Today's readings: Psalms 63, 149; Genesis 24:28-38, 49-51; Hebrews 12:12-29; John 7:14-36
Psalm 63 speaks passionately of the psalmist's longing for God's presence: "my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you" (v 1). It celebrates the fulfillment he finds in the Lord: "My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast" (v 5). It expresses his glad and utter dependence on God: "in the shadows of your wings I sing for you [...] ; your right hand upholds me (vv 7,8). Roughly two thirds of the way through, starting at verse 11, it turns in a completely different direction. The psalmist begins cursing his enemies, calling them "prey for jackals" who "shall go down into the depths of the earth" (vv 10, 9). This pattern of longing, praise, and gratitude followed by curses cast upon one's enemies is common to many psalms. Why might this be?
Sometimes we have trouble understanding the difference between rejoicing in our own triumphs and reveling in the misfortune of our enemies. "Enemies" is a concept we can apply in many ways. Sometimes it's as seemingly innocent as a rival team. Many a pre-game prayer has been for victory - and by extension for loss by the opposing team. There are no heroes or villains in this situation, yet such a prayer presumes God will favor one side over the other. On a larger scale, we hear much rhetoric about America being a nation enjoying special favor from God. This belief in our own righteousness can cloud our perception of the morality of our actions as a nation. At its ugliest, it encourages us to think of our enemies as God's enemies.
When Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies, it isn't only to change them - it's also to change our hearts toward them. Competition can be good, and global conflicts can be unavoidable, but our attitudes about them can change. Jesus famously interacted with Samaritans and other "enemies" of his people because his vision was not limited by the tribalism which afflicts so many of us. When we follow his example and understand God's love includes our enemies, we can break free from the false win/lose thinking that creates nothing but division. Praying for the welfare of our enemies makes them our neighbors.
Evening readings: Psalms 125, 90
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Monday, February 3, 2014
Bread of Life
Today's readings: Psalms 62; 145, Genesis 19:1-17 (18-23) 24-29, Hebrews 11:1-12, John 6:27-40
When Jesus refers to himself as "the Bread of Life" he promises that anyone who eats of his body and drinks of his blood will never hunger or thirst (John 6:35). Of course this is a metaphor, but legendary saints like Therese of Lisieux claimed to need no nourishment but the Eucharist. The unperishing, completely filling food Jesus speaks of is that which satisfies our souls. Physical food sustains our existence but spiritual food transforms existence into eternal life.
Recognizing our mortality often leads to acknowledging a terrifying void in the core of our beings. Typical mid-life crises can involve the panicked acquisition of perishable things in an attempt to fill that void - things like fast vehicles, younger romantic partners, and one more promotion. However, the mid-life crisis is just regular life writ large. Who hasn't spent a sleepless night wondering if they've done enough with their lives, or regretting actions taken and untaken? We like to think there is something on the horizon we can do or have that will satisfy the unnamable longing within us. Advertisers know how to manipulate this spiritual hunger - after all they refer to us as "consumers." Spiritual junk food is much like actual junk food, which burdens us with extra weight to carry while leaving us malnourished.
Paradoxically, the food Jesus offers us is ... nothing. It is freedom from worldly concerns that comes with trusting we are beloved children of God. It is freedom from guilt and shame. It is freedom from feeling an unhealthy need for control. In the absence of all the things and attitudes we do and acquire to fill the void, the Spirit finds room to fill us with peace and love.
Not that contentment leaves us lazy! Food is fuel, after all, and the Bread of Life fuels us into joyous and fulfilling action. We don't serve our brothers and sisters in the hopes of finding joy - we serve them because we are already stuffed to the gills with joy. Our praise does not spring from a sense of obligation, but from a sense of gratitude. We work best - physically and spiritually - with a balanced diet.
Evening readings: Psalms 73; 9
When Jesus refers to himself as "the Bread of Life" he promises that anyone who eats of his body and drinks of his blood will never hunger or thirst (John 6:35). Of course this is a metaphor, but legendary saints like Therese of Lisieux claimed to need no nourishment but the Eucharist. The unperishing, completely filling food Jesus speaks of is that which satisfies our souls. Physical food sustains our existence but spiritual food transforms existence into eternal life.
Paradoxically, the food Jesus offers us is ... nothing. It is freedom from worldly concerns that comes with trusting we are beloved children of God. It is freedom from guilt and shame. It is freedom from feeling an unhealthy need for control. In the absence of all the things and attitudes we do and acquire to fill the void, the Spirit finds room to fill us with peace and love.
Not that contentment leaves us lazy! Food is fuel, after all, and the Bread of Life fuels us into joyous and fulfilling action. We don't serve our brothers and sisters in the hopes of finding joy - we serve them because we are already stuffed to the gills with joy. Our praise does not spring from a sense of obligation, but from a sense of gratitude. We work best - physically and spiritually - with a balanced diet.
Evening readings: Psalms 73; 9
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