Luke 4:31-37 What Kind Of Utterance Is This?
[31] He went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching
them on the sabbath. [32] They were astounded at his teaching, because
he spoke with authority. [33] In the synagogue there was a man who had
the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice,
[34] "Let us alone! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God."
[35] But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!"
When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him
without having done him any harm. [36] They were all amazed and kept
saying to one another, "What kind of utterance is this? For with
authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they
come!" [37] And a report about him began to reach every place in the
region.
What is happening in this scripture? – The story speaks for itself. But to look just at the surface would mean that you could miss a great deal. It’s near to impossible to put ourselves into a first century mindset, but let us consider a few things. First of all this occurs in a synagogue, on the Sabbath. Secondly, Jesus speaks as one with authority.
Luke wants us to know that, as in the previous story about Jesus reading and speaking Torah in his home town, that Jesus circumvents or trumps the priesthood here. Here he speaks to a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon. Jerusalem and the surrounding areas in Galilee were occupied by Rome. The temple, for all practical purposes had largely compromised itself in order to survive, and the Roman garrison overlooked the temple itself. Deals had been made.
If you think of Jesus as trying to non-violently attack the power systems of the day, and the evil in them, then Luke shows the reader that Jesus has the authority, not the priesthood, and not the status quo. In this scripture, Jesus confronts the evil that is INSIDE one of the people. The evil recognizes Jesus and his authority, as God incarnate, over him. Again, the message is, this is God’s kingdom, not Caesar’s and not the powers and principalities of man, here on God’s earth. The evil spirit addresses Jesus and gives him his due: I know who you are, the Holy One of God. Evil recognizes good before those who have gradually lost their vision do. Those watching are amazed. Luke underlines everything with their comment, What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!”
How is this happening in the world today? – Some questions for us to contemplate:
Where do you see the authority of Jesus, as ushering in God’s kingdom today, or do you?
If you knew, really knew, that God depended upon you, personally, to help usher in his kingdom into reality here on this earth, what would you do? What deal, if any, have you made with Rome, and what would Jesus say about those deals?
How is this my story? – Jesus, like the unclean spirits in the man of this scripture in Luke, I too recognize you as the Holy One of God. I confess that sometimes I want to cry out for you to leave me alone. But I don’t really want you to do that. I know you could destroy me, but instead you ask for my help. Thank you for your grace Lord. Help me to learn to be a companion, to live my life in such a way that others will know your love and justice here and now. May it be so.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Luke 4:21-30 Driven Out of Town
Luke 4: 21-30 Driven Out of Town
[21] Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." [22] All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, "Is not this Joseph’s son?" [23] He said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Doctor, cure yourself!' And you will say, 'Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.'"
[24] And he said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. [25] But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; [26] yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. [27] There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." [28] When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. [29] They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. [30] But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
What is happening in this scripture? – Jesus has returned to his home town, full of the holy spirit. He enters the synagogue and reads from the Torah, from Isaiah:
[18] "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."
He then speaks to the congregation and tells them that today in their presence this scripture has been fulfilled. Some of the people ask among themselves, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son? (Implication: Who does he think he is!?”) Jesus either hears the murmuring or senses it and says, “No doubt you are thinking, physician, heal thyself!”
He tells them no prophet is accepted in their hometown, probably quoting a well known folk aphorism of the day. Then he gets them really angry, comparing himself to Elijah and reminding them that Elijah was sent by God to only one widow at Zarephath, and only one leper, Naaman. The congregation is highly insulted. They get the message: Jesus challenges their sense of entitlement. Just because he is a local boy, doesn’t mean they get preferential treatment from God.
Maybe Jesus remembers how he was treated as a child. Maybe he sees some really bad things in Nazareth. Whatever the reason, Jesus reminds his own villagers that justice and healing are God’s domain, and God alone will chose who he attends to. The message, again, no preferential treatment. In God’s kingdom there are not favorites. Justice, food and healing are to be egalitarian. It’s God’s world, and God’s will, not a favored few.
How is this happening in the world today? – How many of us have felt proud of our Christianity; so proud that we believe we have God’s inside ear. “At least I’m not like those people over there!” Or maybe its more like, “I’m saved, so I’ve got a right to criticize and perhaps even aggressively attack someone who believes differently or even not at all.” Most of the time this arrogance and pride is much more subtle and harder for us to even realize in ourselves. And therein lies the danger. Once we think we are in the chosen group, we polarize our relationships with others and they become the out group. Jesus reminds us that in God’s kingdom there is no out group. He draws a circle around all of us. Power either destroys those different from themselves or forcefully converts them. Justice loves people, all people and by that love includes them, warts and all. God’s justice is impossible for us to attain, and perhaps that is why we are always trying to water it down, with technicalities or exceptions. The hard thing for us to swallow about God’s justice is that there simply are NO exceptions to who is included in the kingdom. We humans struggle at how to make that a reality. Maybe we can’t. Maybe that’s why God has to be in charge of that.
How is this story my story? – I try not to be proud and exclusive, but I fail miserably. Lord forgive me for my tendency to judge, criticize, politely and by conscious omission. Lord help me remember that you do not reject me or anyone else, so how can I reject anyone and do your will? I don’t know how to do this Lord. Teach me to let your holy spirit come into my world. Help me to remember that when the world was confronted by you in human form, we hated you, and we killed you, because you showed us up for who we really are. If this doesn’t humble us there is no hope for us. Thank you for your grace Lord, that gives us another chance to participate with you in creation of your new world.
[21] Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." [22] All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, "Is not this Joseph’s son?" [23] He said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Doctor, cure yourself!' And you will say, 'Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.'"
[24] And he said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. [25] But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; [26] yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. [27] There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." [28] When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. [29] They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. [30] But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
What is happening in this scripture? – Jesus has returned to his home town, full of the holy spirit. He enters the synagogue and reads from the Torah, from Isaiah:
[18] "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."
He then speaks to the congregation and tells them that today in their presence this scripture has been fulfilled. Some of the people ask among themselves, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son? (Implication: Who does he think he is!?”) Jesus either hears the murmuring or senses it and says, “No doubt you are thinking, physician, heal thyself!”
He tells them no prophet is accepted in their hometown, probably quoting a well known folk aphorism of the day. Then he gets them really angry, comparing himself to Elijah and reminding them that Elijah was sent by God to only one widow at Zarephath, and only one leper, Naaman. The congregation is highly insulted. They get the message: Jesus challenges their sense of entitlement. Just because he is a local boy, doesn’t mean they get preferential treatment from God.
Maybe Jesus remembers how he was treated as a child. Maybe he sees some really bad things in Nazareth. Whatever the reason, Jesus reminds his own villagers that justice and healing are God’s domain, and God alone will chose who he attends to. The message, again, no preferential treatment. In God’s kingdom there are not favorites. Justice, food and healing are to be egalitarian. It’s God’s world, and God’s will, not a favored few.
How is this happening in the world today? – How many of us have felt proud of our Christianity; so proud that we believe we have God’s inside ear. “At least I’m not like those people over there!” Or maybe its more like, “I’m saved, so I’ve got a right to criticize and perhaps even aggressively attack someone who believes differently or even not at all.” Most of the time this arrogance and pride is much more subtle and harder for us to even realize in ourselves. And therein lies the danger. Once we think we are in the chosen group, we polarize our relationships with others and they become the out group. Jesus reminds us that in God’s kingdom there is no out group. He draws a circle around all of us. Power either destroys those different from themselves or forcefully converts them. Justice loves people, all people and by that love includes them, warts and all. God’s justice is impossible for us to attain, and perhaps that is why we are always trying to water it down, with technicalities or exceptions. The hard thing for us to swallow about God’s justice is that there simply are NO exceptions to who is included in the kingdom. We humans struggle at how to make that a reality. Maybe we can’t. Maybe that’s why God has to be in charge of that.
How is this story my story? – I try not to be proud and exclusive, but I fail miserably. Lord forgive me for my tendency to judge, criticize, politely and by conscious omission. Lord help me remember that you do not reject me or anyone else, so how can I reject anyone and do your will? I don’t know how to do this Lord. Teach me to let your holy spirit come into my world. Help me to remember that when the world was confronted by you in human form, we hated you, and we killed you, because you showed us up for who we really are. If this doesn’t humble us there is no hope for us. Thank you for your grace Lord, that gives us another chance to participate with you in creation of your new world.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Luke 4:1-13 Power Corrupts, and Absolute Power...
Luke 4:1-13
[1] Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was
led by the Spirit in the wilderness, [2] where for forty days he was
tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when
they were over, he was famished. [3] The devil said to him, "If you are
the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." [4] Jesus
answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'"
[5] Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the
kingdoms of the world. [6] And the devil said to him, "To you I will
give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over
to me, and I give it to anyone I please. [7] If you, then, will worship
me, it will all be yours." [8] Jesus answered him, "It is written,
'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"
[9] Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the
pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God,
throw yourself down from here, [10] for it is written, 'He will
command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' [11] and 'On their
hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot
against a stone.'" [12] Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put
the Lord your God to the test.'" [13] When the devil had finished every
test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
What is happening in this scripture? – Scholars today generally agree that Luke was written by a companion of Paul, who might have been a physician, who also wrote Acts, likely as one writing, Luke-Acts, and that he was likely writing to a largely Hellenistic rather than Jewish audience, or as the Bible puts it, to Gentiles. Michael White of the Divinity School in Austin Texas sees Luke as an apologetic, as a way to say to the Romans, “We’re okay. We can be good Romans too.” Jesus scholar Dominic Crossan theorizes that Jesus emphasized the Kingdom of God in contrast to the divinity and kingdom of Caesar, and that was a religious-political heresy and why Rome put him to death.
In this scripture, Jesus, right after being baptized and “ordained” or blessed by the Holy Spirt’s descent upon him, is led by that same spirit into the wilderness. He is tempted for forty days by “the devil” and eats nothing in that time. The devil challenges Jesus to turn stones into bread, “If you are the son of God”. (Caesar was called Son of God in those days). The devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and tells him he will give him their glory and authority, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. (Caesar was the ruler of the Roman Empire and of many conquered kingdoms).
Then the devil takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem itself, and challenges Jesus to throw himself off the temple so that all will see God save and protect him, thereby proving his divinity. (A perfectly reasonable request for a First Century way of looking at divinity). Jesus tells the devil Do not put the Lord, YOUR GOD to the test. Then the devil leaves, until an opportune time.
To me, Luke makes the point that the ruler of the Roman empire, hence the earthly powers, try three times to express the normally agreed upon definition of Ruler, God, divinity, etc. in Caesaric context: The one who controls the food, the government and even the religious institutions of the day is the one who wins. That is what Rome understood, what most people of the day understood, and I venture to day what we understand in our day. Who’s the boss? The one who controls the economy, the governmental authority, and the one who calls the religious (and in Jesus’ day, political) shots is the boss.
Luke’s Jesus tells the devil over and over, you’re not in charge, God is. The devil withdraws, but he will be back.
How is this happening in the world today? – Ask yourself, who’s in charge today? Who makes the rules? Who tells you what you can and cannot do? Who seizes the world and calls it their own? Who seizes power and uses it for their selfish gain? These are the powers and principalities are they not? As Jesus said, “Whose picture is on that coin? Give that coin back to Caesar, and give God what belongs to God.” Who sits on the highest ledge of our temples, claiming God is on their side? These are radical questions asked by a radical man, a man called Jesus. Many didn’t like the questions, especially those in power, and they killed him for asking them.
How is this story my story? – What temptations drive me into the wilderness Lord? How does the inviting promise of glory and gain tempt me to follow along with the powers and principalities of my day? What does this do to my relationship with you Lord? What do I gain, and what do I lose? If I follow you Lord, what temptations must I refuse?
RSP
[1] Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was
led by the Spirit in the wilderness, [2] where for forty days he was
tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when
they were over, he was famished. [3] The devil said to him, "If you are
the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." [4] Jesus
answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'"
[5] Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the
kingdoms of the world. [6] And the devil said to him, "To you I will
give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over
to me, and I give it to anyone I please. [7] If you, then, will worship
me, it will all be yours." [8] Jesus answered him, "It is written,
'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"
[9] Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the
pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God,
throw yourself down from here, [10] for it is written, 'He will
command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' [11] and 'On their
hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot
against a stone.'" [12] Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put
the Lord your God to the test.'" [13] When the devil had finished every
test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
What is happening in this scripture? – Scholars today generally agree that Luke was written by a companion of Paul, who might have been a physician, who also wrote Acts, likely as one writing, Luke-Acts, and that he was likely writing to a largely Hellenistic rather than Jewish audience, or as the Bible puts it, to Gentiles. Michael White of the Divinity School in Austin Texas sees Luke as an apologetic, as a way to say to the Romans, “We’re okay. We can be good Romans too.” Jesus scholar Dominic Crossan theorizes that Jesus emphasized the Kingdom of God in contrast to the divinity and kingdom of Caesar, and that was a religious-political heresy and why Rome put him to death.
In this scripture, Jesus, right after being baptized and “ordained” or blessed by the Holy Spirt’s descent upon him, is led by that same spirit into the wilderness. He is tempted for forty days by “the devil” and eats nothing in that time. The devil challenges Jesus to turn stones into bread, “If you are the son of God”. (Caesar was called Son of God in those days). The devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and tells him he will give him their glory and authority, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. (Caesar was the ruler of the Roman Empire and of many conquered kingdoms).
Then the devil takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem itself, and challenges Jesus to throw himself off the temple so that all will see God save and protect him, thereby proving his divinity. (A perfectly reasonable request for a First Century way of looking at divinity). Jesus tells the devil Do not put the Lord, YOUR GOD to the test. Then the devil leaves, until an opportune time.
To me, Luke makes the point that the ruler of the Roman empire, hence the earthly powers, try three times to express the normally agreed upon definition of Ruler, God, divinity, etc. in Caesaric context: The one who controls the food, the government and even the religious institutions of the day is the one who wins. That is what Rome understood, what most people of the day understood, and I venture to day what we understand in our day. Who’s the boss? The one who controls the economy, the governmental authority, and the one who calls the religious (and in Jesus’ day, political) shots is the boss.
Luke’s Jesus tells the devil over and over, you’re not in charge, God is. The devil withdraws, but he will be back.
How is this happening in the world today? – Ask yourself, who’s in charge today? Who makes the rules? Who tells you what you can and cannot do? Who seizes the world and calls it their own? Who seizes power and uses it for their selfish gain? These are the powers and principalities are they not? As Jesus said, “Whose picture is on that coin? Give that coin back to Caesar, and give God what belongs to God.” Who sits on the highest ledge of our temples, claiming God is on their side? These are radical questions asked by a radical man, a man called Jesus. Many didn’t like the questions, especially those in power, and they killed him for asking them.
How is this story my story? – What temptations drive me into the wilderness Lord? How does the inviting promise of glory and gain tempt me to follow along with the powers and principalities of my day? What does this do to my relationship with you Lord? What do I gain, and what do I lose? If I follow you Lord, what temptations must I refuse?
RSP
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Luke 3-21-22 Descent and Wilderness
Luke 3-21-22
21] Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, [22] and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
What is happening in this scripture? - John has been baptizing in the Jordan. Herod's men are watching him closely. In Luke it is interesting the way this story is told. He starts out saying Now when all the people were baptized, and then adds Jesus to the mix. Jesus is praying, and the heaven is opened. Then this interesting phrase: and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." A few miles away, another who was called the Son of God, Caesar, was rule of the Roman Empire. Inscriptions are still to be found upon ancient edifices and coins hailing Caesar at the Divine Son of God. Luke makes a specific point to have the heavens open up and the Spirit of holiness to descend, not in the form of a dove as is often depicted, but LIKE a dove. The imagery of coronation is clear here. God crowns Jesus, not Caesar. He is the son of the most high, the Beloved, and it is Jesus, the one who is baptized after the people, with whom God is well pleased.
How is this happening in the world today? -- This is a specific and purposeful story of direct blessing and annointing or assignment of title and mission. It happens AFTER the common people have been baptized by the voice of one crying in the wilderness, an Elijah-like prophet named John.
Questions to ponder: Who are we annointing or assigning power to in our world today? What kind of power are they welding? Is the authority gained AFTER the people have been taken care of, or in hopes that the leader will make things right? Are the common people the ones who must be worthy of the leader, or does the leader prove his or her worth? Where is the power coming from? And the final question? "Would God be pleased?"
In the gospels, immediately after Jesus' blessing, he is driven into the wilderness. That is certainly true of leaders today. Immediately Jesus is tempted, with the aphrodisiac of power. Another familiar theme. Jesus resists the temptation to power over justice. The people are not free. They are occupied and oppressed. They are sick and divided, and are exploited and marginalized, all in the name of power. Jesus begins his ministry, speaking of a different kind of Kingdom, one that looks more like a mustard seed, or a buried pearl, or a sack of meal with a hole in it.
What kind of kingdom is this, where the first are last and the last first? What happens to power in God's Kingdom, as opposed to Caesar's? What happens to the poor, and the poor in spirit?
How is this story my story? -- How does God's spirit descend upon you? What does Jesus call you to do from the river of baptism? How does a voice crying like one in the wilderness, call to you? What is he saying? If God is well pleased with Jesus, what does Jesus have to tell you about pleasing God?
-RSP
21] Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, [22] and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
What is happening in this scripture? - John has been baptizing in the Jordan. Herod's men are watching him closely. In Luke it is interesting the way this story is told. He starts out saying Now when all the people were baptized, and then adds Jesus to the mix. Jesus is praying, and the heaven is opened. Then this interesting phrase: and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." A few miles away, another who was called the Son of God, Caesar, was rule of the Roman Empire. Inscriptions are still to be found upon ancient edifices and coins hailing Caesar at the Divine Son of God. Luke makes a specific point to have the heavens open up and the Spirit of holiness to descend, not in the form of a dove as is often depicted, but LIKE a dove. The imagery of coronation is clear here. God crowns Jesus, not Caesar. He is the son of the most high, the Beloved, and it is Jesus, the one who is baptized after the people, with whom God is well pleased.
How is this happening in the world today? -- This is a specific and purposeful story of direct blessing and annointing or assignment of title and mission. It happens AFTER the common people have been baptized by the voice of one crying in the wilderness, an Elijah-like prophet named John.
Questions to ponder: Who are we annointing or assigning power to in our world today? What kind of power are they welding? Is the authority gained AFTER the people have been taken care of, or in hopes that the leader will make things right? Are the common people the ones who must be worthy of the leader, or does the leader prove his or her worth? Where is the power coming from? And the final question? "Would God be pleased?"
In the gospels, immediately after Jesus' blessing, he is driven into the wilderness. That is certainly true of leaders today. Immediately Jesus is tempted, with the aphrodisiac of power. Another familiar theme. Jesus resists the temptation to power over justice. The people are not free. They are occupied and oppressed. They are sick and divided, and are exploited and marginalized, all in the name of power. Jesus begins his ministry, speaking of a different kind of Kingdom, one that looks more like a mustard seed, or a buried pearl, or a sack of meal with a hole in it.
What kind of kingdom is this, where the first are last and the last first? What happens to power in God's Kingdom, as opposed to Caesar's? What happens to the poor, and the poor in spirit?
How is this story my story? -- How does God's spirit descend upon you? What does Jesus call you to do from the river of baptism? How does a voice crying like one in the wilderness, call to you? What is he saying? If God is well pleased with Jesus, what does Jesus have to tell you about pleasing God?
-RSP
Another Great Website!
If you are interested in an amazing and thought provoking curriculum for studying the bible, check out www.bibleworkbench.com It's a great way to explore the inner landscape of the scriptures and your personal relationship to the collection of books we call the Holy Bible. I promise you its not like anything you've seen before.-RSP
Monday, September 25, 2006
"I Will Sing..." Psalm 57-6-7
Psalm 57: 1-11
[6] They set a net for my steps;
my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my path,
but they have fallen into it themselves.
Selah
[7] My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make melody.
What is happening in this scripture? – Yesterday, our church, Philadelphia Presbyterian, celebrated the rededication of one of its earliest cemeteries. PPC is a very old church, one of the oldest in Mecklenburg County, NC. It dates back before the Revolutionary War, and the church has moved three times. So you can imagine that there are some very old cemeteries belonging to this church. The ceremony took place on a breezy afternoon underneath trees that of course weren’t there when the original graves were dug. The cemetery was surrounded by an old stone wall and, and one of those walls separates the graves of the landowners from the slaves. An African American Gospel choir from Henderson Grove Presbyterian were our guests. They had used our chapel after their church had burned down, and they sang several old spirituals, accompanied only by the wind and the rustling of the leaves. As the group arrived, “somewhere around 1 PM” a bit late for people who watch the clock closely, the wind picked up, as if the spirits lying there suddenly became aware. As the haunting sound of their music floated up into the trees, we stood there, listening and clapping in time.
How is this happening in the world today? This is a very old type of music that I don’t hear very much, and it fit the setting. Part of me was ashamed of the wall separating our ancestors, and part of me was glad it was there, as a reminder. I was aware of the invisible walls that still separate us in our churches and in the world. Someone once said that Sunday morning, from 11:00 to 12:00 is the most segregated hour of the week for us.
After the service was over, several of us could not wait to embrace our guests and express our thanks. I saw a few tear-filled eye, and was aware of my own. There we all were, under God’s canopy, honoring those who came before us, aware of our common destiny, aware of our past transgressions, and knowing that we too would someday be joining our forbearers under small monuments with those whose markers said only, “Known to None, Save God”. It seems that the wind knew, and somehow we knew them too, the slaves and the landowners, for we all inherit their legacy, of pain, of conflict, of injustice, of courage, of faith, and of God’s saving grace for us all.
We human beings are not good at many things, but one thing we are very good at is separating ourselves from others. In my bible study class we have been focusing upon The Tower of Babel, and the Pentecost in Luke, as examples of how God brings order from chaos; how we bring chaos into order, and how God’s steadfastness restores order again, even blessing our different tongues with the good news of his love and justice. We keep building walls and Jesus keeps knocking them down. Different faiths, different races, different political beliefs, different customs, different ways of seeing the world. And all claiming God, and Abraham, as their forefather, clutching them to our breast like a selfish child does a favored toy, afraid someone will take him from us.
How is this story my story? – Someday Lord, we will sing together. Someday we will live the words we sing. Until that day Lord,
[7] My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make melody.
May it be so.
RSP
[6] They set a net for my steps;
my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my path,
but they have fallen into it themselves.
Selah
[7] My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make melody.
What is happening in this scripture? – Yesterday, our church, Philadelphia Presbyterian, celebrated the rededication of one of its earliest cemeteries. PPC is a very old church, one of the oldest in Mecklenburg County, NC. It dates back before the Revolutionary War, and the church has moved three times. So you can imagine that there are some very old cemeteries belonging to this church. The ceremony took place on a breezy afternoon underneath trees that of course weren’t there when the original graves were dug. The cemetery was surrounded by an old stone wall and, and one of those walls separates the graves of the landowners from the slaves. An African American Gospel choir from Henderson Grove Presbyterian were our guests. They had used our chapel after their church had burned down, and they sang several old spirituals, accompanied only by the wind and the rustling of the leaves. As the group arrived, “somewhere around 1 PM” a bit late for people who watch the clock closely, the wind picked up, as if the spirits lying there suddenly became aware. As the haunting sound of their music floated up into the trees, we stood there, listening and clapping in time.
How is this happening in the world today? This is a very old type of music that I don’t hear very much, and it fit the setting. Part of me was ashamed of the wall separating our ancestors, and part of me was glad it was there, as a reminder. I was aware of the invisible walls that still separate us in our churches and in the world. Someone once said that Sunday morning, from 11:00 to 12:00 is the most segregated hour of the week for us.
After the service was over, several of us could not wait to embrace our guests and express our thanks. I saw a few tear-filled eye, and was aware of my own. There we all were, under God’s canopy, honoring those who came before us, aware of our common destiny, aware of our past transgressions, and knowing that we too would someday be joining our forbearers under small monuments with those whose markers said only, “Known to None, Save God”. It seems that the wind knew, and somehow we knew them too, the slaves and the landowners, for we all inherit their legacy, of pain, of conflict, of injustice, of courage, of faith, and of God’s saving grace for us all.
We human beings are not good at many things, but one thing we are very good at is separating ourselves from others. In my bible study class we have been focusing upon The Tower of Babel, and the Pentecost in Luke, as examples of how God brings order from chaos; how we bring chaos into order, and how God’s steadfastness restores order again, even blessing our different tongues with the good news of his love and justice. We keep building walls and Jesus keeps knocking them down. Different faiths, different races, different political beliefs, different customs, different ways of seeing the world. And all claiming God, and Abraham, as their forefather, clutching them to our breast like a selfish child does a favored toy, afraid someone will take him from us.
How is this story my story? – Someday Lord, we will sing together. Someday we will live the words we sing. Until that day Lord,
[7] My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make melody.
May it be so.
RSP
Friday, September 22, 2006
Cashing In Or Forgiving Debt?
Psalm 130: 7 - 8 Cashing In or Forgiving Debt?
[7] O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.
[8] It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.
What is happening in this scripture?
According to the Encarta dictionary, the word redeem: a transitive verb, means any or all of the following: make something acceptable despite its negative qualities or aspects;
restore to favor or someone’s good opinion;buy something back (as in a pawnbroker);
to keep a promise, fulfill a pledge; exchange something for money (like redeeming a coupon or rebate); pay something off; atone (make up for a mistake) for sin (transgression or estrangement)
It's interesting how many of these definitions are economical in nature. But most of the meanings are about restoration, setting right, and the one that catches me the most is to keep a promise. Have you ever thought of what God owed you? Sounds arrogant to even say that, doesn't it. God doesn't owe me anyting, you might say. It is his will that I am even alive. True, all true. But the Hebrew scriptures tell us that God made some covenants. He made a covenant to Noah, that never again would he destroy the world with water, and in that covenant he said that destroying the earth because of sin was not right, since it was man's nature to be sinful from the get-go. He made a covenant with Abram, who became Abraham, blessing him and saying he and his offspring would be a blessing to all nations.
What could entice an all knowing being to make deals with human beings? He knows we will break them. Whey does he keep trusting us again, over and over? We always fail to keep them. Maybe even God can't go back on his own promises. Maybe he's sort of stuck with us. Has there ever been anyone in your life whom you would like to stop caring about, but you can't, no matter what they do. You love them, and no matter what they do, you can't stop loving them, so you can't stop caring about them, and wishing, hoping and praying that they will turn from their ways. This is the pain of love, and the risk of love. It's a messy business for sure, but every once in a while, someone really repents, really turns in a new direction. At that moment new life is born. I've seen it happen, not often, but I have seen it happen. And when it does, we rejoice like the father in the Prodigal Son story. God doesn't give up on us. We might give up on God, or on ourselves, and sometimes on each other. But God's love for us is so strong that it seems to stop even him from giving up on us.
The other thing is this: Since he made the covenant with us, only he can redeem us. He didn't break the covenant, we did. We do. So we aren't the wronged party, he is. And the only one who can redeem that, restore that, is God. He could choose not to, and that is miracle. He doesn't. He gives us yet another chance. And when he does, and we, as Paul Tillich said, accept acceptance, new life is born. Thanks be to God for new life, new chances. Thanks be to God, for redemption.
[7] O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.
[8] It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.
What is happening in this scripture?
According to the Encarta dictionary, the word redeem: a transitive verb, means any or all of the following: make something acceptable despite its negative qualities or aspects;
restore to favor or someone’s good opinion;buy something back (as in a pawnbroker);
to keep a promise, fulfill a pledge; exchange something for money (like redeeming a coupon or rebate); pay something off; atone (make up for a mistake) for sin (transgression or estrangement)
It's interesting how many of these definitions are economical in nature. But most of the meanings are about restoration, setting right, and the one that catches me the most is to keep a promise. Have you ever thought of what God owed you? Sounds arrogant to even say that, doesn't it. God doesn't owe me anyting, you might say. It is his will that I am even alive. True, all true. But the Hebrew scriptures tell us that God made some covenants. He made a covenant to Noah, that never again would he destroy the world with water, and in that covenant he said that destroying the earth because of sin was not right, since it was man's nature to be sinful from the get-go. He made a covenant with Abram, who became Abraham, blessing him and saying he and his offspring would be a blessing to all nations.
What could entice an all knowing being to make deals with human beings? He knows we will break them. Whey does he keep trusting us again, over and over? We always fail to keep them. Maybe even God can't go back on his own promises. Maybe he's sort of stuck with us. Has there ever been anyone in your life whom you would like to stop caring about, but you can't, no matter what they do. You love them, and no matter what they do, you can't stop loving them, so you can't stop caring about them, and wishing, hoping and praying that they will turn from their ways. This is the pain of love, and the risk of love. It's a messy business for sure, but every once in a while, someone really repents, really turns in a new direction. At that moment new life is born. I've seen it happen, not often, but I have seen it happen. And when it does, we rejoice like the father in the Prodigal Son story. God doesn't give up on us. We might give up on God, or on ourselves, and sometimes on each other. But God's love for us is so strong that it seems to stop even him from giving up on us.
The other thing is this: Since he made the covenant with us, only he can redeem us. He didn't break the covenant, we did. We do. So we aren't the wronged party, he is. And the only one who can redeem that, restore that, is God. He could choose not to, and that is miracle. He doesn't. He gives us yet another chance. And when he does, and we, as Paul Tillich said, accept acceptance, new life is born. Thanks be to God for new life, new chances. Thanks be to God, for redemption.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Acts 16:25-40 What kind of men are these?
Acts 16:25-40 What kind of men are these?
25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. 27When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul shouted in a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." 29The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30Then he brought them outside and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." 32They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. 34He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.
What is happening in this scripture? Paul and Silas had been arrested and thrown into prison. There were praying and singing. Other prisoners were listening. An earthquake comes suddenly, shaking the prison and all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. The jailer awakes and sees all the open doors. Immediately he draws his sword to kill himself, rather than suffer the wrath of his superiors. Paul shouts out, “Do not harm yourself! We are all still here!” The jailer rushes in and falls down trembling before Paul and Silas. He takes them outside, presumably by now the doors are relocked and the chains refastened to the others. He asks them what he must do to be saved?
How is this happening in the world today? – Imagine for a moment that you are this jailor. It shouldn’t be too hard to do. Your prisoners are chained, but you are the one in prison. You are imprisoned by your job and responsibilities, or your relationship with someone, or your resentments, or your pain. Your wounds are very old friends by now. Obviously, to make a mistake means harsh repercussions, else why would you rather face death at your own hands rather than face your superiors? You are the jailor. Two itinerant prophets or preachers have been beaten and thrown into your jail. Someone is praying. Someone you have enslaved. Can you hear them? What is that song they are singing? Why can you not turn away?
Soon you are asleep. You are shocked awake by the very earth moving under your tired legs. The ground on which you stand and live quakes. Suddenly, everything you’ve ever tied down, hidden, kept secret, chained, is free. Oh my God! You’ve lost control! What will happen to you when others find out? Better you should be dead maybe? A voice cries out. Do not harm yourself! We are still here! Your head is spinning. This doesn’t make sense. This isn’t the way the world works. You hate the way things work, but at least you are used to that reality. The terror grips you. You run into the first man, who has ever cared about what you might do to yourself.. This crazy old preacher and his friend: you thought you had captured them, but they have captured you instead. Their courage! You’ve seen a lot of men, seen them cry, beg for mercy, or try to kill you with their rage. You’ve never seen men such as these. You collapse at their feet. Whatever is happening to you, somehow you know you need this, more than anything you’ve ever needed. You’ve never felt this alive, this free before. You take these men to your home and you ask, What must I do to be saved, saved from that terrible imprisonment you don’t ever want to return to. What must you do?
How is this story my story? – God, you know where my chains are. You know where my prison lies. You have already opened the doors and loosened my shackles. I cannot turn away from your promise, but dare I walk out into your freedom? Can I handle the terrifying choices?
25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. 27When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul shouted in a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." 29The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30Then he brought them outside and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." 32They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. 34He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.
What is happening in this scripture? Paul and Silas had been arrested and thrown into prison. There were praying and singing. Other prisoners were listening. An earthquake comes suddenly, shaking the prison and all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. The jailer awakes and sees all the open doors. Immediately he draws his sword to kill himself, rather than suffer the wrath of his superiors. Paul shouts out, “Do not harm yourself! We are all still here!” The jailer rushes in and falls down trembling before Paul and Silas. He takes them outside, presumably by now the doors are relocked and the chains refastened to the others. He asks them what he must do to be saved?
How is this happening in the world today? – Imagine for a moment that you are this jailor. It shouldn’t be too hard to do. Your prisoners are chained, but you are the one in prison. You are imprisoned by your job and responsibilities, or your relationship with someone, or your resentments, or your pain. Your wounds are very old friends by now. Obviously, to make a mistake means harsh repercussions, else why would you rather face death at your own hands rather than face your superiors? You are the jailor. Two itinerant prophets or preachers have been beaten and thrown into your jail. Someone is praying. Someone you have enslaved. Can you hear them? What is that song they are singing? Why can you not turn away?
Soon you are asleep. You are shocked awake by the very earth moving under your tired legs. The ground on which you stand and live quakes. Suddenly, everything you’ve ever tied down, hidden, kept secret, chained, is free. Oh my God! You’ve lost control! What will happen to you when others find out? Better you should be dead maybe? A voice cries out. Do not harm yourself! We are still here! Your head is spinning. This doesn’t make sense. This isn’t the way the world works. You hate the way things work, but at least you are used to that reality. The terror grips you. You run into the first man, who has ever cared about what you might do to yourself.. This crazy old preacher and his friend: you thought you had captured them, but they have captured you instead. Their courage! You’ve seen a lot of men, seen them cry, beg for mercy, or try to kill you with their rage. You’ve never seen men such as these. You collapse at their feet. Whatever is happening to you, somehow you know you need this, more than anything you’ve ever needed. You’ve never felt this alive, this free before. You take these men to your home and you ask, What must I do to be saved, saved from that terrible imprisonment you don’t ever want to return to. What must you do?
How is this story my story? – God, you know where my chains are. You know where my prison lies. You have already opened the doors and loosened my shackles. I cannot turn away from your promise, but dare I walk out into your freedom? Can I handle the terrifying choices?
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Requiem for 9/11
Requiem for 9/11
Ron Pelt 9/8/06
From the hell of fear and fire and dust,
Falling bodies, ashes, such,
Two tall towers proud and straight,
Shuddered, quaked and fell from hate.
Countless men and women too,
Mothers, Fathers, Children who,
Had beating hearts and dreams like ours,
Ended now from those two towers.
Oh God of glory and God of Love,
From where such hatred up above?
Using silver wings to kill,
Instead of honoring your will?
Twisted men and twisted souls,
Seeking vengeance hatred rolls,
Teach us Lord not to hate,
Teach us that it’s not too late,
To love you with all heart and might,
And love our neighbors, not to fight.
For many years we’ve killed each other,
Brother, Father, Sister, Mother.
Many years we’ve just ignored,
Those lessons that your Son adored,
And cry “Revenge! Thus saith the Lord!”
But justice comes from your high places,
Only you can see the faces,
Of all of us inside our hearts,
Only you can judge the parts,
That twisted by more hate and fear,
Keeps us enemies down here,
So teach us Holy One of Peace,
How to make the killing cease,
How many more towers now will fall?
How many more ears to hear your call?
Teach us Peace and Love for all
Ron Pelt 9/8/06
From the hell of fear and fire and dust,
Falling bodies, ashes, such,
Two tall towers proud and straight,
Shuddered, quaked and fell from hate.
Countless men and women too,
Mothers, Fathers, Children who,
Had beating hearts and dreams like ours,
Ended now from those two towers.
Oh God of glory and God of Love,
From where such hatred up above?
Using silver wings to kill,
Instead of honoring your will?
Twisted men and twisted souls,
Seeking vengeance hatred rolls,
Teach us Lord not to hate,
Teach us that it’s not too late,
To love you with all heart and might,
And love our neighbors, not to fight.
For many years we’ve killed each other,
Brother, Father, Sister, Mother.
Many years we’ve just ignored,
Those lessons that your Son adored,
And cry “Revenge! Thus saith the Lord!”
But justice comes from your high places,
Only you can see the faces,
Of all of us inside our hearts,
Only you can judge the parts,
That twisted by more hate and fear,
Keeps us enemies down here,
So teach us Holy One of Peace,
How to make the killing cease,
How many more towers now will fall?
How many more ears to hear your call?
Teach us Peace and Love for all
The more I seek control, the more I lose it.
John 12: 24-26
The more I seek control, the more I lose it.
24] Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. [25] Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. [26] Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
What is happening in this scripture? – The Passover is coming. John’s Jesus has just made his mock triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey or colt. Philip and Andrew come to Jesus to tell him that some Greeks have come seeking him. Jesus tells them his hour is at hand. Once again we are reminded that we are in the world of John the mystic. Every word in John is full of depth and mystery. Jesus says, Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Jesus uses, as he had many times before, an agricultural metaphor.
At first glance he is talking about the circle of life, but here he speaks of falling into the earth, death, and by dying, bearing much fruit. Jesus goes on to say, Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. This sounds almost Buddhist. Those who cling, who are too attached, are doomed to suffer over and over, because of the futility of the attachment and the inevitability of change. Jesus continues: Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. This is a provocative and a foreboding call. Follow Jesus? He is at the threshold of death. He will suffer the agony and loneliness of abandonment, betrayal and crucifixion. Do we dare follow Jesus? He finishes with a promise: Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
How is this happening in the world today? – The festival of Passover was the central day of faith, and remains so, for Jews. On this day they remember that they were slaves in Egypt. They remember that they had to eat bitter herbs and unleavened bread in haste, for they had to arise and flee from the Egyptians. They remember that God spared them from the plague of the angel of death who passed over their homes marked with the blood of a lamb. They remember who they are. Jesus tell his disciples, cryptically that unless he dies, new fruit cannot be borne. The fruit metaphor is found again in the writing of Paul and James to signify the beginnings of a sought for resurrection and restoration of the martyrs and saints of the Jewish people. New life. Rebirth. New fruit. New nourishment, replacing the old food. New bread, new wine, replacing the old manna, the spoiled wine. But you have to break some eggs to make an omelet. You have to bury seeds for new plants to grow.
Questions to ponder: Where is God planting new seeds for you today? What are you clinging to that you need to release before new growth, new life can happen for you? Where does Jesus call you to follow him? Where must you go to serve? How does your service bring you into his presence?
How is this story my story? -- Lord, I know I love my own way too much. I know my love for control is an obstacle to hearing you call me towards new life. Death frightens me Lord. So does loss of control, and even of those things that only hurt me. Help me to realize that only by dying to the myth of control can I realize new life in you. Help me to discover that he who would save his life shall lose it, and he who would lose his life for your sake shall have it, in the depths of the eternal now. Teach me to let go of the illusion of control Lord, over others, and over you. May it be so.-RSP
The more I seek control, the more I lose it.
24] Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. [25] Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. [26] Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
What is happening in this scripture? – The Passover is coming. John’s Jesus has just made his mock triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey or colt. Philip and Andrew come to Jesus to tell him that some Greeks have come seeking him. Jesus tells them his hour is at hand. Once again we are reminded that we are in the world of John the mystic. Every word in John is full of depth and mystery. Jesus says, Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Jesus uses, as he had many times before, an agricultural metaphor.
At first glance he is talking about the circle of life, but here he speaks of falling into the earth, death, and by dying, bearing much fruit. Jesus goes on to say, Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. This sounds almost Buddhist. Those who cling, who are too attached, are doomed to suffer over and over, because of the futility of the attachment and the inevitability of change. Jesus continues: Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. This is a provocative and a foreboding call. Follow Jesus? He is at the threshold of death. He will suffer the agony and loneliness of abandonment, betrayal and crucifixion. Do we dare follow Jesus? He finishes with a promise: Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
How is this happening in the world today? – The festival of Passover was the central day of faith, and remains so, for Jews. On this day they remember that they were slaves in Egypt. They remember that they had to eat bitter herbs and unleavened bread in haste, for they had to arise and flee from the Egyptians. They remember that God spared them from the plague of the angel of death who passed over their homes marked with the blood of a lamb. They remember who they are. Jesus tell his disciples, cryptically that unless he dies, new fruit cannot be borne. The fruit metaphor is found again in the writing of Paul and James to signify the beginnings of a sought for resurrection and restoration of the martyrs and saints of the Jewish people. New life. Rebirth. New fruit. New nourishment, replacing the old food. New bread, new wine, replacing the old manna, the spoiled wine. But you have to break some eggs to make an omelet. You have to bury seeds for new plants to grow.
Questions to ponder: Where is God planting new seeds for you today? What are you clinging to that you need to release before new growth, new life can happen for you? Where does Jesus call you to follow him? Where must you go to serve? How does your service bring you into his presence?
How is this story my story? -- Lord, I know I love my own way too much. I know my love for control is an obstacle to hearing you call me towards new life. Death frightens me Lord. So does loss of control, and even of those things that only hurt me. Help me to realize that only by dying to the myth of control can I realize new life in you. Help me to discover that he who would save his life shall lose it, and he who would lose his life for your sake shall have it, in the depths of the eternal now. Teach me to let go of the illusion of control Lord, over others, and over you. May it be so.-RSP
Monday, September 18, 2006
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Welcome Everyone!
Greetings!
I hope that your are pleased with the new blog. It is my hope that as I post my Reflections on the Lectionary and other writing, that this will be an easier and more interesting way to share thoughts and perspectives with anyone interested in seeking for deeper truth in their faith and in the Holy Scriptures. I am open to any thought as long as it is sincere and in good taste, and considerate of others and their views, whether they agree with yours or not.
The title for the Blog comes from a poem I wrote several years ago, entitled Bread.
Bread
The bread was there,
But it was your breaking it that made it real,
Filled the room with the smell of yeast,
Of Rising.
The bread was there,
But it was the way you broke it,
And passed it over, passed it over,
To me.
The bread was there,
But it was the way I took it from you,
And let you serve me,
You, whose sandal thong I am not worthy
Of untying.
It wasn't mud you rubbed on my eyelids,
It was bread.
Broken bread opened my eyes,
gave me vision,
And I recognized you,
And then you were gone.
And now I cannot break bread,
Without seeing you again,
And tasting the Reality
Of your peace.
RSP 4/13/99
I find the wisdom and truth deriving from studying the scriptures to be a nourishing food for the spirit. I believe we are hard-wired to be in relationship with God's creation, including other people, and that true communion is the breaking of the wine of our lives and the bread of our encounters with each other and with the sacred. I believe the sacred is always there, as close as the next breath we take.
The Kingdom of God IS, and men do not see it. - The Gospel According to Thomas
Again, welcome and let's see how this goes!
The Daily Lectionary is a free service of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). To learn more,
visit http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/lectionary/index.htm.
I hope that your are pleased with the new blog. It is my hope that as I post my Reflections on the Lectionary and other writing, that this will be an easier and more interesting way to share thoughts and perspectives with anyone interested in seeking for deeper truth in their faith and in the Holy Scriptures. I am open to any thought as long as it is sincere and in good taste, and considerate of others and their views, whether they agree with yours or not.
The title for the Blog comes from a poem I wrote several years ago, entitled Bread.
Bread
The bread was there,
But it was your breaking it that made it real,
Filled the room with the smell of yeast,
Of Rising.
The bread was there,
But it was the way you broke it,
And passed it over, passed it over,
To me.
The bread was there,
But it was the way I took it from you,
And let you serve me,
You, whose sandal thong I am not worthy
Of untying.
It wasn't mud you rubbed on my eyelids,
It was bread.
Broken bread opened my eyes,
gave me vision,
And I recognized you,
And then you were gone.
And now I cannot break bread,
Without seeing you again,
And tasting the Reality
Of your peace.
RSP 4/13/99
I find the wisdom and truth deriving from studying the scriptures to be a nourishing food for the spirit. I believe we are hard-wired to be in relationship with God's creation, including other people, and that true communion is the breaking of the wine of our lives and the bread of our encounters with each other and with the sacred. I believe the sacred is always there, as close as the next breath we take.
The Kingdom of God IS, and men do not see it. - The Gospel According to Thomas
Again, welcome and let's see how this goes!
The Daily Lectionary is a free service of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). To learn more,
visit http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/lectionary/index.htm.
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