Proper 11B - July 23rd 2006
Readings:
For some reason we don't read the story of Jesus feeding the crowds, but we read the verses around that story. We see Jesus acting as a shepherd. The apostles had been very busy and hadn't even had a chance to eat. Jesus is their shepherd - caring for them. He says to them "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place to get some rest." There's a big crowd waiting for them when they land the boat. Jesus had compassion on them "because they were like sheep without a shepherd." The Ephesians reading has a different image for Christ for us to ponder. He is our PEACE - destroyer of barriers and dividing walls. Without the walls there is no "us and them". The consequence of Christ's work: "You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people amd members of God's household.
As we ponder Christ as our peace it's probably also worth reflecting on the troubles that happen at our boundaries. At the time of writing there is fighting on the boundaries of Lebanon and Israel.
The so called "security fence" built by the Israeli government - ironic considering the Jewish experience of persecution and exclusion. | "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil, for he gives to his beloved sleep" (Psalm 127.2)
Rest and work. Being and doing. Responsibility and reliance. Holding them in a creative balance empowers us to live healthy and whole lives
All the lonely people, where do they all Eleanor Rigby: The Beatles "What are you doing to nurture your spiritual life?" If your answer is, "Nothing," then it's time for you to find your "desert place." This "desert place" theme is a prominent one in the Bible. Think about the need for a "desert place in our own lives. Take a spiritual vacation? Not so much for rest and relaxation as for the renewing of your spirit. Prayer, worship, reading, quiet time, Bible study Anders When the wind rises, some people build walls. Others build windmills. Chinese proverb Robert Frost has a poem called Mending Wall which has the line "Something there is that doesn't love a wall." That's an attitude that contrasts with his neighbour. He still believed the word that his father had taught him: "Good fences make good neighbors." | Suggested Hymns:
Just as I am, without one plea But that thy Blood was shed for me, And that thou bidd?st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings within, and fears without, O Lamb of God, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea all I need, in thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come.
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve: Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come. Charlotte Elliott (1789?1871) Joel Gregory told how there was a castle on the English coast owned by an landlord, but no one currently was living there. Vandals were coming in and destroying the place. So he hired a contractor to build a nice rock wall around the castle. The fee was agreed upon and the contractor began his work. But after a short time the contractor began having trouble finding rocks for the wall. So he called the owner to complain about the situation. The owner sharply replied, "I don't care where you get the rocks, I want you to build that wall!" Some time later the owner came to see the progress of the work, and found a beautiful high wall. He was so impressed with the fine work the contractor had done. It was a perfect wall for his castle. But then he went through the wall, and was stunned to find that there was no castle! The contractor explained, "There were all these wonderful rocks in that run-down old castle, so I used them." That is the folly of anyone who is so prejudiced that they do not open themselves up to the grace of God that can come through another human being. We think we are protecting ourselves, we are protecting something of cherished value, so we build a wall. But when the wall is built, we find that we have torn down everything of value within ourselves. Anders |
