Redeemer Devotions - 28 April, 2010

2010-04-29T06:15:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Today we continue in Brueggemann's chapter "The Scandal and Liberty of Particularity." Now the discussion takes a look at Jerusalem as a "power" and what they do with it.

We may register only two footnotes in this parade of totalizing superpowers. First, in the early part of the monarchic period in Jerusalem, emerging in a brief pause from imperial interference, the Davidic-Solomonic regime was not beholden to any external power. And yet the evidence we have, admittedly from a certain (Deuteronomic-prophetic) perspective, is that the Jerusalem regime practiced the same totalizing efforts, surely to be "like all the other nations." Both the relentless prophetic critiques and perhaps especially the Rechabite alternative in Jeremiah 35 indicate that even this regime is no exception to the pattern of hegemonic rule.

The oppressed also will become the oppressors if they do not keep fresh in mind the vision of liberty and hopefulness and justice and peace that is usually on their minds when oppressed. This is not merely an observation concerning "powers." It is also a comment about individuals. Power has a way of making itself known through the lives of those who once had no power and now seem to "carry some weight" so to say. Therefore, we must all be aware of the ways groups and individuals and corporate entities can and do so easily turn to the "dark" side and make sure that they keep whatever it is they have - or want to have. We continue to return to Scripture to serve as a reminder of the vision of God's Shalom that is not oppressive and will never be oppressive. And yet, we know that the Scriptures are used by many to shape their own vision of greatness and power.

We also have all seen how the argument that someone has been oppressed or was devastated by another group eventually becomes the argument that allows them to devastate others in order to make sure that they will never suffer under any other rule. The problem is, this kind of thinking - even when it is attractive to other powers of the day - continues the cycle of oppression. Even the once beaten down will beat down others to have life as they want it.

Connection: The journey of the Reign of God is one that is meant to keep in our minds the fresh and liberating vision of God that does not seek to dominate or oppress or simply overcome others. It is a daily task for each of us in our ordinary days.

Continue to abide with us, O God, as we cannot turn to you except by the power of your Spirit that will always attempt to pull us into your Reign even as we look to be secure in the face other powers all around us. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 27 April, 2010

2010-04-27T06:10:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Today we continue in Brueggemann's chapter "The Scandal and Liberty of Particularity."

...these concentrations of power (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia) tolerated little deviation in matters of importance to them. To ensure compliance, moreover, the political-economic-military power of hegemony is matched, characteristically, with imperial myths and rituals, liturgic activities that legitimated power realities. It is not too much to conclude that the interface of political and liturgical efforts intended to generate a totalizing environment outside of which there were permitted no political forays, and where effective, no deviant imagination.

The rule under such power is handed down to the children of the powerful. To be outside of that position of power pretty much means you must be watchful - or you will be branded an enemy of the "empire" - "country." Being watchful means that we are to obey what the storytelling of the empire hands out as the truth. I suppose this can even pertain to religious groups. That is, go along with the storytelling as it is known in the dominant story line or face consequences. I have started to look at some ideas around what is called the "American Civil Religion." As I read Brueggemann's comments, he is not speaking of ancient days. We have myths and rituals that go along with who we try to say we are in our own country. To attempt to live outside of those myths or to question them can bring down the wrath of neighbors and friends and the "empire." Imagine a president saying "no" to putting his or her hand on a bible when the oath of office is taken on Inauguration Day. The ritual is a must. Even to draw it into question brings criticism and charges of being "un-American." So in this kind of a civil arena, the followers of Jesus are invited to be contrary to any rule that would have us pay homage to any other god.

Connection: I was given a list of examples of day-to-day aspects of our American Civil Religion. I think it would be a good exercise to try and list how many aspects of our day are shaped by the myths and rituals of our American culture.

Lord, God, you are the one who promises to give us life in and through all times. When we are being wooed by the powers of the day, keep us faithful to you alone. Then, along the way grant us the vision to see how your Reign is to come alive among us. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 26 April, 2010

2010-04-26T06:00:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

This week I will be pulling from another piece written by Walter Brueggemann - "The Scandal and Liberty of Particularity."

It is only the dominant community, or those allied with and amenable to the dominant community, that does not need to work intensely or intentionally to socialize its young into its vision of reality.... "The ruling class" - those who govern the imagination, control the flow of images, and adjudicate what is worthy - so much control and legitimate the environment that their young inhale those assumptions and visions without effort. The dominant community nurtures its young into the habits of privilege, certitude, and domination, and the young, wisely and without reflection, receive their inheritance of privilege, certitude, and domination.

This introduction is difficult to walk through. I know that Brueggemann will write about the empires that controlled the world of Israel and Judah and yet, he wants us to see into the present - that which is all around us and begin to see things with realistic eyes.

Think about this one line: "The ruling class - those who govern the imagination, control the flow of images, and adjudicate what is worthy." Quite a good description of any dominant culture. I always go back to the infiltration of McDonalds as we - the empire of the late 20th century - into the world psyche. With our entrance into foreign countries, we have been able to mess with the communities and their identities. Just as our young "inhale" the assumptions of our dominant culture, those same notions are being inhaled by others. So often, it makes it next to impossible to live in a way that is contrary to the dominant power. So how do we help even our own children with in the American empire - not "inhale" too many of the habits of the "dominant community." On Sunday a young child was baptized into the life of the congregation. There were circles of people who promised to raise her up in the way of Jesus. Then again, even the church has a history of "inhaling" the life and patterns of the dominant culture. My concern for the this child is that she will go ahead and be Jesus in the midst of us even if we are not showing her the way. From her, we may learn. We must be willing to stand up and offer another way to live together than the rule of those who are in positions of power and domination.

Connection: I like the simple words of the Lord's Prayer. It becomes a simple base line for a community of hopefulness that can give us all a spark of direction.

God of All Hopefulness, let the image of you Reign be the power that gives us life when we are being so easily swayed to be nothing more than a reflection of the powers around us. We cannot resist alone - you are our rock and foundation for new life. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 23 April, 2010

2010-04-23T06:00:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

As Brueggemann will say, Israel is being made ready to be an odd community.

Israel is free for life under the aegis of Yahweh, who wills well-beiing, justice, and homecoming. This poet is a voice of hope to a community near despair, ready to give up on Yahweh. Indeed, great oppressive regimes aim at despair, for the killing of a hope-filled future renders displaced people powerless and easy to administer. Thus the poetic, lyrical, liturgical practice of hope is foundational for the sustenance of an odd community. Such practices of course can easily become sloganeering self-deception, unless the community is able to point to signs in the actual course of affairs. Poetic imagination in Isaiah was able to transpose observed public events into gifts Yahweh had performed for Israel. The emancipation of hopefulness engendered liturgical freedom that in turn produced ethical, and eventually, geographical freedom.

I must remember to hold onto this idea of "the emancipation of hopefulness." Wow. Hopefulness is so often held prisoner - put away so that it cannot have a voice and is not able to walk in the middle of God's people. But when hopefulness is set free - wow! Life begins to spring forth - the hills are made low - the valleys are raised up - the crooked ways are made straight. The wonder-filled words of the prophets are meant to move us to live within that hopefulness and not simply find the language to be poetic and filled with nice images. In the speaking of those words comes the life that those words call up among us. This is not an easy path - but it is oh so necessary.

Connection: I find that words come easy. I find that actions that rise up to the words are not so easy. I also find that as I hear the words that draw us up into a living vision of hopefulness, life - real life - becomes stirred up. That is vital.

Stir us up, O God, as you have done to your people throughout time. We are faithful only as you Spirit pulls us into your vision of life that is placed before us. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 22 April, 2010

2010-04-22T08:10:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Today we will continue with Walter Brueggemann look at the words of hope and encouragement for the exiles under the domination of Babylon.

....this sacramental practice of distinctiveness in the Priestly tradition has as its counterpoint a much more dynamic, promissory tradition in the poetry of Isaiah 40 - 55. Whereas the Priestly material makes the case for distinctiveness in a rather static way, the Isaiah poetry calls Israel to enact a transformed life in the world. Thus the gospel announcement of Yahweh's new governance surges in upon Israel, creating a new social possibility for homecoming and a new ground for communal joy: "O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, 'Here is your God." (Isaiah 40:9) "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'" (Isaiah 52:7) In these twin assertions , the power of Babylon is said to be broken. Babylonian gods are defeated. Babylonian power is overcome. Babylonian futures are nullified. Babylonian definitions of reality are overthrown.

Here we enter into a new ball game. God's people are not just to be distinctive. We are to be the beginning of a life that is not at all under the realm of the powers - in Isaiah's case, Babylon. What is most interesting is that if you would look at a mapping of world history, Israel was still under the domination of the powers. And yet, the encouragement is to live in an alternate reality in which God's people will live in a way that brings a new life right in the middle of all the rest of life around them. Like these people of Israel, we are told another story - another picture is drawn of the way things are going in the world - another path is put to light and we are invited to go there, be there, live there - Now! Salvation is the life that comes alive in these kind of contexts. We are redeemed and liberated even when the world thinks it has us by the throat.

Connection: This is not an easy way to go. It is even more difficult when we try to do it alone. It really does take being a part of a people in order to live within a vision.

Pull us into your Reign, O God. It is so easy to think we are only to live as the world around us dictates. Let your Spirit of life grab us and lead us. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 21 April, 2010

2010-04-21T08:10:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Today continues off of yesterday's post that dealt with a self-conscious ethic passed on through the storytelling of the liturgy of Judah.

Moreover, "I have separated you from the peoples. You shall therefore make a distinction between the clean animals and the unclean...." (Leviticus 20:24-25). The practice of distinctiveness must pervade every aspect and dimension of Israel's life, down to the last small detail.

This practice of clean and unclean seems odd. We often wonder how it was decided that these distinctions would be made. What if it is simply to help the people "practice distinctiveness"? Then there is no need to understand why this food and not that...why these people and not those. Rather, it is all for the sake of keeping in mind who one is within the world - people of promise and covenant with God. Yesterday in bible study we talked about the use of the Lord's Prayer. It is a simple prayer and one that really would be good to pray daily - as a reminder of whose we are and the life into which we are invited to live even as that life (God's Reign) is not always appreciated in the world. To have daily disciplines that touch even the most basic and essential parts of life can help a person stay on point. Then again, these disciplines cannot be mandated as though they are how one becomes or even is seen as God's holy people. It is for the benefit of the beloved people. The disciplines have more to do with shaping the character of individuals and the holy community than making an impact on the people around us. The life to which the disciplines point or remind us is what must show to the world. Not eating a certain food is not the witness to God's Reign, but not eating a certain food may remind me throughout the day of the life of God's Reign that is to shine around me.

Connection: What do you do to remind you of whose you are and the life that is handed to you from our God as you move forward in this day?

Lord of Life, encourage us to seek your ways and to follow you. Even as we are pulled to go here and there, remind us to come home to you and live within the spirit of your Reign. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 20 April, 2010

2010-04-20T10:08:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Again we hear that the liturgy of Judah (and our own) shapes us in many ways that are necessary when we live in a culture dominated by other powers.

In addition to order and presence, this tradition also insists on a self-conscious ethic commensurate with God's own holiness: "You shall be holy, for I the Lord you God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2). The commands of Leviticus, which often strike us as excessively punctilious, are an effort to assure the community of a distinctiveness that devotes its entire existence to the will and purpose of Yahweh. This tradition quite clearly accepts a vocation of oddity: "You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you have lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you" (Lev. 18:3). The text does not mention Babylon, for such a mention here would be anachronistic. If, however the text is dated to the sixth century, then we may understand "Egypt" and "Canaan" as capable of extrapolation to Babylon.

When the community gathers for worship and we hear the stories of old, we are putting ourselves into the midst of those stories. So, as we see here, we are invited into a way of life - an ethic. Though empire of days gone by are used to draw the pictures of the life we are to lead, the empire of the day is the one that is attempting to rule us. Therefore the community at worship is being called to look around and find the way they are to be alive within that empire that attempts to take away our identity and the very center of our lives. Within the faithful storytelling of God's people, we must be gracious about how the stories came to be what they are. We have a gift given to us when the stories remind us of the God who will be our God in and through all times. Now, if that story is told in one age - in order to create a faithful response/ethic among the people - and yet the references are to an age long ago, does that ruin the story or make it less "true?" Of course it doesn't. Rather, it show that the faithful community of the day (let's say the Priestly editors) is so concerned about the integrity and vitality and faithfulness of the community in trauma that it uses the flexibility of poetic imagination to make a point so that the people will "listen, O Israel."

Connection: We have so many gifts handed to us through the stories within our Scriptures that are meant to empower us, encourage us, bring us into a life of hopefulness and creativity. Sometimes it would do us well to listen to the story again and again - letting it speak to us as faithful people about to face the reality of the day.

O God of Eternal Life, you are the ruler of all times and all places. Continue to bless us with faithful storytellers who are always a witness to your blessed Reign. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 19 April, 2010

2010-04-19T08:25:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Walter Brueggemann continues to write about the importance of the liturgy in the life of the people of Judah who had to face life in exile under Babylonia.

We may imagine that this liturgy provided focus, coherence, and assurance that made the exiles less vulnerable to the threats and to the seductions of Babylon. This tradition, however, championed not only order, but also presence. Thus the Priestly materials also provide the exactitude of authorizing (Exodus 25 -31) and construction (Exodus 35-40) of a tabernacle as a place suitable for God's dwelling in the midst of Israel. With great care and attentiveness, according to this imaginative tradition, Israel is able to host the holiness of God, thereby acknowledging that even severe cultural dislocation cannot impede Israel's ready access to the God it love and serves.

If you remember the stories of the book of Exodus, this God was forever with them. They could see - by the fire at night and the smoke by day - that God was on this adventure leading the people. God was to be ever available and with the people no matter where they might "bed down." To the community that eventually is in Exile in Babylon - homeless in other words - the storytelling of God's presence among the people was a vital stream of thought that was needed to give the exiles that push to remember and to stay faithful and be courageous. There in the midst of God's people is the God who sustains and nurtures and bring life. Again, the liturgy and the presence of this "place for God" becomes the another way that the community marks itself with life even as the world around it works to dismantle it.

Connection: For us, the liturgy and the gathering of people who are baptized in Christ, Jesus, are a part of what is meant to give us a look at life that is promised. God is always present with us - and yet, we need to see signs of that presence in the life that is around us.

Gather us into your love, O God, and remind us of the shape of our day that begins and is fed by your presence as we come to listen to your Word and join in the fellowship of all your saints. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 16 April, 2010

2010-04-16T08:30:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Many of us know that there are parts of the liturgy that carry us over into the week. Walter Brueggemann looks at the liturgical life of a people dominated by the power of Babylon.

....the liturgy itself intends to challenge and override the chaos of exilic social circumstance. Among the features that provide liturgical stability are the following:

The assurance that God's powerful spirit is at work in the world, which is therefore an arena of blessing. Generativity of life is assured there.
The process of ordering is articulated in separating elements of creation into their proper zones (Genesis 1:4, 6, 7, 14) and by assuring that all fruitfulness is "of every kind" (Gen. 1:21, 24-25). this is a world in which nothing is out of place.
The ordering is repeatedly acknowledged to be "good," and finally "very good." It is probably that "good" here means lovely, aesthetically pleasing. This is a beautiful place in which to reside.
The liturgy culminates in sabbath rest, whereby the members of this community desist from production, and do so without anxiety. They are sure that the world will hold, because it is authorized by the creator God.

The liturgy of these captives in Babylon becomes the way they stand up and become a people not under the rule of their captives. They retell the story of whose they are. There God brings life - good life - very good life - into every place; simply because this is what God will do. When we gather for worship, do we come away with such a powerful message? I think so. Listen to the words of our liturgy. There is vision and an affirmation of God's gracious Reign. In the face of any and all powers, we are given a vision of our God who, like the God of the Jews, sets us within a new world with a word of promise that cannot be taken from us no matte what the situation of our daily lives appears to be.

Connection: I often tell people that there is little more to any sermon I give than that which I share with the children in their lesson. It is always interesting to see that as a child grows up - s/he appears to doubt that message of "God for you - always and in all places" because other cultural messages begin to pull at them. The wonder of God's promises are meant to create even more and more wonder in our lives.

God of Creation, continue to inspire us with your promises and your great act of liberation. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 15 April, 2010

2010-04-15T06:20:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

One of the "editors" of the Hebrew Scriptures are the "Priests." Like other groups of editors, they attempted to hold things together and create an atmosphere that would bring to life the people of God in difficult times. During the Exile in Babylon was one of those times - again, Walter Brueggemann.

....it is conventional to locate the Priestly material of Genesis - Numbers in the exile, as a strategy for sustaining the sacramental sense of community. ....it was aimed toward the maintenance of order in a social context of acute disorder and chaos. The Jews in exile has no stable reference points (as with appeal to the temple), and so this tradition offers alternative practices in lieu of such supports. In Genesis 1:1-2:4a, the tradition provides a litany that is presumably liturgical.... the liturgy itself intends to challenge and override the chaos of exilic social circumstances.

Having a sense of order can bring comfort and a feeling of security. When there is only chaos, it is time for storytelling. Storytelling can take us from the face of what is and help us to see beyond it all. This stories are not lies that are just made up, they are promises that are dressed up so that we can see how they are able to see us through what it at hand. Even in the storytelling of our country, editors helped to hold up some stories and leave others out. In that way, a large group of people can rally around a theme or story in the hope that we too may be such people. When I was growing up I used to hear the cry "remember the Alamo." I didn't really know what it meant until I hear the whole story. It was like listening to the story of the 300 Spartans. A small group can stand up against the powers and through their courageous acts, become an source of inspiration for others. Our storytelling helps us build our character - that can be a plus or a minus depending on the stories that are handed to us. The Priestly editors made sure there were stories of great worth - stories that could be repeated easily so that they would alter the view of the people and create an alternate reality that had the power to sustain and nurture life.

Connection: Do you have stories such as these? Can you identify them? Where did you hear them? What keeps drawing you back to hear them again? What do they do to you when you hear them?

Within the stories of our life, O God, we turn to you to hear words of encouragement and truthfulness so that we will know of a way to live that is not overwhelmed by the powers of the day that seem to be able to smash us. Pull us into those stories of your powerful love. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 14 April, 2010

2010-04-14T06:20:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Today we will begin some time looking at the influence Babylon had on the shaping of the distinctive community of Israel while it is in exile in Babylon. For some, this way of looking at how scripture came to be will be new - to others not so new. And yet, Brueggemann always makes it something that we can bring into this day.

Because the exiles are now displaced from their homeland and from all its sustaining institutional markers, the power of Babylonian culture to assimilate and the capacity of the Babylonian economy to substitute satiation for a faith identity are indeed an intense threat. The intensity of the threat in turn evokes the most intentional efforts at community maintenance.

This exile take place when the temple and the city of Jerusalem have been devastated. The people are taken from their homeland and that means that all of the order within their lives is gone. Not only have they been defeated by the Babylonian army, this ancient religious thinking also notes that the gods of the Babylonians have whipped the God of Israel. Not the best conditions for raising up a faithful family or community. Under a cloud of defeat, disgrace, and alienation we have a people who will now work to make a way to sustain themselves. We must remember that this is what people of every faith must do in every age. How do we sustain and build up the character of who we are within the storytelling of our tradition? I have always found this period of the history of Israel to be a powerful one for them but also for we who call ourselves followers of Jesus. There must be a way to nurture the life of a contrary community. This is our task. This is our hope.

Connection: I find that I am often a reflection of the society around me. It is then that I need to hear another voice - I need a prophet calling out to me. I need a contrary rule to follow that will be my guide as I attempt to resist what is.

Lord of the Homeless and Defeated in every age, you are always close and ready to be our guide and our rock. We are in need of the simple ability to look around and see you at our side. It is then that we will be encouraged and look at the day with a sense of hopefulness. Be present, O God. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 13 April, 2010

2010-04-13T06:15:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Here's a good summary about the three voices directed to Judah.

To be sure, the traditions of Isaiah (royal), Micah (peasant), and Deuteronomy (Mosaic-covenantal) give differing nuance to the life of Judah. All are agreed, however, that in every sphere of its life, Judah must be a community of intentional resistance, refusing to let dominant, imperial definitions confiscate the life of Judah. The community is enjoined to great vigilance, lest it lose its raison d'etre, which is as a Yahwistic, alternative mode of life in a world of acquisitive, exploitative power (compare Deuteronomy 8:1-20).

When we wake in the morning, we wake into a world in which we are - as followers of Jesus - stepping into the realm of resistance. Luther would say that every morning we remember our baptism - same thing. We remember whose we are and the mighty acts of God to hold us and never let us go and then we let that hand lead us and guide us even when the leading takes us in ways that are quite at odds with the world. What is most difficult is to see to what degree we are at odds with the world around us. We have all seen those who seem to take this call into a life of asceticism or one of outright rebellion or one of such counter-cultural moves they are simply written off as complete oddballs. Well...what makes up resistance and how much resistance is enough?! I think we must not look at quantity. We look at the situation at hand and talk within a faithful community about what is needed. Resistance doesn't always mean going directly against the powers of the world. Resistance may also mean the simple movements that make us walk down another path. There are many paths of resistance that can be a part of all of our lives. It is quite important that we all keep talking to one another as we go along the way.

Connection: Baptism puts us in the water of resistance and it doesn't matter how deep we are in it - we have already died in this water and come into new life. What part of this new life will now begin to show? That is resistance.

Lord of New Life, carry us into the promised land and show us the way to stand on you alone as we journey through this life and share in the abundance of your Reign. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 12 April, 2010

2010-04-12T06:05:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

The third literary voice that speaks to Israel when they are being dominated by Assyria is from Deuteronomy - again from Walter Brueggemann. He argues that this book is considered as being written quite later than originally thought. In that, references to the "Canaanites" may well be the "Assyrians."

It is widely recognized that covenant receives its definitive voicing in Deuteronomy, the covenant tradition par excellence. "Covenant" is not to be understood as simply a religious slogan, nor as one model among many for Israel's faith. Deuteronomy offers covenant as a radical and systematic alternative to the politics of autonomy, the economics of exploitation, and the theology of self-indulgence. The model of social reality offered in Deuteronomy is that this community - in all its socioeconomic, political, and military aspects - is relational, with members taking responsibility for their neighbors. This notion of social reality touches every phase of social interaction and every exercise of social power. The pervasive disciplines to which Deuteronomy summons Israel is precisely to give up autonomy for the sake of committed, neighborly relatedness.

Israel will be Israel only as it is what God has called it to be. Otherwise, it will be nothing more than any other power in the world. The lose is both to Israel and to the whole world. This covenant is the creation of an order that is inspired by the God who calls the people into this special relationship. The relationship is not merely between God and God's chosen, relationship become the very essence of the community as it exists in the midst of the power of the Assyrians. The covenant is a statement of being. This is who we are. We live in this kind of way. We will concerned about the well-being of others in all the various realms of community life. Such a covenant, transforms the entire life of the people. By doing that, the rest of the world powers look on and wonder why it is they are like this. That is the witness of such a covenant - the world takes not of another way of being a community. This is as radical as anything we see in the life of the church. In both cases, it is not meant to be a mere story that is not brought to life as the story of the day.

Connection: I am always encouraged by Brueggemann's work because it makes me look at what can be and is real among us. It also makes me remember that the Scriptures paint us a picture of a community in distress - just like ours. From there, we walk by faith.

God of Liberation and All Hopefulness, help us to reach out into the promise of your life. Help us to step beyond what we call our own and become drenched in the water of new life that is your Reign. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 8 April, 2010

2010-04-08T08:15:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Continuing from yesterday the second literary voice that speaks to Israel when they are being dominated by Assyria is from Micah - again from Walter Brueggemann.

The devastating warning that such coveting will bring disaster is matched in the Micah tradition by two assurances. In 5:2-6, it is anticipated that a new governing authority will reestablish Judah and give peace and security (5:4) and , if necessary, will defeat Assyria and occupy the land. In the end, however, what is envisioned is not simply the defeat of the empire, but a great scenario of reconciliation, in which "peoples and nations" will submit to Yahweh's Torah in Zion and will decide for disarmament and peace (4:1-4; compare Isaiah 2:1-5). What is so remarkable is that the commitment to Torah and peace is a peculiar vision of Judah against the military inclination of the empire. In the imaginings of the poet, however, the peaceable Torah vision of Israel prevails, so that the "contrast community" of Yahweh offers the model and option of eventually embraced by all nations. The Micah vision bespeaks the deep resolve and resilience of this alternative. Holding to the vision itself is a discipline and a mark of this community, a long-term refusal to give in to a more accommodating but hopeless social practice.

As noted yesterday, we never are able to see this "contrast community" and how it is able to defeat the Assyrians. The vision never comes to be - real life. And yet, we are always being offered the vision. Even into this day, the vision of a community of reconciliation is a powerful word to hear. Things can be transformed through ways not consumed by violence and the ways of empire. This is to be our way - even as Christians. The power of the resurrection is a power that does not go along with the patterns of the world that can so easily move us and sway us. We are being pulled into more of a life that is willing to call into question what is and then to act contrary to what is when it is not a world of reconciliation and sharing and forgiving. In all of our faithful storytelling, it is our God who enables us to walk in that way. After the resurrection, we are encouraged to walk in the way of Jesus - God made visible among us.

Connection: Have you ever thought that there are times within the day when you are a part of this "contrast community'? If so, do you find it to be a good place - is it a place of peace?

When your peace reigns, O God, we are invited into a life in which we find ways to turn toward one another and not try to flee from the presence of the other. Continue to pull us into this Reign of peace. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 7 April, 2010

2010-04-07T08:15:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

The second literary voice that speaks to Israel when they are being dominated by Assyria is from Micah - again from Walter Brueggemann.

...the poet castigates the greedy who "covet fields and seize houses" (2:21). the ones who violate Yahwism's covenantalism is such a way will lose out when the land is redivided, perhaps by the Assyrians (v.4). Thus the expectations of Yahweh that will secure the community concern economic covenantalism in which the claims of the neighbor are not disregarded. Judah as a "contrast society" is premised on the elemental command, "Thou shalt not covet," which is here understood as broad social policy and practice.

The people of God are to be a "contrast society." This is not a simple suggestion. This is the way life is to be among us. Life within this kind of society attracts attention because of the way they live together. When it becomes a society that is ruled by the same kind of powers and rules as the rest of the world, what makes it a light - what makes it a new life? So, the prophets offer a warning. I would say it is more than a warning. It is a blessed reminder meant to turn the heads of the covenant people. The prophet calls the people to re-consider who has given them their place and their life and what it means to carry the banner of this covenantal relationship. We do not know what the Assyrians would have done had they come up against a society that reflected the covenant life that so wonderfully takes a road less traveled.

Connection: This may be what we all need to consider. What difference does it make in the world if we would live out of the promises of our God in a world that has its own way of running all things.?

Guide us again, O God. There are so many ways we would choose to walk through our lives and yet you call us in a way that reflects your Reign. Guide us along that way, O God. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 6 April, 2010

2010-04-06T08:50:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Brueggemann speaks of three literary voices that spoke to Israel when they were threatened by the Assyrian power. Today we continue with Isaiah.

In the Isaiah tradition, faith is engagement with all of the distinctive practices of covenant, most particularly the practice of justice and righteousness.

The alternative of unfaith is to abandon the defining marks of Yahwism, and to embrace the world of anxiety, collusion, and self-indulgence authorized and defined by Assyria. Indeed, the prophet is reductionist in insisting that these are the only two options.

As a community defined by a covenant with God, this is the radical edge that makes the community stand out in the world. It is not a matter of mere ethnicity or blood lines. Rather, it is the shape of the life of the community. When justice and righteousness is visible as the character of the community, there is faithfulness - there we will see the sons and daughters of God making a mark on the world so that the world will stop and turn and look at what is new. To become nothing more than another one of the powers - no matter what the situation and no matter what will make a good excuse for being like the powers - is to live in unfaith. Though this are only two character traits of life within the Reign of God, they are quite essential because they involve the communal life of the whole - and they are very visible to all. Unfortunately for religious people we are more known by our ritual actions than the character of our lives.

Connection: Though our liturgy is a vital aspect of our life and witness in the world, it is that which comes out of worship and ritual that grabs the attention of the world. When we leave our rituals and engage the world with the character announced in worship, we will make an impact on all.

Guide us, O God, into the way of your Reign. You promise life and your promises never can be diminished. They become a guiding light and a strong foundation upon which we can live in new ways in a world that never seems to change. Inspire us to live boldly within your Reign of promise. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 5 April, 2010

2010-04-05T07:30:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Brueggemann speaks of three literary voices that spoke to Israel when they were threatened by the Assyrian power. The first is Isaiah.

Isaiah offers in most magisterial form an alternative vision of reality. He does not so much address the ethical detail of Judah's life, but rather focuses on the larger issue of compteing political-theological loyalties. Isaiah endlessly reiterates that Judah must trust in Yahweh, who governs history and who will guarantee Judah in the face of imperial threat. We know very little about the tactical ways of prophetic utterance in Israel. What is unmistakable, however, is that the prophet endlessly invites Israel to an alternative imaginative scenario of reality, wherein Assyria is denied domination and Yahweh is shown to be an adequated guarantee of life. Thus in the well-known word play of 7:9, in a bid for loyalty to the world construed around Yahweh, the prophet asserts: "If you do not stand firm in faith, you shall not stand at all."

I am one that counts on the words of the Prophets to help me with my faithful imagination. The words are able to give me a bit more backbone when I know that my knees wobble and I can easily turn around and run away. Having said that, I also know that I do not get any information about "tactical ways of prophetic utterance." At times I long to hear how one is to be loyal to God in the middle of situations that demand action today. As I write this realize the the prophetic word is not an exact battle plan that has everything in place so that we really have no choice about how we are to act. Rather, the prophet seems to lift our eyes so that we will picture faithful to God in our day. That means we must be people who attempt to listen to the story of God's saving power and acts - and what people look like when they follow this God. When we hear words like "stand firm in faith," what does it mean? I'm sure we would hear many different answers to that question. Maybe somewhere in the mix of responses there comes a vision of faithfulness in the situation at hand. Could it be that these prophetic voices are meant to stir up our hearts and expand our vision that we will be a faithful people in the middle of whatever forces attempt to move us and shake us?

Connection: More and more it seems as though it is our task to listen - more and more.

Lord God of New Life, you are the power that comes upon us to make us faithful within that day we face. Encourage us to turn around and look to you whenever we are being pulled by the powers that threaten us. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 1 April, 2010

2010-04-01T08:25:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Today we will begin to take a look at how Walter Brueggemann sees Israel as an intentional, distinctive community in the world dominated by Assyria - though much like the resistance to Egypt, a variety of voices will be heard.

In response to the formidable and intimidating power of Assyria, Israelite and Judean kings were wont to give in and accept Assyrian definitions of reality.

It is clear, nonetheless, that there was maintained in Judah an insistent alternative to Assyrian hegemony, and alternative endlessly reiterating the claim that Judah's future could be based only upon loyalty to Yahweh, the emancipating, commanding God, and consequently in resistance to Assyrian hegemony.

Brueggemann will use three 'voices' from this period of history and we will look at those over the next few days. For now, it is enough to be reminded that we must have something onto which we can hold when the powers of the world attempt to overrun us. Just like an invading army that seems greater than anything we can imagine, we must be a people who have a story that keeps us open to what is available to us for life - even when we are being overrun with other ways to live. It is not easy to look at the condition of life around us and trust a future that is "based only upon loyalty to Yahweh." In some ways, you can bet that there are many disagreements about what that loyalty means. Just as there are many voices that try to tell us what it means to follow Jesus - and some of them act like nothing more than cheerleaders of the powers of the world - we must continue to listen to the voices of the prophets who were quite good at pointing the way of faithfulness. Prophetic voices are not usually well received by establishments of any kind - particularly religious ones.

Connection: We must listen again and again. We must turn to those voices of the great prophets and listen again. We must know where to hear the voices of today's prophets and listen and discern what life we are to enter in order to not fall prey to the powers and empires of the day.

Lord of all History, you continue to make us your people even when we are wandering through the many powers that attempt to capture our attention and our lives. Continue to inspire us with your Spirit of life. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 31 March, 2010

2010-03-31T11:25:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Here is a summary word about Israel's encounter with Pharaoh. Good for these days of Passover.

Israel knows that Egypt is endlessly resolved, vigilant, and canny for its way of life. In the narrative of counterreality, however, it becomes clear - over and over in reenactment - that the Egyptian project is doomed. In the end, Pharaoh is desperate and must say to Moses, "Bless me!" (Exodus 12:32). In the end the repressive achievements of Pharaoh are empty. This little community that begins in pain and ends in dancing, that stops its life for sabbath, that cancels debts for the sake of neighborliness, in the end this community has in its midst the force for life, and is the wave of the future. It is so because in the end, Yahweh denies Pharaoh any authority, even over Egypt (compare Exodus 19:5: "The whole earth is mine.").

The story bring forth a truth that the world does not always let itself see - this God of ours is Lord of all. Yes, the line of empires runs one after the other and seem to never end, but it is this strange community that is contrary to the power of the day that lives on through all the powers. Israel, like the Church, is a living witness to another way to be human in a form that is truly blessed. The blessedness of the community is always for the good of all - even the empire. That is why we can dance...that is why can sing. In fact, I would go so far as to say our lives must be filled with dancing and singing and all the signs of a great banquet taking place even under the oppressive rule of empire. The word and the life we bring to the day will be a challenging one that will not give up the celebration of God's Reign for the reign of any other power. God Rules - that is enough to transform the day and be a part of the transformative power that will never be silent.

Connection: Even in Holy Week, it is time to dance and sing. That is what Jesus did throughout the last days of his adventure in Jerusalem.

Lord of the Dance, ignite our hearts that we will be bold followers of your way even as we must walk the paths through the powers of life that attempt to bend us and break us. Grant us you peace that we might find rest and courage. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 30 March, 2010

2010-03-30T12:01:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Brueggemann writes that there are 'two commands (that) epitomize the best of Israel's counterpractice." These are from the commands at Sinai - today is #2.

Second, the first specific law in the Sinai utterances after the decalogue, given in Exodus 21:1-11, concerns "the year of release," whereby Israel is enjoined to engage in a countereconomics that willingly cancels the debt of neighbors and permits the indebted to rejoin the economy as a full and viable partner. It is this neighborly act of debt cancellation that is the taproot of all Jewish and Christian notions of forgiveness. Forgiveness is cancellation of debts in every zone of existence; this countercommunity takes as its foremost social characteristic the refusal to exploit the poor, the refusal to get even, the refusal to hold grudges, the refusal to exact vengeance. All of these practices, to be sure, are at the core of the pharaonic enterprise, but Yahweh authorizes and summons otherwise.

Everything gets released. It is a new beginning. That seems to be what this covenant community is all about - new beginnings - life again - refreshment - liberation - endless possibilities for life. And yet, "the year of release" has always been something about which we talk but simply write it off as something that was not really meant to become a part of "real" life - for who would live like that!?! Here is where I go back to Jesus. He has "release" written all over his actions and words. Unfortunately, release is not what the established order wants - do we!?! The Prophets were masterful at pointing out how far the people had gone astray from the way of life that was handed to them by the God of Exodus. But to allow for a "year of release" - let alone a few moments of release - is a strange journey that is not only difficult to grasp, it is also unheard of in our everyday experiences in the world of empire and pharaoh.

Connection: At the end of the day it would be interesting to take note of there was a time in the day when we really were able to cancel debt - offer release to others and even ourselves.

Lord God, you bid us to come and walk and live in the land of forgiveness. It is there that we will come to see the bountifulness of your Reign and realize what joy you bring to life as we are your people. Remind us to forgive - and then again. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 29 March, 2010

2010-03-29T08:50:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Brueggemann writes that there are 'two commands (that) epitomize the best of Israel's counterpractice." These are from the commands at Sinai - today is #1.

First, there stands at the center of Torah commands the practice of Sabbath, the steady practice of work stoppage that makes visible the claim that life consists in being and not in doing or having. I have no doubt that the recovery of this discipline is decisive for the reenactment of this community of emancipation and resistance.

I often try to tell our confirmation students how important this command is when we think of how God is trying to make a new community that is not the same as the ordinary ways of the world. It is not easy to trust that God will provide if we stop. And yet, this also means that in the days when we are not at rest, we work. The Sabbath is not made to build a community of sloth. It is to build a community of people who will trust that God shapes us by what God calls us. We are the children of God. That is our status and our life and our future. Even when we have nothing or can do nothing, this status never changes. Within God's Reign - which is the community of God's people throughout all time and in each and every day - we are a named people - a marked people. Yes, the mark is different as we move from the Jews to the Christians - but the claim is still the same - forever and ever as God has made it so. When we talk about Sabbath, I do think we must always watch for the legal aspects of Sabbath that, quite honestly, can make a mockery of the day of rest. That can take us into a many-sided conversation that would be best done when we are together.

Connection: Do you give yourself time to rest - to remember that God is Lord of All - Creator of all that is?!? Do you make rest a legalism in your life - or a gift that you treasure?

Redeemer Devotions - 26 March, 2010

2010-03-26T06:00:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

Walter Brueggemann presses on with this community obligation and what it is that is formed as we enter into relationship with our God as a covenant people.

Along with liturgical reiteration, this community accepted rigorous disciplines for the sake of alternative community. These disciplines we regularly call commandments or even laws. The emancipating, resisting community, in the imagination of its self-presentation, moved along to Sinai. Mount Sinai, in this tradition, is the mountain of address. There Israel heard the very voice of Yahweh (Exodus 20:1-17), and then they heard the meditation of Yahweh in the voice of Moses (vv. 18-22). In this holy voice and in its Mosaic echo, it heard a voice of summons and of assurance, a voice of demand and of promise, a voice guaranteeing a peculiar identity. And there they listened. Thus emerges the verb shema as the defining claim of Israel's life. In listening, Israel knows itself not to be self-made, self-invented, or self-imagined. In that listening, moreover, Israel knows it must cease to listen to the voice of Pharaoh that defines reality in terms of brick quotas. In listening, Israel comes to the startling, dangerous conviction that its life consists not in bricks for the empire, but in acts of neighborliness whereby Israel replicates Exodus for its neighbors.

This piece will find its way back into my telling of our story of being followers of Jesus. We too are a community that is meant to listen. We hear whose we are and who we are before we have done anything at all and in the face of all that we have done. It is a voice of our God we hear through the Christ of God, Jesus. We do not - cannot - invent this story line we call the way of Jesus. It would be foolish to do that. To serve others, to love enemies, to wash feet, to heal without limit, to rescue without condition, and to forgive as though it is our only task in life is nothing but the life of a fool. That be us! Those who want to invent their own lives and make their own lives or want turn the way of our God into a piece of themselves will continue to build nothing but the empire that is Pharaoh - the world as it always has been. I so look forward to Easter Sunday and the renewal of our baptismal covenant and to hear the promises and to see the water fly and to witness the steady burning of the paschal candle and to watch babies getting wet at the font. I like to listen to it all. The laughter that comes with water wildly whipped around the room is the beginning of remembering how the voice of our God speaks to each of us - forever and ever.

Connection: This is, like all of our days, a time to listen to our God calling us by name and embracing us with stories of liberation and salvation. Everyday is the day we become the children of the most high God.

Take us up and place us at your feet, O God, that we may listen to your Word of Life that will always pull us into the life that it sows among us. When other voices want to claim our attention, be - as you have promised - the voice of unending love. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 25 March, 2010

2010-03-25T06:15:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

This identity of emancipation and of resistance is one that is to carry on beyond what is often seen as a closed community.

....the provisions of Passover make clear that this is a theological-ideological act not contained in ethnic boundaries: "Any slave who has been purchased may eat of it after he has been circumcised....If an alien who resides with you wants to celebrate the passover to the Lord, all his males shall be circumcised; then he may draw near to celebrate it....there shall be one law for the native and for the alien who resides among you. (Exodus 12:44-49)" The offer is inclusive. But it is not casual. One must be prepared to accept a costly mark to qualify for this community of emancipation and resistance.

The door to this community is one that is open for all. But if you want to really be about this alternative life - take on this mark. Ouch! And yet, what an important piece of the story telling to take to heart. There is a sign - there is a commitment - there is then one way that will be the way for all. I would imagine that many men thought twice about becoming a part of this story of liberation. To step across the threshold of this story, was to step into a life - real life. Today, the church tries to make participation in the community of saints so easy that a person who comes along the way of the followers of Jesus really does not have to commit to anything at all. In many ways it is nothing more than a cultural adventure or a personal and individual journey. The story telling community of the Church does an interesting thing these days. We are willing to change everything in order to let folks come along the way. That is not all bad - but it does leave us open to letting go of the story and letting it become nothing more than a popular movement of convenience and self-pleasing exercises. I would like to argue that our simple action of marking with cross on the foreheads of the saints carries the weight of circumcision. If you want to walk with us and live with us and turn the world upside down, take this mark. Yes, you can blow it off because it is not visible and you can simply walk away because the mark is one on your heart - then again, it is a never-ending mark - a mark meant to shape - a mark meant to create new life - a mark that is available to all (even the fear-full), and a mark that makes a person a full brother and sister - no questions asked. The mark moves us and makes us a part of the people. We are inspired then - to make this a viable way to live and not just a casual and occasional acquaintance.

Connection: We must be a people who are willing to mark our lives - daily. We do not do this to prove a point - but to give us the way of our next steps through this day.

Lord of the Wilderness, we are so often being tempted to forget how you have marked us with the cross of Christ - forever. When our mark is one on our heart it, is easy to forget the life it offers us. And yet, your Spirit continues to tap us on the forehead and whisper "come follow me" and we are guided into the way of your Reign. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 24 March, 2010

2010-03-24T06:00:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions

At the center of a community of resistance is a common story that is reenacted so that people of today can be brought along and caught up in just such a journey - again, Walter Brueggemann.

We do not know the actual "history" of the Passover festival. What we do know is that Passover emerged, is situated in the text, and is regarded in Israel as the occasion and script for the periodic, disciplined, intentional reenactment and replication of the exodus narrative. It is the cultic staging whereby in every circumstance, through every generation, this community sustains and makes visible and unavoidable a distinctive identity of emancipation and of resistance to the pressures of pharaonic culture.

I'm not a fan of reenactments - but this is different. I don't like Christmas Pageants or "living" nativity scenes or Good Friday theater. In all of these cases it is nothing more than a show. The storytelling of Passover is an attempt to keep alive the liberated community through having them go through the events of the storytelling. The food and the words and the gathering around in households and remembering the story of the Exodus brings each household into the grasp of that promise and that liberation that took place so long ago. Through this liturgy of sorts, is taught the way to live - no matter who seems to be in control and power. This living is in the face of empire and actually sets people free from the power of empire. From this storytelling, people are to get up and go out into the world as the emancipated ones who no longer are held hostage and in bondage to the ways of empire. If this story does not raise up a liberating and new community, I would suggest they would be nothing more than the powers that oppress.

Connection: Resisting the culture is not an easy way to go. And yet, it is the way into the promise of a new reality - a new creation.

Come, O God of all Hopefulness. Come and whisper the story of your love and faithfulness to each of your children so that we have the strength and encouragement to live and walk in your Reign even when the reigning powers of the day attempt to own us. Amen.

Redeemer Devotions - 23 March, 2010

2010-03-23T06:00:00.001-04:00

Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions