The World We Live In

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balance, eyes, guide, hear, hearts, Jesus, Luke, Matthew, news, pray, Proverbs, psalm 119, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Sometimes it’s difficult to know what to say in this complex and over-stimulating world  in which we now live. This morning as I was considering the lectionary readings one by one I kept getting interrupted with news flashes. It went something like this:

“All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes, but it is the Lord who proves hearts.” (PRV 21:2) -> -> Major problems with New Yorker’s second Kavanaugh accuser…

“Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.” (PS 119:35) -> -> How today’s multi-cultural couples are making their wedding ceremonies uniquely their own.

“Blessed are those who hear the word of the Lord and keep it.” (LK 11:28) -> -> U.N to caution against populism as world leaders convene for the annual summit.

“Jesus said to them in reply, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.'” -> -> Former priest extradited to face child sexual abuse charges blamed cancer, prosecutors say.

I’m not saying there is any direct connection between the Scripture quotes and the specific news headlines. My point is to remind myself that no matter how bad or disturbing or confusing, or even wonderful (should that also be the case) the news is, it needs to be balanced with the basic premise of Scripture, repeated in several ways this morning, and that we need to look deeply into our hearts and minds to assess what we see and hear happening in the world. When it gets to be “all too much,” there’s that other piece of advice that comes to mind, i.e. “Go into your inner room, close the door and pray…” (MT 6:6)

 

 

 

 

 

Proverbs

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Book of Proverbs, cry of the poor, diligent, eyes, haste, hear, hearts, Lord, poverty, Proverbs, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

I don’t often think about the biblical Book of Proverbs but this morning I was reacquainted with how pithy and sensible – and sometimes wry or ironic – they are. Here are a couple from chapter 21 that appear this morning and are worth more than a passing glance.

1. All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes, but it is the Lord who proves hearts.
2. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
3. The plans of the diligent are sure of profit, but all rash haste leads certainly to poverty.
4. Whoever makes a fortune by a lying tongue is chasing a bubble over deadly snares.
5. He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself also call and not be heard.

 

 

 

 

 

Diving Deep

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article of faith, Christianity, Ephesians, Eucharist, Jesus, John, one, Paul, Proverbs, psalm 34, remain, Taste and See, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, the will of God, wisdom, wisdom of knowing

Having just seen the ocean from a distance and longing to dive right in – one of my favorite metaphors for going deeper into mystery – I was drawn by the first line of the first reading to the topic of Wisdom this morning. Staying on the surface, taking things literally, does not allow us to understand the depths of things, perhaps especially when we are speaking of faith.

When Proverbs (9:1-6) tells us that Wisdom has built herself a house, we know that it would be impossible for a concept, an abstract characteristic, to accomplish such an architectural feat. So the author reminds us to forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding, and in this case that is easily done. Not so easy with the psalm refrain that sings (for the second time recently): Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. (PS 34) Paul is right there with advice about how to deal with that one as he says to the Ephesians (5:15-20) Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise…Do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of God.

All of that is preamble to the crux of the message in this morning’s Scripture readings. It is John’s gospel that contains more of the “hard sayings” than the others, and the hardest of all is perhaps what we hear this morning (JN 6:51-58). Jesus says that whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life…whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in them. Theologians have wrestled with this “article of faith” throughout the history of Christianity and belief in interpretation varies, but I’m thinking this morning of how shocking it must have been for those crowds of people who were listening to those words spoken for the first time by Jesus – probably most of them having no concept of metaphor or any way to understand what is obviously a deeper truth than the surface meaning.

It is the word remain that is the touchstone for me as I participate in Eucharistic liturgies and trust that something of Christ’s life remains in my spirit as the Eucharistic species are assimilated into my body. The more conscious I become about that truth, the more I will understand what Jesus was talking about on that shocking, long ago day. Then, and only then, will I be transformed, forsaking the foolishness that says I am separated from others and coming to trust the wisdom of knowing that we are all one, as Jesus knew and lived, and lives still in us.

A Little Kindness

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Holy Week, Jesus, Mary, Proverbs, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, trust

It must be that the dishwasher is full because there were only four mugs in the cupboard this morning – in addition to the smaller cups that hardly hold enough for a first cup for someone like me. I chose a pastel-colored one, a design that would not jar my sleepy head too much. As I sat down the sun appeared – first tentatively and then in blazing glory – across the river to tell me to take a breath into this new day. As I did, I saw the word TRUST emblazoned across the bottom of my cup, the kernel of God’s message to me which appeared above. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, it said, and lean not into your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5) In a very small way, I think the happening in this gospel this morning – Mary pouring the anointing oil over Jesus in love – was a similarly encouraging message for what he faced in the coming week.

After the exhilaration of the ride into Jerusalem with people waving palm branches and shouting Hosanna in praise as he passed, Jesus needed to get away to find some quiet and, perhaps, deal with the anxiety of what he knew was gathering in sentiment from those who were not praising but rather plotting against him. Most likely exhausted from it all, he went to Bethany to be refreshed in the home of his friends. And Mary did not disappoint. Her extravagant gesture and loving touch, criticized by Judas because of the cost, was just what he needed to proceed with trust into what was to come.

Sometimes it doesn’t take much to get us back on track when things look bleak – or even when we’re just tired out from the happenings in our lives. Perhaps at the beginning of this week of remembrance and participation in the sufferings of Jesus, we might intend to look for things in the lives around us that need refreshment and do what we can to lighten their load with kindness. It might do more than we can imagine to restore their trust.

A Sticky Wicket

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kind word, panhandlers, Proverbs, psalm 15, smile, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

In both the first reading from Proverbs and the Psalm response this morning, I was confronted with references to the ever-present concern of God (and Jesus) for “my neighbor”. Proverbs told me to “refuse no one the good to which he has a claim,” saying not “‘Go and come again; tomorrow I will give,’ when you can give at once.” (PRV 3:27-28). Psalm 15 speaks of the one “who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor.”

As I considered these lines, the phrase “sticky wicket” came to mind. I actually had to go to a dictionary to be sure I was clear on the definition. I was somewhat surprised that what I found was exactly what I needed. A difficult or awkward situation; one requiring delicate treatment, it said. The difficulty came for me in the first reading when I thought of the panhandlers I drive or walk by sometimes (easier to ignore when I’m in my car). What should be my response to people who are obviously in need? What if I give money and they spend it unwisely? My judgment about such unfortunate people is where I get into trouble. My mind generally assumes all sorts of possibilities of why such people are as they are – all conditions brought on by their own weakness. Taking up a reproach against these neighbors of mine is easy. Deciding – on my better days – how to help them is not. Money is not always the answer. Maybe I should buy some gift certificates from a local restaurant or make some cards with the addresses of nearby food pantries. (These are just my first thoughts. There must be other attempts at a solution.)

One thing that is always possible is a smile and a kind word. Why would I be afraid to offer that, no matter the response?