Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NIV)
Jesus was speaking to the disciples and the multitudes that had gathered, This wasn't the temple crowd, these were everyday people seeking to receive some knowledge. I am wondering what God had in mind.
Jesus spoke to people in their context, congruent with their history, using common metaphors/similes/euphemisms etc. to insure that his meaning was clear. What did they hear when he spoke? What message did they receive? I've been taught that blessed would have been interpreted honored. This was a society based on doing the honorable thing. I wonder how that simple change would have transformed the message. Those that are laid low by this world will be honored by God. We who truly are in this world but not of this world will surely connect with God.
I also looked to the sermons of John Wesley for insight. Pastor Wesley preached extensively on this text. He meticulously commented on each phrase. These sermons showed how the working class of England could inherit the kingdom. This was a very different society than the one that Jesus sat with on the mountainside. Did the message still ring true? In a world where class, connection and money were paramount gods of the day and the church merely a vehicle for their power plays did Jesus' words still convey context, history and the language of the day? Wesley explained that the poor in spirit were those who were conscious of their soul's plight and sought to do something about it. I wonder what the people heard when these words were spoken.
There are those who have translated Jesus' word Blessed into Happy, as in happy are those who mourn. What????!!!!!! This just seems incongruous. These words seem out of context, out of history, and just a silly use of language to appease the masses. Instead of the self awareness this sounds like a placating, opiating of the masses. But maybe God is speaking through this incongruity. It is this relationship, of incongruity that God is speaking of. Those mourning the loss of innocence from the garden of Eden will be comforted by a new connection to God through Jesus. Maybe it is this juxtaposition of opposites that God speaks to a new generation.
And what do the beatitudes have to say to us today: in our context, through our history, in our language using the metaphors/similes/euphemisms/figures of speech that this information age possesses? What does it mean to be persecuted for righteousness today? Who are the meek? What do these words call us to today in our broken world? What is it all about? Why does it keep changing? What do you hear?
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Beatitudes 1 -- It's not what I thought
Matthew 5
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NIV)
Well it seems straight forward.
If you are poor or depressed God will give you the kingdom of heaven, Right?
What else could it mean? Didn't Jesus come to save the least the last and the lost? Well, I'm doing my research and once again I find I am mistaken.
The phrase "poor in spirit" does not refer to poverty of finance or mental illness but to a self awareness of our situation. We are poor in spirit because we live in a broken world, we are prone to sin and we have lost our connection to God and now we know it. Indeed we feel in every fiber of our being the need of salvation from this state and realize that we are unable to save ourselves. I'm poor in spirit just defining it. I could see how someone could spend their earthly fortunes seeking to rectify the status of their soul to no end. This could make them poor. Constantly living in this state of brokenness with no end in sight and no power to affect or change it certainly could lead to depression, feeling poor in spirit.
However depression and poverty are not requirements to receiving the kingdom of God. It is accepting that we are not kings in this kingdom, that we are not the center, that we are not God and seeking to join the kingdom anyway. Jesus bridges the gap and saves us from ourselves.It is in our self awareness of our need and in our seeking of a savior that we first find salvation.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NIV)
Well it seems straight forward.
If you are poor or depressed God will give you the kingdom of heaven, Right?
What else could it mean? Didn't Jesus come to save the least the last and the lost? Well, I'm doing my research and once again I find I am mistaken.
The phrase "poor in spirit" does not refer to poverty of finance or mental illness but to a self awareness of our situation. We are poor in spirit because we live in a broken world, we are prone to sin and we have lost our connection to God and now we know it. Indeed we feel in every fiber of our being the need of salvation from this state and realize that we are unable to save ourselves. I'm poor in spirit just defining it. I could see how someone could spend their earthly fortunes seeking to rectify the status of their soul to no end. This could make them poor. Constantly living in this state of brokenness with no end in sight and no power to affect or change it certainly could lead to depression, feeling poor in spirit.
However depression and poverty are not requirements to receiving the kingdom of God. It is accepting that we are not kings in this kingdom, that we are not the center, that we are not God and seeking to join the kingdom anyway. Jesus bridges the gap and saves us from ourselves.It is in our self awareness of our need and in our seeking of a savior that we first find salvation.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Vacation?
I'm researching Psalm 22, which begins, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" While I know God neither slumbers or sleeps (psalm 121) I wonder if God takes a vacation?
I know as my family prepares to camp this summer, I make plans to vacate several of my identities: mom, pastor, chief complainer and put on a new one: camper. But sometimes I think I try to take a vacation from being a child of God. I forget who and whose I am. Well sometimes, to be honest I set aside my values and jump headfirst into self-centered hedonism. Isn't that how we define vacation?
Does God do the same? At the beginning of this psalm, the author certainly feels the absence of God's presence. This is a LAMENT! The psalmist is picturing God off having an iced tea under a perfect sky while dressed in bermuda shorts and attended by bikini clad angels, rather than saving him from his current predicament. (wow that's just wrong) Where is my constant companion? Where did God go?
True to form the psalmist cries out in frustration to God and expresses the dire nature of the present situation in gripping (griping?!) detail and then remembers God's faithfulness, the blessings of the Holy Spirit and the sacrifice of Jesus.
While this psalm may remind one of the saying "If you feel that God is far away, guess who moved?" it isn't that simplistic. Upon further review the psalmist stands. It is because of his faith in God's deliverance that his suffering is increased by the mocking of his enemies. It isn't a lack of faith or unrighteous living that has created this feeling of distance from God. It is a difference of vision. We are not always in the same rhythm as God. We do not see as God sees and we expect that God's success in human history will be equivalent with our success.
People who are acting on faith sometimes make assumptions about how God will act. then we act on that belief whether or not it is accurate. When we find ourselves alone and unsupported we lament because we feel that God has not lived into God's part of the bargain. It is then that we think that God must be on vacation.
I found my answer in Isaiah 40:31. I have that scripture on a ring that I wear as a daily reminder: "Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up on wings and soar as eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow weak." Instead of ditching my christian identity this summer, perhaps I will wait upon the Lord. I will serve.(get it "wait" upon the Lord) I will rest. I will prepare to fly. I will condition myself to run the race set before me. I will walk with God and not grow weak. (Wow I think I mixed about 5 scripture references in there) Then if (when?!) the world gets abusive and I feel that God is no longer by my side, I will remember that my vacation is in the Lord. If I simply wait, God will save. And generations will know God's grace through the stories we tell of God showing up whether we work or vacation.
I know as my family prepares to camp this summer, I make plans to vacate several of my identities: mom, pastor, chief complainer and put on a new one: camper. But sometimes I think I try to take a vacation from being a child of God. I forget who and whose I am. Well sometimes, to be honest I set aside my values and jump headfirst into self-centered hedonism. Isn't that how we define vacation?
Does God do the same? At the beginning of this psalm, the author certainly feels the absence of God's presence. This is a LAMENT! The psalmist is picturing God off having an iced tea under a perfect sky while dressed in bermuda shorts and attended by bikini clad angels, rather than saving him from his current predicament. (wow that's just wrong) Where is my constant companion? Where did God go?
True to form the psalmist cries out in frustration to God and expresses the dire nature of the present situation in gripping (griping?!) detail and then remembers God's faithfulness, the blessings of the Holy Spirit and the sacrifice of Jesus.
While this psalm may remind one of the saying "If you feel that God is far away, guess who moved?" it isn't that simplistic. Upon further review the psalmist stands. It is because of his faith in God's deliverance that his suffering is increased by the mocking of his enemies. It isn't a lack of faith or unrighteous living that has created this feeling of distance from God. It is a difference of vision. We are not always in the same rhythm as God. We do not see as God sees and we expect that God's success in human history will be equivalent with our success.
People who are acting on faith sometimes make assumptions about how God will act. then we act on that belief whether or not it is accurate. When we find ourselves alone and unsupported we lament because we feel that God has not lived into God's part of the bargain. It is then that we think that God must be on vacation.
I found my answer in Isaiah 40:31. I have that scripture on a ring that I wear as a daily reminder: "Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up on wings and soar as eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow weak." Instead of ditching my christian identity this summer, perhaps I will wait upon the Lord. I will serve.(get it "wait" upon the Lord) I will rest. I will prepare to fly. I will condition myself to run the race set before me. I will walk with God and not grow weak. (Wow I think I mixed about 5 scripture references in there) Then if (when?!) the world gets abusive and I feel that God is no longer by my side, I will remember that my vacation is in the Lord. If I simply wait, God will save. And generations will know God's grace through the stories we tell of God showing up whether we work or vacation.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Living in the Poverties of Lent
This is the season of Lent. Often we religious/spiritual types seek to give something up for 40 days as a sign of our devotion. Our act of sacrifice is rarely that, a sacrifice. It becomes almost a sport or contest rather than an offering to God. I am not saying that our sacrifice is meant to be some kind of payment for future grace, but it is supposed to cost us something significant. However, I have been chewing on a different piece of cud this season.
What if we live in a season of poverty to better identify with Christ who came to serve the least and the last and the lost? Jesus asked the young ruler to leave all of his riches and follow him. I am no Jesus, as I've often said, so I am not asking for us to put on ashes and sackcloth and martyr ourselves to impress the public or to make ourselves worthy to follow Jesus. Let me get to what I am saying.
Let us not livein our abundance but each week let us live in a different mode of poverty. The partial poverty list includes a poverty of:
clean, plentiful water
fellowship
spirit
material goods
cultural acceptance
freedoms
In a small group decide to live in one of the poverties in some way. The group could research how the world lives or experiences that poverty. They could choose to experience the poverty for themselves for the week. I think an example will help. Your group is working on the poverty of clean, plentiful water for the week. Two people are doing research: one on how people survive without clean, plentiful water and the other on how different groups have worked with indigeonous (sp?) to help provide their communities with adequate clean water. Two other people in the group are recognizing how much water they use. One is calculating how much water in all its forms he uses each day, while his partner is trying to see if she can survive on 5 gallons of water a day. Other people in other groups have other ways of experiencing this poverty, so at a predetermined time groups meet to share their research and experiences. After sharing and worshipping God and thanking God for the Spirit's presence, it is time to choose how to live and learn regarding the next poverty.
Spending Lent in poverty will help people develop networks of communication, help people find God working amidst the poverty, help people quiet the noisiness of this world to hear the voice of God and help people live amongst the people Jesus came to save. In this season of repentance, forgiveness, atonement, discipline, humility and sacrifice the people of God need to evaluate their relationship not only with the Trinity but with the people whom God wishes us to love. I think that the time has come to try something new this Lenten season. While giving up coffee or chocolate may fulfill what the culture thinks is necessary, living in the poverties of Lent may fulfill what Jesus has called us to do in order to be his disciples. Good LUCK! Let me know if you take on this challenge. I am writing the curriculum resource for this idea during this Lent so I can present the finished idea next year (2011). I would love to add your experiences. Look forward to hearing from y'all.
What if we live in a season of poverty to better identify with Christ who came to serve the least and the last and the lost? Jesus asked the young ruler to leave all of his riches and follow him. I am no Jesus, as I've often said, so I am not asking for us to put on ashes and sackcloth and martyr ourselves to impress the public or to make ourselves worthy to follow Jesus. Let me get to what I am saying.
Let us not livein our abundance but each week let us live in a different mode of poverty. The partial poverty list includes a poverty of:
clean, plentiful water
fellowship
spirit
material goods
cultural acceptance
freedoms
In a small group decide to live in one of the poverties in some way. The group could research how the world lives or experiences that poverty. They could choose to experience the poverty for themselves for the week. I think an example will help. Your group is working on the poverty of clean, plentiful water for the week. Two people are doing research: one on how people survive without clean, plentiful water and the other on how different groups have worked with indigeonous (sp?) to help provide their communities with adequate clean water. Two other people in the group are recognizing how much water they use. One is calculating how much water in all its forms he uses each day, while his partner is trying to see if she can survive on 5 gallons of water a day. Other people in other groups have other ways of experiencing this poverty, so at a predetermined time groups meet to share their research and experiences. After sharing and worshipping God and thanking God for the Spirit's presence, it is time to choose how to live and learn regarding the next poverty.
Spending Lent in poverty will help people develop networks of communication, help people find God working amidst the poverty, help people quiet the noisiness of this world to hear the voice of God and help people live amongst the people Jesus came to save. In this season of repentance, forgiveness, atonement, discipline, humility and sacrifice the people of God need to evaluate their relationship not only with the Trinity but with the people whom God wishes us to love. I think that the time has come to try something new this Lenten season. While giving up coffee or chocolate may fulfill what the culture thinks is necessary, living in the poverties of Lent may fulfill what Jesus has called us to do in order to be his disciples. Good LUCK! Let me know if you take on this challenge. I am writing the curriculum resource for this idea during this Lent so I can present the finished idea next year (2011). I would love to add your experiences. Look forward to hearing from y'all.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
AHHHH Chooooo
I'm sidelined. I need to stay quiet and rest. If you know me at all you know how hard this will be. I can not seem to get important stuff done. THe medicines do not seem to be rejuvenating me as I hoped. I started prayer twittering to focus me on God and prayer instead of focusing on wahhhhhhh poor me. If you are looking for me on twitter my site is jodester32. right now Erin and ANdy are my only followers. gotta go Jodi
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Doves
Our morning doves have returned! Their call who-WAH-who, who-who greets me in the morning and annoys me at night. I was worried that they wouldn't return because of what happened last year. They had nested on our propane tanks. When the tanks were removed the nest was disturbed. I didn't think they would return, after all their eggs had been destroyed. I guess I could pontificate about resilience in the animal kingdom or God's peace suviving the odds. The doves simply represent that tried and true classic, the hope of spring.
Their feathers are a silver grey that matches the sky or our mood on those overcast days that threaten rain, snow or fog. Their grace reflect gentle breezes that whisper warm promises. Their dedication to rebuilding a home is similar to the perseverance of green that relentlessly creeps the slopes of the horizon. Their playful hopping and teasing games break winter's silence with the joy of new creation.
Can you avoid the God in this metaphor? Physically this time of year is difficult. My body doesn't handle weather changes well. So I look forward to any sign that God is still creating in this world, that promises are still being kept. I hear talk that the end is near but obviously it is not today. I can get up and praise God regardless of the storms in my life. This is what Paul is talking about in IICorinthians. This is resurrection talk. In the midst of lenten atonement and connecting to God through sacrifice, my eyes are on the prize, Easter Sunday. I guess the dove of peace is not just for baptism anymore. These doves are for resurrection. Can you hear their call? WHO-WAH-WHO, who-who They're calling you too!
Their feathers are a silver grey that matches the sky or our mood on those overcast days that threaten rain, snow or fog. Their grace reflect gentle breezes that whisper warm promises. Their dedication to rebuilding a home is similar to the perseverance of green that relentlessly creeps the slopes of the horizon. Their playful hopping and teasing games break winter's silence with the joy of new creation.
Can you avoid the God in this metaphor? Physically this time of year is difficult. My body doesn't handle weather changes well. So I look forward to any sign that God is still creating in this world, that promises are still being kept. I hear talk that the end is near but obviously it is not today. I can get up and praise God regardless of the storms in my life. This is what Paul is talking about in IICorinthians. This is resurrection talk. In the midst of lenten atonement and connecting to God through sacrifice, my eyes are on the prize, Easter Sunday. I guess the dove of peace is not just for baptism anymore. These doves are for resurrection. Can you hear their call? WHO-WAH-WHO, who-who They're calling you too!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Listening
I just spent an hour with the most amazing young woman. My job was to listen to her. JUST LISTEN. I did ask some questions to keep her talking. I listened to her face and body language. I listened to her tone and attitude. I listened to her eagerness and reticence. I feel guilty because I was so blessed by her story. I was there to help her and once again God blessed me. By listening I was able to let God's light shine into her darkness.
I just spent an hour with the most amazing young woman. My job was to BE with her. JUST BE. She had come through surgery with flying colors. The painkillers made her drowsy and she needed to keep her heavy lids closed. So I sung songs and told stories. She listened. I put a cool compress on her forehead and said healing prayers with her. She listened. I held her hand as she slept. She listened. I was blessed. The restful look in her mom's eyes and the quick smile made all the difference to me. When I hugged my friend the patient goodbye I could feel how grateful she was that God had been brought into her recovery room.
Listening is the skill that will always be in need of improvement. The skills of knowing when to shut up and knowing what to say, at the right time and the right way constantly escape me when they are needed most. But today I spent time with two amazing women who taught me how to listen and how to be listened to.
How do you listen? Who listens to you? What do you have to say? What do you need to hear?
I just spent an hour with the most amazing young woman. My job was to BE with her. JUST BE. She had come through surgery with flying colors. The painkillers made her drowsy and she needed to keep her heavy lids closed. So I sung songs and told stories. She listened. I put a cool compress on her forehead and said healing prayers with her. She listened. I held her hand as she slept. She listened. I was blessed. The restful look in her mom's eyes and the quick smile made all the difference to me. When I hugged my friend the patient goodbye I could feel how grateful she was that God had been brought into her recovery room.
Listening is the skill that will always be in need of improvement. The skills of knowing when to shut up and knowing what to say, at the right time and the right way constantly escape me when they are needed most. But today I spent time with two amazing women who taught me how to listen and how to be listened to.
How do you listen? Who listens to you? What do you have to say? What do you need to hear?
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