A few months ago I attended a continuing education event led by John Bell of the Iona Community in Scotland. He focused on the Psalms and said something that made me rethink my approach to them. He noted that they are a good discipline to "pray through" and that if a particular Psalm does not "speak" to us at the moment, try to reflect upon a time in our lives when we felt what the Psalm is expressing. If we cannot do that, then use the Psalm as a vehicle to pray for those to whom the Psalm does speak to at this time.
The 83rd and 84th Psalms are as different as night and day. The 83rd is a "national" psalm. It was written at a time of perceived national threat. It asks God to intervene on behalf of the nation. Its passion is evident in the strong language and naming of names. You may or may not be able to identify with this psalm.
The 84th Psalm reflects the joy of worship. It marvels at both the majesty of God and the Almighty's Providential care of creation. The reference to "the valley of Baca" is an unknown place but it seems to be a dry and arid region on the way to Jerusalem. This, I believe, can also be an arid place in our soul. In verses 8 and 9 we are reminded to pray for our national leaders. If it is not in your present prayer habit, I encourage you to pray for the President of the United States, your Governor, Mayor and all elected-appointed officials. I believe that the apostle Paul's advice to pray for rulers is born, at least partly, from his familiarity of this Psalm as a worship tool. It is something that we do every time we worship in the congregation that I currently serve.
July 27--Luke 19
As we saw in chapter 18, chapter 19 is full of places to stop and ponder. It begins with one of Luke's best known stories. It is so well known that there is even a children's song about it, the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus. As I read this story within the context of the gospel I am struck that it is an example of the Good Shepherd looking for one of the Kingdom's lost sheep (see chapter 15: 1-7). Was it an accident that Jesus called to Zacchaeus? I don't think so. I do not believe that Luke constructed his gospel with anything left to chance or accident. It is tightly written. In Jesus call to Zacchaeus, by name no less, we are reminded that God comes to us, calling each one of us by name. You may have never thought of this before, but the gospels it is not God or Jesus that is lost, it is us! Jesus' call to Zacchaeus is a sign of shear unmerited grace. For Presbyterians familiar with TULIP it is "unconditional election." In other words, God chose-saves us not because of who we are but because of Whose we are! Zacchaeus responded to the call by scrambling down the tree and submitting himself to discipleship. A part of his discipleship was to make a generous offering to the work of the Kingdom as well as restitution to anyone he wronged. Jesus declares his response as evidence of the presence of the Kingdom of God. A question for us to consider, has our response to the Kingdom's calling, to Jesus calling us by name affected our generosity? Do we give out a spirit of abundance or scarcity?
The second story is a parable. In it we are reminded that everything that we have--everything--ultimately belongs to God. We are only stewards of this world. God asks--requires us--to use a portion of our resources to do the work of the Kingdom. It even means that we take risks--for the sake of the Kingdom. Playing it safe, holding on to what we have, only brings judgement upon us.
The third story is remembered every "Palm Sunday." A part of the story that we seldom reflect upon on that day (verses 41 following) is when Jesus weeps over the city of Jerusalem because they do not recognize when the Kingdom of God is in their midst. I believe that God weeps whenever we act as if our main purpose is life is to do everything but the work of the Kingdom. God weeps whenever we fail to recognize the Divine's call in our lives. God weeps when we get angry at being challenged to do Kingdom work.
The fourth story--the cleansing of the Temple--reminds us that religion can become corrupt, especially when it ceases to do Kingdom work.
Please note that these last three stories build upon the unfaithful servant. We will profit to spend several days asking God to speak to us through this chapter.
July 28--Luke 20
This chapter begins with the authority of Jesus being questioned. So many times we are tempted to ignore of dismiss the challenge that Jesus presents by engaging in "theological" discussions. Jesus decided not to engage in the debate. Instead he responded with a parable of servants who killed the master's son saying to themselves that if the son is dead, the vineyard will be theirs! Sheer foolishness. Yet, don't we often respond to the Son's words in terms of how it is too costly to us?
I have a personal footnote to add. The congregation that I serve is currently partnering with an organization called "Cornerstone" based in Kampala, Uganda. Together we are establishing a home for street boys in Mombasa, Kenya. Their name, Cornerstone" is found not only in this text but in Psalm 11:22, Acts 4:11 and I Peter 2:7 (Actually, they claim that I Peter 2:7 is the source of their name.) The world's rejected are the cornerstone's of God's Kingdom. If we stop and think about this, we realize our view of reality is skewed when seen from a heavenly standpoint.
Chapter 20 also deals with paying taxes. I am sure that you have heard many sermons on this little exchange between Jesus and his questioners. I will not rehash an old sermon but I am struck by how taxes have become an anathema in our time. I find it interesting that Jesus did not say that taxes were bad or that people should find any and all means of avoiding them. He acknowledged that they were a reality. Ultimately, everything will pass except one thing, God's Kingdom.
The chapter ends with Jesus warning his listeners-readers of "religious-pious" people who talk a good talk but do not walk the walk. In other words, we need to be careful so that we do not become so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly good!
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