Today's Scripture Readings
Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18 (NRSV)
Psalm 119:33-40 (BCP., p.766)
1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 (NRSV)
Matthew 5:38-48 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB in her book The Monastery of the Heart: An Invitation to a Meaningful Life writes the following in the chapter 17 about Hospitality.
It would be wonderful if we could all live like that. Welcome everyone, whether or not we like her/him. No more barriers to being friends with everyone we come into contact with. Of course, we know that is hardly possible. Each of us have our point of discomfort with another person. Someone who doesn't quite "measure up." As that is the case, is God in our readings this Sunday asking too much of us?
Leviticus is the Book of the Holiness Code. It was written in the post-Babylonian Exile era. It was written in hindsight of events that the Israelite people had already experienced. It is quite possible that it was written with a certain fright that what happened to them in the exile, could reoccur if they did not get their Temple worship together. The entire book is full of ritual purity in preparation for the worship of God. Therefore, it is very important to be careful about not exacting specific passages in Leviticus such as chapter 20:13 as condemning all same-gender sexual acts as a moral obligation, when in fact it is a cultural taboo only.
However, what the book is telling us is that our response to God's acts on our behalf, should be nothing less than love and respect for our neighbor. To the point that we would honor their property, who they are, and what we do with what is on loan to us, to be shared with our neighbor. It is clear that in this writing from Leviticus, that making room for the strangers among us is evident to living with a heart that is thankful to God. To disregard the immigrant among us for the sake of hoarding all things for ourselves, is to disregard the Law of God who loves and delivers us. God's word to us here, is that our society and our communities begin to deteriorate when we leave the hungry, the stranger and the unrecognizable without their full dignity among us.
As we in the United States continue our conversation about Immigration Reform, how are we welcoming the stranger among us?
At what point do we stop identifying immigrants as "illegals" and leave some room for them to find peace, prosperity and hope in our country?
At what point in our discussion, do we stop making silly statements such as "Can I be an illegal? I could really use the benefits" as our excuse for racism and envy, when we already have more than immigrants can even imagine?
As the States of Kansas, South Dakota, Arizona, Idaho and others like them, consider bills that would legalize discrimination for businesses and services for LGBT people on the basis of "religious freedom," perhaps we should ask ourselves at what point does our "religion" give us the right to discriminate? If our Faith is about salvation and redemption in Christ, because all are welcome, as they are, who are we to make such exceptions, and justify them?
The Gospel for this Sunday is probably the most difficult for many of us to consider, let alone apply. However, what Sr. Joan wrote in the quote I used above, applies as much to our adversaries as it does our closest confidants. Our problem with this Gospel Reading is our false sense of self. We think that we are created and even redeemed to be comfortable, at peace at all times, without any conflict, loved by all and that is only where we find God. We put all our stock in God and ourselves, based on warm fuzziness.
While there is nothing completely bad about wanting to be comfortable and cozy, if we look for our relationship with God in only that, we will be endlessly disappointed. The reality of this life is, that we can never find total consolation and comfort in the things of this world. Even those who we love so closely are only but one drop in the bucket of our human experience.
What Jesus is proposing in this Gospel, is also what is meant in the sixth and seventh steps of humility in chapter 7 of The Rule of St. Benedict.
Before you close my blog post today at this point, let me explain this a bit better. St. Benedict here is not talking about walking around with an inferiority complex, nor indulging in self abuse. He is also not suggesting that we adopt an attitude to be oh so happy to be abused, discriminated against, etc., that is not what he is saying here at all. What St. Benedict and Jesus are saying, is to find our ultimate comfort and completeness in God alone. It is quite alright for us to be at the back of the line of human preference. Not because that's what we are not, but because of all that God is. All that we are, need, can be, and are about is found in God. So that even if we are confronted by someone who completely disregards us, we do not justify what they do, or in some cases not speak up, all is not lost for us. Because, we are to put our hope in God alone, and love our neighbor, even our adversary with complete abandonment of ourselves out of love and reverence for God present in every person.
This past week I engaged in a very interesting conversation with someone about the terrible violence towards LGBT in African Countries. I maintain that he violence towards LGBT people in Uganda, Nigeria and Russia is unjustifiable. The conversation I had was with someone who felt that the Anglican voices in the African Countries that are supporting the draconian laws there, should have no voice in our Anglican Communion. The problem with that is, that if we build up an attitude and policy of prejudice towards someone, because of their prejudice, then anyone with a prejudice can be kept from participating in the life and ministry of the Church. That in fact, would mean any and all of us. We will not succeed in changing hearts and minds towards one another, the more we silence the voices in opposition to each other. We will succeed, because we continue in dialogue with each other and tell our stories to one another, so that we listen to each other, and open ourselves up to the presence of Christ in each other. No matter, how difficult it is for us to do that. It means being open to one another, and loving each other, as we struggle to understand and accept each other. It will mean bearing in our hearts and souls in union with the wounds of Christ on the Cross in prayer for more open hearts and minds in our dialogue. But, let us not forget that the story of our redemption does not end with the Cross and death of Christ. It continued in Christ's Resurrection to new life, and sending the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is still among us, and "guiding us into all truth" (See John 16:12-13 NRSV). Therefore, "for God all things are possible" (Mark 10:27 NRSV).
We must, with God's help, learn to recognize in those who harbor a prejudice, our own ability to discriminate against another. We must pray with compassion as Henri J.M. Nouwen suggests in his book: With Open Hands. Seeing in our neighbor, our ability to hurt one another, our lack of acceptance and ability to forgive and be forgiven. If we close off our dialogue with each other, we will miss the opportunity to encounter Christ in one another.
In a week and half we will be at Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. As we pray and prepare ourselves for the season of fasting, penance and alms giving, perhaps we need to pray for each other. We should pray for one another, that we will be given a special measure of God's grace to receive all God's people with genuine hospitality, with a commitment to healing and reconciliation. Through our prayers and work on behalf of all God's people, may violence and prejudice become yesterday's ways of dealing with out disagreements. Instead, today, we want to embrace one another. We continue in dialogue, listening carefully to God and each other. May we listen and be silent to hear God speaking to and with us more clearly, with reverence and awareness of God's presence in each other.
Amen.
Prayers
Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18 (NRSV)
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.
When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the LORD your God.
You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the LORD.
You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning. You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.
You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the LORD.
You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
Psalm 119:33-40 (BCP., p.766)
1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 (NRSV)
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,
"He catches the wise in their craftiness,"
and again,
"The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,
that they are futile."
So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future-- all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
Matthew 5:38-48 (NRSV)
Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
"You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Blog Reflection
Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB in her book The Monastery of the Heart: An Invitation to a Meaningful Life writes the following in the chapter 17 about Hospitality.
It is possible, of course, to make community out of "our kind of people," out of people who look like us and think like us and have the same backgrounds we do.
But that is not the kind of community the ancient Rule has in mind or a Monastery of the Heart sets out to be.
And with good cause.
When Benedict of Nursia began his new way of living in wild, licentious, sixth-century Rome, he turned that world upside down.
He took into his monastic community the rich and the poor, the slave and the free, the young and the old, artists and craftsmen, peasants and noblemen. It was a motley crew.
And then, as if that weren't enough, he opened the doors of the monastery to anyone who came, at any time, to anyone who knocked, no matter who they were or where they had been in life along the way.
Most of all, he made of their coming a royal affair.
Guests were to be met by the entire community "united in peace," with prayer and always with the kiss of peace.
Benedict's community met everyone, whoever they were, with friendship and trust and honor. The pilgrim, the poor, and the stranger all became new new royalty at the monastery door.
"Jesus" the Rule teaches "is to be welcomed in them" (pages 135-137).
It would be wonderful if we could all live like that. Welcome everyone, whether or not we like her/him. No more barriers to being friends with everyone we come into contact with. Of course, we know that is hardly possible. Each of us have our point of discomfort with another person. Someone who doesn't quite "measure up." As that is the case, is God in our readings this Sunday asking too much of us?
Leviticus is the Book of the Holiness Code. It was written in the post-Babylonian Exile era. It was written in hindsight of events that the Israelite people had already experienced. It is quite possible that it was written with a certain fright that what happened to them in the exile, could reoccur if they did not get their Temple worship together. The entire book is full of ritual purity in preparation for the worship of God. Therefore, it is very important to be careful about not exacting specific passages in Leviticus such as chapter 20:13 as condemning all same-gender sexual acts as a moral obligation, when in fact it is a cultural taboo only.
However, what the book is telling us is that our response to God's acts on our behalf, should be nothing less than love and respect for our neighbor. To the point that we would honor their property, who they are, and what we do with what is on loan to us, to be shared with our neighbor. It is clear that in this writing from Leviticus, that making room for the strangers among us is evident to living with a heart that is thankful to God. To disregard the immigrant among us for the sake of hoarding all things for ourselves, is to disregard the Law of God who loves and delivers us. God's word to us here, is that our society and our communities begin to deteriorate when we leave the hungry, the stranger and the unrecognizable without their full dignity among us.
As we in the United States continue our conversation about Immigration Reform, how are we welcoming the stranger among us?
At what point do we stop identifying immigrants as "illegals" and leave some room for them to find peace, prosperity and hope in our country?
At what point in our discussion, do we stop making silly statements such as "Can I be an illegal? I could really use the benefits" as our excuse for racism and envy, when we already have more than immigrants can even imagine?
As the States of Kansas, South Dakota, Arizona, Idaho and others like them, consider bills that would legalize discrimination for businesses and services for LGBT people on the basis of "religious freedom," perhaps we should ask ourselves at what point does our "religion" give us the right to discriminate? If our Faith is about salvation and redemption in Christ, because all are welcome, as they are, who are we to make such exceptions, and justify them?
The Gospel for this Sunday is probably the most difficult for many of us to consider, let alone apply. However, what Sr. Joan wrote in the quote I used above, applies as much to our adversaries as it does our closest confidants. Our problem with this Gospel Reading is our false sense of self. We think that we are created and even redeemed to be comfortable, at peace at all times, without any conflict, loved by all and that is only where we find God. We put all our stock in God and ourselves, based on warm fuzziness.
While there is nothing completely bad about wanting to be comfortable and cozy, if we look for our relationship with God in only that, we will be endlessly disappointed. The reality of this life is, that we can never find total consolation and comfort in the things of this world. Even those who we love so closely are only but one drop in the bucket of our human experience.
What Jesus is proposing in this Gospel, is also what is meant in the sixth and seventh steps of humility in chapter 7 of The Rule of St. Benedict.
The sixth step of humility is that a monk (or anyone can be inserted here) is content with the lowest and most menial treatment and regards himself a poor and worthless workman in whatever task he is given,,,
The seventh step of humility is that a man (or woman) not only admits with his tongue but is also convinced in his heart that he is inferior to all and of less value, humbling himself and saying with the Prophet: I am truly a worm, not a man, scorned and despised by the people (Psalm 22:7) (Page 36, 37 RB 1980).
Before you close my blog post today at this point, let me explain this a bit better. St. Benedict here is not talking about walking around with an inferiority complex, nor indulging in self abuse. He is also not suggesting that we adopt an attitude to be oh so happy to be abused, discriminated against, etc., that is not what he is saying here at all. What St. Benedict and Jesus are saying, is to find our ultimate comfort and completeness in God alone. It is quite alright for us to be at the back of the line of human preference. Not because that's what we are not, but because of all that God is. All that we are, need, can be, and are about is found in God. So that even if we are confronted by someone who completely disregards us, we do not justify what they do, or in some cases not speak up, all is not lost for us. Because, we are to put our hope in God alone, and love our neighbor, even our adversary with complete abandonment of ourselves out of love and reverence for God present in every person.
This past week I engaged in a very interesting conversation with someone about the terrible violence towards LGBT in African Countries. I maintain that he violence towards LGBT people in Uganda, Nigeria and Russia is unjustifiable. The conversation I had was with someone who felt that the Anglican voices in the African Countries that are supporting the draconian laws there, should have no voice in our Anglican Communion. The problem with that is, that if we build up an attitude and policy of prejudice towards someone, because of their prejudice, then anyone with a prejudice can be kept from participating in the life and ministry of the Church. That in fact, would mean any and all of us. We will not succeed in changing hearts and minds towards one another, the more we silence the voices in opposition to each other. We will succeed, because we continue in dialogue with each other and tell our stories to one another, so that we listen to each other, and open ourselves up to the presence of Christ in each other. No matter, how difficult it is for us to do that. It means being open to one another, and loving each other, as we struggle to understand and accept each other. It will mean bearing in our hearts and souls in union with the wounds of Christ on the Cross in prayer for more open hearts and minds in our dialogue. But, let us not forget that the story of our redemption does not end with the Cross and death of Christ. It continued in Christ's Resurrection to new life, and sending the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is still among us, and "guiding us into all truth" (See John 16:12-13 NRSV). Therefore, "for God all things are possible" (Mark 10:27 NRSV).
We must, with God's help, learn to recognize in those who harbor a prejudice, our own ability to discriminate against another. We must pray with compassion as Henri J.M. Nouwen suggests in his book: With Open Hands. Seeing in our neighbor, our ability to hurt one another, our lack of acceptance and ability to forgive and be forgiven. If we close off our dialogue with each other, we will miss the opportunity to encounter Christ in one another.
In a week and half we will be at Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. As we pray and prepare ourselves for the season of fasting, penance and alms giving, perhaps we need to pray for each other. We should pray for one another, that we will be given a special measure of God's grace to receive all God's people with genuine hospitality, with a commitment to healing and reconciliation. Through our prayers and work on behalf of all God's people, may violence and prejudice become yesterday's ways of dealing with out disagreements. Instead, today, we want to embrace one another. We continue in dialogue, listening carefully to God and each other. May we listen and be silent to hear God speaking to and with us more clearly, with reverence and awareness of God's presence in each other.
Amen.
Prayers
O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we
do is worth nothing; Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our
hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace
and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted
dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son
Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.216).
Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 260).
O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior,
the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the
great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away
all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us
from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body
and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith,
one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all
of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth
and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and
one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.818).
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