Third Sunday "Get up and Walk"

 

Pelican in her Piety -
St Nicolas Church, Manston, Dorset

God was satisfied with his own work, and that is fatal.  

Samuel Butler (II), Notebooks, 1912    

Samuel Butler can get away with this irreverence because  I am confident he raises a rye smile in heaven.  As this world that slowly comes into focus, we realise that the paradoxes of life can never be avoided. The Hebraic stories acknowledge this.  Such extremes are seen; like the beauty of the ocean, that without a flicker of compassion, tips the boat over and drowns its occupants.  Humans have tried to make sense of this in so many ways.  But of course it can not make sense.  It is not designed by a human, and perhaps you have to be able to see in four dimensions, not three, to make out what is going on.  For me it starts with the simple relationship, like that between the baby and it's mother.  The baby did not choose the be born, and the mother knows this.  She gives her life blood for her baby.  And also, Butler (II) was correct, it was fatal.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Six 

This is what I find so perplexing.

Some people experience great success.

They live notable lives and have many children.

But they die, and what have they achieved? 

Sometimes nothing of what they have done is noticed.

 Others are born into poverty.

All they have to hold on to is wisdom.

 Since we cannot get what we like, let us like what we can get.

 About The Future

The Creator knows already every outcome,

Like an old much loved film.

Our lives are flickering shadows.

It’s not for us to know the outcome.

PRAYER:  Let me have a simple, trusting faith.

Lent Sixteen "Get up and Walk"

Death and Woman Käthe Kollwitz - Leicester Art Gallery

 

Men are given to worshipping malevolent gods, and that which is not cruel seems to them not worth their adoration.  

Anatole France.  Crainquebille, 1901

Those that look in from the outside see violence.  And I don't blame them.  Verses from the Quran are criticised for there seeming barbarity, went similar verses can her heard coming from the mouth of Paul.  We see such suffering.  Kollwitz picture is of the ultimate picture of horror.   What if this is my loved one, my child?  As CS Lewis put it when his recently wed wife died of cancer, 'just holding on'.

I do not believe my Creator is malevolent, or irresponsible, as are the Greek gods of old.  My Creator is like a parents who I can't figure out.  What is this rule about?  Why do I have to go to bed now?  The reasons are there.  I may have not discovered them as yet.  But they don't exist when I have figured them out;  they exist.

Micah Chapter Six

“Case for the prosecution- call forth the mountains as your witnesses.

What can you bring against your Creator?”

“Now mountains, hear my questioning.”

What have I done that my people have grown so tired of me?

Remember I brought you out of slavery in Egypt.  Moses, Aaron and Miriam came to your aid.

King Balak tried to curse you, but Balaam blessed you instead. Remember our journeys where I showed you what faithfulness is?  You ask what can we give you?  A new born calf?  A thousand rams?  A river of olive oil, even our first born children?

No! You know what I require of you.

Do right, love mercy and to walk humbly with me.

The wise fear what I say!

Listen to this voice; powerful justice is coming, into the homes of the wicked, full of ill-gotten gains.  Wow to the dishonest scales, riches born of extortion and violence.

Citizens who lie excessively cannot recognise the truth.

This judgement will wound you!

You will eat and never feel full.

Others will benefit from your savings, and they  will never be enough.

Your crops will be harvested by others.

Your oil press will produce just enough to douse your hair.

You will trample your grapes and squeeze out only a drop.

You will obey the law, but only those made by evil rulers.

This will lead to ruin, contempt and mockery.

PRAYER:  I want to do what is right, be merciful, and walk humbling with you.

Lent Fifteen "Get up and Walk"

The Prisoners - Käthe Kollwitz - Leicester Art Gallery

 The God of the Christians is a father who is a great deal more concerned about his apples than he is about his children.  

Diderot, Addition aux Pensées philosophiques, circa. 1762

Is it a problem that the Bible begins with a story that doesn't make sense?  This puts 'hanged for sheep steeling in Dublin' (apparently the fate of one of my ancestors) into the shade.  For those who see this story as an allegory about how things went so drastically wrong in the world, a little more thought is needed.  The issue is about choosing to do something to spite the Creator, and put deceit and lies into the relationship.  This leads to divorce.  But  this story is at the very beginning of the bible, and the solution is spelt out there also.  

Paul's Letter to the Roman Believers Chapter Six

So now shall we return to hurting our Creator? Of course not! That would be like turning around and walking in the opposite direction. When we commit ourselves to a life with Jesus, It's like a marriage, 'for better, for worse'. All our inclination to hurt and mar our relationship has been taken away; We are living anew. We follow in Jesus footsteps, through death, into life. We are free from the control of wicked desires. Do not let evil compulsion hold any sway over you. Your entirety is now devoted to life with your Creator. And with it comes freedom to truly be yourself. We know the example of slavery. Slavery is a terrible thing, the deprivation of liberty. To be a slave to wickedness and evil is hideous. It is full of shame and helplessness. So we are freed from a life of slavery to a life of goodness and fulfilment. What a mercy, as the path of slavery leads to death, But the free gift of life with Jesus leads to eternal life. 

PRAYER:  Thank you for your love and mercy, that brings hope into the darkest despair.

Lent Fourteen "Get Up and Walk"

 

Need - A Weavers Revolt- Sheet 1 Käthe Kollwitz
Museum Köln

Despair is the price one pays for self awareness. Look deeply into life, and you'll always find despair.  

Irvin D. Yalom   

As a thirteen year old boy, I recall the surprise and relief I felt  in response to my grandfather's reassurances.  We were at a family party in Highgate.  He asked me how I was, and when I replied with a grimace,  responded by affirming me, saying I was right to feel rough, because the world was a tough place.  We can see despair in life where ever we look.  There is injustice and oppression; much of it overlook and justified away.  The greatest injustice to me is that children die when this can easily be prevented.  

Lamentations Chapter One

Jerusalem,

Once bustling with people       -       Now a deserted wasteland

Once seated at the top table    -       Now alone, like a widow.

Once a powerful queen             -       Now a defenceless slave.

I hear her sobs at night, rivers of tears flowing down her cheeks.

Of all her past admirers, none now willing to offer comfort.

All those friends have now become enemies.

The people are lead off into captivity.

Nowhere is now secure.  She is a foreigner in a hostile land.

The road to Jerusalem falls silent.  Gates creek in the wind.

The old leaders groan, and the young women cry bitterly.

The oppressor is now in charge.  Jerusalem’s failure has made her week.

Her children have all been abducted. 

In the midst of this sadness Jerusalem remembers her ancient splendour.

It was selfish ambition that made her become weak.

She is now a filthy rag to be tossed to the side.

Every precious thing is stripped bare.  Her sanctity has been violated.

Is no one moved by pity as they pass? 

Error has been converted into a yoke.  She by leashed with her own wrong doing.

“I see what is happen”, She says, “The consequence is to be expected.”

“My heart is broken, my soul despairs.”

“But remember the oppressor is equally wrong.  Be just.  Treat this present evil with the same vengeance.”

PRAYER:  I feel the pain and suffering in my heart, and in those around me, and I know that it is in your sight.  And I am not forgotten.

Lent Thirteen "Get up and Walk"

 

Whistler's Mother by J.A.M. Whistler, Musee D'Orsay, Paris

It was a room where you had no reason for sitting in one place rather than another.   Middlemarch Chapter 54, G Eliot.

Surely the greatest gift in life is to have purpose and meaning for existence.  Even the most dull life has meaning when relationships are powerful and strong.  In unity there is strength.  I think of early human existence, fighting the cold in winter; struggling to find enough to eat, and with no television!

Ruth Chapter Three

Life went on like this until one day Naomi decided that Ruth should settle down. She knew that Boaz, as their closest male relation, would have a duty to decide their fate. The custom was that any poor relation could offer themselves as a servant when in great need. Naomi encouraged Ruth to offer herself to Boaz. She trusted that he would treat her well. This was a big risk, but Ruth had the courage. One day, she made herself look presentable, and went and met with Boaz. It was the evening after the day’s work was done, and Ruth knew she was breaking a taboo. Boaz was indeed surprised to see Ruth. The poor did not mix with the rich. “I come to offer myself as your servant” explained Ruth. “Please decide what I must do. I entrust my future into your hands.” Boaz let out a gentle laugh. “Ruth. You have nothing to worry about. Everyone knows you are a wonderful person who has sacrificed much to serve my family. But Naomi does not know that there is another relation who is closer in marriage to you. I will have to ask him to decide your future.” Boaz let Ruth stay the night and sent her away in the morning with a gift of food. Ruth explained what Boaz had said. Naomi was confident that Boaz would do the right thing for her. She knew that Ruth was a treasure.

PRAYER: I am excited by what you have for me today

Lent Twelve "Get up and Walk"

 

New Life by Danielle Planting

Teach me my God and King,

In all things Thee to see,

And what I do in any thing

To do it as for thee.                   The Elixir. - George Herbert.

Just as wise people have noted that the more they know, the more they know they do not know, I am learning how much there is to know about the ways of the Creator.

It's like climbing a mountain, reaching a summit, and realising that you are still in the foot hills.  But from the rise I have reached, the view is stunning.

Paul's letter to the Church in Phillipi Chapter Three

Rejoice in Jesus in all things. This is my main message. 

Watch out for people who want to take the shine off your joy. 

We honour the Creator by our spirit. It is what is in our hearts that really counts. I can tell you this because I devoted most of my life to trying to live correctly by my own strength. It’s hard work, and it counts for little. I now realise that I am made acceptable to the Creator through my relationship with Jesus. All that effort to remain pure through my own diligence is now like filthy rags! I discarded everything I once thought essential just to be able to see Jesus more clearly. I am only interested in Him, and the power that raised him from the dead. 

I share in his life, including his suffering and death, so that I too will be with him. I have not achieved perfection, of course not. But I know that the closer I get to Jesus, the more I will be see from his perspective, and see the Creator’s plan. It’s like a race with a great prize in store. It is worth pressing on to the finish line. Everyone who has wisdom agrees with what I am saying. You can disagree on other points but this truth is central. Why not follow my lead? With tears in my eyes I have seen how some of you have got it so wrong. If you are a citizen of heaven, you keep your eyes on Jesus and serve only one master. Jesus will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into bodies like his own. 

PRAYER: May the light of your presence illuminate all I think, feel and do today.

Lent Eleven "Get up and Walk"

Norham Castle at Sunrise - J Turner - Tate Britain

He was like a cock who thought the sun had risen to hear him crow.                                                   Adam Bede Chapter 33. G Eliot.

There was a very primitive cartoon that my father used to show to the boy's camp he ran every summer for years.  It was called number one, about a man who could only see others as blobs.  Number two was his wife.  As he was convinced of his selfishness, he began to see others about him.  This was the revelation.

Revelation Chapter Two

Addressed to the Angel, the messenger and guard, of the church in Ephesus.

 “I know everything you do. I see your hard work, your patient endurance. I am delighted that you do not tolerate evil, and discern what is true, and what is distortion. You have never contemplated giving up. Bravo. My complaint however, is that you have forgotten your original joy. This is essential. A relationship requires this intimacy, and shared expression of life. The fact that you hate evil practices makes me believe you will rekindle your love. Remember, we live from the perspective of eternity. Everyone who is victorious will receive the joy of life eternal.” 

PRAYER:  I desire my first joy.  The love that was overwhelming.  That changed me forever.