Pastor Dan's Sermon Supporting Marriage Equality
Recently, Rev. Dr. Dan Geslin, pastor of Sixth Avenue UCC in Denver, sent me a copy of his Mother's Day sermon in support of marriage equality. He said to feel welcome to pass it on. I think it is an exceptional Biblical conversation exploring the meandering history of Biblical marriage, and the difficulties one encounters when saying you "stand for Biblical marriage." I commend Dan for his Biblical examination of the issue, the courage to preach it, and for permission to pass it on. Thank you, Dan. You can read and enjoy Dan's sermon by going to: pastordan@sixthavenueucc.org.
Last Friday and Saturday, the St. Paul Area Synod of the ELCA voted to NOT support a Marriage Amendment to the Minnesota State Constitution that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. While grateful that the assembly voted to oppose the amendment, it needs to be said that Minnesota already has a state law that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. So, our backsides were covered! This being said, the tenor of the speeches was strongly in the spirit of equality and respect for loving marriage relationships. The conversation was aided by the speech of Pastor Anita Hill, an ELCA pastor whose marriage several years ago was blessed in the church, causing a real stir. She said (paraphrase): "I know we are all tired of dealing with this issue. Frankly, so am I. But marriage and love and relationship all go together in Christ." The vote was 2+ to 1 in favor of opposition to the amendment.
Finally, if you have a sermon or would like to write a piece for the Colorado Confession Blog, let me know and we'll make it happen. The CC Blog is meant for everyone to share how each of us is moved by the spirit of the confession. FEEL WELCOME! Send it to: coloradoconfession316@gmail.com.
Blessings and Peace!
Ron
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
RESOLUTION POWER
What good are resolutions? Resolutions are decisions. To decide is to act. Resolutions are decisions to act. This flow is consistent with the Gospel text from John where we read the call to "bear fruit or be cut down."
I am part of a committed group called the Joint Peace with Justice Committee. We are sponsoring two resolutions and endorsing a third for our synod assembly to debate and vote upon.
The FIRST resolution calls upon congregations to provide the opportunity for youth to engage in prayerful, theological, and real conversation about issues relating to joining the military. We believe the church has been neglectful in providing vocational guidance in this most life-altering decision. The JPJC would provide resources to congregations.
The SECOND resolution urges people to vote against a Voter ID Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution. Here again, the JPJC would provide resources for conversation and decision-making.
The THIRD resolution urges opposition to a proposed amendment to the state constitution stating that marriage is between one man and one woman. This amendment would prevent gay marriage and perhaps civil unions. Again, resources will be provided.
Some say that resolutions are like blowing in the wind, signifying nothing, only words with no punch, producing little if any change. Certainly, there is ample evidence of these truths. But there is also the positive side, the side that makes a difference. What do resolutions do to "bear fruit"?
FIRST, resolutions create AWARENESS. Call it consciousness raising. Change happens only when we know the need for change. Resolutions lift up, shine light, reveal a situation or problem.
SECOND, resolutions lay out the CASE for response. Reasons are given as to why the issue is important to address. Resolutions do the thinking and make the argument. Resolutions area like teach-ins.
THIRD, resolutions CONNECT the Biblical Word with life issues. Resolutions make clear that the Word is not only about God-Jesus-Holy Spirit and "spiritual things", but also about real life. Resolutions provide the theological backing for a real-life response. The Church has a particular point of view. The Church is Church only because of the Word. Yet, the Church is in the world. The connection needs to be made. Resolutions go beyond personal opinion and engage us with ultimate God-in-life issues.
FOURTH, resolutions STIR the church. The church worships securely, comfortably within walls as the people sit and stand in unison. Resolutions say there is an edge to the Christian life. The Christian life is not simply about me, but we and they. Resolutions make the Church twitch and become nervous, or angry, or excited, and step out of our comfort zones.
FIFTH, resolutions give the People of God the opportunity to VOICE their faith, their conscience, their opinions, their convictions. People can go public and have "here I stand" moments! The people can "preach" and make real the Priesthood of all believers.
SIXTH, resolutions call us to ACT. Resolutions call us to transform the world! To act beyond the walls! To make real the Reign of God, the Kingdom of God! The Church is called to make a difference, to confront the status quo, to stand with the vulnerable, to feed the hungry, to protest injustice, to make for peace.
I think of the social statements of the various denominations. Yes, I take issue with many; but there are also many I truly celebrate. All of them probably arose from resolutions. They are all attempts at giving witness to Christ in the world through the Church. They are all calling the Church to be the Church in the world. They all say that Christ has a stake in the world, and so do we as followers of Jesus. Indeed, we are called to be living resolutions!
A colleague once said: "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." Resolutions provide the calling and opportunity to stand for something, to stand together, to stand with others, to stand with Christ.
Have you ever authored a resolution? Have you ever worked with a group to write a resolution? Have you ever spoken to a resolution? Try it sometime! Christ speaks and acts through us.
Peace!
What good are resolutions? Resolutions are decisions. To decide is to act. Resolutions are decisions to act. This flow is consistent with the Gospel text from John where we read the call to "bear fruit or be cut down."
I am part of a committed group called the Joint Peace with Justice Committee. We are sponsoring two resolutions and endorsing a third for our synod assembly to debate and vote upon.
The FIRST resolution calls upon congregations to provide the opportunity for youth to engage in prayerful, theological, and real conversation about issues relating to joining the military. We believe the church has been neglectful in providing vocational guidance in this most life-altering decision. The JPJC would provide resources to congregations.
The SECOND resolution urges people to vote against a Voter ID Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution. Here again, the JPJC would provide resources for conversation and decision-making.
The THIRD resolution urges opposition to a proposed amendment to the state constitution stating that marriage is between one man and one woman. This amendment would prevent gay marriage and perhaps civil unions. Again, resources will be provided.
Some say that resolutions are like blowing in the wind, signifying nothing, only words with no punch, producing little if any change. Certainly, there is ample evidence of these truths. But there is also the positive side, the side that makes a difference. What do resolutions do to "bear fruit"?
FIRST, resolutions create AWARENESS. Call it consciousness raising. Change happens only when we know the need for change. Resolutions lift up, shine light, reveal a situation or problem.
SECOND, resolutions lay out the CASE for response. Reasons are given as to why the issue is important to address. Resolutions do the thinking and make the argument. Resolutions area like teach-ins.
THIRD, resolutions CONNECT the Biblical Word with life issues. Resolutions make clear that the Word is not only about God-Jesus-Holy Spirit and "spiritual things", but also about real life. Resolutions provide the theological backing for a real-life response. The Church has a particular point of view. The Church is Church only because of the Word. Yet, the Church is in the world. The connection needs to be made. Resolutions go beyond personal opinion and engage us with ultimate God-in-life issues.
FOURTH, resolutions STIR the church. The church worships securely, comfortably within walls as the people sit and stand in unison. Resolutions say there is an edge to the Christian life. The Christian life is not simply about me, but we and they. Resolutions make the Church twitch and become nervous, or angry, or excited, and step out of our comfort zones.
FIFTH, resolutions give the People of God the opportunity to VOICE their faith, their conscience, their opinions, their convictions. People can go public and have "here I stand" moments! The people can "preach" and make real the Priesthood of all believers.
SIXTH, resolutions call us to ACT. Resolutions call us to transform the world! To act beyond the walls! To make real the Reign of God, the Kingdom of God! The Church is called to make a difference, to confront the status quo, to stand with the vulnerable, to feed the hungry, to protest injustice, to make for peace.
I think of the social statements of the various denominations. Yes, I take issue with many; but there are also many I truly celebrate. All of them probably arose from resolutions. They are all attempts at giving witness to Christ in the world through the Church. They are all calling the Church to be the Church in the world. They all say that Christ has a stake in the world, and so do we as followers of Jesus. Indeed, we are called to be living resolutions!
A colleague once said: "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." Resolutions provide the calling and opportunity to stand for something, to stand together, to stand with others, to stand with Christ.
Have you ever authored a resolution? Have you ever worked with a group to write a resolution? Have you ever spoken to a resolution? Try it sometime! Christ speaks and acts through us.
Peace!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
BEYOND JOHN WAYNE
My interest in Native Americans began with John Wayne in the movie "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon". He played a near retired cavalry Colonel Nathan Brittles, riding out on one last campaign to settle down a tribe of Indians. Then came the television series, "Rin Tin Tin" with the dog, a boy, and Lt. Rip Masters, riding around trying to keep the peace while demanding the Indians "know their place."
Then came college. As a student at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, I became active in a group who spent weekends on the Neegonee and White Earth Indian Reservations in north central Minnesota. I worked not with savages who needed to be tamed, but a people in poverty, stripped of culture and dignity.
Over time as camp director for 17 years, I developed ministries with the Native American people on the Upper and Lower Sioux Reservations in Minnesota, The Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, and Pine Ridge in South Dakota. At Sky Ranch, we were fortunate to have a Native American on our camp board, Joe Brown Thunder, who taught us the power and grace of the Talking Circle. We developed an area called Villore', consisting of tee pee poles from South Dakota, poles used as part of a Columbus Day demonstration of genocide on the Augustana College campus in Sioux Falls. In Villore' we told a part of the tragic story of this near annihilation of a people. Villore' means: Village of Reconciliation. Also, thanks to the efforts of a staff member, Erik Evenson, we developed an area of camp known as Oyateyamni, meaning "One Circle People".
And now, I am working with a great group of people concerned about Native American justice. We are part of the Joint Peace with Justice Committee of the two Twin Cities ELCA synods. Recently, we sponsored a Council of Conversation, bringing together Native American and White leaders. The purpose: TO GIVE VOICE TO ISSUES OF JUSTICE AND INJUSTICE WITHIN THE NATIVE AMERICAN AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.
The theological foundations opening the council were: ""Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream", Amos; "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied", Jesus; "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for we all are one in Jesus Christ", Paul.
The Council of Conversation focused on the areas of: ISSUES, SOLUTIONS, PRIORITIES, and ACTION. The methodology followed the Talking Circle or Talking Feather style: people sitting around a table, one person talks for a couple of minutes with no interruption or discussion, then the next, until all have spoken, uninterrupted. The focus was on the dignity of every one's voice being heard and valued.
What did we learn? ISSUES: About 50 were mentioned, with the dominant being poverty, racism, tribal council corruption, the need to learn the history of the people and what happened, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, the need for education, equal justice under the law, and sovereignty.
SOLUTIONS: Learn the truth of what is happening, de-colonization, education, work with people already in the trenches, deal with corruption in tribal councils, fair allocation of casino money, fair employment practices on reservations, economic development on reservations, getting beyond POW feeling on reservations, fair wages for casino workers, teach truthful history, nurture spirituality.
PRIORITIES: Poverty, education, addressing tribal government, nurturing healthy people, directed funding, insuring genuine democracy.
ACTIONS: Develop grass roots leadership, form action team, have conversations on reservations to give more people voice, begin addressing PRIORITIES.
I recall two strong comments that seem to crystallize the morning: 1) When asked what happens to all the money generated by the casinos? Jim Randolph, former Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals said, "You don't want to know."; 2) After a passionate plea, during which Curtis said, "I've had enough of seeing my people die", he said, "Truth is the new hate speech."
It was heartening that of the 25 people attending, 50% of us agreed to sit on the ACTION TEAM. Now the real work begins.
I am grateful to people who have helped me move beyond John Wayne.
Blessings and Peace!
My interest in Native Americans began with John Wayne in the movie "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon". He played a near retired cavalry Colonel Nathan Brittles, riding out on one last campaign to settle down a tribe of Indians. Then came the television series, "Rin Tin Tin" with the dog, a boy, and Lt. Rip Masters, riding around trying to keep the peace while demanding the Indians "know their place."
Then came college. As a student at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, I became active in a group who spent weekends on the Neegonee and White Earth Indian Reservations in north central Minnesota. I worked not with savages who needed to be tamed, but a people in poverty, stripped of culture and dignity.
Over time as camp director for 17 years, I developed ministries with the Native American people on the Upper and Lower Sioux Reservations in Minnesota, The Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, and Pine Ridge in South Dakota. At Sky Ranch, we were fortunate to have a Native American on our camp board, Joe Brown Thunder, who taught us the power and grace of the Talking Circle. We developed an area called Villore', consisting of tee pee poles from South Dakota, poles used as part of a Columbus Day demonstration of genocide on the Augustana College campus in Sioux Falls. In Villore' we told a part of the tragic story of this near annihilation of a people. Villore' means: Village of Reconciliation. Also, thanks to the efforts of a staff member, Erik Evenson, we developed an area of camp known as Oyateyamni, meaning "One Circle People".
And now, I am working with a great group of people concerned about Native American justice. We are part of the Joint Peace with Justice Committee of the two Twin Cities ELCA synods. Recently, we sponsored a Council of Conversation, bringing together Native American and White leaders. The purpose: TO GIVE VOICE TO ISSUES OF JUSTICE AND INJUSTICE WITHIN THE NATIVE AMERICAN AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.
The theological foundations opening the council were: ""Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream", Amos; "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied", Jesus; "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for we all are one in Jesus Christ", Paul.
The Council of Conversation focused on the areas of: ISSUES, SOLUTIONS, PRIORITIES, and ACTION. The methodology followed the Talking Circle or Talking Feather style: people sitting around a table, one person talks for a couple of minutes with no interruption or discussion, then the next, until all have spoken, uninterrupted. The focus was on the dignity of every one's voice being heard and valued.
What did we learn? ISSUES: About 50 were mentioned, with the dominant being poverty, racism, tribal council corruption, the need to learn the history of the people and what happened, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, the need for education, equal justice under the law, and sovereignty.
SOLUTIONS: Learn the truth of what is happening, de-colonization, education, work with people already in the trenches, deal with corruption in tribal councils, fair allocation of casino money, fair employment practices on reservations, economic development on reservations, getting beyond POW feeling on reservations, fair wages for casino workers, teach truthful history, nurture spirituality.
PRIORITIES: Poverty, education, addressing tribal government, nurturing healthy people, directed funding, insuring genuine democracy.
ACTIONS: Develop grass roots leadership, form action team, have conversations on reservations to give more people voice, begin addressing PRIORITIES.
I recall two strong comments that seem to crystallize the morning: 1) When asked what happens to all the money generated by the casinos? Jim Randolph, former Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals said, "You don't want to know."; 2) After a passionate plea, during which Curtis said, "I've had enough of seeing my people die", he said, "Truth is the new hate speech."
It was heartening that of the 25 people attending, 50% of us agreed to sit on the ACTION TEAM. Now the real work begins.
I am grateful to people who have helped me move beyond John Wayne.
Blessings and Peace!
Friday, April 6, 2012
Holy Week Ethics
Holy Week is about costly grace. Implied within the grace is the ethic. If one desires to understand the character of Christian discipleship, the events of Holy Week are seminal. Initiated by Jesus, Christ's actions serve as models for the actions of obedient followers.
The Gospel of Luke is most appropriate for laying open Holy Week ethics, because it is the most socially conscious, justice oriented Gospel. Furthermore, Luke is the dominant Biblical source for Liberation Theology, the theology which stresses social justice and societal transformation.
PALM SUNDAY: Some call this moment Passion Sunday, preferring to read the texts covering the events forthcoming: the cleansing of the Temple, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. However, Palm Sunday needs to stand by itself. On Palm Sunday, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, not a stallion. A donkey is a humble symbol, of an animal used by the common people for carrying loads and transportation, kind of like a pick-up truck or a car. Roman generals and political figures rode on stallions to trumpet their power and prestige, with a tinge of fearful respect. Not Jesus. The message is "I am with you. I enter your life. I share your burdens. I understand the common life."
Jesus confronts the politically and religiously powerful on Palm Sunday. Jesus does not avoid the powers. Jesus accepts conflict as part of his faithfulness. Jerusalem is the center of religious and political power. He has come to transform these powers with the power of love. He is not afraid. He stands up for reforming the world. Jesus enters the maw of the world. It is like MLK, Jr. going to Washington, DC with a message of freedom, or Gandhi walking to the sea to pick-up a pinch of salt in defiance of unjust laws. Jesus is not silent. Jesus has courage. What situations beg my courage? What places demand a visit from me? Am I willing to accept conflict as part of my witness? What people and places do I avoid, but which beg my response?
JESUS CLEANSES THE TEMPLE: Just as Luther believed the church needed reforming, so did Jesus believe the Temple needed reform. Jesus directly confronted the religious elite and their practices. The Kingdom of God is not about buying and selling your way into God's favor. It is not about having levels of holiness. It is not about specified holy places reserved for the professional holy men. On the contrary, the Kingdom of God is about what Christ has done for us, about all people being welcome and included, about loving God and your neighbor, about all people being part of the priesthood of all believers, about holiness being God's gift for everyone, about all people being created in the Image of God, about equality before God. Jesus came to reform and transform our relationship with God. Jesus confronted the religious leadership and challenged long-standing religious practices with a new message of grace and welcome. There are no more forbidden places in the Kingdom, no more hierarchy. We are ONE. How can I be a reformer? What needs to be said to our church leaders? What beliefs and practices of our Church need reforming? What or whom do I need to denounce? What or who needs my critical words? How do I feel about being critical? Am I an instrument of change? How can I become God's instrument for renewal?
PAYING TAXES: The religious elite try to manipulate Jesus into making a political error that would justify his being arrested and tried for breaking the tax laws. They wanted to send the I.R.S after him for tax evasion! Jesus' response? A degree of taxation is appropriate for the functions of the state, and so is generosity to the poor, to the specific ministry of the church. Share your wealth for the common good and the furtherance of the Kingdom of God, and do not try to hoard all earnings for your own pleasures and needs. Look outward to support wider responsibilities and needs. Jesus linked the purpose of government with the building of the Kingdom of God. Government has its proper place. Yet, Jesus also stressed our personal giving on behalf of Christ's ministry through the church, through each of us. What can I say and do about our nation's tax code? What is a fair tax? What constitutes a "just budget"? How can I hold the government accountable for who my/our tax money is spent?
THE WIDOW'S OFFERING: Jesus praises the generosity of the poor widow, contrasting her giving with the proportionally less giving of the wealthy. If you have more, give more. Be generous for the sake of the common good, that all may have enough. Wealth is for the good of all. Hoarding and greed are anathema to God and destructive to life. Do I tithe? How generous am I? How generous is our congregation?
MAUNDY THURSDAY: A time of service. Jesus washes the feet of the disciples and gives us the Lord's Supper. Jesus touches the dirtiest parts of the body. The leader, the teacher, the preacher, the healer, the one whom people have come to see and hear, is now, again, the servant to the least parts. Then, the ultimate gift of himself in the bread and wine: "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sin." Gifts. For us. For life. For love. Servant. No shame. All of us are worthy of grace. How can we serve? Who are the poor in our midst? How can I serve my family? Is my comfort zone too comfortable? Is it time to break out of my comfort zone?
THE BETRAYAL: The soldiers come to Gethsemane to arrest Jesus. One of the disciples takes his sword and cuts off the ear of one of the high priest's slaves. Jesus says, "No more of this." "[And Jesus] touched his ear and healed him." The Kingdom of God, the Reign of God is not about inflicting violence upon others, but accepting violence onto oneself. How do I inflict violence? What do I need to change? Is my Christian witness violent? How violent are my thoughts, words, and deeds? Do I need Christ's healing of my heart?
THE ARREST OF JESUS: Have I ever been arrested for my witness? Is it about time to break the law? Do I do enough to be arrested?
JESUS BEFORE THE COUNCIL, PILATE, AND HEROD: If I were brought before religious and political leaders because of my criticism of some of their policies, what would I say? Pick a policy that would be counter the religious and political status quo. How would I defend my position? Would I remain silent and let the chips fall where they fall? When is it time to keep silent before authority, and when is it time to shout? Who are the councils, the Pilates, the Herods of today? What would I say to them?
GOOD FRIDAY: Death is good because it is not the end, only the door to life. Jesus giving his life for us. Our substitute. I will take your place! I will take your sin! I will forgive you even before you ask! I will welcome you into the Kingdom of God, simply because I love you. Your burdens and past will not exile you from my Kingdom. Be not afraid of death. As I give myself for you, now you give yourself for others, for me. For whom, for what, will I give my life? Is my life faithfully purposeful? Am I willing to incur the wrath of authority and suffer the consequences? Am I willing to be crucified for Christ's sake? I willing to forgive those who would do me harm? Who do I need to forgive?
Holy Week is about costly grace. Implied within the grace is the ethic. Jesus' actions are vivid examples, models of God's love for us. We can learn "how to" lessons of discipleship, ask deeper questions from Christ's most Holy Week, and be inspired to "do likewise." Yet, underlying the practical modelling, is the greatness and gentleness of grace. Discipleship is not easy. It is this grace that frees us to faithful, obedient living. It is God's grace in Jesus through the Holy Spirit that guides and provides. It is out of this grace that the Christ ethic bursts forth through each of us in surprisingly fresh ways, yielding to each day being one of endless days of endless Holy Weeks, making painfully real the Kingdom, the Reign of God.
Blessings and Peace!
Ron
The Gospel of Luke is most appropriate for laying open Holy Week ethics, because it is the most socially conscious, justice oriented Gospel. Furthermore, Luke is the dominant Biblical source for Liberation Theology, the theology which stresses social justice and societal transformation.
PALM SUNDAY: Some call this moment Passion Sunday, preferring to read the texts covering the events forthcoming: the cleansing of the Temple, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. However, Palm Sunday needs to stand by itself. On Palm Sunday, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, not a stallion. A donkey is a humble symbol, of an animal used by the common people for carrying loads and transportation, kind of like a pick-up truck or a car. Roman generals and political figures rode on stallions to trumpet their power and prestige, with a tinge of fearful respect. Not Jesus. The message is "I am with you. I enter your life. I share your burdens. I understand the common life."
Jesus confronts the politically and religiously powerful on Palm Sunday. Jesus does not avoid the powers. Jesus accepts conflict as part of his faithfulness. Jerusalem is the center of religious and political power. He has come to transform these powers with the power of love. He is not afraid. He stands up for reforming the world. Jesus enters the maw of the world. It is like MLK, Jr. going to Washington, DC with a message of freedom, or Gandhi walking to the sea to pick-up a pinch of salt in defiance of unjust laws. Jesus is not silent. Jesus has courage. What situations beg my courage? What places demand a visit from me? Am I willing to accept conflict as part of my witness? What people and places do I avoid, but which beg my response?
JESUS CLEANSES THE TEMPLE: Just as Luther believed the church needed reforming, so did Jesus believe the Temple needed reform. Jesus directly confronted the religious elite and their practices. The Kingdom of God is not about buying and selling your way into God's favor. It is not about having levels of holiness. It is not about specified holy places reserved for the professional holy men. On the contrary, the Kingdom of God is about what Christ has done for us, about all people being welcome and included, about loving God and your neighbor, about all people being part of the priesthood of all believers, about holiness being God's gift for everyone, about all people being created in the Image of God, about equality before God. Jesus came to reform and transform our relationship with God. Jesus confronted the religious leadership and challenged long-standing religious practices with a new message of grace and welcome. There are no more forbidden places in the Kingdom, no more hierarchy. We are ONE. How can I be a reformer? What needs to be said to our church leaders? What beliefs and practices of our Church need reforming? What or whom do I need to denounce? What or who needs my critical words? How do I feel about being critical? Am I an instrument of change? How can I become God's instrument for renewal?
PAYING TAXES: The religious elite try to manipulate Jesus into making a political error that would justify his being arrested and tried for breaking the tax laws. They wanted to send the I.R.S after him for tax evasion! Jesus' response? A degree of taxation is appropriate for the functions of the state, and so is generosity to the poor, to the specific ministry of the church. Share your wealth for the common good and the furtherance of the Kingdom of God, and do not try to hoard all earnings for your own pleasures and needs. Look outward to support wider responsibilities and needs. Jesus linked the purpose of government with the building of the Kingdom of God. Government has its proper place. Yet, Jesus also stressed our personal giving on behalf of Christ's ministry through the church, through each of us. What can I say and do about our nation's tax code? What is a fair tax? What constitutes a "just budget"? How can I hold the government accountable for who my/our tax money is spent?
THE WIDOW'S OFFERING: Jesus praises the generosity of the poor widow, contrasting her giving with the proportionally less giving of the wealthy. If you have more, give more. Be generous for the sake of the common good, that all may have enough. Wealth is for the good of all. Hoarding and greed are anathema to God and destructive to life. Do I tithe? How generous am I? How generous is our congregation?
MAUNDY THURSDAY: A time of service. Jesus washes the feet of the disciples and gives us the Lord's Supper. Jesus touches the dirtiest parts of the body. The leader, the teacher, the preacher, the healer, the one whom people have come to see and hear, is now, again, the servant to the least parts. Then, the ultimate gift of himself in the bread and wine: "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sin." Gifts. For us. For life. For love. Servant. No shame. All of us are worthy of grace. How can we serve? Who are the poor in our midst? How can I serve my family? Is my comfort zone too comfortable? Is it time to break out of my comfort zone?
THE BETRAYAL: The soldiers come to Gethsemane to arrest Jesus. One of the disciples takes his sword and cuts off the ear of one of the high priest's slaves. Jesus says, "No more of this." "[And Jesus] touched his ear and healed him." The Kingdom of God, the Reign of God is not about inflicting violence upon others, but accepting violence onto oneself. How do I inflict violence? What do I need to change? Is my Christian witness violent? How violent are my thoughts, words, and deeds? Do I need Christ's healing of my heart?
THE ARREST OF JESUS: Have I ever been arrested for my witness? Is it about time to break the law? Do I do enough to be arrested?
JESUS BEFORE THE COUNCIL, PILATE, AND HEROD: If I were brought before religious and political leaders because of my criticism of some of their policies, what would I say? Pick a policy that would be counter the religious and political status quo. How would I defend my position? Would I remain silent and let the chips fall where they fall? When is it time to keep silent before authority, and when is it time to shout? Who are the councils, the Pilates, the Herods of today? What would I say to them?
GOOD FRIDAY: Death is good because it is not the end, only the door to life. Jesus giving his life for us. Our substitute. I will take your place! I will take your sin! I will forgive you even before you ask! I will welcome you into the Kingdom of God, simply because I love you. Your burdens and past will not exile you from my Kingdom. Be not afraid of death. As I give myself for you, now you give yourself for others, for me. For whom, for what, will I give my life? Is my life faithfully purposeful? Am I willing to incur the wrath of authority and suffer the consequences? Am I willing to be crucified for Christ's sake? I willing to forgive those who would do me harm? Who do I need to forgive?
Holy Week is about costly grace. Implied within the grace is the ethic. Jesus' actions are vivid examples, models of God's love for us. We can learn "how to" lessons of discipleship, ask deeper questions from Christ's most Holy Week, and be inspired to "do likewise." Yet, underlying the practical modelling, is the greatness and gentleness of grace. Discipleship is not easy. It is this grace that frees us to faithful, obedient living. It is God's grace in Jesus through the Holy Spirit that guides and provides. It is out of this grace that the Christ ethic bursts forth through each of us in surprisingly fresh ways, yielding to each day being one of endless days of endless Holy Weeks, making painfully real the Kingdom, the Reign of God.
Blessings and Peace!
Ron
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Life in a Toxic World
In a toxic world, we are created and called to GO TO GOD and COME TO JESUS. The promise of God in Christ is that God/Jesus will RESPOND, and the response will be life-giving.
"Toxic" has become a frequently used word to describe the condition of our politics, our church, and our world. Gridlock in state and national politics, passage of Taliban-like laws relating to women's health, voter suppression laws, passage of right-to-work laws which harm the middle class and further stifle unions, corporate high-jacking of our electoral process, unemployment and foreclosures, poverty and racism, the Trayvon Martin tragedy, continual wars, rifts in the Church, and the list extends ad infinitude. Where do we find life and hope?
Our congregation's Lenten series focuses on Old Testament texts. I was asked to preach on a text from the Book of Numbers, chapter 21, verses 1-9. This text provides life and hope through the rhythm of GOING TO GOD, COMING TO JESUS, and God RESPONDING.
The people of Israel had been wandering in the wilderness for decades. Nearing Canaan, they encountered a Canaanite tribe and snakes. Here's what happened and how life and hope surfaced.
1. A Canaanite tribe attacked the People of Israel, killing some and taking others captive. The Israelites CALLED OUT to God, asking that God deliver them, promising they would destroy them and their towns. God said yes! The Israelites were victorious! I do not subscribe to the notion that God wills the killing of people. Considering that the Book of Numbers was written hundreds of years after the occasion, Old Testament historians had a theological axe to grind, and tended to kowtow to the warrior god as doing the will of God in order to justify the invasion of Canaan and the settling into their new Promised Land. Furthermore, there was considerable nationalistic hubris throughout the Exodus narrative, resulting in justification of invasion violence. The larger point in this story is that the people of God CALLED OUT to God and God RESPONDED by giving them strength to act because God sides with the oppressed, the alien, the stranger, the abused, and God had a made the promise of a Land. God was assuring the People of God that they were not powerless, but powerful because of God's grace, that God would guide and provide for their new home.
We are created for action, to step-up, and stand-up in the face of unwarranted violence. I recall what MLK, Jr. once said: "When your back ain't bent, nobody can ride you." The strong response to the Trayvon Martin tragedy is consistent with the action within these verses in Numbers. Historically, the march from Selma to Montgomery which we celebrate this week, was a push-back against injustice. Going to God and Coming to Jesus about these issues invites the action of God to transform the injustice into hope and life. Similarly, our calling out, followed by God's response, ignites our further response. Today, we are left with the question of what parts of life need our push-back, our invoking the action of God?
2. The people complained, CALLED OUT to God and Moses, because there was no water, no food, no food they liked. Complaint is not lack of faith. The prophets complained about the lack of justice. Job complained about his misfortunes. But in this text, complaint was linked with lack of faith, denial of God's grace, and disobedience. They "spoke against God and Moses." They had the integrity of their honesty. It was perhaps natural that the people felt betrayed. They had trusted Moses and God that they were to be led to a new home land, but with all this suffering? But there was a breakdown in faith and they began to follow their own whims. Therefore, God RESPONDED by sending snakes to bite and kill them. Here again, I do not subscribe to God sending snakes to kill people. In the desert, snakes happen! This is a metaphor based on reality, telling us that disobedience and turning against God is sinful. Where there is sin there are pain, consequences, and accountability. Sin is a fracture in relationship. In the OT, the snake was a symbol of evil, lying, deceit, Satan, of the fracture in our relationship with God and each other.
David Brooks, editorial writer for the New York Times, recently wrote an article entitled: "The Monster Lurking in Our Souls". He was writing in response to the tragic shooting of Afghanistan civilians by Staff Sargent Robert Bales. Bales was a model soldier and husband. But he snapped. Brooks writes that all of us have our dark sides, quoting John Calvin, who believed that "babies came out depraved", G.K. Chesterton that "The doctrine of original sin is the only part of Christian theology that can be proved", and C.S. Lewis saying "There is no such thing as an ordinary person. Each person you sit next to on the bus is capable of extraordinary horrors and extraordinary heroism." Crying out to God, to Jesus, in confession is proper Christian discipline. The People of Israel CALLED OUT to God in confession, and God RESPONDED in mercy.
Complaint is a valid response to many of life's rhythms. Yet, while we complain, can we still bend our knees? Can we chant our kyries in obedience? Kyries invite God's merciful response. Kyries sing our vulnerabilities. Kyries express trust in God's grace in our powerlessness. Complain, yes! But complain and believe!
3. Suffering from snake bites, the People of God CALLED OUT to God and Moses, confessing their sins, and asking God to remove the snakes from their midst. God RESPONDED by promising that if they were bitten in the future, they were to look upon a bronze snake that Moses was to construct, and they would live.
It is important that our CALLING OUT be specific. Why are we calling out, coming to Jesus? It must be because of this and that, this person, that situation. Calling out needs focus. God wants us to acknowledge the truth within our hearts, so that in calling out, we too have "skin in the game", that God's response also commits us to response through God's grace. Calling out is intercession involving the unity of God's action and our action. Certainly, God can transform by God self, but we are God's faithful servants and called to be God's instruments. As we call out to God, come to Jesus, we are also calling out ourselves. Obedience to God couples with obedience to ourselves.
As we live in our toxic world, we are given the GRACE to CALL OUT to God, GO TO GOD, COME TO JESUS, in the confidence that God in Christ will RESPOND in ways that grant hope and life! Living in our toxic world necessitates that we CALL OUT to God, because in our CALLING OUT, our GOING TO GOD, COMING TO JESUS, we are RESPONDING to God's grace, practicing obedience, living intentionally, straightening our backs to face the world, and insisting upon peace and justice, equality and dignity, with the strength of the promises of God's RESPONSE. CALLING OUT takes faith, humility and courage, how God responds may not always be nice, the journey is fraught with hope and peril, suffering is on the table, and expectations may at times seem out of reach, but the Promised Land is real, we are beckoned, we are focused for discipleship, and life and hope are guaranteed!
We are created and called to GO TO GOD and COME TO JESUS! In this is life in a toxic world!
Blessings and Peace!
Ron
"Toxic" has become a frequently used word to describe the condition of our politics, our church, and our world. Gridlock in state and national politics, passage of Taliban-like laws relating to women's health, voter suppression laws, passage of right-to-work laws which harm the middle class and further stifle unions, corporate high-jacking of our electoral process, unemployment and foreclosures, poverty and racism, the Trayvon Martin tragedy, continual wars, rifts in the Church, and the list extends ad infinitude. Where do we find life and hope?
Our congregation's Lenten series focuses on Old Testament texts. I was asked to preach on a text from the Book of Numbers, chapter 21, verses 1-9. This text provides life and hope through the rhythm of GOING TO GOD, COMING TO JESUS, and God RESPONDING.
The people of Israel had been wandering in the wilderness for decades. Nearing Canaan, they encountered a Canaanite tribe and snakes. Here's what happened and how life and hope surfaced.
1. A Canaanite tribe attacked the People of Israel, killing some and taking others captive. The Israelites CALLED OUT to God, asking that God deliver them, promising they would destroy them and their towns. God said yes! The Israelites were victorious! I do not subscribe to the notion that God wills the killing of people. Considering that the Book of Numbers was written hundreds of years after the occasion, Old Testament historians had a theological axe to grind, and tended to kowtow to the warrior god as doing the will of God in order to justify the invasion of Canaan and the settling into their new Promised Land. Furthermore, there was considerable nationalistic hubris throughout the Exodus narrative, resulting in justification of invasion violence. The larger point in this story is that the people of God CALLED OUT to God and God RESPONDED by giving them strength to act because God sides with the oppressed, the alien, the stranger, the abused, and God had a made the promise of a Land. God was assuring the People of God that they were not powerless, but powerful because of God's grace, that God would guide and provide for their new home.
We are created for action, to step-up, and stand-up in the face of unwarranted violence. I recall what MLK, Jr. once said: "When your back ain't bent, nobody can ride you." The strong response to the Trayvon Martin tragedy is consistent with the action within these verses in Numbers. Historically, the march from Selma to Montgomery which we celebrate this week, was a push-back against injustice. Going to God and Coming to Jesus about these issues invites the action of God to transform the injustice into hope and life. Similarly, our calling out, followed by God's response, ignites our further response. Today, we are left with the question of what parts of life need our push-back, our invoking the action of God?
2. The people complained, CALLED OUT to God and Moses, because there was no water, no food, no food they liked. Complaint is not lack of faith. The prophets complained about the lack of justice. Job complained about his misfortunes. But in this text, complaint was linked with lack of faith, denial of God's grace, and disobedience. They "spoke against God and Moses." They had the integrity of their honesty. It was perhaps natural that the people felt betrayed. They had trusted Moses and God that they were to be led to a new home land, but with all this suffering? But there was a breakdown in faith and they began to follow their own whims. Therefore, God RESPONDED by sending snakes to bite and kill them. Here again, I do not subscribe to God sending snakes to kill people. In the desert, snakes happen! This is a metaphor based on reality, telling us that disobedience and turning against God is sinful. Where there is sin there are pain, consequences, and accountability. Sin is a fracture in relationship. In the OT, the snake was a symbol of evil, lying, deceit, Satan, of the fracture in our relationship with God and each other.
David Brooks, editorial writer for the New York Times, recently wrote an article entitled: "The Monster Lurking in Our Souls". He was writing in response to the tragic shooting of Afghanistan civilians by Staff Sargent Robert Bales. Bales was a model soldier and husband. But he snapped. Brooks writes that all of us have our dark sides, quoting John Calvin, who believed that "babies came out depraved", G.K. Chesterton that "The doctrine of original sin is the only part of Christian theology that can be proved", and C.S. Lewis saying "There is no such thing as an ordinary person. Each person you sit next to on the bus is capable of extraordinary horrors and extraordinary heroism." Crying out to God, to Jesus, in confession is proper Christian discipline. The People of Israel CALLED OUT to God in confession, and God RESPONDED in mercy.
Complaint is a valid response to many of life's rhythms. Yet, while we complain, can we still bend our knees? Can we chant our kyries in obedience? Kyries invite God's merciful response. Kyries sing our vulnerabilities. Kyries express trust in God's grace in our powerlessness. Complain, yes! But complain and believe!
3. Suffering from snake bites, the People of God CALLED OUT to God and Moses, confessing their sins, and asking God to remove the snakes from their midst. God RESPONDED by promising that if they were bitten in the future, they were to look upon a bronze snake that Moses was to construct, and they would live.
It is important that our CALLING OUT be specific. Why are we calling out, coming to Jesus? It must be because of this and that, this person, that situation. Calling out needs focus. God wants us to acknowledge the truth within our hearts, so that in calling out, we too have "skin in the game", that God's response also commits us to response through God's grace. Calling out is intercession involving the unity of God's action and our action. Certainly, God can transform by God self, but we are God's faithful servants and called to be God's instruments. As we call out to God, come to Jesus, we are also calling out ourselves. Obedience to God couples with obedience to ourselves.
As we live in our toxic world, we are given the GRACE to CALL OUT to God, GO TO GOD, COME TO JESUS, in the confidence that God in Christ will RESPOND in ways that grant hope and life! Living in our toxic world necessitates that we CALL OUT to God, because in our CALLING OUT, our GOING TO GOD, COMING TO JESUS, we are RESPONDING to God's grace, practicing obedience, living intentionally, straightening our backs to face the world, and insisting upon peace and justice, equality and dignity, with the strength of the promises of God's RESPONSE. CALLING OUT takes faith, humility and courage, how God responds may not always be nice, the journey is fraught with hope and peril, suffering is on the table, and expectations may at times seem out of reach, but the Promised Land is real, we are beckoned, we are focused for discipleship, and life and hope are guaranteed!
We are created and called to GO TO GOD and COME TO JESUS! In this is life in a toxic world!
Blessings and Peace!
Ron
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Theology Over Ideology
Christians are called to believe, think, and act THEOLOGICALLY. Our theology is to shape our ideology, not the other way around. THEOLOGY is about living in and out of relationship with God, being shaped by God's grace to do God's will. IDEOLOGY is about living in and out of political and social values shaped by culture, philosophy, and personal bias, for the purpose of doing our will.
I belong to an ecumenical progressive ministry called ISAIAH. Its purpose comes from Isaiah 58: to be a "repairer of the breach, a mender of cities." Towards this end, ISAIAH is committed to addressing major issues such as education, budget, voter ID by impacting legislation through influencing our state legislators. This means lobbying. No, we don't bribe, get big bucks, or kickbacks! We visit, have thoughtful conversation, listen, and share our views.
Recently, I was part of a lobbying team which visited two Republican legislators. One visit was particularly illuminating. We shared our views on an education proposal for equal access and opportunity for all. Finally, the legislator said, "I have noticed that the proposals of the Joint Religious and Legislative Council (another progressive ecumenical ministry) and ISAIAH tend to be similar to the DFL ideology."
At this I jumped in, saying, "It is not about ideology, but theology. I notice that you have a Bible on your lamp stand. ISAIAH understands the Bible as God calling us to insure equal access, equal opportunity, equal justice for all people. ISAIAH welcomes all people towards this effort, Republican and Democrat." I also said, "Jesus takes sides. Jesus wills that all people have enough for life, that there be dignity, access, opportunity, justice, and life for all." I tried to lift up THEOLOGY over IDEOLOGY, and to say that THEOLOGY must shape our IDEOLOGY, that THEOLOGY brings Christian folks together politically for the sake of the common good.
It was a time of witness as well as policy conversation. The tone changed from confrontation to contemplation, from argument to listening, from IDEOLOGY to THEOLOGY. In the end I felt a union of concern and spirit. Will his votes change? Yet, we witnessed, listened, and advocated.
At a recent ISAIAH training session, we focused on how to lobby, how to advocate, how to move the conversation beyond ideology to theology. Part of the answer is to focus on VALUES. Hence, we have developed GROUNDING QUESTIONS, asking: Will our leaders
1) CREATE racial equity in our state?
2) UNITE us rather that divide us?
3) CREATE prosperity for all rather than concentrating on wealth?
4) EXPAND participation and power in public decision making?
5) MOVE us from gridlock into working together creatively?
It is ISAIAH's belief that addressing the various issues of our time through asking these questions can lead to common ground for the common good. Why? Because these questions are VALUE QUESTIONS which lead us to conversation about the state of our common humanity and what we can do together to provide for ALL.
I think these questions put THEOLOGY on the table, and direct the conversation towards actions which unite for justice and the common good, rather than create an IDEOLOGICAL barrier of gridlock and abuse of power.
THEOLOGY shapes IDEOLOGY. The power of the Church is its THEOLOGY and reliance on the Word, in which Christ is proclaimed, who in turn transforms life and politics.
Peace!
Ron Letnes
I belong to an ecumenical progressive ministry called ISAIAH. Its purpose comes from Isaiah 58: to be a "repairer of the breach, a mender of cities." Towards this end, ISAIAH is committed to addressing major issues such as education, budget, voter ID by impacting legislation through influencing our state legislators. This means lobbying. No, we don't bribe, get big bucks, or kickbacks! We visit, have thoughtful conversation, listen, and share our views.
Recently, I was part of a lobbying team which visited two Republican legislators. One visit was particularly illuminating. We shared our views on an education proposal for equal access and opportunity for all. Finally, the legislator said, "I have noticed that the proposals of the Joint Religious and Legislative Council (another progressive ecumenical ministry) and ISAIAH tend to be similar to the DFL ideology."
At this I jumped in, saying, "It is not about ideology, but theology. I notice that you have a Bible on your lamp stand. ISAIAH understands the Bible as God calling us to insure equal access, equal opportunity, equal justice for all people. ISAIAH welcomes all people towards this effort, Republican and Democrat." I also said, "Jesus takes sides. Jesus wills that all people have enough for life, that there be dignity, access, opportunity, justice, and life for all." I tried to lift up THEOLOGY over IDEOLOGY, and to say that THEOLOGY must shape our IDEOLOGY, that THEOLOGY brings Christian folks together politically for the sake of the common good.
It was a time of witness as well as policy conversation. The tone changed from confrontation to contemplation, from argument to listening, from IDEOLOGY to THEOLOGY. In the end I felt a union of concern and spirit. Will his votes change? Yet, we witnessed, listened, and advocated.
At a recent ISAIAH training session, we focused on how to lobby, how to advocate, how to move the conversation beyond ideology to theology. Part of the answer is to focus on VALUES. Hence, we have developed GROUNDING QUESTIONS, asking: Will our leaders
1) CREATE racial equity in our state?
2) UNITE us rather that divide us?
3) CREATE prosperity for all rather than concentrating on wealth?
4) EXPAND participation and power in public decision making?
5) MOVE us from gridlock into working together creatively?
It is ISAIAH's belief that addressing the various issues of our time through asking these questions can lead to common ground for the common good. Why? Because these questions are VALUE QUESTIONS which lead us to conversation about the state of our common humanity and what we can do together to provide for ALL.
I think these questions put THEOLOGY on the table, and direct the conversation towards actions which unite for justice and the common good, rather than create an IDEOLOGICAL barrier of gridlock and abuse of power.
THEOLOGY shapes IDEOLOGY. The power of the Church is its THEOLOGY and reliance on the Word, in which Christ is proclaimed, who in turn transforms life and politics.
Peace!
Ron Letnes
Monday, February 27, 2012
Lessons of Lent: Temptation or Obedience?
We have begun our Lenten Journey. We are marked by the Cross of Jesus. We are presented with the Lessons of Lent: Temptation or Obedience.
The Temptation Story in the Gospel of Matthew 4:1-11 presents us with two opposing choices: God in Christ (OBEDIENCE), or Evil (Satan, Leviathan) (TEMPTATION). Our response indicates how we will respond to today's challenges.
Obedience to the TEMPTATIONS of Evil-Satan-Leviathan are, according to Matthew: 1) Eating well, filling our bellies, enjoying a satisfying meal, becoming obese physically and personally; 2) Celebrity, doing magic to the applause of spectators, glorying in fame; 3) Power and wealth, political influence, villas by the sea, mansions beside the lake, private jets, and all the perks of position.
On the otherhand, OBEDIENCE to God and the Way of Christ are: 1) Food for the stomach, mind, and heart: FOOD OF THE WORD; 2) Refusal to focus life on fame and self-glory; 3) Choosing to worship God, to place God in Christ at the Center of life, trusting that God will guide and provide according to God's gracious will.
What follows this story is Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. The Way of OBEDIENCE is the Way of the Sermon on the Mount.
OBEDIENCE to the Word, to God, to Christ, to the Cross calls us to compassion, empathy, justice, mercy, peacemaking, nonviolence, suffering for others, love of enemies, honoring marriage and relationship, inclusion, celebration of diversity, seeking reconciliation, forgiveness, generosity, prayer, humility, creation care, concern for the common good, and discipleship.
Yielding to TEMPTATION brings greed, profit at the expense of people, war, violence, abuse of power, self expression for the sake of self, waste of resources, environmental scourging, arrogance, abuse of bodies, racial and gender prejudice, economic inequality, neglect of the least of these, pre-occupation with pleasure to the exclusion of concern for the common good, and purposeful infliction of pain for the sake of self protection and love of power.
Specifically, the TEMPTATION side is exemplified by the rush to institute VOTER ID laws in order to exclude the votes of the most powerless and vulnerable. RIGHT TO WORK laws will further depress the earning power and safety net of the middle class. Prevention of GAY MARRIAGE will deny the civil rights of gender choice. The TABOR amendment (Taxpayers Bill of Rights) will strangle budget and tax reform and funnel more money to the upper 1% to the detriment of support for education, infrastructure, and health care. Intrusion into WOMEN'S HEALTH ISSUES such as contraception and abortion rights, through invasive procedures is a violation of privacy and the dignity of choice. Further TAX-CUTTING for the upper 1% and failure to hold businesses financially accountable for OFF-SHORING their wealth, will lead to more education cuts, infrastructure neglect, more unemployment, continued erosion of the middle class, and continued rise in poverty. Chipping away at OBAMACARE will prevent more people from receiving necessary health care. Eliminating REGULATIONS and preventing the VOLCKER RULE from going into effect will further unplug the dam of careless speculation which led us into this economic hole.
TEMPTATION is about ABUSE OF POWER for the sake of the POWERFUL. Temptation scraps the Sermon on the Mount.
Yes, we all yield to temptation. Yes, we all have mixed records of obedience. Yet, God's grace calls us to yield to John the Baptist's call for repentance, and repentance opens us to obedience. Again and again and again. We can start over.
Lessons of Lent.
Peace!
Ron Letnes
The Temptation Story in the Gospel of Matthew 4:1-11 presents us with two opposing choices: God in Christ (OBEDIENCE), or Evil (Satan, Leviathan) (TEMPTATION). Our response indicates how we will respond to today's challenges.
Obedience to the TEMPTATIONS of Evil-Satan-Leviathan are, according to Matthew: 1) Eating well, filling our bellies, enjoying a satisfying meal, becoming obese physically and personally; 2) Celebrity, doing magic to the applause of spectators, glorying in fame; 3) Power and wealth, political influence, villas by the sea, mansions beside the lake, private jets, and all the perks of position.
On the otherhand, OBEDIENCE to God and the Way of Christ are: 1) Food for the stomach, mind, and heart: FOOD OF THE WORD; 2) Refusal to focus life on fame and self-glory; 3) Choosing to worship God, to place God in Christ at the Center of life, trusting that God will guide and provide according to God's gracious will.
What follows this story is Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. The Way of OBEDIENCE is the Way of the Sermon on the Mount.
OBEDIENCE to the Word, to God, to Christ, to the Cross calls us to compassion, empathy, justice, mercy, peacemaking, nonviolence, suffering for others, love of enemies, honoring marriage and relationship, inclusion, celebration of diversity, seeking reconciliation, forgiveness, generosity, prayer, humility, creation care, concern for the common good, and discipleship.
Yielding to TEMPTATION brings greed, profit at the expense of people, war, violence, abuse of power, self expression for the sake of self, waste of resources, environmental scourging, arrogance, abuse of bodies, racial and gender prejudice, economic inequality, neglect of the least of these, pre-occupation with pleasure to the exclusion of concern for the common good, and purposeful infliction of pain for the sake of self protection and love of power.
Specifically, the TEMPTATION side is exemplified by the rush to institute VOTER ID laws in order to exclude the votes of the most powerless and vulnerable. RIGHT TO WORK laws will further depress the earning power and safety net of the middle class. Prevention of GAY MARRIAGE will deny the civil rights of gender choice. The TABOR amendment (Taxpayers Bill of Rights) will strangle budget and tax reform and funnel more money to the upper 1% to the detriment of support for education, infrastructure, and health care. Intrusion into WOMEN'S HEALTH ISSUES such as contraception and abortion rights, through invasive procedures is a violation of privacy and the dignity of choice. Further TAX-CUTTING for the upper 1% and failure to hold businesses financially accountable for OFF-SHORING their wealth, will lead to more education cuts, infrastructure neglect, more unemployment, continued erosion of the middle class, and continued rise in poverty. Chipping away at OBAMACARE will prevent more people from receiving necessary health care. Eliminating REGULATIONS and preventing the VOLCKER RULE from going into effect will further unplug the dam of careless speculation which led us into this economic hole.
TEMPTATION is about ABUSE OF POWER for the sake of the POWERFUL. Temptation scraps the Sermon on the Mount.
Yes, we all yield to temptation. Yes, we all have mixed records of obedience. Yet, God's grace calls us to yield to John the Baptist's call for repentance, and repentance opens us to obedience. Again and again and again. We can start over.
Lessons of Lent.
Peace!
Ron Letnes
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)