A catch phrase from some past political campaign was designed to remind everyone of the most important concept to push: "It's the economy, stupid". The imagined response is "Oh yeah, that." I felt this way last Sunday, Palm Sunday to be exact, when our priest presented his sermon on the relationship between Jesus and the Apostle Peter, and how Peter denied him on the eve of the Passion. Somewhere in the back of my mind I heard that, "It's relationships, stupid", followed by my own, "Oh yeah, that."
If I imagine that the events of that night never actually took place and if I were to suppose that someone made this story up just to make a point, I couldn't imagine a more clever thinker and story teller. In this one episode, the relationship between Peter and Jesus portrays everything we need to know about Jesus and his ministry, everything we need to know about what God wants from us. Even though we tell God, perhaps as frequently as daily, that we believe in Him, love Him and are willing to serve Him, we can hear or maybe even feel the words of Jesus in the Garden, "..before the rooster crows three times you will deny me." And we do. Consistently.
I believe very strongly that sin is not defined by activities or words. Sin is defined by how our own selfish motivations damage our realtionship with God. Sin is me being out of phase with my God Nature, with the Holy Spirit in me. The words and actions which follow are a symptom of the failed realtionship. It is then that I am doing damage to myself and to the people I profess to love, and through the law of unintended consequences, even people I don't know. Jesus knew that Peter was out of phase that night and he knew he would be back. Peter had to have his moment to see that he was not the master of his destiny, and that only by fully surrendering his powerful desire to the love of Jesus could he get that realtionship back. He did.
The two greatest commandments according to Jesus were to be in relationship with God and our fellow humans. How simple is that? The only requirement, I have to give my self away in order to do it. That is the difficult part. How many of our "unique" societal problems today would be solved if we could all live this? "Hah!", comes the response, "that will NEVER happen!" OK. It never will as long we believe it will not. At least there is a chance.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Peace
We are living in times that could become violent in a moment's notice. Political, religious, social systems- all are under stress. And why? We have reached another great period of turning. It is no accident.
This year we are 500 years out from Martin Luther's posting of the 95 Thesis which sparked the reformation movement in Europe. The movement impacted not only the Roman Church, but every aspect of life in the culture of that time, including soical systems and politics. The culture changed, radicals arose from every corner, people died in the name of what was "right".
Fundamental change never takes place without severe, radical activity of some kind. The activity usually involves a violent reaction in the physical world, and also in the world of people. Enemies will go so far as causing violence and blaming it on their foes in order to stir more violence and create chaos. Liars thrive on chaos, deflection and accusation.
Jesus caused fear in his time by upsetting a well established hiearchy and by encouraging people to see beyond the status quo. He was too radical for the powerful, came too close to upsetting their deal. His weapons were love, forgiveness and redemption. His motto was inclusion, his method was healing. His mission was truth, the thing liars fear most. And, like most people who shine light in the dark corners of corruption, he was killed for it. But, as we believe, the tables were turned in his case. His resurrection showed that even the ultimate human contrived punishment, the intentional taking of one's life, can not stop the power of God.
As Christians, it should make no difference to us who is in control, what government we have or what amount of tax we pay in this time and place. Our Saviour told us plainly, these things are of the world and gaining the world is not our goal. If we live in God, we live for him, not for political gain, control over people, or possessions. And, as Jesus said and as the Psalmist sings, those who make these things their God have already received their reward.
I believe we are all about to be challenged. Those who resist change are going to be put in the place of the scapegoat, the obstructionists, the people who are not willing give to the good of the order. As a people, if one may indeed call something as diverse as Christianity a people, we should be used to this. And, if we stick to the teachings of the Bible, we are easy targets. They, the liars, know this. And they will use this to their advantage. Our reaction will determine the future of more than the current attempt to change an already corrupt and feeble culture. Like Luther's list of complaints, it will reach far beyond anything we can imagine.
It is time to be awake, time to look for the bridegroom in the early hours of the morning, and most importantly, time be at peace.
This year we are 500 years out from Martin Luther's posting of the 95 Thesis which sparked the reformation movement in Europe. The movement impacted not only the Roman Church, but every aspect of life in the culture of that time, including soical systems and politics. The culture changed, radicals arose from every corner, people died in the name of what was "right".
Fundamental change never takes place without severe, radical activity of some kind. The activity usually involves a violent reaction in the physical world, and also in the world of people. Enemies will go so far as causing violence and blaming it on their foes in order to stir more violence and create chaos. Liars thrive on chaos, deflection and accusation.
Jesus caused fear in his time by upsetting a well established hiearchy and by encouraging people to see beyond the status quo. He was too radical for the powerful, came too close to upsetting their deal. His weapons were love, forgiveness and redemption. His motto was inclusion, his method was healing. His mission was truth, the thing liars fear most. And, like most people who shine light in the dark corners of corruption, he was killed for it. But, as we believe, the tables were turned in his case. His resurrection showed that even the ultimate human contrived punishment, the intentional taking of one's life, can not stop the power of God.
As Christians, it should make no difference to us who is in control, what government we have or what amount of tax we pay in this time and place. Our Saviour told us plainly, these things are of the world and gaining the world is not our goal. If we live in God, we live for him, not for political gain, control over people, or possessions. And, as Jesus said and as the Psalmist sings, those who make these things their God have already received their reward.
I believe we are all about to be challenged. Those who resist change are going to be put in the place of the scapegoat, the obstructionists, the people who are not willing give to the good of the order. As a people, if one may indeed call something as diverse as Christianity a people, we should be used to this. And, if we stick to the teachings of the Bible, we are easy targets. They, the liars, know this. And they will use this to their advantage. Our reaction will determine the future of more than the current attempt to change an already corrupt and feeble culture. Like Luther's list of complaints, it will reach far beyond anything we can imagine.
It is time to be awake, time to look for the bridegroom in the early hours of the morning, and most importantly, time be at peace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)