Sunday January 20 Ps. 36:5-10- is an extraordinary collection of images. the Wiseman bible class is just working on images in the Psalms. First just drink in this set of images. Pay particular attention to the ones in verses 7 and 8. Do you ever feel so moved in your spiritual life? Second, consider rewriting them with images that reflect the text but fit our contemporary situation more fully.
Monday-we celebrate today as Martin Luther King Day. I do realize that many bigots continue to resent this day. Today I wish to emphasize his religious faith as the impetus and core of his actions. Few grasped the essential prophetic message as justice in this world as fully as he. Few were as fervent in their prayer life for peace and for the inner strength to keep going. Recall that he died at 39.
Tuesday We are in the middle of a week of prayer for Christian unity.This is always problematic for me. Part of me sees us as so connected on essentials that I mourn all of hte effor tan dmoney that goes into so many church structures.On the other hand, all of these different churches can be seen as the flowering of diversity. I don;t see that many chruches claiming themselves as the sole vehicle for salvation any longer.
Wednesday-I just read a Facebook post by someone bragging about their spiritual humility. It reminds me of the Amish taking pride in their plain traditional clothes.It is a neglected virtuie, and it is difficult for ameruicans, as it seems to argue against ambition. I see it as being grounded, as the realization that we are all human beings and not gods. Humility is not equivalent to humiliation. Instead of abasement, it is a declaration of the equality of all being in the same boat.
Thursday-My new Theology Today has an editorial where it maintains that we need to be much more flexible about human forgiveness than we often are, as unattainable requirement. “Forgiveness can take place in many different ways and on a variety of timetables. Christians need ot be extended grace, not judgment, they are unable to forgive.” What does forgiveness mean to you? When have you been able or unable ot forgive?
Friday-I found the new Stassen book on a “thicker” view of Christ and the faith.He offers many examples of the reformed tradition’s insistence that god governs heaven and earth, all of life, not merely its “spiritual” dimension. He points out that those who are able to resist evil follow that precept. further, they are able to see other people as brothers and sisters in Christ and even seek the Christ within others.
Saturday-My new copy of Interpretation has the theme of embodiment. Kim (p.29) reminds us that the body of Christ is a “christic” body, as a way of life, even at risk of being broken for others. In other words, it calls for embodied prayer, embodied faith that works from the standpoint of belief but is not frozen there. We overemphasize the members/individual elements of the image, and I fear that we lose its corporate aspect of being held together
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