Today's Scripture Readings
Genesis 18: 20-32 (NRSV)
Psalm 138 (BCP., p.793)
Colossians 2:6-15 (NRSV)
Luke 11: 1-13 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
On this 10th Sunday after Pentecost, we begin with one of the most popular clobber passages used to justify the cruel denigration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The story about Sodom and Gomorrah. It is suggested that Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed because of homosexuality. Yet, scholarly research into the details of the Cities' activities suggest that homosexuality itself was not the reason for it's destruction.
It is not one hundred percent certain that such a city actually existed. It's approximate location is questionable. At the same time, there is no direct evidence that the city did not exist. What we do know is that according to the information in the Hebrew Scriptures, it was a city of great wealth and prosperity. They had an enormous economic security. It was quite unusual for a city located in the middle of the desert. The desert was a terrible place to find oneself. The dry heat, and the dangerous animals that threatened a traveler, to not take someone in from the desert and provide them with hospitality was cruel at the worst. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were afraid that someone would come and take their wealth from them, so they canceled the laws of hospitality. Many of the wandering strangers were humiliated and tortured by the soldiers of the city. Many of them were tortured by rape. The sin therefore of Sodom and Gomorrah was lack of hospitality, while they used excessive violence toward strangers.
As Abraham was conversing with God, his concern was for those who might be righteous who would also face destruction. Abraham's prayer of reasoning with God demonstrates God's mercy and willingness to have God's heart moved for those who serve God with sincerity. What we do know from this reading in Genesis, is that God's desire for those who serve God, is to receive others with hospitality and be free from violence and prejudice. God gives us the good things we enjoy, to share with others.
As the United States continues our debate over immigration reform, we see the continued denigration of individuals based on race and nation of origin. Individuals who come seeking to escape a tyrannical way of life, come to find out what this "land of liberty" is all about. What they find, is a place where they are unjustly accused of crimes, and suspected of the worst, because of where they came from. Some States have passed laws that requires immigrants to be profiled, while they are forced to live in poverty without adequate housing, jobs and health care. Many are subjected to horrific violence. Might this kind of thing be a greater example of what Sodom and Gomorrah was doing?
In Paul's letter to the Colossians we read the hymn that celebrates that in Christ is the fullness of all humankind. What matters is not the following of physical rules per say, but the changing of what is in our hearts. The Holy Spirit has been sent to guide the Church "into all truth"(Jn 16:13) through Christ, so that those things that keep us from loving God, our neighbor and ourselves may be stripped away, so that we can serve others with compassion as freely as Christ has accepted all of us. We cannot serve Christ in others freely, if we maintain our prejudices towards people who are different than ourselves, and justify divisions in the human community.
Over these past few weeks, we have been learning of increased violence in Russia towards LGBT people. Click on this link to see the pictures of what LGBT people and their advocates are facing as they work for equality. As Christians who have been Baptized with the promise concerning the dignity of every human being, it is wrong of us to keep an empathetic silence about this issue. I urge my readers to contact John Kerry, the United States Secretary of State and tell him to speak up and tell the Russian Government to outlaw the violence being experienced by LGBT people and their supporters.
Jesus tells His disciples how to pray in this Gospel reading. The request of the disciples tells us that John the Baptist taught his followers to be devoted to prayer. As the disciples are continuing to learn who Jesus is, they want to know from His perspective what it means to pray. After Jesus gives them the words of the Lord's Prayer, He tells them about the Father's graciousness in answering prayers. It is very important to avoid seeing prayer as a means of getting something. Prayer is about growing closer in relationship to God. As in a relationship and/or friendship, if it is to develop, good communication is a necessity. Even if our spouse of friend is not able to give us exactly what we need and/or want. Such is the same with prayer and our relationship with God. Sometimes the greatest grace we get from God, is the grace to keep trusting in God, even when what we want or hope for, doesn't quite happen that way.
Jesus tells us that God is better than the neighbor who gets up in the middle of the night to give us bread. God is always listening for us. In the Rule of St. Benedict, he writes: "And let us ask God to supply by the help of His grace what by nature is hardly possible to us" (Preferring Christ: A Devotional Commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict, by Norvene Vest. p.13). When it seems like it is impossible for us to wait upon the Lord another minute, God supplies the help of His grace to turn ourselves over to God's will. It is often impossible for us by nature to be obedient to God. But, God's grace can help us to discern how best to live in loving obedience to God's will. Jesus tells us to "ask and it will be given you, search and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened." If we are open to loving God, neighbor and self, and live in openness to God's presence in others, God will show us how to live holy lives.
One thing is quite clear, we cannot live in obedience to God in prayer only, without being obedient to each other. Persistence in prayer finds its fruit as we practice hospitality, and obedience to another out of love for God. Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB in her book The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century writes about this.
Is it possible that God is continuing to allow States to pass marriage equality laws, because it is God's answer for the Church to be renewed in mission and ministry?
Could it be that as the Church continues to knock on the door of the Lord for more people to serve the Church in it's ordained ministry, the answer is to accept women, LGBT people, and people from other countries and cultural traditions?
As people continue to pray for the conversion of others to follow God's Word, might that prayer already being answered as people begin to see women, LGBT people and individuals of other religions, languages, abilities, etc, in a more inclusive way?
Sometimes the answer to our persistence in prayer, comes in what is taking place right in front of our noses. Are we paying attention?
May we be open to becoming a Church and society of greater hospitality, and be persistent enough in prayer, to be open to God's answer by way of a changed heart.
Amen.
Prayers
Genesis 18: 20-32 (NRSV)
The LORD said to Abraham, "How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin! I must go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know."
So the men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, while Abraham remained standing before the LORD. Then Abraham came near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will you then sweep away the place and not forgive it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" And the LORD said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will forgive the whole place for their sake." Abraham answered, "Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" And he said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there." Again he spoke to him, "Suppose forty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of forty I will not do it." Then he said, "Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak. Suppose thirty are found there." He answered, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." He said, "Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it." Then he said, "Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it."
Psalm 138 (BCP., p.793)
Colossians 2:6-15 (NRSV)
As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it.
Luke 11: 1-13 (NRSV)
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say:
And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' And he answers from within, `Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
- Father, hallowed be your name.
- Your kingdom come.
- Give us each day our daily bread.
- And forgive us our sins,
- for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
- And do not bring us to the time of trial."
"So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Blog Reflection
On this 10th Sunday after Pentecost, we begin with one of the most popular clobber passages used to justify the cruel denigration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The story about Sodom and Gomorrah. It is suggested that Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed because of homosexuality. Yet, scholarly research into the details of the Cities' activities suggest that homosexuality itself was not the reason for it's destruction.
It is not one hundred percent certain that such a city actually existed. It's approximate location is questionable. At the same time, there is no direct evidence that the city did not exist. What we do know is that according to the information in the Hebrew Scriptures, it was a city of great wealth and prosperity. They had an enormous economic security. It was quite unusual for a city located in the middle of the desert. The desert was a terrible place to find oneself. The dry heat, and the dangerous animals that threatened a traveler, to not take someone in from the desert and provide them with hospitality was cruel at the worst. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were afraid that someone would come and take their wealth from them, so they canceled the laws of hospitality. Many of the wandering strangers were humiliated and tortured by the soldiers of the city. Many of them were tortured by rape. The sin therefore of Sodom and Gomorrah was lack of hospitality, while they used excessive violence toward strangers.
As Abraham was conversing with God, his concern was for those who might be righteous who would also face destruction. Abraham's prayer of reasoning with God demonstrates God's mercy and willingness to have God's heart moved for those who serve God with sincerity. What we do know from this reading in Genesis, is that God's desire for those who serve God, is to receive others with hospitality and be free from violence and prejudice. God gives us the good things we enjoy, to share with others.
As the United States continues our debate over immigration reform, we see the continued denigration of individuals based on race and nation of origin. Individuals who come seeking to escape a tyrannical way of life, come to find out what this "land of liberty" is all about. What they find, is a place where they are unjustly accused of crimes, and suspected of the worst, because of where they came from. Some States have passed laws that requires immigrants to be profiled, while they are forced to live in poverty without adequate housing, jobs and health care. Many are subjected to horrific violence. Might this kind of thing be a greater example of what Sodom and Gomorrah was doing?
In Paul's letter to the Colossians we read the hymn that celebrates that in Christ is the fullness of all humankind. What matters is not the following of physical rules per say, but the changing of what is in our hearts. The Holy Spirit has been sent to guide the Church "into all truth"(Jn 16:13) through Christ, so that those things that keep us from loving God, our neighbor and ourselves may be stripped away, so that we can serve others with compassion as freely as Christ has accepted all of us. We cannot serve Christ in others freely, if we maintain our prejudices towards people who are different than ourselves, and justify divisions in the human community.
Over these past few weeks, we have been learning of increased violence in Russia towards LGBT people. Click on this link to see the pictures of what LGBT people and their advocates are facing as they work for equality. As Christians who have been Baptized with the promise concerning the dignity of every human being, it is wrong of us to keep an empathetic silence about this issue. I urge my readers to contact John Kerry, the United States Secretary of State and tell him to speak up and tell the Russian Government to outlaw the violence being experienced by LGBT people and their supporters.
Jesus tells His disciples how to pray in this Gospel reading. The request of the disciples tells us that John the Baptist taught his followers to be devoted to prayer. As the disciples are continuing to learn who Jesus is, they want to know from His perspective what it means to pray. After Jesus gives them the words of the Lord's Prayer, He tells them about the Father's graciousness in answering prayers. It is very important to avoid seeing prayer as a means of getting something. Prayer is about growing closer in relationship to God. As in a relationship and/or friendship, if it is to develop, good communication is a necessity. Even if our spouse of friend is not able to give us exactly what we need and/or want. Such is the same with prayer and our relationship with God. Sometimes the greatest grace we get from God, is the grace to keep trusting in God, even when what we want or hope for, doesn't quite happen that way.
Jesus tells us that God is better than the neighbor who gets up in the middle of the night to give us bread. God is always listening for us. In the Rule of St. Benedict, he writes: "And let us ask God to supply by the help of His grace what by nature is hardly possible to us" (Preferring Christ: A Devotional Commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict, by Norvene Vest. p.13). When it seems like it is impossible for us to wait upon the Lord another minute, God supplies the help of His grace to turn ourselves over to God's will. It is often impossible for us by nature to be obedient to God. But, God's grace can help us to discern how best to live in loving obedience to God's will. Jesus tells us to "ask and it will be given you, search and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened." If we are open to loving God, neighbor and self, and live in openness to God's presence in others, God will show us how to live holy lives.
One thing is quite clear, we cannot live in obedience to God in prayer only, without being obedient to each other. Persistence in prayer finds its fruit as we practice hospitality, and obedience to another out of love for God. Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB in her book The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century writes about this.
"If this is a life centered in the call of God, then why so much attention to the human?
The answer, of course, is that the human is the only place we can really be sure God is. It is so easy to love the God we do not see but it is so much more sanctifying to serve the God we learn to see in others" (p.69).
Is it possible that God is continuing to allow States to pass marriage equality laws, because it is God's answer for the Church to be renewed in mission and ministry?
Could it be that as the Church continues to knock on the door of the Lord for more people to serve the Church in it's ordained ministry, the answer is to accept women, LGBT people, and people from other countries and cultural traditions?
As people continue to pray for the conversion of others to follow God's Word, might that prayer already being answered as people begin to see women, LGBT people and individuals of other religions, languages, abilities, etc, in a more inclusive way?
Sometimes the answer to our persistence in prayer, comes in what is taking place right in front of our noses. Are we paying attention?
May we be open to becoming a Church and society of greater hospitality, and be persistent enough in prayer, to be open to God's answer by way of a changed heart.
Amen.
Prayers
O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom
nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon
us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so
pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 12, Book of Common Prayer, p.231).
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815).
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so
move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the
people of this land], that barriers which divide us may
crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our
divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, p. 823).
No comments:
Post a Comment