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Friday, November 24, 2006
How much is this blog worth?
A good question for "black friday" when we are obsessed with shopping....
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
how can we thank God enough?
As I most likely won't be posting from my parents house this weekend, today seems as appropriate a time as ever to reflect on the opening phrase of the Epistle for Advent 1c. "How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?
As an estimated 38 million americans travel "home" today I can't help but think about how many will be thanking God for the joy that comes from family. Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks. So often, anymore, it seems as though it is merely the ribbon cutting ceremony required to get to black friday shopping (with some stores opening at midnight this year) and ultimately to Christmas.
What would Thanksgiving look like if we took the time to sit and ponder just how we might thank God enough? I know we can't do it. To thank God enough for the joys of this life would preclude us from complaining about the pains. To thank God enough for the incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of his Son would take every living moment we have. To thank God enough for our "family" and our "home" whatever form that takes means moving past petty disagreements to see the blessing each member and their history have been in our lives.
How can we thank God enough? Well, I'm thinking we can't. But what we can do is be intentional. We can take some real time to contemplate all we have to be thankful for. We can read through some prayers of thanksgiving (maybe the litany or Charlie Price's General Thanksgiving in the BCP). We can articulate our gratuity to our family and friends. How can we thank God enough? We can't. How can we thank God? By thanking those who he has placed in our lives.
Thank you to all who read this blog. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
As an estimated 38 million americans travel "home" today I can't help but think about how many will be thanking God for the joy that comes from family. Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks. So often, anymore, it seems as though it is merely the ribbon cutting ceremony required to get to black friday shopping (with some stores opening at midnight this year) and ultimately to Christmas.
What would Thanksgiving look like if we took the time to sit and ponder just how we might thank God enough? I know we can't do it. To thank God enough for the joys of this life would preclude us from complaining about the pains. To thank God enough for the incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of his Son would take every living moment we have. To thank God enough for our "family" and our "home" whatever form that takes means moving past petty disagreements to see the blessing each member and their history have been in our lives.
How can we thank God enough? Well, I'm thinking we can't. But what we can do is be intentional. We can take some real time to contemplate all we have to be thankful for. We can read through some prayers of thanksgiving (maybe the litany or Charlie Price's General Thanksgiving in the BCP). We can articulate our gratuity to our family and friends. How can we thank God enough? We can't. How can we thank God? By thanking those who he has placed in our lives.
Thank you to all who read this blog. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
light and living waters
As I plod through life from day to day it is so easy to forget just how out of tune this life is with the vision of God for his creation. Compare, if you will, the DC Metro area with the Garden of Eden. Is there anything here that God intended from the beginning? Errr? I've got nuthin'.
Then, thanks only to the Lectionary, I stumble upon the Zechariah reading for Advent 1c. In it, we begin to see how God will restore this corrupt planet.
- There shall not be either cold or frost
- There shall be continuous day
- Living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem
- The LORD will become king over all the earth
- The LORD will be one and his name one
Our liturgical seasons are not doubt Eurocentric, so the fact that Advent falls in late fall/early winter works only for us in the north, let's run with it anyway. It's cold. It's dark by 5. Advent is, quite literally, a time of darkness. It is, quite literally, time spent contemplating what it feels like to be without the refining fire of God. It points out just how out of tune we are with God's hopes and dreams.
What would it look like if the radiance of God made it continuously day? Do we want to feel the warmth of God's love all year-round? What would it feel like to be washed in the living water flowing from God's throne?
Most importantly - Will we be ready for the LORD to be king over all the earth? Or are we set in our ways? Do we like the darkness? Do we like the cold? Do we like to be outside of God's plan, in charge of our own destiny? I know I do. It scares me to think that I will stand exposed by the light. It scares me to think that I will drink the living water daily. It is hard to comprehend what it will be like to stand in the presence of uncompromising love. And yet, in spite of all the fear and discomfort, I know it will be glorious. I know it will be good. I know that I want to stand in the comfort of God's mighty love.
Then, thanks only to the Lectionary, I stumble upon the Zechariah reading for Advent 1c. In it, we begin to see how God will restore this corrupt planet.
- There shall not be either cold or frost
- There shall be continuous day
- Living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem
- The LORD will become king over all the earth
- The LORD will be one and his name one
Our liturgical seasons are not doubt Eurocentric, so the fact that Advent falls in late fall/early winter works only for us in the north, let's run with it anyway. It's cold. It's dark by 5. Advent is, quite literally, a time of darkness. It is, quite literally, time spent contemplating what it feels like to be without the refining fire of God. It points out just how out of tune we are with God's hopes and dreams.
What would it look like if the radiance of God made it continuously day? Do we want to feel the warmth of God's love all year-round? What would it feel like to be washed in the living water flowing from God's throne?
Most importantly - Will we be ready for the LORD to be king over all the earth? Or are we set in our ways? Do we like the darkness? Do we like the cold? Do we like to be outside of God's plan, in charge of our own destiny? I know I do. It scares me to think that I will stand exposed by the light. It scares me to think that I will drink the living water daily. It is hard to comprehend what it will be like to stand in the presence of uncompromising love. And yet, in spite of all the fear and discomfort, I know it will be glorious. I know it will be good. I know that I want to stand in the comfort of God's mighty love.
Monday, November 20, 2006
where am i
Because I preached three times yesterday I took it upon myself (actually Cassie commanded me) to sleep in this morning. So I got up at about 830 and prepared for spiritual direction. That being said, I didn't have time to spend my usual time in Scripture this morning. So now I'm sitting in Scott Lounge with Mitch and Ari as we each pretend to do the work we came to do. Mostly we sit in silence for a minute or two, then somebody cracks a joke, we laugh, then we return our attention (sort of) to our work.
I've decided its really hard to spend time with God in prayer in a situation like this, but I continue to sit here with the readings and typing on this blog anyway. There are two reasons for this. One, I'm a sucker for community. I seek out people like its my job. I hate sitting by myself when I know people are around.
The other reason is its Advent. Its a time of waiting and a time of darkness. A time that is very uncomfortable to me. I'm not good at uncertainty. I like things to be within the plan. I like things to tick off on my to-do list. I don't like "distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves." There is no mention of what the signs will be in Luke 21, but just that there will be signs. I don't like this uncertainty. I just don't like it.
So, I guess this is the main reason I'm avoiding doing real work. As I sit on the cusp of GOEs, job searching, and am having a real family crisis with my mom's yet undiagnosed illness, I'm really struggling with with uncertainty. Spiritual direction today helped me understand this struggle, and opened my eyes to this month of uncertainty and darkness that is about to be upon us. I guess I'll be forced to come to terms with these themes over the next month, but for today, I'm procrastinating. Today I'm not dealing with it. Today, I'm laughing with friends.
I've decided its really hard to spend time with God in prayer in a situation like this, but I continue to sit here with the readings and typing on this blog anyway. There are two reasons for this. One, I'm a sucker for community. I seek out people like its my job. I hate sitting by myself when I know people are around.
The other reason is its Advent. Its a time of waiting and a time of darkness. A time that is very uncomfortable to me. I'm not good at uncertainty. I like things to be within the plan. I like things to tick off on my to-do list. I don't like "distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves." There is no mention of what the signs will be in Luke 21, but just that there will be signs. I don't like this uncertainty. I just don't like it.
So, I guess this is the main reason I'm avoiding doing real work. As I sit on the cusp of GOEs, job searching, and am having a real family crisis with my mom's yet undiagnosed illness, I'm really struggling with with uncertainty. Spiritual direction today helped me understand this struggle, and opened my eyes to this month of uncertainty and darkness that is about to be upon us. I guess I'll be forced to come to terms with these themes over the next month, but for today, I'm procrastinating. Today I'm not dealing with it. Today, I'm laughing with friends.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
the holiness tradition
Oh yeah! In reading the Daniel passage for Christ the King Sunday this morning I had a revelation. I remembered something I learned in Seminary. That's exciting, maybe GOE's (General Ordination Exams, read, the Bar) won't be as difficult as I thought.
As the Ancient One (YHWH - God) sits upon his throne of fire the author gives us an image of what God looks like. But then he says something interesting, "A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence." The ancient Israelites had this thing about holiness flowing outward from God in the form of fire. As I mentioned below the overwhelming image of holiness is that of fire. This fire, which in Daniel flows from the presence of God is a refining, sanctifying fire.
(Now the fogginess returns, please excuse any mistakes that follow) As the Israelites were instructed by Moses on how to setup camp back somewhere in the Pentateuch this flowing fire was also a consideration. The Levites (priests) we to set up closest, and surrounding the Arc of the Covenant (God's House) and in concentric circles the other tribes of Israel would make their place so that the holiness of God would reach out to encompass all.
Here, at this late stage in the Hebrew Bible the holiness tradition returns, God's holiness flows forth like fire, bringing sanctification to all who live within his presence. But those who speak arrogant words like the horned beast will first be killed and the fire will be used to destroy their bodies rather than to sanctify their souls.
I didn't trust Dean Horne when she promised my seminary education would all make sense on the other side, but I'll be dipped if she wasn't right. It really is starting to come together. Thanks be to God.
As the Ancient One (YHWH - God) sits upon his throne of fire the author gives us an image of what God looks like. But then he says something interesting, "A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence." The ancient Israelites had this thing about holiness flowing outward from God in the form of fire. As I mentioned below the overwhelming image of holiness is that of fire. This fire, which in Daniel flows from the presence of God is a refining, sanctifying fire.
(Now the fogginess returns, please excuse any mistakes that follow) As the Israelites were instructed by Moses on how to setup camp back somewhere in the Pentateuch this flowing fire was also a consideration. The Levites (priests) we to set up closest, and surrounding the Arc of the Covenant (God's House) and in concentric circles the other tribes of Israel would make their place so that the holiness of God would reach out to encompass all.
Here, at this late stage in the Hebrew Bible the holiness tradition returns, God's holiness flows forth like fire, bringing sanctification to all who live within his presence. But those who speak arrogant words like the horned beast will first be killed and the fire will be used to destroy their bodies rather than to sanctify their souls.
I didn't trust Dean Horne when she promised my seminary education would all make sense on the other side, but I'll be dipped if she wasn't right. It really is starting to come together. Thanks be to God.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Titles
The interaction between Pilate and Jesus in the Fourth Gospel (John) has always been a peculiar one in my mind. With Jesus being so quiet in the Synoptics (Matthew, Mark, & Luke) it seems strange to me that he would speak in such a vieled way in John's account of the Passion Narrative. Today, however, I noticed for the first time a clever thing Jesus does. As we prepare to celebrate Christ the King Sunday readings about Jesus as king seem more than appropriate, but in John's Gospel we see that even when it seems like Jesus is willing to finally take on the title the crowd so often wanted to give him, he carefully avoids it all together.
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
See how he does that. Jesus talks about his kingdom, thus making Pilate, and us, believe he is claiming to be a king. When Pilate asks again, however, punctuation makes all the difference.
Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth."
Jesus does not answer "You say that I am king; for this I was born, and for this I came into the world."
See the difference? Jesus, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, even at this late stage of his life denies the earthly title of King. On earth he is not a king. On earth his job is to testify to the truth - to God. We have much to learn from Jesus and his rejection of worldly things, especially those things which are utterly unreal. Titles are not concrete things one can own, but are names, unreal things which define a real thing. Jesus would not allow others to define him, and neither should we.
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
See how he does that. Jesus talks about his kingdom, thus making Pilate, and us, believe he is claiming to be a king. When Pilate asks again, however, punctuation makes all the difference.
Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth."
Jesus does not answer "You say that I am king; for this I was born, and for this I came into the world."
See the difference? Jesus, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, even at this late stage of his life denies the earthly title of King. On earth he is not a king. On earth his job is to testify to the truth - to God. We have much to learn from Jesus and his rejection of worldly things, especially those things which are utterly unreal. Titles are not concrete things one can own, but are names, unreal things which define a real thing. Jesus would not allow others to define him, and neither should we.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Kings...and kenosis
I can't help but turn to that awesome book and great movie, The Return of the King, as I reflect upon kingship that is not dominance, but is sacrificial and is self-emptying ('kenosis'). We who are called to leadership in the church have a steep road ahead when we consider the model of leadership of our Lord and Savior, who was made poor for our sake.
those who strive to be first...
... must be last.
As I read the lessons appointed for Christ the King Sunday in Year B I cannot help but hear those words of Jesus to his disciples. From Daniel to Revelation to the Gospel the readings are without a doubt focused on the kingship of Jesus Christ, but all are apt to point out at what cost that kingship came.
In Daniel the "one like a human being" is given dominion, glory, and kingship only after the first beast was put to death and the rest had their dominion taken away. This beast that was put to death is reminiscnet to me of the beast of sin that hung on the back of Jesus as he hung on the cross totally estranged from the Father. Until this beast is finally put to death, even Christ cannot have the dominion due him. (apologies to Elizabeth and Dr. Cook for placing Christ in the OT)
In the Revelation of John the kingship of Jesus is listed first with the glory of God.
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
But we are immediatly reminded of the cost of that kingship.
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The ruler of the kings of the earth was one despised and hung on a cross. Through is blood we are freed from sin and made into a kingdom of believers under one head, Jesus Christ.
Both of the options for the Gospel lesson clearly portray Jesus as a King, but both are set in close proximity to his crucifixion. The pericope from Mark's Gospel is that of Palm Sunday. As Jesus prepares to enter Jerusalem for the final time the people are ready to make him King. They shout Hosanna! (which means Save Us!) The same people who shout to Jesus to save them as king will soon shout "Crucify him" as one who has blasphemed. In John's Gospel we hear of the interaction between Jesus and Pilate where Jesus is asked directly "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus speaks of his kingdom, of his being born to be a king, but ultimately will be hung on a cross to die.
Those who strive to be first must be last. Even as King of kings and Lord of lord, God the Son had to be made low in order to be first.
As I read the lessons appointed for Christ the King Sunday in Year B I cannot help but hear those words of Jesus to his disciples. From Daniel to Revelation to the Gospel the readings are without a doubt focused on the kingship of Jesus Christ, but all are apt to point out at what cost that kingship came.
In Daniel the "one like a human being" is given dominion, glory, and kingship only after the first beast was put to death and the rest had their dominion taken away. This beast that was put to death is reminiscnet to me of the beast of sin that hung on the back of Jesus as he hung on the cross totally estranged from the Father. Until this beast is finally put to death, even Christ cannot have the dominion due him. (apologies to Elizabeth and Dr. Cook for placing Christ in the OT)
In the Revelation of John the kingship of Jesus is listed first with the glory of God.
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
But we are immediatly reminded of the cost of that kingship.
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The ruler of the kings of the earth was one despised and hung on a cross. Through is blood we are freed from sin and made into a kingdom of believers under one head, Jesus Christ.
Both of the options for the Gospel lesson clearly portray Jesus as a King, but both are set in close proximity to his crucifixion. The pericope from Mark's Gospel is that of Palm Sunday. As Jesus prepares to enter Jerusalem for the final time the people are ready to make him King. They shout Hosanna! (which means Save Us!) The same people who shout to Jesus to save them as king will soon shout "Crucify him" as one who has blasphemed. In John's Gospel we hear of the interaction between Jesus and Pilate where Jesus is asked directly "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus speaks of his kingdom, of his being born to be a king, but ultimately will be hung on a cross to die.
Those who strive to be first must be last. Even as King of kings and Lord of lord, God the Son had to be made low in order to be first.
Friday, November 10, 2006
a hole in my seminary education
As I prepare to schedule my final semester at VTS, I've had to come to terms with some things. First, I cannot take everything I want to take before I leave seminary. Second, being done with requirements in 2.5 years, doesn't mean 4 years at seminary isn't worth while. And, thirdly, I have some holes.
The readings for Proper 28 have opened my eyes to a huge hole in my seminary education, eschatology, or the END TIMES. For many, these words bring forth images of Kirk Cameron in Left Behind, but for me, it just inflicts fear. Reading the parallels between Daniel's Apocalypse and Mark's Gospel had led me to understand that I will, no doubt, have to preach on the End Times. Hell, Advent will force it if nothing else. But I have not, and will not take Kate's Last Things course (it doesn't fit). As far as I remember the discussion of eschatology in New Testament was something like, "has anyone heard a sermon on Revelation?". We must of talked about Daniel in Old Testament, but honestly, I don't remember. So I'm stuck here, trying to come up with a sermon for next Sunday with nothing in my toolbox.
What I can glean from Daniel and Mark are but a few points.
+ There will be suffering unimaginable.
+ There will be some saved and some who choose otherwise
+ There will be false prophets and false messiahs
+ It will not be fun
+ God will redeem
So I guess I'm back to my point from Tuesday, to fall into the hands of the living God is truly a fearful thing, both now, as we live a life moving toward holiness, and in the age to come as we witness the final victory of God and the creation of a new heaven and a new earth.
The readings for Proper 28 have opened my eyes to a huge hole in my seminary education, eschatology, or the END TIMES. For many, these words bring forth images of Kirk Cameron in Left Behind, but for me, it just inflicts fear. Reading the parallels between Daniel's Apocalypse and Mark's Gospel had led me to understand that I will, no doubt, have to preach on the End Times. Hell, Advent will force it if nothing else. But I have not, and will not take Kate's Last Things course (it doesn't fit). As far as I remember the discussion of eschatology in New Testament was something like, "has anyone heard a sermon on Revelation?". We must of talked about Daniel in Old Testament, but honestly, I don't remember. So I'm stuck here, trying to come up with a sermon for next Sunday with nothing in my toolbox.
What I can glean from Daniel and Mark are but a few points.
+ There will be suffering unimaginable.
+ There will be some saved and some who choose otherwise
+ There will be false prophets and false messiahs
+ It will not be fun
+ God will redeem
So I guess I'm back to my point from Tuesday, to fall into the hands of the living God is truly a fearful thing, both now, as we live a life moving toward holiness, and in the age to come as we witness the final victory of God and the creation of a new heaven and a new earth.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
it truly is a fearful thing...
.. to fall into the hands of the living God.
The overwhelming Old Testament image for holiness is that of fire. God purifies the soul and a refiner purifies gold, melting it down so that the impurities might be removed. This image of holiness truly is a fearful thing.
To be a disciple of Jesus is to die to self. In our baptism we join with Jesus in his death (moreso evident in the baptist tradition than my own episcopal one) and in his resurrection. In that brief time in between (again moreso in the baptist tradition) we are able to feel that death to self, that consiousness of our own sinful nature. This moment, in and of itself, is truly a fearful thing, but then BAM we are raised out of the water, alive, forgiven, and set ablaze.
As we walk through life as a Christian, as a disciple of Christ, we contine to be alive and are always forgiven. It is that third part that, it seems to me, we have have some control over. Some call that fire set within the process of sanctification. By that, I'm guessing, they mean the process of refining our souls to be more and more like that of Jesus Christ. As we see in Hebrews 10, this process can involve many rough spots; sufferings, abuse, persecution, etc.
Yet this process brings with it much in the way of gift as well; confidence, endurance, promise. If we are willing to endure the tough times, we no doubt will receive that promise. If we face the truly fearful God head on, He will be our companion. If we stoke the fire in our hearts through discipleship, we too will come to the time when we know we have done the will of God.
The overwhelming Old Testament image for holiness is that of fire. God purifies the soul and a refiner purifies gold, melting it down so that the impurities might be removed. This image of holiness truly is a fearful thing.
To be a disciple of Jesus is to die to self. In our baptism we join with Jesus in his death (moreso evident in the baptist tradition than my own episcopal one) and in his resurrection. In that brief time in between (again moreso in the baptist tradition) we are able to feel that death to self, that consiousness of our own sinful nature. This moment, in and of itself, is truly a fearful thing, but then BAM we are raised out of the water, alive, forgiven, and set ablaze.
As we walk through life as a Christian, as a disciple of Christ, we contine to be alive and are always forgiven. It is that third part that, it seems to me, we have have some control over. Some call that fire set within the process of sanctification. By that, I'm guessing, they mean the process of refining our souls to be more and more like that of Jesus Christ. As we see in Hebrews 10, this process can involve many rough spots; sufferings, abuse, persecution, etc.
Yet this process brings with it much in the way of gift as well; confidence, endurance, promise. If we are willing to endure the tough times, we no doubt will receive that promise. If we face the truly fearful God head on, He will be our companion. If we stoke the fire in our hearts through discipleship, we too will come to the time when we know we have done the will of God.
Monday, November 06, 2006
again?!?
*A warning for what follows - I am tired and grouchy - that is all*
I will refer you back to an earlier post I wrote back for Proper 23 when I thought I was preaching entitled let the seminarian preach. It seems as though the ever intrepid Satan has placed on my plate another set of readings that makes me question my call to preach the good news. Uggg.
Nevertheless I shall persevere. God will supply all my needs. Somehow a sermon consisting of both trouble and grace will come forth. But today I am struck by just how tongue-in-cheek the Collect for Proper 28B sounds in light of apocalyptic suffering in all 3 readings.
Bblessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
I mean really. Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. It just makes me giggle. I am genuinely surprised that these texts actually appear in the lectionary. It is so desirous to ignore the hard words of Scripture that it seems as though we ignore them continually. But alas, not this Sunday. Not when I have to preach short sermon because of the Annual Meeting. Nope, today we get to feel with great discomfort what it means to say that all holy Scriptures have been written for our learning.
Again, let the seminarian preach.
I will refer you back to an earlier post I wrote back for Proper 23 when I thought I was preaching entitled let the seminarian preach. It seems as though the ever intrepid Satan has placed on my plate another set of readings that makes me question my call to preach the good news. Uggg.
Nevertheless I shall persevere. God will supply all my needs. Somehow a sermon consisting of both trouble and grace will come forth. But today I am struck by just how tongue-in-cheek the Collect for Proper 28B sounds in light of apocalyptic suffering in all 3 readings.
Bblessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
I mean really. Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. It just makes me giggle. I am genuinely surprised that these texts actually appear in the lectionary. It is so desirous to ignore the hard words of Scripture that it seems as though we ignore them continually. But alas, not this Sunday. Not when I have to preach short sermon because of the Annual Meeting. Nope, today we get to feel with great discomfort what it means to say that all holy Scriptures have been written for our learning.
Again, let the seminarian preach.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Text- help- Expectancy background.
Context as provided from the interpreters Bible volume three.
I am drifting from the practice here a little. Part of the reason for this is to be pragmatic. If I have it here on Lectionary ...Go I don't have to bring the text's down with me to Florida.
I was glad Peter helped flesh out the wider context of 1Kings 17. Elijiah has been sent to the widow. Both Elijiah and the widow are in a more precarious situation than I had first imagined. There is no rain. The wadi has dried up. The people are literally dying of thirst and starving. The widow's response to Elijiah is not that she has simply given up hope because her internal compass see's only misery. Her internal compass see's only misery because she is living through a drought and people are dying.
As I read the commentary I could not help but sense a soap opera element. All the elements are there in 1 Kings 17. The first character is Elijiah the wise man making his way by God's grace. He enters the town and finds the widow who is with out hope. Elijiah demands that she feed him and give him drink. She is desperately low on food and water herself but does so sensing that this is a man of God. Not that the situation is not bad enough, the whole land dying from drought, but add to that the unfolding drama of the widow's son dying and Elijiah raising him to life. There is reason for drama here. The widow is first of all a widow. She has lost her husband and men were the means of living. As a widow she can not (I think) own land. As a widow she has no claim to anything but the mercy of others. On top of that add that she and her son (her future hope and potential deliverer) are dangerously close to losing water and meal. Nothing grows without rain. Water sources dry up. Add on top of that her son dying. Truly the widow is without hope.
In the commentary there is some words about God's Mysterious Moves. It makes a comparison between our understanding of the universe and Alice and Wonderland. In Alice in wonderland, Alice is puzzled because the balls and mallets in the croquet game do not stay put in her game. They moved on their own. The commentator states, "Like the child, we adults have to lean that we are not the only players in the game of living." Life at time does not always work as we understand it. I saw a television show on astrophysics and astronomy. In the show they talked about that the universe is expanding at such a rate that in billions of years we will not see the stars we see now because the distance between the galaxies will be so great that the light will not make it our own. They also spoke of something like the dark matter and believe there may be a weight in the universe that can not be seen. The universe that we live in does not behave in the manner that we see it. Science does not preclude God. "The living God in his living universe has a range of activity beyond ours, somewhat as the shades of color exceed our reach of vision" (spectrum and those ranges we can not see) If we can not see something like ultraviolet light than it is not so great a stretch to believe that God might be able to perform miracles that we can not comprehend.
God moves in a myserious way...His wonders to perfom... "This chapter is a study in the relationship between produce and providence. When Jesus bade his disciples, "Take...no thought for the morrow" (Matt. 6:34), he was not counseling them to overlook the morrow, but to look over it to catch the long views of the kingdom ahead." "A miracle is an event with which human comprehension has not yet caught up. It is not an interruption of law, but the working of a law which human reason has not yet charted."
Other good things from the commentary-
In 17:1-24
"Elijah is fed a first by the notoriously voracious ravens, and when the drought has persisted so long that the Wadi Cherith is dried up, he is fed by a poor widow of Phoenicia, herself on the point of starvation...the chapter concludeds with the story of the death and restoration fo the widow's son.
Elijah means Yah is EL...El being the general semitic name for the High God...Elijah's own name is the proclamation of his message
After the raising of the son by Elijah...important ending to pericope..." See your son lives." And the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of Lord in your mouth is truth."
I am drifting from the practice here a little. Part of the reason for this is to be pragmatic. If I have it here on Lectionary ...Go I don't have to bring the text's down with me to Florida.
I was glad Peter helped flesh out the wider context of 1Kings 17. Elijiah has been sent to the widow. Both Elijiah and the widow are in a more precarious situation than I had first imagined. There is no rain. The wadi has dried up. The people are literally dying of thirst and starving. The widow's response to Elijiah is not that she has simply given up hope because her internal compass see's only misery. Her internal compass see's only misery because she is living through a drought and people are dying.
As I read the commentary I could not help but sense a soap opera element. All the elements are there in 1 Kings 17. The first character is Elijiah the wise man making his way by God's grace. He enters the town and finds the widow who is with out hope. Elijiah demands that she feed him and give him drink. She is desperately low on food and water herself but does so sensing that this is a man of God. Not that the situation is not bad enough, the whole land dying from drought, but add to that the unfolding drama of the widow's son dying and Elijiah raising him to life. There is reason for drama here. The widow is first of all a widow. She has lost her husband and men were the means of living. As a widow she can not (I think) own land. As a widow she has no claim to anything but the mercy of others. On top of that add that she and her son (her future hope and potential deliverer) are dangerously close to losing water and meal. Nothing grows without rain. Water sources dry up. Add on top of that her son dying. Truly the widow is without hope.
In the commentary there is some words about God's Mysterious Moves. It makes a comparison between our understanding of the universe and Alice and Wonderland. In Alice in wonderland, Alice is puzzled because the balls and mallets in the croquet game do not stay put in her game. They moved on their own. The commentator states, "Like the child, we adults have to lean that we are not the only players in the game of living." Life at time does not always work as we understand it. I saw a television show on astrophysics and astronomy. In the show they talked about that the universe is expanding at such a rate that in billions of years we will not see the stars we see now because the distance between the galaxies will be so great that the light will not make it our own. They also spoke of something like the dark matter and believe there may be a weight in the universe that can not be seen. The universe that we live in does not behave in the manner that we see it. Science does not preclude God. "The living God in his living universe has a range of activity beyond ours, somewhat as the shades of color exceed our reach of vision" (spectrum and those ranges we can not see) If we can not see something like ultraviolet light than it is not so great a stretch to believe that God might be able to perform miracles that we can not comprehend.
God moves in a myserious way...His wonders to perfom... "This chapter is a study in the relationship between produce and providence. When Jesus bade his disciples, "Take...no thought for the morrow" (Matt. 6:34), he was not counseling them to overlook the morrow, but to look over it to catch the long views of the kingdom ahead." "A miracle is an event with which human comprehension has not yet caught up. It is not an interruption of law, but the working of a law which human reason has not yet charted."
Other good things from the commentary-
In 17:1-24
"Elijah is fed a first by the notoriously voracious ravens, and when the drought has persisted so long that the Wadi Cherith is dried up, he is fed by a poor widow of Phoenicia, herself on the point of starvation...the chapter concludeds with the story of the death and restoration fo the widow's son.
Elijah means Yah is EL...El being the general semitic name for the High God...Elijah's own name is the proclamation of his message
After the raising of the son by Elijah...important ending to pericope..." See your son lives." And the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of Lord in your mouth is truth."
Friday, November 03, 2006
ramblings- thoughts for upcoming sermon
Editing is not happening this week...must ...keep...thinking...writing...cleaning up can happen later... this blog is my sketch pad. It does not have to make sense to the reader.
Expectancy is what is speaking to me from this weeks reading. I believe it will definitely be a sermon based on the old testament. It is not that I don't want to jump into the Gospel. There is certainly enough there for several sermons. Certainly I could probably condemn myself each and every time I put on the "clerical gear" and begin to think myself to important. Was not I honored to be the Bishops Asst at Matthews ordination this wednesday? Lord help me from my own ego. Let me not forget that Jesus warns the priests not to take the highest seat. We are called to take the lowest seat not because we are bad but because the master of the house might appear. Better to be asked to join the master than asked to get out of the high chair (high chair? interesting connection between babies and the levitical priests...ie any priest who forgets whom he or she serves. I may never be asked to sit with the Master but I would rather be asked to come up than kicked out of the way.
Then there is the widow and her mighty mite. There is her trust. There is her example. There is her witness that God does provide. There is her sacrifice...giving of her substance not excess. She would be a good sermon but I think even still it is the widow out of Exekiel who calls.
A few ideas which I want to put down. They might not make sense to any readers of this but I do not want to lose them.
* Start off sermon with sound...as sermon will be heard by examing chaplins it will be important to drown out any heresy- humor ???
* The movie The Rookie...movie about living into calling- scene where he realizes that he is doing exactly what he wants to do..."Today we get to play baseball"..."Today I get to be a priest" Focus on the sheer magnitude of our calling... this might be where I go with the sermon when trying to flesh out how Ezekiel applies. We are not to focus on the difficulties or if we do we need to keep them in context. The context is that if we stand at the pulpit or we sit in the pew we have been chosen...WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN. How often do we act like the elder brother when the truth of the matter is that God calls us to share the amazing fact that we are to relish being chosen like the prodigal son. We have no claim to the kingdom but God's graciousness. "Today we get to play baseball" ...Today we get to share our lives with others. Today we get to share our talents with those who have not realized the gift that we have been given. It is also for them...those we meet. We get to be Christians! This is gifted ness. This is amazing and at present I am amazed I do not see it that way often.
*** Expectancy- the only time we really use that word is around pregnancy. "She is a mother expecting with child" " We are expecting to give birth in December" And the following is a little bit gross but a week ago when I took Benjamin to the Doctor he had a sore throught and the Dr said there was a little expectorant in his throat meaning that his sickness was seeping out something. Expectant...something that is beneath coming to the surface. Expectant...forthcoming. Expectant...something that is present but coming into being
Church is expectant. The sanctuarys that we sit in were once another churches expectant hope. Expectancy tied to vision...the working out of vision. Christs command to spread the Gospel...the acorn the very being of the tree which will hold hundreds/thousands of acorns...the already and the not yet...the working out of salvation history.
Part of Ezekiel is missionary. Ezekiel is giving away what he has... the widow can not see it. She is like the one (like so many around us) who do not see the hope or can allow themselves the trust of God in their lives. As Christians we are to witness it. We can not witness it if we do not live it. It is our living it that allows others to try it out.
That is all for now...this sermon will come. It will have life.
Expectancy is what is speaking to me from this weeks reading. I believe it will definitely be a sermon based on the old testament. It is not that I don't want to jump into the Gospel. There is certainly enough there for several sermons. Certainly I could probably condemn myself each and every time I put on the "clerical gear" and begin to think myself to important. Was not I honored to be the Bishops Asst at Matthews ordination this wednesday? Lord help me from my own ego. Let me not forget that Jesus warns the priests not to take the highest seat. We are called to take the lowest seat not because we are bad but because the master of the house might appear. Better to be asked to join the master than asked to get out of the high chair (high chair? interesting connection between babies and the levitical priests...ie any priest who forgets whom he or she serves. I may never be asked to sit with the Master but I would rather be asked to come up than kicked out of the way.
Then there is the widow and her mighty mite. There is her trust. There is her example. There is her witness that God does provide. There is her sacrifice...giving of her substance not excess. She would be a good sermon but I think even still it is the widow out of Exekiel who calls.
A few ideas which I want to put down. They might not make sense to any readers of this but I do not want to lose them.
* Start off sermon with sound...as sermon will be heard by examing chaplins it will be important to drown out any heresy- humor ???
* The movie The Rookie...movie about living into calling- scene where he realizes that he is doing exactly what he wants to do..."Today we get to play baseball"..."Today I get to be a priest" Focus on the sheer magnitude of our calling... this might be where I go with the sermon when trying to flesh out how Ezekiel applies. We are not to focus on the difficulties or if we do we need to keep them in context. The context is that if we stand at the pulpit or we sit in the pew we have been chosen...WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN. How often do we act like the elder brother when the truth of the matter is that God calls us to share the amazing fact that we are to relish being chosen like the prodigal son. We have no claim to the kingdom but God's graciousness. "Today we get to play baseball" ...Today we get to share our lives with others. Today we get to share our talents with those who have not realized the gift that we have been given. It is also for them...those we meet. We get to be Christians! This is gifted ness. This is amazing and at present I am amazed I do not see it that way often.
*** Expectancy- the only time we really use that word is around pregnancy. "She is a mother expecting with child" " We are expecting to give birth in December" And the following is a little bit gross but a week ago when I took Benjamin to the Doctor he had a sore throught and the Dr said there was a little expectorant in his throat meaning that his sickness was seeping out something. Expectant...something that is beneath coming to the surface. Expectant...forthcoming. Expectant...something that is present but coming into being
Church is expectant. The sanctuarys that we sit in were once another churches expectant hope. Expectancy tied to vision...the working out of vision. Christs command to spread the Gospel...the acorn the very being of the tree which will hold hundreds/thousands of acorns...the already and the not yet...the working out of salvation history.
Part of Ezekiel is missionary. Ezekiel is giving away what he has... the widow can not see it. She is like the one (like so many around us) who do not see the hope or can allow themselves the trust of God in their lives. As Christians we are to witness it. We can not witness it if we do not live it. It is our living it that allows others to try it out.
That is all for now...this sermon will come. It will have life.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Mutual Giving
I really appreciate these two previous posts...Steve offers great testimony to the abundance that God provides for us, and Scott has offered a great reflection on Stewardship and on the expectancy needed. Some great thoughts here!
I got to thinking after the "Habit of the Priesthood" class tonight about the ways that both Elijah and the widow minister to one another. Clearly, Elijah has abundance, and knows that he has the Lord's blessing, but also the widow is convinced (maybe it is just after this passage) to offer out of what she has to this stranger. She offers hospitality (even if a bit reluctantly) out of the meager sum that she has. She does this, not knowing the great ministry that Elijah will later perform for her in raising her son back to life.
Elijah is sent by God, sent as in ministry or mission, but he also is received, and is ministered to by the widow. At times we are sent, and there are times that in going to strange lands and contexts outside of our comfort zones there are people who minister to us, even as we strive to provide ministry and mission to them. There seems to be an element of mutual giving -- perhaps not "equal," but collaborative, and on a two way street, nonetheless. Clearly, as we seek out our first "calls" as priests it is bad form to say, "I want to work here because you clearly will minister to me," however if we are honest, we know that we will be the receiver and the giver, the giver and the receiver.
Very interesting story of Elijah and the widow ... lots to chew on ...
I got to thinking after the "Habit of the Priesthood" class tonight about the ways that both Elijah and the widow minister to one another. Clearly, Elijah has abundance, and knows that he has the Lord's blessing, but also the widow is convinced (maybe it is just after this passage) to offer out of what she has to this stranger. She offers hospitality (even if a bit reluctantly) out of the meager sum that she has. She does this, not knowing the great ministry that Elijah will later perform for her in raising her son back to life.
Elijah is sent by God, sent as in ministry or mission, but he also is received, and is ministered to by the widow. At times we are sent, and there are times that in going to strange lands and contexts outside of our comfort zones there are people who minister to us, even as we strive to provide ministry and mission to them. There seems to be an element of mutual giving -- perhaps not "equal," but collaborative, and on a two way street, nonetheless. Clearly, as we seek out our first "calls" as priests it is bad form to say, "I want to work here because you clearly will minister to me," however if we are honest, we know that we will be the receiver and the giver, the giver and the receiver.
Very interesting story of Elijah and the widow ... lots to chew on ...
Expectancy...John had it, Jesus had it, Elijiah had it
Expectancy... how do we view our blessings?
One of the most powerful sermons that I heard was on stewardship. This I think, is how it should be. Jesus spoke more about money than love in the Gospels. There is a reason for that. The great thing is we see that Jesus spoke about money not for monies sake but for ours. By being a pauper and living in pure expectancy Jesus lives out his own message. This should give us hope that Jesus had integrity. If Jesus had integrity than we might trust that Jesus knew of what he was about and what might be good for us. So if Jesus is speaking about money a lot and he himself is not out there seeking to take it for himself then it follows that spiritually money has a lot of power.
Anyway, the best sermon I heard was on stewardship and it was based on expectancy. The preacher did not dodge around the issue as if when we talk about money we are talking about persons outside of ear shot. This happens doesn't it? He spoke directly to his congregation. He challenged them with the question and he talked about the offertory. He challenged them with, "Go ahead, try and outgive God." The challenge was out of Expectancy...that we give in order to be God like. We trust that God does really like a cheerful giver. We trust that when we give faithfully that God will continue to be faithful to us and continue to provide as we provide to others. We give in response to God's mission to share but we also give as an act of faith that the God we worship will continue to provide for us.
In the OT reading Elijiah has expectancy. The woman to whom he ministers to (and provides a nifty miracle like Hanakah...the non terminating meal and oil) does not have expectancy. And this is not to condemn her. She was poor and she had children to feed. She was unable to see how God might have her interests at hand. What is interesting is that God does not bless her out of thin air but through Elijiah. Elijiah shows up with the message. He does have the gift of Expectancy. God tells him to enter a village and he does so. He is called to meet a widow and he goes out to find her (Widows by the way are those...like aliens, who are marginalized) Elijiah finds the widow who can no longer take care of herself. Obviously things are bad as she tells Elijiah..."I am going back to die" The widow does not have expectancy... the jig is up.
Elijiah brings her a miracle which should change her thinking. She is reminded that she is not alone. She is reminded that God is involved. Expectancy.
So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink." As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." But she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die." Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the LORD the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the LORD sends rain on the earth."
One of the most powerful sermons that I heard was on stewardship. This I think, is how it should be. Jesus spoke more about money than love in the Gospels. There is a reason for that. The great thing is we see that Jesus spoke about money not for monies sake but for ours. By being a pauper and living in pure expectancy Jesus lives out his own message. This should give us hope that Jesus had integrity. If Jesus had integrity than we might trust that Jesus knew of what he was about and what might be good for us. So if Jesus is speaking about money a lot and he himself is not out there seeking to take it for himself then it follows that spiritually money has a lot of power.
Anyway, the best sermon I heard was on stewardship and it was based on expectancy. The preacher did not dodge around the issue as if when we talk about money we are talking about persons outside of ear shot. This happens doesn't it? He spoke directly to his congregation. He challenged them with the question and he talked about the offertory. He challenged them with, "Go ahead, try and outgive God." The challenge was out of Expectancy...that we give in order to be God like. We trust that God does really like a cheerful giver. We trust that when we give faithfully that God will continue to be faithful to us and continue to provide as we provide to others. We give in response to God's mission to share but we also give as an act of faith that the God we worship will continue to provide for us.
In the OT reading Elijiah has expectancy. The woman to whom he ministers to (and provides a nifty miracle like Hanakah...the non terminating meal and oil) does not have expectancy. And this is not to condemn her. She was poor and she had children to feed. She was unable to see how God might have her interests at hand. What is interesting is that God does not bless her out of thin air but through Elijiah. Elijiah shows up with the message. He does have the gift of Expectancy. God tells him to enter a village and he does so. He is called to meet a widow and he goes out to find her (Widows by the way are those...like aliens, who are marginalized) Elijiah finds the widow who can no longer take care of herself. Obviously things are bad as she tells Elijiah..."I am going back to die" The widow does not have expectancy... the jig is up.
Elijiah brings her a miracle which should change her thinking. She is reminded that she is not alone. She is reminded that God is involved. Expectancy.
So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink." As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." But she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die." Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the LORD the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the LORD sends rain on the earth."
all she had to live on
The only easy thing about seminary, for me, is the ability to feel high and mighty about myself. Since I started the process toward ordination, whenever I read the story of the widow's mite I immediately associate myself with the widow. "I've given up my college education, my career plans, my comfortable life, &c, &c, all I had to live on to follow your call, God. Now what are you going to do for me?"
In reading today, however, it occurs to me that neither sentence I just spoke appear on the lips of the widows in Mark. She doesn't place here two copper coins in the treasury, stop, and make a claim to how great it is to give out of poverty. Instead it is Jesus, the righteous judge, who makes the claim of her greatness.
It is so easy to give out of abundance. Sure, I've given up a lot to follow this call (my wife has given up a lot more), but I by no means am close to giving "all I have to live on." As I sit here typing on my laptop, dressed, and in a warm (albeit grossly overpriced) apartment surrounded by books and gadgets and things of all sorts I'm realizing just what abundance looks like. Sure, I donate (well its Cassie's money really) $10,000 + to Virginia Theological Seminary each year, but I certainly get something out of it. Sure, we make a token gift to my Field Ed site, but we're no where near a tithe, let along "all we have to live on". Sure we sponsor a Compassion child at $32 a month, but who in that relationship is living in abundance, certainly its us.
Perspective has allowed me this day to see the great abundance around me. So too have I realized that God is the judge of who is the greatest, not me, not society, but God alone. So we'll continue to offer our gifts, but I certainly won't be nearly as self-righteous about their impact, on me or the world.
In reading today, however, it occurs to me that neither sentence I just spoke appear on the lips of the widows in Mark. She doesn't place here two copper coins in the treasury, stop, and make a claim to how great it is to give out of poverty. Instead it is Jesus, the righteous judge, who makes the claim of her greatness.
It is so easy to give out of abundance. Sure, I've given up a lot to follow this call (my wife has given up a lot more), but I by no means am close to giving "all I have to live on." As I sit here typing on my laptop, dressed, and in a warm (albeit grossly overpriced) apartment surrounded by books and gadgets and things of all sorts I'm realizing just what abundance looks like. Sure, I donate (well its Cassie's money really) $10,000 + to Virginia Theological Seminary each year, but I certainly get something out of it. Sure, we make a token gift to my Field Ed site, but we're no where near a tithe, let along "all we have to live on". Sure we sponsor a Compassion child at $32 a month, but who in that relationship is living in abundance, certainly its us.
Perspective has allowed me this day to see the great abundance around me. So too have I realized that God is the judge of who is the greatest, not me, not society, but God alone. So we'll continue to offer our gifts, but I certainly won't be nearly as self-righteous about their impact, on me or the world.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Feeling Beat
Between my two young children keeping me awake, an increased amount of animosity among people in my church, The Episcopal Church, some classes that I am working to just get through, and a busy family life, I am feeling tired ... in need of healing, rest, but all I have is coffee ... (actually, not such a bad thing, afterall...)
Elijah (and Yahweh) go outside of the expected land...
An interesting thought...where is this passage placed, and looking at how it functions within the entire story of Elijah....
Please forgive this excerpt from a paper I wrote on the passage, I Kings 17:17-24 ..
Please forgive this excerpt from a paper I wrote on the passage, I Kings 17:17-24 ..
"Canonical criticism would ask the question of what is the importance of where this story is placed. That placement leads us to see that it offers insight into Elijah (i.e. that he has the word of God, that even God listens, he haggles); into the Power of the Lord (that he has power over weather, over life and death, even outside of Israel/Judah); and makes a clear contrast between this foreign, Phoenician Woman and Ahab, the king of Israel (one recognizes the word of Elijah, recognizing the truth, welcoming him in rather than chasing him away). The story of Elijah the Tishbite is tied with other stories of this prophet[i] who suddenly appears on the scene in King Ahab’s court in the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
Just before this pericope about the rising of the widow’s son, the prophet Elijah speaks to Ahab and proclaiming in 1 Kings 17:1b that there “. . . shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”[ii] (NSRV) Ahab does not listen to Elijah and does not believe that Elijah has the word of God and that he is a man of God. The action of God’s to cause drought across the land was the first dramatic example of God’s control over life and death. In 1 Kings 17:14, Elijah says to the woman that if she shares her food with him the Lord will bless her, “For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: the jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.” (NSRV)
The story in 1 Kings 17:17-24 specifically takes place outside the area of King Ahab, outside
[i] “These stories about the prophetic ministry of Elijah the Tishbite, originally independent, now form a tightly organized literary unit.” Walsh, Jerome T. and Christopher T. Begg, 1-2 Kings in New Jerome Biblical Commentary, (New York; Prentice Hall; 1990), 171.
[ii] “for it is a theme of this whole narrative (chs. 17-18) that God has control over all aspects of nature.” Carson, D.A. editor New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition (Downers Grove, Ill; InterVarsity; 1994), 358.
[iii] “The first theme sounds from the beginning. Baal was worshiped as the God of storms and fertility. A Yahwist claim to control rainfall constitutes a direct assault on Baalist religion.” Walsh, Jerome T. and Christopher T. Begg, 1-2 Kings in The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, (New York; Prentice Hall; 1990), 171.
[iv] “. . . a certain widow: Widowhood was a mark of dependency, since such women often lacked the means to support themselves, even more so in times of famine.” Cogan, Mordechai, The Anchor Bible:1 Kings: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (New York; Doubleday; 1964), 427.
I got nuthin'
I'm struck in my reading today that nothing seems to be jumping out at me. Sure, I'm working through Scott's response to my post yesterday, as well as the implications of the wrong widow proposition. I'm also struggling with the Church today. I posted over on a bored seminarian about this new group call The Episcopal Majority that ENS says is "standing up for 'middle' chuch". This coupled with the recent action by the KJS's new Chancellor have left me feeling uneasy. Will the tenure of the new Presiding Bishop be one of rooting out conservatives? Or will she live up to her hype as reconciler and leader? I'm nervous, too nervous to get much beyond the collect for Proper 27b.
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
We are all heirs of God. We are called to be pure. We are to strive to be like Jesus. And what do we do instead? The work of the devil; tearing down the Church, tearing down fellow believers, focusing on our own problems instead of doing the work of the LORD. Psalm 146 give us our mission:- 7
- The LORD sets the prisoners free;
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind; *
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; - 8
- The LORD loves the righteous;
the LORD cares for the stranger; *
he sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
Is it the right widow?
I enjoyed Steve's last post and the idea of whether or not the widow who feeds Elijiah is in fact the widow whom God sent Elijiah to. One sort of concludes it must have been because she does in fact feed Elijiah. His question of mistake and call raised in me not only the image of the widow who is blessed by Elijiah but other call and deliverance stories. It is my contention that God is just as willing to utilize ignorance as willing obediance. We might be called to seek God in obediance but this does not mean that he must always lead folks who are aware. I could not help but think of the man who helps Paul after he is struck blind. This man is certainly not willing yet does it anyway. How could he know the miracle that was going to unfold? How could he possibly have known that the one who was most despised was going to become the greatest champion? He could not have known. Paul certainly did not know it. Happenstance reveals itself as God's will and this creates a bigger question, is all happenstance created equal? Just how active is God? Does God insert himself as it appears in the Elijiah and Paul story or is he always active becoming more active to lean on certain events and thus influence outcomes or is God always leaning (active) on all events and we only seem able to recognize it now and again? If God is always active it would mean that everything is miraculous and if everything is miraculous why are we not aware of it? It could be that we have become complacent in our awareness. If I no longer think life is by its very nature miraculous I become able to snuff it out. If I no longer think nature is gift I can cut it down. What would it be like to live seeing that the Elijiah feeding the widow and the Paul call story are not the exceptions but the rule? This in fact might be the very reason that the widow's mite is such an important story. She gives her all in expectation that she will receive because in some form or another God will provide.
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