy

Tuesday, June 8, 2010 -- Week of Proper 5, Year Two
Roland Allen, Mission Strategist, 1947

Today's Readings for the Daily Office
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 971)
Psalms 61, 62 (morning)       68:1-20(21-23)24-36 (evening)
Ecclesiastes 8:14 - 9:10
Galatians 4:21-31
Matthew 15:29-39

A new observance from our trial calendar:  Roland Allen [1868-June 9, 1947] Anglican priest and missionary to China and Africa, he worked to establish local, self-generating churches instead of ones supported by colonial missions. He was the author of the influential Missionary Methods: St. Pauls or Ours? (June 8)  (He's one of my favorites on the new calendar.)
_______________________

You cannot expect that justice will happen, says the Teacher of Ecclesiastes.  "There are righteous people who are treated according to the conduct of the wicked, and there are wicked people who are treated according to the conduct of the righteous.  I said that this also is vanity."

Study as we may, we will never truly understand truth, we will never comprehend the depths of wisdom or reality.  Every scientist knows that each new discovery only brings new questions.  "No one can find out what is happening under the sun.  However much they may toil in seeking, they will not find it out; even though those who are wise claim to know, they cannot find it out."

Whether we are good and noble or we are corrupt knaves, we all will die and eventually be forgotten.  It is the same end for the good and for the evil, "since the same fate comes to all, to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to those who sacrifice and those who do not sacrifice."  It is better to be alive than to be dead, says the Teacher, "for living dog is better than a dead lion."  But the Teacher has no theology of an afterlife of paradise and justice:  "the dead know nothing; they have no more reward, and even the memory of them is lost.  Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished; never again will they have any share in all that happens under the sun."

Today's reading summarizes the Teacher's philosophy.  Accept the reality that there is no justice, we cannot comprehend wisdom and truth, and we all will die, good and bad alike.  The Teacher faces these realities fully and tells us to live while we may live.  Enjoy your work while you can.  Enjoy your life while you can.  "Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has long ago approved what you do.  Let your garments always be white; do not let oil be lacking on your head.  Enjoy life with the wife who you love, all the days of your vain life that you are given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.  Whatever your hand finds to do, do with might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going."

The appeal is not to mere hedonism.  The Teacher advocates virtue and righteous dealing.  He only urges us to be modest in our expectations.  Do good for its own sake, and enjoy the doing.  But don't expect that you will right the wrongs of the world or that you will be rewarded for your good doing.  Do good when you can, and enjoy whatever enjoyments you are given.

In a way, Paul makes a similar argument in today's reading from Galatians.  He wishes to pop the balloon of those who think they have a system that will assure them of standing before God.  Those who follow the law of Torah claim that in their following, they are righteous, they are in the right with humanity and God.  Paul says they are only slaves.  Slaves to the rules, and thus self-centered in their actions and anxious in their being.  Throw it all away, says Paul, and be free.  The law is only slavery that brings death.  True life, true freedom is a gift.  The gift of justification by grace through faith.  So enjoy.  Accept the gift.  You are accepted.  Accept the fact that you are accepted.  Be free.  Alive.  Enjoy.  When you can, do good.  Look toward the needs of others.  Be free.

And Jesus feeds the multitude.  Everyone.  The good and the bad.  The lazy and the industrious.  Everyone present gets fed.  Matthew reproduces word for word much of Mark's earlier account of the feeding of the 4,000.  Mark's version makes it clear that this crowd is a Gentile crowd -- foreigners, of a different religion.  Although they are not the people of the promise; although they know nothing of the scripture and the traditions; although they do not observe the prayers and ethic of Jesus' people -- Jesus feeds them all.  And there is an abundance left over.  We might hear an echo of the ancient Teacher's voice:  "Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has long ago approved what you do."

"This is the day that God has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."  (Psalm 118:24)

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