Today's readings: Ps 122, 145, Amos 7:1-9, Rev 1:1-8, Matt 22:23-33
When we read Old Testament prophets like Amos, God may seem pretty keen on destroying Israel. Seven or so major prophets (depending on which version of the Bible you read) and a dozen minor ones are dedicated to spreading the message of possible destruction. Since Israel actually was destroyed more than once, to us these prophets may seem to be preaching a foregone conclusion. But each of these prophets – and God – were actually focusing on a message of repentance. Today’s passage from Amos tells us God was not only willing to forgive Israel, but that they willfully ignored the opportunity for God to save them.
In Amos’ vision, God responds to Amos’ pleas for mercy by relenting not once but twice from destroying Israel, first by famine (via locust) and second by fire. Prophetic visions are like dreams: packed with symbolism. So when God appears a third time and hangs a plumb-line from the city wall, it is not a judgment on their masonry skills. God wants Amos to remind Israel there is a standard against which their lives are measured. If they don’t meet the standard – if the foundations and walls of their lives are unbalanced, crooked and ready to topple – God doesn’t need to send natural disasters to crush them. They will implode thanks to their own carelessness. And Amos has been telling us they have been “careless” in every sense of the word, neither building their own lives in accordance with God’s blueprint, nor caring for the poor and needy as God requires.
If we held God’s plumb-line up to our own lives, would our construction be straight and true, or would the work be shoddy? God doesn’t present us with a standard for the purpose of harsh judgment, but to protect us from ourselves and our own tendencies toward carelessness. Conscience is the plumb-line God has instilled in each of us. When faced with difficulty or desire, we can be very skilled at ignoring that plumb-line, but we do so at risk of eventual self-destruction. When we use a plumb-line, we need to give it time to settle before it is accurate. If we use our consciences in the same way, not making snap decisions but waiting to be pointed in the most reliable direction, our walls will be strong and true.
Comfort: God provides all the tools we need.
Challenge: When making hard decisions, wait to hear your conscience.
Prayer: God of Peace, make my path straight and true.
Evening reading: Ps 40, 67
Discussion question:
When have you found it hard to follow your conscience?
Monday, December 5, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Naming Our Faith
Today's readings: Ps 24, 150, Amos 6:1-14, 2 Thess 1:5-12, Luke 1:57-68
Many cultures believe names – and knowledge of names – contains power. In some cultures a person has two names: one for public use, and a private, secret name known to a few or maybe only the one who bestowed it. In other cultures, a person acquires a new name upon completion of a rite of passage into adulthood. As Christians we don’t revere names as magical, but we do recognize the importance of identity. Christenings and confirmations are powerful examples.
In today’s reading from Luke, Mary’s cousin Elizabeth follows the instructions of an angel and gives her son the name “John” (or more accurately the Hebrew Yôḥanan meaning “God is gracious”). Doing so defies the Jewish tradition of naming the child for a family member. People are so upset about this break in tradition they consult the child’s mute father Zechariah, but he stuns them when he confirms his wife’s choice by writing it down. This act frees him from years of silence.
This act of naming – like John the Baptist himself – signifies a change in tradition. It shatters expectations. John defines his own wild, confusing, holy identity as the herald of the messiah. As Christians, we too are in the business of defying society to forge identities in Christ. That statement may seem dramatic in a predominantly Christian country like the U.S., but cultural Christianity and life in Christ are separate issues. Jesus fish magnets, Christian radio stations, and Christian dating websites are a sign that in some ways Christianity has become identified more with a consumer brand than a faith identity. Some Christians avoid calling themselves “Christian” because of negative associations with scandal and hypocrisy. Even within the Christian community, we struggle against deeply ingrained tradition and expectation to seek the true heart of Christ, and we are met with resistance and outright hostility from fellow Christians. When we have the courage to defy expectation and define our own names, our new voices – like Zechariah’s newly found voice – can redefine “Christian” in positive, meaningful, grace-filled ways.
Comfort: God does not name you as the world names you.
Challenge: With a small group, read and discuss The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne.
Prayer: God of Peace, name me as your servant.
Evening reading: Ps 25, 110
Discussion question:
If you could choose your own name (or have chosen it), what would it be?
(please comment)
Many cultures believe names – and knowledge of names – contains power. In some cultures a person has two names: one for public use, and a private, secret name known to a few or maybe only the one who bestowed it. In other cultures, a person acquires a new name upon completion of a rite of passage into adulthood. As Christians we don’t revere names as magical, but we do recognize the importance of identity. Christenings and confirmations are powerful examples.
In today’s reading from Luke, Mary’s cousin Elizabeth follows the instructions of an angel and gives her son the name “John” (or more accurately the Hebrew Yôḥanan meaning “God is gracious”). Doing so defies the Jewish tradition of naming the child for a family member. People are so upset about this break in tradition they consult the child’s mute father Zechariah, but he stuns them when he confirms his wife’s choice by writing it down. This act frees him from years of silence.
This act of naming – like John the Baptist himself – signifies a change in tradition. It shatters expectations. John defines his own wild, confusing, holy identity as the herald of the messiah. As Christians, we too are in the business of defying society to forge identities in Christ. That statement may seem dramatic in a predominantly Christian country like the U.S., but cultural Christianity and life in Christ are separate issues. Jesus fish magnets, Christian radio stations, and Christian dating websites are a sign that in some ways Christianity has become identified more with a consumer brand than a faith identity. Some Christians avoid calling themselves “Christian” because of negative associations with scandal and hypocrisy. Even within the Christian community, we struggle against deeply ingrained tradition and expectation to seek the true heart of Christ, and we are met with resistance and outright hostility from fellow Christians. When we have the courage to defy expectation and define our own names, our new voices – like Zechariah’s newly found voice – can redefine “Christian” in positive, meaningful, grace-filled ways.
Comfort: God does not name you as the world names you.
Challenge: With a small group, read and discuss The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne.
Prayer: God of Peace, name me as your servant.
Evening reading: Ps 25, 110
Discussion question:
If you could choose your own name (or have chosen it), what would it be?
(please comment)
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