Faithfulness can be a lonely, hazardous path

Morning: Psalms 20, 21; I Kings 7:51-8:21; Acts 28:17-31

Evening: Psalms 110:1-5; 116, 117; Mark 14:43-52

It may prove dangerous to stand for justice and freedom.  When you challenge wrongdoing, the powers that be are afraid.  If you expose injustice, even the leaders of your own community may arm themselves against you, and friends betray or abandon you. In the face of violence, betrayal or mortal threat, only those with strong convictions hold their ground.  Jesus stands firm.  Jesus stands for all who strive to be true to our common humanity.  Yesterday, two young Hong Kong leaders were arrested for remaining true to their vision of democracy.  Faithfulness can be a lonely, hazardous path.  Courage, friends!

Are you still ‘asleep’? If you are, you don’t know!

Morning: Psalms 16, 17; I Kings 5:1-6:1; Acts 28:1-16

Evening: Psalm 22; Mark 14:27-42

Jesus’ disciples say they support him; but they fall asleep.  ‘Sleep’ here is not primarily physical sleep, but ‘unconscious’ action, being unaware of what you are doing or saying, or why ... You do not consider the meaning or consequences of your words and actions. You do and say what you do not intend, and you do not even realize what’s happening.  Paul is a famous example … he persecutes the Church and its leaders … until he ‘wakes up’ on the Damascus Road.  The Gospel asks: Are you still ‘asleep’?  Trouble is, if you are, you don’t know!

With gentleness and reverence

Morning: Psalm 102; Jeremiah 38:1-6; Revelation 7:13-17

Evening: Psalm 86; Judges 16:28-30; I Peter 3:13-18

Persecuting others for their faith is an ancient evil, rooted in the fear of difference.  John the Baptist is beheaded for questioning the morality of king Herod’s behaviour.  Many still suffer persecution for believing and practicing their faith … Ironically, the persecutors may themselves be people of faith or of no faith, who are convinced that theirs is the virtuous path.  But violence breeds violence; the persecuted become the persecutors. Someone must break this vicious cycle. Peter’s letter insists that when challenged for our faith, we should defend ourselves, not violently but, “with gentleness and reverence”.

Which god(s) do I serve?

Morning: Psalm 119:1-24; I Kings 3:1-15; Acts 27:9-26

Evening: Psalms 12, 13, 14; Mark 14:1-11

Jesus is nobody’s flunky.  He panders to nobody, needs no-one’s approval.  He knows who he is. Jesus shows that service is what will set this world to rights.  He makes enemies among the powerful who expect people to serve their priorities.  Even one of Jesus’s own friends doubts him enough to betray him.  Many little ‘gods’ demand loyalty in exchange for some counterfeit power or status.  But when the woman anoints Jesus’s feet with oil because he is soon to die, she wants only to serve him, to give not get.  She seeks nothing and yet she receives immeasurable grace. 

The storm before the calm? … It’s time to choose

Morning: Psalms 5, 6; I Kings 1:38-2:4; Acts 26:24-27:8

Evening: Psalms 10, 11; Mark 13:28-37

In Jesus’ day, the old order was passing away, dramatically and permanently.  Not a small shift, but a profound upheaval of human life.   The Jewish Temple would indeed be destroyed; the Jews would rebuild their traditions without a Temple.  Those who accepted the Way of Jesus found a new path, new possibilities for their lives.  Echoes of those upheavals sound in this 21^st century, in the threat of natural, social and economic devastation.  Yet Hope does not disappoint those who follow the Way of Jesus. Still, as then, they trust and invest in the ever-new, ancient possibilities: Mercy and Justice.

Dehumanizing structures cannot stand for long

Morning: Psalms 1, 2, 3; I Kings 1:5-31; Acts 26:1-23

Evening: Psalms 4, 7; Mark 13:14-27

Much ink has been spilled about today’s Gospel story.  Since Mark was writing between 65-70A.D. (during the Jewish-Roman War that ended with the destruction of the Temple in 70A.D.), many writers agree that it is about the end of the Temple order rather than the end of the world … For our own day, perhaps we might understand it as a prophecy (i.e. a truth-telling) about how when human societies and institutions set themselves up against the kind of humility and humanity that are shown in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, they will not last for long.

Why are things still so dark?

Morning: Psalms 146, 147; 2 Samuel 24:1-2,10-25; Galatians 3:23-4:7

Evening: Psalms 111, 112, 113; John 8:12-20

Why are things still so dark in the world given it’s so long since Jesus said, “I am the light of the world”?  I mean, Jesus also says, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life,” and there are billions of Christians worldwide?  Well … Either Jesus is not the light of the world, or we Christians just pick and choose the things we like about him and leave the rest.  So, very few people – even those who profess to – have really followed Jesus yet.  Could that be it?

Not the end, but the birthpangs of a new world

Morning: Psalm 86; Genesis 28:10-17; John 1:43-51

Evening: Psalm 104; Mark 13:1-13

Does Jesus predict the end of the world, with ‘salvation’ as an escape?  No, on the contrary, Jesus inaugurates a new creation.  Escape into eternal comfort is never what Jesus has in mind; his goal is a new earth. …. We know that the birth of a beautiful child does not come without pain … Giving birth to a new world may be even more messy and painful.  But new mothers don’t say it wasn’t worth it.  Imagine yourself, then, ‘pregnant’ with new life, nourishing the life growing within you, preparing to give birth.  Salvation is not escape but fulfilment.

“I am the Chosen One”: at the cost of everything

Morning: Psalms 140, 142; 2 Samuel 19:24-43; Acts 24:24-25:12

Evening: Psalms 141, 143:1-11; Mark 12:35-44

You may think the story of the ‘widow’s mite’ teaches generosity or is a judgement against those who exploit widows.  But, more than this, Jesus declares himself Lord of the Temple, with the highest possible authority: in effect, “I am the Messiah.” This is utter blasphemy to some.  Now, one politician said the other day, to widespread derision, that he too is “The Chosen One”.  But what will it cost him?  Jesus’ claim costs him more and the stakes are higher.  Just as the widow gives “everything she has”, so Jesus “gives everything” for the sake of the Creation.

Does Love direct your actions?

Morning: Psalms 131, 132; 2 Samuel 19:1-23; Acts 24:1-23

Evening: Psalms 134, 135; Mark 12:28-34

Some do not engage in trickery, but ask Jesus sincere questions, like: “What is the greatest commandment?”  On another level, this is akin to asking: “What would you salvage from your burning house?” It invites you to the heart of your priorities in life.  Jesus’ response expresses the heart of his priorities for the earth … “Love God with heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbour as yourself.”  He’s challenging us: So, when the real crisis comes, will Love (for God and neighbour) direct your actions or will you be in a mad scramble to save your own skin?

“D.G. Regina” … “By God’s grace, Queen.”

Morning: Psalm 119:145-176; 2 Samuel 18:19-33; Acts 23:23-35

Evening: Psalms 128, 129, 130; Mark 12:13-27

They ask Jesus trick questions about taxes … He responds, “Give Caesar what is Caesar’s and give God what is God’s.”  Separating politics from religion is a modern innovation.  In Jesus’ world, they are intertwined … The world is God’s; human empires are but a small part of it.  Roman coins bear Caesar’s image and refer to him as “son of god”, but Jesus’ words say something astounding … that human rulers are subject to God.  Consider this … Canadian coins are still inscribed with the image of Elizabeth II, and the words, “D.G. Regina” … “By God’s grace, Queen.”

Real authority need not justify itself

Morning: Psalms 121, 122, 123; 2 Samuel 18:9-18; Acts 23:12-34

Evening: Psalms 124, 125, 126; Mark 11:27-12:12

People trot out their credentials, maybe believing it makes us want to listen to what they have to say.  Perhaps it has the opposite effect?  When they ask Jesus for proof of his authority, he refuses to offer it.  Formal authority is hollow without inner authority, which shows itself in action.  Action speaks for itself.  But when you’re full of the need for power, or competing for power, you demand credentials from the truly wise.  Until you know what to look for – what real authority is – all the proof in the world won’t help.  First, watch Jesus.