Today's Scripture Readings
Haggai 1:15b-2:9 (NRSV)
Psalm 145 (BCP., p.801)
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 (NRSV)
Luke 20:27-38 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
The Liturgical Year C will be coming to a close in a couple weeks. In just two weeks we will celebrate Christ the King Sunday followed by the beginning of the new Liturgical Year A with the First Sunday of Advent. As is the tradition of the Church, the Scripture readings this time of the year concentrate our attention on the End times. The readings become darker and pointing towards the Ending of the old order of things, and a new one beginning.
The People of Israel were no strangers to old things slipping away and new things starting. They were once slaves in Egypt. Through the mighty arm of the Lord and Moses they were brought out of Egypt and their descendents were led into the promised land. The People of Israel were a tribal community. They saw many battles over ownership of their land, the worship of God and other gods, the raising up of the Temple of Solomon, and it's eventual destruction before the Babylonian exile. Haggai is part of a conversation between God and Israel to build a new Temple now that they have returned to their land. As one would imagine, the people wanted to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple which was the center of the City with all the splendor of God contained therein. Yahweh is promising that just as God was with them when the Israelites were led out of Egypt by Moses, so God will be with them now as they undertake the rebuilding of the Temple. This time, however, God promises to build an even greater Temple by shaking up the old order of things, and building something far more wonderful with all it's splendor. God wishes to bring forth all the silver and gold to show that God's House is a place where everyone is beautiful, and worships God in holiness and reverence.
The story from Haggai sounds a lot like the martyrdom of St. Laurence the Deacon. He was killed during the Valerian persecutions of the Christians. At the time of his execution, he had gathered all the silver and gold owned by the Church at the time, sold it ,and gave the proceeds to the poor. When his executioners asked him for all the treasures of the Church, Laurence pointed to the poor women, men and children with him and said: "these are the treasures of the Church." Following these words, Laurence was put on an iron grid. While laying there he cried out: "Turn me over guys, I am all done on one side."
What kind of temple are we building in the Church and society today?
Our world seems to be so entrapped by wealth, power and a drive to leave the marginalized to fend for themselves. This passed Thursday, November 7th the US Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The bill provides Federal equal rights protections for LGBT people in employment, financial assistance, public assistance and housing. There is no guarantee that the bill will even get a floor vote in the US House, because Christianist groups that are working against LGBT equal rights protections protections are making an issue of "religious liberty" as a justification for continuing discrimination for LGBT people.
Bishop Gene Robinson wrote an outstanding article in The Huffington Post this past week. I found the following paragraphs to be of particular interest.
Speaking of the words and actions of Jesus, what an amazing spectacle we have in today's Gospel narrative. Jesus is being confronted by a group of religious authorities who do not believe in a resurrection. Yet, here they are, asking him a question about their Jewish Law with regards to marriage based on the resurrection. It never ceases to amaze me how individuals will use material from something they do not even believe in to make a point about something so meaningless. But, here we have just such an example.
As Psalm 145 is such a perfect compliment to the reading from Haggai, because it talks of God's compassion on all God's works, so Paul's letter to the Thessalonians supports what is taking place in the Gospel.
Jesus here wants to send a clear message. The message has a lot less to do with marriage, but more to do with the individuals the Sadducees question is designed to affect. Marriage in the time of Jesus was from the Mosaic Law which saw marriage as a contract with a dowry and an exchange of property, including the woman. Jesus' concern here is not only about raising the dignity of the women to their natural God given place, He also wants to declare that they are included in the new Reign of God that is about the new life that Jesus will bring by His triumphant Resurrection. The promise that Jesus gives is not just for a new life in a world to come, but to establish a new order, a new way of life into our lives in the here and now. In the Common English Bible, verse 38 in Luke 20 reads: "He isn't the God of the dead but of the living. To him they are all alive." Jesus brings hope for new life in this world, leading into the next, by bringing the power of the Holy Spirit through His Death and Resurrection. The result of the saving work of Jesus does not establish a new Church by which all others supercede into only one; but one in Himself, by which all people who are considered worthless, stigmatized by religious and civil authorities, are now among God's beloved in God's Reign in Christ.
If we want to see a new world built that reflects the Resurrection then it becomes necessary to talk about and address the concerns of climate change. We are all sharers in this world. The more we destroy and abuse the resources in this world that alters the climate and kills off other wildlife and destroys lands, the closer we bring God's world to dying of human made causes. God doesn't fix what's wrong, per say, so long as we don't take seriously our responsibility for doing our part in the fixing.
A new world where the Resurrection becomes visible means that we show respect for women, by improving the laws that protect them from the violence of rape, sexual assault, incest and being used by men as property to be exploited and discarded. We would provide in our laws not only the protection of women in terms of reproductive health care, but supply job training, education, health care and a social safety net that supports the poor women, especially those who face discrimination because of race, immigration status, religion and so forth.
We celebrate a new world coming into being under God's Reign, with the Resurrection showing all it's glory when we no longer accept the bullying of LGBT and questioning youth in our schools, as well as LGBTQ people in the work place, housing, financial assistance and more. We would celebrate and defend the freedom to marry, recognizing that through marriage equality God is recreating society through the Holy Spirit as She "renews the face of the earth" (see Psalm 104:31).
The new world built on the Resurrection is one of radical hospitality, with reconciliation and healing as part of the process. It becomes the work of everyone coming together, celebrating our diversity and joining the great fellowship of Christ's Body and Blood in the Eucharist. It is through the Eucharist that the Body of Christ which is so very fragmented, has the opportunity to become one, as the Real Presence of God is received and shared by all of God's beloved.
May we this day, commit ourselves to the work of building the new world on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, where there is hope and possibility for an inclusive Reign of God.
Amen.
Prayers
Haggai 1:15b-2:9 (NRSV)
In the second year of King Darius, in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the prophet Haggai, saying: Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, and say, Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the LORD; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear. For thus says the LORD of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts. The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts.
Psalm 145 (BCP., p.801)
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 (NRSV)
As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you?
But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
Luke 20:27-38 (NRSV)
Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and asked him a question, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; then the second and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her."
Jesus said to them, "Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive."
Blog Reflection
The Liturgical Year C will be coming to a close in a couple weeks. In just two weeks we will celebrate Christ the King Sunday followed by the beginning of the new Liturgical Year A with the First Sunday of Advent. As is the tradition of the Church, the Scripture readings this time of the year concentrate our attention on the End times. The readings become darker and pointing towards the Ending of the old order of things, and a new one beginning.
The People of Israel were no strangers to old things slipping away and new things starting. They were once slaves in Egypt. Through the mighty arm of the Lord and Moses they were brought out of Egypt and their descendents were led into the promised land. The People of Israel were a tribal community. They saw many battles over ownership of their land, the worship of God and other gods, the raising up of the Temple of Solomon, and it's eventual destruction before the Babylonian exile. Haggai is part of a conversation between God and Israel to build a new Temple now that they have returned to their land. As one would imagine, the people wanted to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple which was the center of the City with all the splendor of God contained therein. Yahweh is promising that just as God was with them when the Israelites were led out of Egypt by Moses, so God will be with them now as they undertake the rebuilding of the Temple. This time, however, God promises to build an even greater Temple by shaking up the old order of things, and building something far more wonderful with all it's splendor. God wishes to bring forth all the silver and gold to show that God's House is a place where everyone is beautiful, and worships God in holiness and reverence.
The story from Haggai sounds a lot like the martyrdom of St. Laurence the Deacon. He was killed during the Valerian persecutions of the Christians. At the time of his execution, he had gathered all the silver and gold owned by the Church at the time, sold it ,and gave the proceeds to the poor. When his executioners asked him for all the treasures of the Church, Laurence pointed to the poor women, men and children with him and said: "these are the treasures of the Church." Following these words, Laurence was put on an iron grid. While laying there he cried out: "Turn me over guys, I am all done on one side."
What kind of temple are we building in the Church and society today?
Our world seems to be so entrapped by wealth, power and a drive to leave the marginalized to fend for themselves. This passed Thursday, November 7th the US Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The bill provides Federal equal rights protections for LGBT people in employment, financial assistance, public assistance and housing. There is no guarantee that the bill will even get a floor vote in the US House, because Christianist groups that are working against LGBT equal rights protections protections are making an issue of "religious liberty" as a justification for continuing discrimination for LGBT people.
Bishop Gene Robinson wrote an outstanding article in The Huffington Post this past week. I found the following paragraphs to be of particular interest.
Although the membership of every major Christian denomination shows a majority of support for this legislation, opposition to this bill is coming in large part from many of the leaders of these same religious denominations, demanding ever-broader exemption from the provisions of this law. One amendment which would have added these exemptions to ENDA was defeated in the Senate, but will undoubtedly reappear in the House debate. They would create a hole in the protections big enough to drive a PopeMobile through. It would allow an exception for non-profits and for-profits alike from having to implement the legislated protections, providing they could show at least a thin connection to some religious entity which takes a dim view of LGBT people.
For instance, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is vigorously opposing ENDA, asserting that their right to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity is essential to Catholics' religious liberty. Now stop, and just take that in for a moment. A Church, dedicated to following the man known for his outreach and compassion for the marginalized, petitioning the government to be exempted from the fair treatment of marginalized and vulnerable LGBT people. It takes my breath away.
Can you imagine what Jesus might have said to St. Peter if the disciple had requested an exemption from Jesus' command to "love your enemies?!" What if disciples James and John had argued with Jesus about whether or not "love your neighbor as yourself" actually should apply to them in all cases? What would Jesus have said to the good, religious people of his time when they asked for an exemption to Jesus' command to "love one another as I have loved you," based of course upon their deeply-held, religious beliefs?
Speaking of the words and actions of Jesus, what an amazing spectacle we have in today's Gospel narrative. Jesus is being confronted by a group of religious authorities who do not believe in a resurrection. Yet, here they are, asking him a question about their Jewish Law with regards to marriage based on the resurrection. It never ceases to amaze me how individuals will use material from something they do not even believe in to make a point about something so meaningless. But, here we have just such an example.
As Psalm 145 is such a perfect compliment to the reading from Haggai, because it talks of God's compassion on all God's works, so Paul's letter to the Thessalonians supports what is taking place in the Gospel.
Jesus here wants to send a clear message. The message has a lot less to do with marriage, but more to do with the individuals the Sadducees question is designed to affect. Marriage in the time of Jesus was from the Mosaic Law which saw marriage as a contract with a dowry and an exchange of property, including the woman. Jesus' concern here is not only about raising the dignity of the women to their natural God given place, He also wants to declare that they are included in the new Reign of God that is about the new life that Jesus will bring by His triumphant Resurrection. The promise that Jesus gives is not just for a new life in a world to come, but to establish a new order, a new way of life into our lives in the here and now. In the Common English Bible, verse 38 in Luke 20 reads: "He isn't the God of the dead but of the living. To him they are all alive." Jesus brings hope for new life in this world, leading into the next, by bringing the power of the Holy Spirit through His Death and Resurrection. The result of the saving work of Jesus does not establish a new Church by which all others supercede into only one; but one in Himself, by which all people who are considered worthless, stigmatized by religious and civil authorities, are now among God's beloved in God's Reign in Christ.
If we want to see a new world built that reflects the Resurrection then it becomes necessary to talk about and address the concerns of climate change. We are all sharers in this world. The more we destroy and abuse the resources in this world that alters the climate and kills off other wildlife and destroys lands, the closer we bring God's world to dying of human made causes. God doesn't fix what's wrong, per say, so long as we don't take seriously our responsibility for doing our part in the fixing.
A new world where the Resurrection becomes visible means that we show respect for women, by improving the laws that protect them from the violence of rape, sexual assault, incest and being used by men as property to be exploited and discarded. We would provide in our laws not only the protection of women in terms of reproductive health care, but supply job training, education, health care and a social safety net that supports the poor women, especially those who face discrimination because of race, immigration status, religion and so forth.
We celebrate a new world coming into being under God's Reign, with the Resurrection showing all it's glory when we no longer accept the bullying of LGBT and questioning youth in our schools, as well as LGBTQ people in the work place, housing, financial assistance and more. We would celebrate and defend the freedom to marry, recognizing that through marriage equality God is recreating society through the Holy Spirit as She "renews the face of the earth" (see Psalm 104:31).
The new world built on the Resurrection is one of radical hospitality, with reconciliation and healing as part of the process. It becomes the work of everyone coming together, celebrating our diversity and joining the great fellowship of Christ's Body and Blood in the Eucharist. It is through the Eucharist that the Body of Christ which is so very fragmented, has the opportunity to become one, as the Real Presence of God is received and shared by all of God's beloved.
May we this day, commit ourselves to the work of building the new world on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, where there is hope and possibility for an inclusive Reign of God.
Amen.
Prayers
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. (Proper 27, Book of Common Prayer, p.236).
God our Father, whose Son our Lord Jesus Christ in a
wonderful Sacrament has left us a memorial of his passion:
Grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of his Body and
Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit
of his redemption; who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Prayer for the Holy Eucharist, Book of Common Prayer, p. 252).
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. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, p.260).
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