Pentecost +15 – Year A
Exodus 1:8-2:10
Moses was pulled out of the water: Peter was pulled out of the water. Thanks be for those who pull folks out – from a maid to a daughter of Pharaoh to Jesus to you.
The need for being pulled out has to do with a lack of power. The social setting around one can sap one's power. The faith setting within one can sap one's power.
Without a sense of factual history a fear is set up based on a scary future [how pertinent is that in today's world?!] and babies are set adrift. Here a baby is not thrown into a river, but is lovingly placed in its care. Creation and midwives and mothers know better than most of us how precious life is and why we must be diligent in pulling life from death (whether from the world around us or within us).
Sometimes we are the puller and sometimes the pullee. May you enjoy both aspects of this yin and yang reality of spirit living, of justice living.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Matthew 16:13-20
Pentecost +15 – Year A
Matthew 16:13-20
Caesarea Philippi – where honorifics are most prudently directed toward representatives of Roman rule. Here comes a question to peek behind the trappings of power.
The question begins innocently enough – what's the scuttlebutt at the watering hole? Where are folks looking for hope?
This is an easy one – they are looking for a prophet – one who is oriented toward justice and will speak and act on what they see and hear.
Then the question deepens. Am I among the prophets? Who am I? Or, to phrase it as a hint, I AM whom?
Here in Caesarea Philippi there is a question that must be responded to – what is the balance of justice and power between myself and Rome?
This question continues on and becomes our question in the context of our power broker.
Hooray for those who can see within us to an image of a just G*D. They hold for us the Presence of G*D, they unlock the justice that had been un-hoped in the face of powerful principalities.
Can you hear here Peter unlocking Jesus, not just responding to a mid-term test? [Note: This follows Jesus being unlocked by a Syro-Phoenician woman.] Have you honored those who have unlocked you? Have you passed that favor on by aiding in the unlocking of another?
Finally, the deal is not to set up an alternative power system with Jesus or yourself as top-dog. Simply be a rock bigger than the ancient Pan or pandering Caesarea Philippi rock formation, a rock big enough it doesn't have to prove itself through power – a rock that can skip over water, a rock that can learn faith, a rock of prophetic justice.
Matthew 16:13-20
Caesarea Philippi – where honorifics are most prudently directed toward representatives of Roman rule. Here comes a question to peek behind the trappings of power.
The question begins innocently enough – what's the scuttlebutt at the watering hole? Where are folks looking for hope?
This is an easy one – they are looking for a prophet – one who is oriented toward justice and will speak and act on what they see and hear.
Then the question deepens. Am I among the prophets? Who am I? Or, to phrase it as a hint, I AM whom?
Here in Caesarea Philippi there is a question that must be responded to – what is the balance of justice and power between myself and Rome?
This question continues on and becomes our question in the context of our power broker.
Hooray for those who can see within us to an image of a just G*D. They hold for us the Presence of G*D, they unlock the justice that had been un-hoped in the face of powerful principalities.
Can you hear here Peter unlocking Jesus, not just responding to a mid-term test? [Note: This follows Jesus being unlocked by a Syro-Phoenician woman.] Have you honored those who have unlocked you? Have you passed that favor on by aiding in the unlocking of another?
Finally, the deal is not to set up an alternative power system with Jesus or yourself as top-dog. Simply be a rock bigger than the ancient Pan or pandering Caesarea Philippi rock formation, a rock big enough it doesn't have to prove itself through power – a rock that can skip over water, a rock that can learn faith, a rock of prophetic justice.
Friday, August 15, 2008
wish upon a word
Pentecost +14 – Year A
words, words, words
I'm so sick of words
it’s the Eliza/Freddy sticking point
let's see the action
not hear about it one more time
Word, Word, Word
I'm so sick of Word
idolizing a day-by-day past
universalizing a this-day present
restricting each next-day future
I am sickened by what goes in
a greedy maw unsatisfied
refuses any discipline
on type or amount of stuff
and it does show in waist and word
any amount more of consciousness
would soften the dichotomy
between self-satisfaction
and other-awareness
releasing more mercy
but so angry at what I
have to put up with
I chide and demand and ignore
unrestrained
until faith is recognized
having lost my own
a new day dawns with yours
keep saying yes
in the face of my no
with gratitude
and so it is
for her
for him
for all
as you wish
words, words, words
I'm so sick of words
it’s the Eliza/Freddy sticking point
let's see the action
not hear about it one more time
Word, Word, Word
I'm so sick of Word
idolizing a day-by-day past
universalizing a this-day present
restricting each next-day future
I am sickened by what goes in
a greedy maw unsatisfied
refuses any discipline
on type or amount of stuff
and it does show in waist and word
any amount more of consciousness
would soften the dichotomy
between self-satisfaction
and other-awareness
releasing more mercy
but so angry at what I
have to put up with
I chide and demand and ignore
unrestrained
until faith is recognized
having lost my own
a new day dawns with yours
keep saying yes
in the face of my no
with gratitude
and so it is
for her
for him
for all
as you wish
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Pentecost +14 – Year A
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
What is a limit on G*D's warranty of steadfast love?
What, then, is a consequence of your response on your behavior?
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
What is a limit on G*D's warranty of steadfast love?
What, then, is a consequence of your response on your behavior?
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Psalm 133
Pentecost +14 – Year A
Psalm 133
How beautiful it is when relatives don't argue (negatively put) or live together in unity (put positively).
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, what is it that strikes us about this? Might it be how unusual it is for us to so live? Would it be a wonder if it were usual? Is its beauty enhanced by its lack of being what is expected? Would we wonder about this if the standard behavior was for folks to get along?
May you be beautiful this week.
If not for the whole week, perhaps for a day? an hour? Wherever you can start being a wonder to your compatriots and foes will be OK. Then the challenge begins to lengthen and lengthen – like more stably holding a yogic pose over time. Again a chart will be helpful to note your progress and solidify your ability to not argue (nor to get even) and deepen your compassion (unity re-spelled).
Psalm 133
How beautiful it is when relatives don't argue (negatively put) or live together in unity (put positively).
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, what is it that strikes us about this? Might it be how unusual it is for us to so live? Would it be a wonder if it were usual? Is its beauty enhanced by its lack of being what is expected? Would we wonder about this if the standard behavior was for folks to get along?
May you be beautiful this week.
If not for the whole week, perhaps for a day? an hour? Wherever you can start being a wonder to your compatriots and foes will be OK. Then the challenge begins to lengthen and lengthen – like more stably holding a yogic pose over time. Again a chart will be helpful to note your progress and solidify your ability to not argue (nor to get even) and deepen your compassion (unity re-spelled).
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Genesis 45:1-28
Pentecost +14 – Year A
Genesis 45:1-28
We should note what went before we get to this particular wonderful end of a story when twice or thrice it is noted that G*D had sent Joseph ahead without telling anyone that G*D was doing so. All is well that ends well? Or is G*D just quick at taking a bit of extra credit?
Before, there was betrayal of Joseph and by Joseph: trickery by the brothers of Tickster Jacob Israel and by Joseph of the brothers. This is the equivalent of remaining silent and blurting out nasty stuff – quite the precedent for Jesus.
While a typical focus is on the purpose of G*D bringing everything around right, we might this week focus on the learning of Joseph – "Don't quarrel along life's way."
Quarreling delays healing and reconciliation, neither of which benefit from postponement.
Is there a quarrel going on in your life that will take your not prolonging it by playing one more round of gottcha? Is there a quarrel you observe that takes your bringing Joseph's insight to bear that it might end, here and now?
Let's go see the result of a healing and reconciliation and bring that word back where it might encourage others to finally risk doing what it takes to participate in it, not as a choice, but simply as a right thing to do.
Genesis 45:1-28
We should note what went before we get to this particular wonderful end of a story when twice or thrice it is noted that G*D had sent Joseph ahead without telling anyone that G*D was doing so. All is well that ends well? Or is G*D just quick at taking a bit of extra credit?
Before, there was betrayal of Joseph and by Joseph: trickery by the brothers of Tickster Jacob Israel and by Joseph of the brothers. This is the equivalent of remaining silent and blurting out nasty stuff – quite the precedent for Jesus.
While a typical focus is on the purpose of G*D bringing everything around right, we might this week focus on the learning of Joseph – "Don't quarrel along life's way."
Quarreling delays healing and reconciliation, neither of which benefit from postponement.
Is there a quarrel going on in your life that will take your not prolonging it by playing one more round of gottcha? Is there a quarrel you observe that takes your bringing Joseph's insight to bear that it might end, here and now?
Let's go see the result of a healing and reconciliation and bring that word back where it might encourage others to finally risk doing what it takes to participate in it, not as a choice, but simply as a right thing to do.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Matthew 15:10-28
Pentecost +14 – Year A
Matthew 15:10-28
It's what comes out of the mouth that we are judged by, not what goes in. Likewise with what doesn't come out of our mouths.
These are easy maxims that trips easily off our tongue. As any good storyteller will tell you, this statement is a great setup line for a next scene.
Next we see Jesus with no word where a word of mercy is asked for. What doesn't come out of his mouth is of great import. "He didn't answer her at all."
Then we hear Jesus with a tribal aside to his inside circle in the hearing of one begging for mercy, as though she could hear not - an even greater dismissal than speaking to the woman. "I was only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Out of Jesus' mouth is an unseemly silence and a thundering ignor-ance.
Listen then to the words of the woman from far away:
"Have mercy!"
"Help me!"
"Yes!"
Finally Jesus says, "Great is your faith." We wonder why this admission took so long.
The distance between our mouth and our own ear is ever so far. We can ignore what we are saying and not saying for a long time. Without bringing these two into closer harmony the disconnect between who we have been and who we desire to be remains huge. To constructively judge what comes from our mouths we need a renewed gift of listening.
May your faith find itself consistent in your mouth as you engage your life and the life of others. Sometimes speaking for yourself, sometimes for others.
"Have mercy!"
"Yes!"
And in letting your "Yes" be "Yes" may the "No" of the world be revealed for what it is – temporary.
Matthew 15:10-28
It's what comes out of the mouth that we are judged by, not what goes in. Likewise with what doesn't come out of our mouths.
These are easy maxims that trips easily off our tongue. As any good storyteller will tell you, this statement is a great setup line for a next scene.
Next we see Jesus with no word where a word of mercy is asked for. What doesn't come out of his mouth is of great import. "He didn't answer her at all."
Then we hear Jesus with a tribal aside to his inside circle in the hearing of one begging for mercy, as though she could hear not - an even greater dismissal than speaking to the woman. "I was only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Out of Jesus' mouth is an unseemly silence and a thundering ignor-ance.
Listen then to the words of the woman from far away:
"Have mercy!"
"Help me!"
"Yes!"
Finally Jesus says, "Great is your faith." We wonder why this admission took so long.
The distance between our mouth and our own ear is ever so far. We can ignore what we are saying and not saying for a long time. Without bringing these two into closer harmony the disconnect between who we have been and who we desire to be remains huge. To constructively judge what comes from our mouths we need a renewed gift of listening.
May your faith find itself consistent in your mouth as you engage your life and the life of others. Sometimes speaking for yourself, sometimes for others.
"Have mercy!"
"Yes!"
And in letting your "Yes" be "Yes" may the "No" of the world be revealed for what it is – temporary.
Friday, August 08, 2008
buoyed
Pentecost +13 – Year A
buoyed
temptations return regularly
having passed three big ones
along comes Cana
turn water into wine
a moment later
along comes an upper room
with twelve little ones
turn wine into forgiveness
between the two
friends die
escape is made
wide water becomes a path
friends call out
and are called out
striding focused outward
a path turned tentacles
grabbed from below
hoisted from above
a world stands balanced
tethered below shining above
looking back over a shoulder
a string of buoys stretches on
and we are farther from the boat
than imagination allows
we have come a step farther
further staking miracle space
pushing faith closer to fear
thankful to be buoyed
because everything falls
catfish are fat
when temptations return
we are farther along
so call to be called
with fear and faith
step out
a bell buoy
buoyed
temptations return regularly
having passed three big ones
along comes Cana
turn water into wine
a moment later
along comes an upper room
with twelve little ones
turn wine into forgiveness
between the two
friends die
escape is made
wide water becomes a path
friends call out
and are called out
striding focused outward
a path turned tentacles
grabbed from below
hoisted from above
a world stands balanced
tethered below shining above
looking back over a shoulder
a string of buoys stretches on
and we are farther from the boat
than imagination allows
we have come a step farther
further staking miracle space
pushing faith closer to fear
thankful to be buoyed
because everything falls
catfish are fat
when temptations return
we are farther along
so call to be called
with fear and faith
step out
a bell buoy
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Romans 10:5-15
Pentecost +13 – Year A
Romans 10:5-15
In a stormy sea with the demons of the deep all roiled up with no where to go but after you; in a dried out well around which relationships are fractured rather than merged – we find ourselves looking for beautiful feet walking the flood and the drought with us.
When we acknowledge that we were sinking deep and find ourselves raised beyond what we and our bootstraps could do on our own, we know that beautiful feet have drawn nigh. Our hammer toes and athlete's foot scale and fungus under toenails and high heel shortened Achilles and flat feet and all the other bunions and plantar wart ailments become beautiful in their own time.
Finally "there is no distinction", all is beautiful. In this we live and move and have our being. Let your feet shine on top of the white caps and below a depleted water table. Whenever you walk where others fear to tread, fields of daisies spring up where'er you go. How beautiful your feet.
Romans 10:5-15
In a stormy sea with the demons of the deep all roiled up with no where to go but after you; in a dried out well around which relationships are fractured rather than merged – we find ourselves looking for beautiful feet walking the flood and the drought with us.
When we acknowledge that we were sinking deep and find ourselves raised beyond what we and our bootstraps could do on our own, we know that beautiful feet have drawn nigh. Our hammer toes and athlete's foot scale and fungus under toenails and high heel shortened Achilles and flat feet and all the other bunions and plantar wart ailments become beautiful in their own time.
Finally "there is no distinction", all is beautiful. In this we live and move and have our being. Let your feet shine on top of the white caps and below a depleted water table. Whenever you walk where others fear to tread, fields of daisies spring up where'er you go. How beautiful your feet.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
Pentecost +13 – Year A
Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
Being sent for and released is one of those experiences that is beyond our usual way of measuring time. We are always more ready for release from whatever pit we have found ourselves in (or gotten ourselves in) than we are for the timing of release to be even a nano-second longer than our recognition of our desire for such.
I suppose a Hooray belated is still a Hooray.
Hooray for G*D finally coming through!
Hooray for Joseph, at long last, having come through!
Have you been the cause of your own downfall – asking to be Peter-principled (what a hoot that concept is in light of Peter of disciple fame)? Have you asked to do that which is beyond you, but you won't know it until you've stepped in it?
Have you had your downfall caused by others, regardless of their calculated motivation or simple unconscious ineptitude? Have you received blessings without seeing how they affect others and learning too late about charges of elitism (an old charge)?
Have you found no cause for your downfall, like Job of old? Have you been able to claim innocence in the midst of great testing and turned an accusing eye toward G*D?
It is time to pull out your time-destroyer mechanism so a reset or recalibration of life perspective can go on. It is time to look beyond our usual time limits and simply do the next right thing – get back in the boat, get ahead.
Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
Being sent for and released is one of those experiences that is beyond our usual way of measuring time. We are always more ready for release from whatever pit we have found ourselves in (or gotten ourselves in) than we are for the timing of release to be even a nano-second longer than our recognition of our desire for such.
I suppose a Hooray belated is still a Hooray.
Hooray for G*D finally coming through!
Hooray for Joseph, at long last, having come through!
Have you been the cause of your own downfall – asking to be Peter-principled (what a hoot that concept is in light of Peter of disciple fame)? Have you asked to do that which is beyond you, but you won't know it until you've stepped in it?
Have you had your downfall caused by others, regardless of their calculated motivation or simple unconscious ineptitude? Have you received blessings without seeing how they affect others and learning too late about charges of elitism (an old charge)?
Have you found no cause for your downfall, like Job of old? Have you been able to claim innocence in the midst of great testing and turned an accusing eye toward G*D?
It is time to pull out your time-destroyer mechanism so a reset or recalibration of life perspective can go on. It is time to look beyond our usual time limits and simply do the next right thing – get back in the boat, get ahead.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Genesis37:1-4, 12-28
Pentecost +13 – Year A
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Who knows what family storms were brewing when Joseph received his special coat. It was as dark and stormy a time as when the disciples were in the canoe without a paddle.
Seeing Joseph's ghost coming closer the brothers decided that vengeance was the way to go to take care of such matters. Eventually Joseph went down into the pit, as deeply as Peter when down in the sea – as deeply as every one has gone down from internal or external forces.
Imagine for a moment the Midianite traders playing Jesus' role of putting out a hand to raise someone up. Imagine again – for whom do you put out a hand to raise them up? Does the commercialization of the raising here discount it as a raising by the hand of G*D (recognized later)? What limits we put on "real" raising or "real" salvation!
When you have the time, instead of considering this story in light of Matthew's, try considering Matthew's story in light of this one with Peter, the best loved, being raised after looking down or back at the storms that had just taken place within the relationships just experienced in the boat-bounded expressions of fear.
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Who knows what family storms were brewing when Joseph received his special coat. It was as dark and stormy a time as when the disciples were in the canoe without a paddle.
Seeing Joseph's ghost coming closer the brothers decided that vengeance was the way to go to take care of such matters. Eventually Joseph went down into the pit, as deeply as Peter when down in the sea – as deeply as every one has gone down from internal or external forces.
Imagine for a moment the Midianite traders playing Jesus' role of putting out a hand to raise someone up. Imagine again – for whom do you put out a hand to raise them up? Does the commercialization of the raising here discount it as a raising by the hand of G*D (recognized later)? What limits we put on "real" raising or "real" salvation!
When you have the time, instead of considering this story in light of Matthew's, try considering Matthew's story in light of this one with Peter, the best loved, being raised after looking down or back at the storms that had just taken place within the relationships just experienced in the boat-bounded expressions of fear.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33
Pentecost +13 – Year A
Matthew 14:22-33
Unlike last week, Jesus can get away to pray. Dismissing an outer crowd hungry for healing miracles and an inner crowd hungry for modeling, Jesus is alone and in this aloneness chooses, according to the party line, to pray.
Whatever else Jesus' prayer was, it wasn't keeping the disciples free from chaos and danger. Have you had a fantasy of Jesus at prayer and all being right with the world? Isn't that a major part of an ascended Jesus? Well, that may not be a very deeply grounded perspective.
Either when Jesus' prayer was ended or was brought to completion, he faced into the same wind the disciples were wrestling with. Imagine the social and individual story weather patterns available. This is an opportunity to turn this scene into a variation on a Rorschach Test to see the demons in our life.
With dawn still faint behind them in the east and a ghost becoming less faint from that same east; with John murdered and Jesus away, their teeniest fears became vivid.
On a dark and stormy night we don't need assistance arriving at a slow and steady pace. Note, then, the two references to "immediately". Jesus was quick to speak out a word of clarification and hope and to reach out a hand of help.
In the midst of our own stormy times a good way to model discipleship is that of a quick word and quick hand.
How is your quickness in the presence of evil –
- homophobia
- immigration xenophobia
- educational rigidity
- health care politics
- violence and abuse
- war
- STDs
- and your addition to this short list?
Our worship is practicing being Jesus prayerful and Jesus quick. According to John Wesley's sermon on Zeal (#92) if you have to make a choice, choose quick.
Matthew 14:22-33
Unlike last week, Jesus can get away to pray. Dismissing an outer crowd hungry for healing miracles and an inner crowd hungry for modeling, Jesus is alone and in this aloneness chooses, according to the party line, to pray.
Whatever else Jesus' prayer was, it wasn't keeping the disciples free from chaos and danger. Have you had a fantasy of Jesus at prayer and all being right with the world? Isn't that a major part of an ascended Jesus? Well, that may not be a very deeply grounded perspective.
Either when Jesus' prayer was ended or was brought to completion, he faced into the same wind the disciples were wrestling with. Imagine the social and individual story weather patterns available. This is an opportunity to turn this scene into a variation on a Rorschach Test to see the demons in our life.
With dawn still faint behind them in the east and a ghost becoming less faint from that same east; with John murdered and Jesus away, their teeniest fears became vivid.
On a dark and stormy night we don't need assistance arriving at a slow and steady pace. Note, then, the two references to "immediately". Jesus was quick to speak out a word of clarification and hope and to reach out a hand of help.
In the midst of our own stormy times a good way to model discipleship is that of a quick word and quick hand.
How is your quickness in the presence of evil –
- homophobia
- immigration xenophobia
- educational rigidity
- health care politics
- violence and abuse
- war
- STDs
- and your addition to this short list?
Our worship is practicing being Jesus prayerful and Jesus quick. According to John Wesley's sermon on Zeal (#92) if you have to make a choice, choose quick.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Correction
Here is an indication of why I don't do more statistical analysis: In the last posting I indicated numbers for the months of July in 2008 and 2007. The time frame for those numbers was actually only the last week of the respective months. I guess that means readership was four times better than reported? Still a pittance in web hits and still worth it to me.
At any rate, may the numbers in your life continue to add up to an abundance, whether currently felt or not.
At any rate, may the numbers in your life continue to add up to an abundance, whether currently felt or not.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Nevermore
Pentecost +12 – Year A
Currently our Kairos CoMotion Lectionary blog is being blocked. According to Google, our blogspot host, we may be in violation of their spam policies. They do admit that their algorithmic suspicion of us may be a false positive. So, as I write they are supposedly doing a "human review" of our site.
It seems a desolate place, alongside opportunity, has come knocking, knocking, rapping, tapping at our door. Our fear of nevermore has manifested. If we don't pass some human review, in 20 days all the words here will be deleted.
Is this an opportunity to turn our few readers into a multitude? Probably not. We do not currently have the interest, expertise, or other qualities to market this site. In fact, according to the statistics for the month of July 2008 we have 186 fewer visits than in July a year ago (510 minus 324). 85% of our visitors come as a result of a link on textweek.com (the premier lectionary site you should know about) [kudos also to links or references to us from deaconsil.com and unamalachica.blogspot.com and a few who apparently have us bookmarked]. This web usage is in addition to the 29 people who receive it as an email on a daily or weekly basis.
I don't usually look at these sorts of statistics as this site is not intended for mass appeal. When I do these periodic reviews, however, it usually brings a pang or two of disappointment since we all behave as though a mirror reflects better than it receives (see Mirrors Don't Lie. Mislead? Oh, Yes.) and I am not exempt from fantastic fantasies of self-importance.
Upshot: we are a desolate place on the web. May a blessing come, anyway.
Second upshot: In theory we will be able to post within two business days. Since we aren't known for doing business as usual, we'll just have to wait and see. If you get this, you get this. If you don't, you don't.
Currently our Kairos CoMotion Lectionary blog is being blocked. According to Google, our blogspot host, we may be in violation of their spam policies. They do admit that their algorithmic suspicion of us may be a false positive. So, as I write they are supposedly doing a "human review" of our site.
It seems a desolate place, alongside opportunity, has come knocking, knocking, rapping, tapping at our door. Our fear of nevermore has manifested. If we don't pass some human review, in 20 days all the words here will be deleted.
Is this an opportunity to turn our few readers into a multitude? Probably not. We do not currently have the interest, expertise, or other qualities to market this site. In fact, according to the statistics for the month of July 2008 we have 186 fewer visits than in July a year ago (510 minus 324). 85% of our visitors come as a result of a link on textweek.com (the premier lectionary site you should know about) [kudos also to links or references to us from deaconsil.com and unamalachica.blogspot.com and a few who apparently have us bookmarked]. This web usage is in addition to the 29 people who receive it as an email on a daily or weekly basis.
I don't usually look at these sorts of statistics as this site is not intended for mass appeal. When I do these periodic reviews, however, it usually brings a pang or two of disappointment since we all behave as though a mirror reflects better than it receives (see Mirrors Don't Lie. Mislead? Oh, Yes.) and I am not exempt from fantastic fantasies of self-importance.
Upshot: we are a desolate place on the web. May a blessing come, anyway.
Second upshot: In theory we will be able to post within two business days. Since we aren't known for doing business as usual, we'll just have to wait and see. If you get this, you get this. If you don't, you don't.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Romans 9:1-5
Pentecost +12 – Year A
Romans 9:1-5
Going to a deserted place has some hope within it of finding something new or being prepared to return to some same-old same-old.
Here we have an image of going to a deserted place as a result of giving up something already deemed precious. Imagine what it would take for you to be voluntarily cut off from Christ/Allah/Buddha/G*D/What(Who)ever/Food/Energy/Money/etc.
Going to a deserted place also has some loss within it of leaving something behind, never to pick it up again.
As you consider again the need and/or opportunity you have to go to a deserted place, are you looking to find something or to lose something? to break beyond a current barrier or to return, fortified, to encounter it again?
Are you ready to depart for your deserted place? If not now, when?
Is there a way to engage your busy place with your deserted place? A pastoral counselor for a state-wide Council of Churches suggested taking one's vacation (deserting a current idolatry) at one's busiest time. How might this put into regular, daily, practice and not just once or twice a year? For those of us who are work-aholics, giving up our work for the sake of another is heretical, yet crucial to a holistic life. For alcoholics, it is giving up alcohol. For Paul and other Jesusics, it is giving up Jesus. And for you?
Romans 9:1-5
Going to a deserted place has some hope within it of finding something new or being prepared to return to some same-old same-old.
Here we have an image of going to a deserted place as a result of giving up something already deemed precious. Imagine what it would take for you to be voluntarily cut off from Christ/Allah/Buddha/G*D/What(Who)ever/Food/Energy/Money/etc.
Going to a deserted place also has some loss within it of leaving something behind, never to pick it up again.
As you consider again the need and/or opportunity you have to go to a deserted place, are you looking to find something or to lose something? to break beyond a current barrier or to return, fortified, to encounter it again?
Are you ready to depart for your deserted place? If not now, when?
Is there a way to engage your busy place with your deserted place? A pastoral counselor for a state-wide Council of Churches suggested taking one's vacation (deserting a current idolatry) at one's busiest time. How might this put into regular, daily, practice and not just once or twice a year? For those of us who are work-aholics, giving up our work for the sake of another is heretical, yet crucial to a holistic life. For alcoholics, it is giving up alcohol. For Paul and other Jesusics, it is giving up Jesus. And for you?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Psalm 17:1-7, 15
Pentecost +12 – Year A
Psalm 17:1-7, 15
Our alone time, whether with a multitude of others or an internal legion, has a desired outcome. Eugene Peterson, phrases that outcome, "And me? I plan on looking you full in the face, when I get up, I'll see your full stature and live heaven on earth."
Whether there is a plan for our lives or a purpose to be lived up to, there is a meaning to be participated in – living heaven on earth. Regardless of external/internal mechanisms, we are called to "live tomorrow, today."
It is this that leads us, again and again, to a deserted spot where we don't have to give directions to G*D (as per this psalm) or receive some eternal answer to every question. When we simply are able to let the circumstance be what they are and to stretch into a new way of being with others and with our self, we are just what we say we are - We are angry gentle people, singing for our lives, doing what we can to live heaven on earth.
Psalm 17:1-7, 15
Our alone time, whether with a multitude of others or an internal legion, has a desired outcome. Eugene Peterson, phrases that outcome, "And me? I plan on looking you full in the face, when I get up, I'll see your full stature and live heaven on earth."
Whether there is a plan for our lives or a purpose to be lived up to, there is a meaning to be participated in – living heaven on earth. Regardless of external/internal mechanisms, we are called to "live tomorrow, today."
It is this that leads us, again and again, to a deserted spot where we don't have to give directions to G*D (as per this psalm) or receive some eternal answer to every question. When we simply are able to let the circumstance be what they are and to stretch into a new way of being with others and with our self, we are just what we say we are - We are angry gentle people, singing for our lives, doing what we can to live heaven on earth.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Genesis 32:22-31
Pentecost +12 – Year A
Genesis 32:22-31
Sure enough, being alone is tough. If we've just sent a crowd away, we still have an identity to wrestle with.
Wrestling through who we are now to the folks we once knew is painful. It is like competitively forcing oneself to an advanced yoga asana – some hip is going to be permanently out of joint, at least a nose.
Rejoice that an unexpected blessing can come from folks showing up out of the blue or settling down for a long winter's nap.
A face of G*D is constantly showing up. We find that face in others needing mercy. We find that face in ourself needing mercy. Having been trained in parables we can see G*D's Presence anywhere and everywhere.
May you find the blessing of a face of G*D in your today.
Genesis 32:22-31
Sure enough, being alone is tough. If we've just sent a crowd away, we still have an identity to wrestle with.
Wrestling through who we are now to the folks we once knew is painful. It is like competitively forcing oneself to an advanced yoga asana – some hip is going to be permanently out of joint, at least a nose.
Rejoice that an unexpected blessing can come from folks showing up out of the blue or settling down for a long winter's nap.
A face of G*D is constantly showing up. We find that face in others needing mercy. We find that face in ourself needing mercy. Having been trained in parables we can see G*D's Presence anywhere and everywhere.
May you find the blessing of a face of G*D in your today.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Matthew 14:13-21
Pentecost +12 – Year A
Matthew 14:13-21
Getting away to a deserted spot is never easy. At the very least along come memories of triumph and regret, the last thing we heard before leaving, and visions of dragons yet to be slain.
Jesus, sometimes successful in sending folks ahead while he remained or walking through a hostile crowd, here was brought an opportunity to serve.
For those who tend toward Jesus having a plan for every moment, suspicions might arise about his withdrawing to a deserted place where folks in droves would be waiting. (Was that one person who noted his going minion of the tempter to see how he would deal with a conflict between wanting to be away and a commitment to mercy or just an observant person on their way for a healing who caught a glimpse of Jesus disappearing around the corner ahead of him?)
The news Jesus had just heard was terrifying and the last thing one needs in such circumstances is to be alone for fears to grow and temptations to return.
We might consider that continuing deeper into his ministry, particularly a ministry of mercy, would trigger a remembrance that such is still possible in such a terrifying world. This may have been the most healing thing Jesus could do for his sorrowful soul – to arrange a mercy moment on a large scale.
How is it with you?
Are your withdrawal times a source of energy-building or draining? Is this a time of practice of your particular ministry focus?
Are you glad for not being alone even when you had planned for the alone? Under what circumstances? Do you find ministry opportunities to show up alongside your non-ministry intentions?
How would this incident of mercy feeding have been received if it had been done as street theatre response to John's death in a busy spot rather than in a deserted spot on the sly?
Matthew 14:13-21
Getting away to a deserted spot is never easy. At the very least along come memories of triumph and regret, the last thing we heard before leaving, and visions of dragons yet to be slain.
Jesus, sometimes successful in sending folks ahead while he remained or walking through a hostile crowd, here was brought an opportunity to serve.
For those who tend toward Jesus having a plan for every moment, suspicions might arise about his withdrawing to a deserted place where folks in droves would be waiting. (Was that one person who noted his going minion of the tempter to see how he would deal with a conflict between wanting to be away and a commitment to mercy or just an observant person on their way for a healing who caught a glimpse of Jesus disappearing around the corner ahead of him?)
The news Jesus had just heard was terrifying and the last thing one needs in such circumstances is to be alone for fears to grow and temptations to return.
We might consider that continuing deeper into his ministry, particularly a ministry of mercy, would trigger a remembrance that such is still possible in such a terrifying world. This may have been the most healing thing Jesus could do for his sorrowful soul – to arrange a mercy moment on a large scale.
How is it with you?
Are your withdrawal times a source of energy-building or draining? Is this a time of practice of your particular ministry focus?
Are you glad for not being alone even when you had planned for the alone? Under what circumstances? Do you find ministry opportunities to show up alongside your non-ministry intentions?
How would this incident of mercy feeding have been received if it had been done as street theatre response to John's death in a busy spot rather than in a deserted spot on the sly?
Friday, July 25, 2008
. . .
Pentecost +11 – Year A
well
uhh
it's like
you know
and so we search
for metaphor
for our life
for well uhh it's like you know
well
so sad
uhh
pitiful
it's like
well
uhh
despair
you know
floundering
inarticulate groans
utter forth
as we continue slouching
toward Bethlehem
toward treasure
toward mystical union
toward certainty
toward edenic utopia
how long?
"7" years?
another "7"?
well well well
untold generations
have brought us
inarticulation
a missed parable
begin again
assurance
begets
beginning again
no
nothing
but love
yes
well
uhh
it's like
you know
and so we search
for metaphor
for our life
for well uhh it's like you know
well
so sad
uhh
pitiful
it's like
well
uhh
despair
you know
floundering
inarticulate groans
utter forth
as we continue slouching
toward Bethlehem
toward treasure
toward mystical union
toward certainty
toward edenic utopia
how long?
"7" years?
another "7"?
well well well
untold generations
have brought us
inarticulation
a missed parable
begin again
assurance
begets
beginning again
no
nothing
but love
yes
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Romans 8:26-39
Pentecost +11 – Year A
Romans 8:26-39
G*D's Presence unifies us in the presence of any number of fears.
It is so easy to get caught in the fatalism of predestination, rather than its challenge to live as though one were. It is so easy to get caught in hesitating to live because some power greater than ourselves will knock us down, big time. It is so easy to get caught tip-toeing through life lest this charge or that be brought against us.
Each of these separate us from G*D, self, neighbor, and one another. They over-emphasize an enemy that we cannot love and who cannot love us.
A parabolic approach to life is going to begin the other way around. Once there was a person who was afraid of an enemy. They were so afraid that they began to see an enemy in every reflective surface. Finally, they realized that for every weed seed their enemy tossed into their field of dreams, the only way for them to deal with the harvest was to invite their very own enemy to a weed party at the end of the growing season. There the weed seed and the wheat seed were separated. The weed seeds were burned and the wheat seeds were shared.
From this party both began to see a larger picture -- there was nothing, not even twice as many weed seeds the next growing season (the next new heaven and earth), that would keep us from continuing to share the blessings we have received. Together we planted twice the wheat and found a two-hundred times yield.
We are destined to bless our enemies, so we might as well be about it this season.
Romans 8:26-39
G*D's Presence unifies us in the presence of any number of fears.
It is so easy to get caught in the fatalism of predestination, rather than its challenge to live as though one were. It is so easy to get caught in hesitating to live because some power greater than ourselves will knock us down, big time. It is so easy to get caught tip-toeing through life lest this charge or that be brought against us.
Each of these separate us from G*D, self, neighbor, and one another. They over-emphasize an enemy that we cannot love and who cannot love us.
A parabolic approach to life is going to begin the other way around. Once there was a person who was afraid of an enemy. They were so afraid that they began to see an enemy in every reflective surface. Finally, they realized that for every weed seed their enemy tossed into their field of dreams, the only way for them to deal with the harvest was to invite their very own enemy to a weed party at the end of the growing season. There the weed seed and the wheat seed were separated. The weed seeds were burned and the wheat seeds were shared.
From this party both began to see a larger picture -- there was nothing, not even twice as many weed seeds the next growing season (the next new heaven and earth), that would keep us from continuing to share the blessings we have received. Together we planted twice the wheat and found a two-hundred times yield.
We are destined to bless our enemies, so we might as well be about it this season.
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