Deuteronomy 30:9-14
Proper 10 (15) - Year C
A plumbline (Amos 7:8) is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe (Deut. 30:14).
So often we think of the rules of the game of life being set from the outside as though creation were from the outside in, mud-to-breath, when it might be thought of from the inside out, word-to-image.
As we proceed to love our neighbor, as our self, we find the plumbline becoming clearer. This is different than the plumbline becoming better defined and then being able to better love.
The practical application of this escapes me for now. Nonetheless, it is comforting to know that the measuring rod of good living is not foreign, but constituent to our being. While we don't always live up to this standard within - it is what allows conversion (at whatever speed) and activates the assurance of forgiveness. The mystery of what finally makes the connection of ourselves to ourselves, our mouths with our hearts, our works with our faith seems to be ever larger.
For now we simply leave it with encouragement to observe the gift within yourself and to encourage others to so observe their life. To do so with integrity builds the common wealth that gives a courage to finally love GOD with all that is available, to love neighbors as family, to love a community we were called to rather than was called to us, and to love those we once labeled as enemy. In this way we find how we, too, will "so love the world."
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2004/july2004.html
Questions of authority abound. They are the currency of power - held and desired. Those who can most successfully question another's authority are able to claim authority. We contend over our questions.
Is authority a conveyance that moves from captured or established authority to whomever will keep it in place? Is authority an integrated whole rising from within to bless and challenge current authority.
Obviously, this curious word authority plays on several levels. Going back through its usage, it began by meaning to increase and thus to create (to author).
In today's world, authority might be thought of as that which decreases and thus controls. As you think about your life - what authority do you bring - an inner authority to increase or an outer authority to decrease? The difference is crucial and the choice that we make regarding our authority is one of one's meaning.
So, take thou authority...
- - - - - - -
a commandment
that is not a commandment
is not too far away
too high or too widethis commandment
is not a commandment
for it touches our depths
becomes our own