Luke 12:35 – 48 Preparedness
Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." Then Peter said, "Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?" And the Lord replied, "Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute (the) food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant's master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master's will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master's will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.
Jesus tells a parable about preparedness. We are to be like servant who are wide awake and on guard, ready for the master’s return. Peter questions Jesus about who this message is for? Is it for those who are his followers? Or for everyone? Jesus gives a bit of a roundabout answer but finally gets down to it. This parable is for those of us who follow Christ. We do not know when the Son of Man will return, but we must stay ready. We are fortunate to be God’s chosen ones, but that benefit comes with a responsibility. “To whom much has been given, much will be required, to whom much has been entrusted, more will be asked.” Jesus, like his Father is a respecter of persons. We have been given a great opportunity in our exposure to the word of God and Jesus's example to emulate. We have also been given freedom. God will not compel our obedience, our participation. It is a free gift, not a command - and yet it is not eternally open. The Son of Man will return. Will we be awake and ready or lost in our culture?
Monday, October 25, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Luke 12:32 – 34 The Heart’s Treasure
Luke 12:32 – 34 The Heart’s Treasure
Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
This is a very short passage – three verses only – but so difficult and countercultural. First Jesus tells us we should not fear – this in an age rife with it, a time when 9 out of 10 voices we hear say “fear”, “strike before you are struck”, “protect what is yours”, etc. Apparently a lot of our problems in Jesus analysis come from what we have. We have, but we want more, and the getting of things is nearly all consuming. Then once we have, the keeping and protecting is exhausting as well, and cause us to do things that are against what God calls us to do – make war, be greedy, keep people down. We cannot hide our true heart from God – or from anyone else for that matter. And why? What good does all of this stuff do us? Instead Jesus tells us – the Father has given us the kingdom, all we have to do is take it. We can tone down our attachments to things, be more generous, take the time and energy thereby freed up to spend more time to be with our families, our friends, with God. To let go of the tension and anxiety our culture promotes. Jesus's love and hope for us come through strongly in this passage – Trust in God, be grateful for what you have, be generous with your gifts. God has given you the greatest gift – all you will ever need – access to the Kingdom. All you have to do is claim it.
Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
This is a very short passage – three verses only – but so difficult and countercultural. First Jesus tells us we should not fear – this in an age rife with it, a time when 9 out of 10 voices we hear say “fear”, “strike before you are struck”, “protect what is yours”, etc. Apparently a lot of our problems in Jesus analysis come from what we have. We have, but we want more, and the getting of things is nearly all consuming. Then once we have, the keeping and protecting is exhausting as well, and cause us to do things that are against what God calls us to do – make war, be greedy, keep people down. We cannot hide our true heart from God – or from anyone else for that matter. And why? What good does all of this stuff do us? Instead Jesus tells us – the Father has given us the kingdom, all we have to do is take it. We can tone down our attachments to things, be more generous, take the time and energy thereby freed up to spend more time to be with our families, our friends, with God. To let go of the tension and anxiety our culture promotes. Jesus's love and hope for us come through strongly in this passage – Trust in God, be grateful for what you have, be generous with your gifts. God has given you the greatest gift – all you will ever need – access to the Kingdom. All you have to do is claim it.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Luke 12:31 Seek First The Kingdom
Luke 12:31 Seek First The Kingdom
As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides.
I want to revisit Jesus’ last works in this passage. “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides.” This has been an important scripture in my life and a favorite of one of my sisters. We have discussed it many times. I kind of picture us in this culture as being on a ladder, always climbing and even when you think you have arrived somewhere, seeing that there is another rung above you. My health and wealth put me fairly far up the ladder, certainly there are many below me. What I am seeing is that any who are on this ladder, who have bought into this climb are only seeking after everlasting climbing, with no arrival, no satisfaction. Jesus says let it be the kingdom that we seek – where status, wealth, etc. do not matter. In that blessed equilibrium we are all loved and cared for by God through each other. Amen.
As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides.
I want to revisit Jesus’ last works in this passage. “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides.” This has been an important scripture in my life and a favorite of one of my sisters. We have discussed it many times. I kind of picture us in this culture as being on a ladder, always climbing and even when you think you have arrived somewhere, seeing that there is another rung above you. My health and wealth put me fairly far up the ladder, certainly there are many below me. What I am seeing is that any who are on this ladder, who have bought into this climb are only seeking after everlasting climbing, with no arrival, no satisfaction. Jesus says let it be the kingdom that we seek – where status, wealth, etc. do not matter. In that blessed equilibrium we are all loved and cared for by God through each other. Amen.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Luke 12:22 – 31 Dependence Upon God’s Providence
Luke 12:22 – 31 Dependence Upon God’s Providence
He said to (his) disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life and what you will eat, or about your body and what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds! Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your lifespan? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides.
Jesus continues on his theme of how we are to live: trusting in God, orienting our lives toward love of God and others instead of pursuit of things that this time values. He is speaking to a crowd of thousands, many of whom are poor. How are they processing his message? Perhaps poverty was less cruel in those days – the gap between rich and poor less dramatic, the (popular) culture less relentless about what you need to be happy, fulfilled, successful. Jesus uses two examples from nature to make his point – the lilies of the field and the raven. They both have all they need right where they are. But I feel I am missing something. Sure, I can hear this message and from my nice home, my healthy body, with my hardworking and well paid husband, and my wonderful family and friends, and feel, yes God has been good. But what about those struggling with poverty, isolation, physical and mental illness, abuse, etc. How do those words, “ Do not be concerned for your life, what you are to eat , or for your body, what you are to wear.” For them, I’m sure those words are bitter ones, small comfort in time of real need and pain. What are they supposed to do? How does be patient and trust in me sound to them?
This is a very uncomfortable passage for me. It calls me to feel grateful, but gratitude is not enough. I feel like Christ is here, watching me with gentle eyes but prodding me to do more – to be more compassionate, to be more generous. If I want to try to put on the mind of Christ, then the works of Christ must not be far behind. What do I have that I don’t really need? Why do I keep holding onto it? Giving stuff away to Goodwill is a start. Getting and keeping all that stuff takes so much time and energy, not to mention money. This makes me hark back to the passage about the passage about the man who built up his wealth and just when he thought he had it made, his time on earth is ended. This pursuit of “stuff” looks like a trap from which I need to escape. If you have less “stuff” you have less of a “stuff” habit to break. As I said above, it’s a start.
He said to (his) disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life and what you will eat, or about your body and what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds! Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your lifespan? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides.
Jesus continues on his theme of how we are to live: trusting in God, orienting our lives toward love of God and others instead of pursuit of things that this time values. He is speaking to a crowd of thousands, many of whom are poor. How are they processing his message? Perhaps poverty was less cruel in those days – the gap between rich and poor less dramatic, the (popular) culture less relentless about what you need to be happy, fulfilled, successful. Jesus uses two examples from nature to make his point – the lilies of the field and the raven. They both have all they need right where they are. But I feel I am missing something. Sure, I can hear this message and from my nice home, my healthy body, with my hardworking and well paid husband, and my wonderful family and friends, and feel, yes God has been good. But what about those struggling with poverty, isolation, physical and mental illness, abuse, etc. How do those words, “ Do not be concerned for your life, what you are to eat , or for your body, what you are to wear.” For them, I’m sure those words are bitter ones, small comfort in time of real need and pain. What are they supposed to do? How does be patient and trust in me sound to them?
This is a very uncomfortable passage for me. It calls me to feel grateful, but gratitude is not enough. I feel like Christ is here, watching me with gentle eyes but prodding me to do more – to be more compassionate, to be more generous. If I want to try to put on the mind of Christ, then the works of Christ must not be far behind. What do I have that I don’t really need? Why do I keep holding onto it? Giving stuff away to Goodwill is a start. Getting and keeping all that stuff takes so much time and energy, not to mention money. This makes me hark back to the passage about the passage about the man who built up his wealth and just when he thought he had it made, his time on earth is ended. This pursuit of “stuff” looks like a trap from which I need to escape. If you have less “stuff” you have less of a “stuff” habit to break. As I said above, it’s a start.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Luke 12:13-21 Trust in God, Not Possessions
Luke 12:13-21 Trust in God, Not Possessions
Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me." He replied to him, "Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?" Then he said to the crowd, "Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions." Then he told them a parable. "There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, 'What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?' And he said, 'This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, "Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!" But God said to him, 'You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?' Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God."
The individual who speaks in the beginning of this passage must have joined the gathering late. He asks Jesus to adjudicate a dispute between him and his brother about money – something that Jesus couldn’t less about. Jesus then proceeds to tell the parable about the man who spent literally every day of his life building his wealth. On the very night he finally felt he had arrived – his life was taken from him. Jesus finishes this passage by saying that is the way it works with a man who grows rich for himself instead of growing rich in the sight of God. We may think we have time to serve two masters, our ambitions and God, but that habit is hard to break and easy to put off until it is too late – as happened with the rich man in the parable. I don’t know if it is our competitiveness or perhaps fear that keeps us focused on what our gifts can do for us and not on what we can do with our gifts. It is like being lulled to sleep instead of truly living. If we don’t push back against that fear, that pride in accomplishment, we are in danger of squandering the gifts Goes does give us, the talents, the means, good health, etc.
Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me." He replied to him, "Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?" Then he said to the crowd, "Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions." Then he told them a parable. "There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, 'What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?' And he said, 'This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, "Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!" But God said to him, 'You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?' Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God."
The individual who speaks in the beginning of this passage must have joined the gathering late. He asks Jesus to adjudicate a dispute between him and his brother about money – something that Jesus couldn’t less about. Jesus then proceeds to tell the parable about the man who spent literally every day of his life building his wealth. On the very night he finally felt he had arrived – his life was taken from him. Jesus finishes this passage by saying that is the way it works with a man who grows rich for himself instead of growing rich in the sight of God. We may think we have time to serve two masters, our ambitions and God, but that habit is hard to break and easy to put off until it is too late – as happened with the rich man in the parable. I don’t know if it is our competitiveness or perhaps fear that keeps us focused on what our gifts can do for us and not on what we can do with our gifts. It is like being lulled to sleep instead of truly living. If we don’t push back against that fear, that pride in accomplishment, we are in danger of squandering the gifts Goes does give us, the talents, the means, good health, etc.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Luke 12: 8 – 12 Holy Spirit, Part II
Luke 12: 8 – 12 Holy Spirit, Part II
Coincidentally, (or not) I have come across a passage from 1 Corinthians about the Holy Spirit. I heard this scripture when I attended mass on a Wednesday morning recently – something I had not done literally for months. (So I guess I was meant to hear it.) The specific verses were 1 Corinthians 2:6- 16. The passage began with a definition of True Wisdom. True Wisdom, St. Paul says, is not a wisdom that can be found in this age, and it is hidden from most. How do we perceive True Wisdom? It is revealed to us through the Spirit which is God’s spirit. What the Spirit calls us to do - concerning loving our neighbor, being merciful and forgiving, being generous and trusting, seeking justice, etc. may make no sense by the world’s current standards. In that light such behavior is absurd. By being blessed and baptized with God’s Spirit, accepting it, by asking for the ability and wisdom to develop and strengthen and utilize the gifts of the Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and awe/fear of the Lord), we put on the mind of Christ. This feels like a “eureka” moment to me. Accepting that I have God’s spirit in me, strengthening my understanding of my spiritual gifts and utilizing them for the good of others – that sounds like what I am/what we are meant to do. Maybe that is why Jesus is so harsh about those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit – God’s spirit/presence on earth in men and women.
?? Is this an argument for a more personal faith and meant to be a counterbalance to the church??
Coincidentally, (or not) I have come across a passage from 1 Corinthians about the Holy Spirit. I heard this scripture when I attended mass on a Wednesday morning recently – something I had not done literally for months. (So I guess I was meant to hear it.) The specific verses were 1 Corinthians 2:6- 16. The passage began with a definition of True Wisdom. True Wisdom, St. Paul says, is not a wisdom that can be found in this age, and it is hidden from most. How do we perceive True Wisdom? It is revealed to us through the Spirit which is God’s spirit. What the Spirit calls us to do - concerning loving our neighbor, being merciful and forgiving, being generous and trusting, seeking justice, etc. may make no sense by the world’s current standards. In that light such behavior is absurd. By being blessed and baptized with God’s Spirit, accepting it, by asking for the ability and wisdom to develop and strengthen and utilize the gifts of the Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and awe/fear of the Lord), we put on the mind of Christ. This feels like a “eureka” moment to me. Accepting that I have God’s spirit in me, strengthening my understanding of my spiritual gifts and utilizing them for the good of others – that sounds like what I am/what we are meant to do. Maybe that is why Jesus is so harsh about those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit – God’s spirit/presence on earth in men and women.
?? Is this an argument for a more personal faith and meant to be a counterbalance to the church??
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
