Today's Scripture Readings
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23 (NRSV)
Psalm 49 (BCP., p.652)
Colossians 3:1-11 (NRSV)
Luke 12:13-21 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
The readings for today are about living the Gospel practically. They are guiding us to do more than read and pray. We are being told to do what the Gospel is about in terms of things and people. It is a message we need in this age of wealth having the power to control the future of everyone and everything at its beckoning. In the era of the post Citizens United decision of the Supreme Court in 2010 by which individuals and corporations can spend unlimited amounts of money to influence national and local elections, this message of responsibility of what we have and what we do with it with regards to others, is timely.
The reading from Ecclesiastes and the Psalmist tell us that what we do and work for in terms of possessions and wealth is a fleeing reality. We are all born and nourished in environments of the necessities of life, as well as those things that while not necessities do bring a tremendous amount of joy. Yet, whether what we work for provides necessities or that which delights us, they are all passing away, as do our lives. Nothing of what we have now will go with us at the end of our lives. We often find during the course of our lives, the more we hang on to things and even people, the more they tend to slip away. What really is worth hanging on to then?
The Gospel calls us to a state of accountability when it comes to being able to let go for the sake of our salvation. The words of the parable are harsh. The Gospel will unsettle us when we are open to what the Holy Spirit says to us. If we are so busy gathering what we need and more that we forget that God is most imperative to us, then what we are hording is worthless.
One of the differences between Benedictines and Franciscans, is our view of material things. As Benedictines we don't take a vow of poverty so as to live in abject poverty. However, we do live with a sense that anything we have and/or use, is not ours to own. Everything, life itself, even our own bodies are on loan from God. We honor God by how well we use what God has given us. St. Benedict instructed us in Chapter 33 of The Rule that everything we have and use is for the use of the Community. In Chapter 31 Benedict instructs the Cellarer when he says: "He will regard all utensils and goods of the Monastery as sacred vessels of the altar." In other words, everything is of importance, but nothing is to be possessed to the point that it distracts us from growing closer to God.
What might be the reason for what Jesus is saying in the Gospel and Benedict in The Rule?
In Jesus Christ, God's perfect revelation of Self, God showed that God knows human beings better than we know ourselves. Though we are not suppose to allow things, money, control to become the spiritually and psychologically damaging thing that it is, those things happen. While we cannot do everything perfectly, it can still be used to help us discern God's will. If we are hording things, wealth and power all to ourselves, what does that say about how we handle people? How does such a spiritual disorder affect our willingness to let go of our control of people? Especially, but not limited to those who are different from ourselves?
As a nation, we are so hooked on our current sources of energy and fuel that we are not being good stewards of what those resources are doing to our earth. We are also blind to how wealthy coal executives, oil company CEO's, and more are, to the point that they use it to control our politics. We are polluting our water, air, destroying the rain forests, polar ice caps and more at an unprecedented rate. We live lives of waste and over use of things that we know are not good for us. What does this misuse of creation say about our taking seriously our responsibility for taking care of one another?
We live in a nation of incredible wealth and resources that can help every human person. Yet our immigration system is broken. We have politicians voting for the fortieth time to repeal health care reform that is working to help people who have little or no access to quality medical care. We have laws being passed that are punishing women who are raped or sexually assaulted by closing clinics that help the most economically challenged. We have individuals speaking violent rhetoric towards African Americans, Native Americans, Muslims, Jews, LGBT people. There are many individuals doing such things in the Name of Jesus Christ, and celebrating their misapplied zeal.
We know from history that when peoples are empowered to get the health care they need, find good paying jobs, live in peaceful communities, work to erase violence and prejudice, there is healing and reconciliation. We also know that when people invoke the Name of Jesus Christ to extend radical hospitality to bring about healing and reconciliation, the results are mind blowing. Friendships are created. Communities grow in their relationship with each other. And, everyone is held accountable for using what they have for the good of others around them.
This past Thursday an amazing thing happened in Minnesota Marriage Equality became legal. Same-sex couples can now legally marry the person they love. On Thursday, August 1st, Jason and I got married. We are now husbands. We share the same life and love we always have. The only difference is, we are now united to one another, vowed to each other and are one. We now get to say that we are husbands and is as true as it can possibly be.
I would say that marriage is one of those things that opposite sex couples cannot hold for just themselves. It is a great opportunity and even a "wealth" that is meant to be shared with Same gender couples. Marriage is one of those things that is not given to us to keep unto ourselves. It is something God gives, and calls on us to use for the purpose given. Marriage is about love, commitment and responsibility. I do not believe that all marriages are for the purpose of giving birth to children. If it happens that a marriage brings about the birth and raising of children, then that is their particular vocation. Not every marriage brings about children. Marriage does bring a sense of stability to those who live together, and it helps build a sense of security in the home and society. It is not for any sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression to keep from others. It is to be shared with and for people who are ready and willing to live in love, commitment and responsibility with each other. To regard each other as vessels containing Christ. And that, is how the Church and society is meant to live in relationship with each other.
Amen.
Prayers
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23 (NRSV)
Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
I, the Teacher, when king over Israel in Jerusalem, applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with. I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to those who come after me -- and who knows whether they will be wise or foolish? Yet they will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labors under the sun, because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun? For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.
Psalm 49 (BCP., p.652)
Colossians 3:1-11 (NRSV)
If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things-- anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!
Luke 12:13-21 (NRSV)
Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." But he said to him, "Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?" And he said to them, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." Then he told them a parable: "The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, `What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?' Then he said, `I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, `Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, `You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God."
Blog Reflection
The readings for today are about living the Gospel practically. They are guiding us to do more than read and pray. We are being told to do what the Gospel is about in terms of things and people. It is a message we need in this age of wealth having the power to control the future of everyone and everything at its beckoning. In the era of the post Citizens United decision of the Supreme Court in 2010 by which individuals and corporations can spend unlimited amounts of money to influence national and local elections, this message of responsibility of what we have and what we do with it with regards to others, is timely.
The reading from Ecclesiastes and the Psalmist tell us that what we do and work for in terms of possessions and wealth is a fleeing reality. We are all born and nourished in environments of the necessities of life, as well as those things that while not necessities do bring a tremendous amount of joy. Yet, whether what we work for provides necessities or that which delights us, they are all passing away, as do our lives. Nothing of what we have now will go with us at the end of our lives. We often find during the course of our lives, the more we hang on to things and even people, the more they tend to slip away. What really is worth hanging on to then?
The Gospel calls us to a state of accountability when it comes to being able to let go for the sake of our salvation. The words of the parable are harsh. The Gospel will unsettle us when we are open to what the Holy Spirit says to us. If we are so busy gathering what we need and more that we forget that God is most imperative to us, then what we are hording is worthless.
One of the differences between Benedictines and Franciscans, is our view of material things. As Benedictines we don't take a vow of poverty so as to live in abject poverty. However, we do live with a sense that anything we have and/or use, is not ours to own. Everything, life itself, even our own bodies are on loan from God. We honor God by how well we use what God has given us. St. Benedict instructed us in Chapter 33 of The Rule that everything we have and use is for the use of the Community. In Chapter 31 Benedict instructs the Cellarer when he says: "He will regard all utensils and goods of the Monastery as sacred vessels of the altar." In other words, everything is of importance, but nothing is to be possessed to the point that it distracts us from growing closer to God.
What might be the reason for what Jesus is saying in the Gospel and Benedict in The Rule?
In Jesus Christ, God's perfect revelation of Self, God showed that God knows human beings better than we know ourselves. Though we are not suppose to allow things, money, control to become the spiritually and psychologically damaging thing that it is, those things happen. While we cannot do everything perfectly, it can still be used to help us discern God's will. If we are hording things, wealth and power all to ourselves, what does that say about how we handle people? How does such a spiritual disorder affect our willingness to let go of our control of people? Especially, but not limited to those who are different from ourselves?
As a nation, we are so hooked on our current sources of energy and fuel that we are not being good stewards of what those resources are doing to our earth. We are also blind to how wealthy coal executives, oil company CEO's, and more are, to the point that they use it to control our politics. We are polluting our water, air, destroying the rain forests, polar ice caps and more at an unprecedented rate. We live lives of waste and over use of things that we know are not good for us. What does this misuse of creation say about our taking seriously our responsibility for taking care of one another?
We live in a nation of incredible wealth and resources that can help every human person. Yet our immigration system is broken. We have politicians voting for the fortieth time to repeal health care reform that is working to help people who have little or no access to quality medical care. We have laws being passed that are punishing women who are raped or sexually assaulted by closing clinics that help the most economically challenged. We have individuals speaking violent rhetoric towards African Americans, Native Americans, Muslims, Jews, LGBT people. There are many individuals doing such things in the Name of Jesus Christ, and celebrating their misapplied zeal.
We know from history that when peoples are empowered to get the health care they need, find good paying jobs, live in peaceful communities, work to erase violence and prejudice, there is healing and reconciliation. We also know that when people invoke the Name of Jesus Christ to extend radical hospitality to bring about healing and reconciliation, the results are mind blowing. Friendships are created. Communities grow in their relationship with each other. And, everyone is held accountable for using what they have for the good of others around them.
This past Thursday an amazing thing happened in Minnesota Marriage Equality became legal. Same-sex couples can now legally marry the person they love. On Thursday, August 1st, Jason and I got married. We are now husbands. We share the same life and love we always have. The only difference is, we are now united to one another, vowed to each other and are one. We now get to say that we are husbands and is as true as it can possibly be.
I would say that marriage is one of those things that opposite sex couples cannot hold for just themselves. It is a great opportunity and even a "wealth" that is meant to be shared with Same gender couples. Marriage is one of those things that is not given to us to keep unto ourselves. It is something God gives, and calls on us to use for the purpose given. Marriage is about love, commitment and responsibility. I do not believe that all marriages are for the purpose of giving birth to children. If it happens that a marriage brings about the birth and raising of children, then that is their particular vocation. Not every marriage brings about children. Marriage does bring a sense of stability to those who live together, and it helps build a sense of security in the home and society. It is not for any sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression to keep from others. It is to be shared with and for people who are ready and willing to live in love, commitment and responsibility with each other. To regard each other as vessels containing Christ. And that, is how the Church and society is meant to live in relationship with each other.
Amen.
Prayers
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your
Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without
your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 13, Book of Common Prayer, p.232).
Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen. (Prayer for the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p.816).
Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth,
you made us fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom
and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one
may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet
to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Conservation of Natural Resources, Book of Common Prayer, p. 827).
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