Jesus: Way of liberation

Morning: Psalm 72; Revelation 16:1-11

Evening: Psalm 119:73-96; Luke 13:10-17

The bent over woman – probably suffering some kind of mental affliction – is like the nation as a whole; bent out of shape by specious arguments about what is right or wrong.  What Jesus does for the woman (‘untying’ her from her 18 years of bondage) is what he longs to do for the nation –indeed for any nation caught in its own kind of bondage to forces that seem beyond its control. Jesus exposes and opposes the narrow tyranny of fear (emotional, mental, religious, social, political) … Fear keeps people and nations tied in knots when they could be free.

Schools in which to practise a change of heart

Morning: Psalms 61, 62; Revelation 14:14 – 15:8

Evening: Psalm 68:1-20; Luke 13:1-9

Have you ever experienced conflict in a faith community?  All human communities experience conflict.  But what then?  On a larger scale, Jews in Pittsburgh and Christians in Egypt were killed last week at worship.  These were instances of religious hatred akin to Pilate’s murder of pilgrims in the Temple in Jesus’ day.  Jesus taught that human conflicts show our need of a change of heart (repentance) – as individuals and as societies. Faith communities are schools in which to practise a change of heart towards one another in small conflicts and so prepare our hearts for the bigger, societal conflicts.

Be clear about how to maintain peace

Morning: Psalms 56, 57, 58; Revelation 14:1-13

Evening: Psalms 64, 65; Luke 12:49-59

Today, in 1605, they discovered Guy Fawkes’ religious conspiracy to torch the Houses of Parliament.  Today, 42 years ago, I left England and came to Canada. Today, 38 years ago, my eldest son was born.  Relationships – political, religious and personal – mark this day for me.  When Jesus says he came to bring fire to the earth, it resonates on all levels.  Jesus calls us to be clear where we stand.  And, since we will not always agree, even with those we hold most dear, we must also be clear about how to make and maintain peace with one another.

Forgiveness is a law of nature, like gravity

Morning: Psalms 24, 29; I Corinthians 12:27 – 13:13

Evening: Psalms 8, 84; Matthew 18:21-35

There is no limit to how often you must forgive someone; whether they say, “Sorry”, or not.  Jesus teaches that when you do not forgive a ‘sister’ or ‘brother’ from the heart, you yourself suffer. When you hang on to anger or judgement towards another person who has wronged you, it will feel like you are being tortured.  The torment another person feels when you refuse to forgive them is a torment you yourself endure, because you will not forgive.  This consequence follows naturally.  Forgiveness is a law of Nature, like gravity ... ignore it at your peril.

Gifts, Expectations, and Blessings

Morning: Psalm 55; Revelation 13:11-18

Evening: Psalm 138, 139; Luke 12:32-48

There is an individualistic theme in modern western culture that undermines community life.  It goes like this … If you’re gifted, lucky you!  That entitles you to privileges and rewards; the more gifted you are, the more comfortably you will live.  Enjoy yourself!  Jesus, on the other hand, points out a different path … Your gifts do not belong to you; they are not for sale, but for service.  The more gifted you are, the more your rewards and blessings need to be found in the satisfaction of service.  If you don’t like this teaching, maybe it’s especially for you!?

Love what Jesus stands for

Morning: Psalms 42, 46; Job 19:21-27a; Romans 8:14-19,31-39

Evening: Psalms 116, 121; John 14:1-16

Last week I was wondering what it means to love Jesus, this mysterious, perplexing and enchanting figure from 2,000 years ago?  What makes sense for me, I said, is that to love Jesus means to love what he stands for.  What Jesus stands for invariably gladdens my heart – Love, Justice, Courage, Compassion, Strength, Understanding, the list is long.  So when Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” could it mean that by loving what he stands for, I myself might also become loving, just, courageous, compassionate, strong and understanding?  That is my prayer.

The Dream: A New Heaven and New Earth

Morning: Psalms 111, 112; Hebrews 11:32 – 12:2

Evening: Psalms 148, 150; Wisdom 5:1-5, 14-16; Revelation 21:1-4, 22 – 22:5

The dream of John of Patmos is like our own dreams … “Every tear wiped away … death, no more … mourning and crying and pain, no more … no temple to make Love known; all will know … the healing of the nations … no evil … any more.”  Something like that may be at the core of what we all want for our children – a reality in which Love rules.  The dream of Love is planted in our hearts, because we are made in the image of Love.  We are made for Love.