Today's Scripture Readings
Genesis 32:22-31
Psalm 121 (BCP., p.779)
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Luke 18:1-8
Blog Reflection
The traditional use of today's Gospel makes me a bit uneasy. It has often been used to promote Almighty God as the omnipotent vending machine. If you just keep shaking it enough, out will come what you want. There are several problems with that. Among them is that what about those who persist in prayer enough to ask and ask and plead and still do not get what they want? How do we suggest such for a guy who's partner has died of cancer, after hoping and praying that he would be cured? How do we suggest that "just be faithful and God will give you your heart's desire" to those who had no assistance with food during the government shutdown, and still can't get the help they need?
The mystery of God in Jesus Christ was that God is with us. Whether we laugh or cry. During our moments of distress. In the moment when we think we have reached the end and can go no further, in Jesus, God remains faithful to us, even if we have not been faithful to God. Our relationship with God is not based on an endless litmus test to see if we succeed or fail. It is not even dependent upon us knowing every theological formula and/or historical event. A relationship with God is God's initiative. Our task is to respond to God's invitation to live with trust in God's Providence, and know that no matter what we have, know, or do, God is as close to us as the smallest cell of our bodies. There is nothing we can do that will make God love us, and want all that is good and holy for us, any less.
So, what does our Gospel say to us at the end of a long 16 day government shutdown? What might be a good faith response as we are confronted with the realities of the prejudices that still exist in the Church and society?
I would suggest that what we are hearing about in this parable of the woman and the judge, is that faith is a matter of trust and complete surrender, even when things don't appear to be going our way. As long as we are willing to grow in our relationship to God through prayer and supplication, God "will supply by the help of God's grace what is not possible for us by nature" (Prologue, Rule of St. Benedict, vs 4). We will have the courage to continue to call our Church and governmental leadership to respond to the need for justice, the end of oppression, the importance of equality and community. We will not receive all of these things just because we have heard and/or read this Gospel and responded with every form of piety. God gives to all of us the initiative of God's faith in us, so that we may trust in God and do our part as Disciples of Jesus Christ. In such is the response of faith that we profess in our Baptismal Covenant. Such is the hope that many are waiting and looking for.
As we give thanks for the end to the shutdown, and the freedom to marry for LGBT people in New Jersey this week, we are seeing the fruit of what it means to keep on pursuing what is just even in the face of the worst injustices. Not too long ago, the thought that we would now have fourteen States in America that recognize the freedom to marry for all citizens was too impossible to imagine. It has been the persistence of those of us who believe in God's unconditional and all-inclusive love for all people, and the faith to keep on going in the most difficult of circumstances, that we are seeing these changes in the Church and society. It is right to celebrate these victories. However, we must not become complacent and empathetic to the many injustices that still have a strong hold on the Church and society. That is why responding to God's initiative by faith is so imperative.
Perhaps Henry Williams Baker said it best in the first verse of hymn number 645 in the Hymnal 1982.
Amen.
Prayers
Genesis 32:22-31
The same night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." Then the man said, "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed." Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved." The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.
Psalm 121 (BCP., p.779)
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
As for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
Luke 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, `Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, `Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Blog Reflection
The traditional use of today's Gospel makes me a bit uneasy. It has often been used to promote Almighty God as the omnipotent vending machine. If you just keep shaking it enough, out will come what you want. There are several problems with that. Among them is that what about those who persist in prayer enough to ask and ask and plead and still do not get what they want? How do we suggest such for a guy who's partner has died of cancer, after hoping and praying that he would be cured? How do we suggest that "just be faithful and God will give you your heart's desire" to those who had no assistance with food during the government shutdown, and still can't get the help they need?
The mystery of God in Jesus Christ was that God is with us. Whether we laugh or cry. During our moments of distress. In the moment when we think we have reached the end and can go no further, in Jesus, God remains faithful to us, even if we have not been faithful to God. Our relationship with God is not based on an endless litmus test to see if we succeed or fail. It is not even dependent upon us knowing every theological formula and/or historical event. A relationship with God is God's initiative. Our task is to respond to God's invitation to live with trust in God's Providence, and know that no matter what we have, know, or do, God is as close to us as the smallest cell of our bodies. There is nothing we can do that will make God love us, and want all that is good and holy for us, any less.
So, what does our Gospel say to us at the end of a long 16 day government shutdown? What might be a good faith response as we are confronted with the realities of the prejudices that still exist in the Church and society?
I would suggest that what we are hearing about in this parable of the woman and the judge, is that faith is a matter of trust and complete surrender, even when things don't appear to be going our way. As long as we are willing to grow in our relationship to God through prayer and supplication, God "will supply by the help of God's grace what is not possible for us by nature" (Prologue, Rule of St. Benedict, vs 4). We will have the courage to continue to call our Church and governmental leadership to respond to the need for justice, the end of oppression, the importance of equality and community. We will not receive all of these things just because we have heard and/or read this Gospel and responded with every form of piety. God gives to all of us the initiative of God's faith in us, so that we may trust in God and do our part as Disciples of Jesus Christ. In such is the response of faith that we profess in our Baptismal Covenant. Such is the hope that many are waiting and looking for.
As we give thanks for the end to the shutdown, and the freedom to marry for LGBT people in New Jersey this week, we are seeing the fruit of what it means to keep on pursuing what is just even in the face of the worst injustices. Not too long ago, the thought that we would now have fourteen States in America that recognize the freedom to marry for all citizens was too impossible to imagine. It has been the persistence of those of us who believe in God's unconditional and all-inclusive love for all people, and the faith to keep on going in the most difficult of circumstances, that we are seeing these changes in the Church and society. It is right to celebrate these victories. However, we must not become complacent and empathetic to the many injustices that still have a strong hold on the Church and society. That is why responding to God's initiative by faith is so imperative.
Perhaps Henry Williams Baker said it best in the first verse of hymn number 645 in the Hymnal 1982.
The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his,
and he is mine forever.
Amen.
Prayers
Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed
your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your
mercy, that your Church throughout the world may
persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen. (Proper 24. Book of Common Prayer. p.235).
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on
the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within
the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit
that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those
who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for
the honor of your Name. Amen. (Prayer for Mission. Book of Common Prayer, p.101).
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