Hosea 5:15 - 6:6
Proper 5 (10) - Year A
How do we respond to G*D's disappointment in us and leaving us to the strict consequences of our contracting lives?
One response is a call to return to the last G*D we knew. Let us study and worship with renewed vigor. We'll show G*D how much we've learned and committed ourselves to. All of this to bring us back to some comfort level with G*D. I find the various titles for the subsections of this passage to be intriguing. The Contemporary English Version simply has it, "The Lord's People Speak." The New Revised Standard Version puts a meaning on the speaking, "A Call to Repentance." The Message puts the reverse spin on it by seeing behind the surface of the words and calls it, "Gangs of Priests Assaulting Worshippers."
I find the "assault" image to be the strongest. In the face of our false fantasies that all we have to do is get our worship right then G*D will bless us, the last portion of this passage reminds us that G*D sees through our failed fantasy that "the appearance of love is sufficient."
Being able to be clear about our choices is an important step toward being able to choose well. So choose:
"I'm after love that lasts, not more religion. I want you to know G*D, not go to more prayer meetings." The Message
"I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of G*D rather than burnt offerings." NRSV
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2002/june2002.html
Hosea 5:15 - 6:6 or Genesis 12:1-9
To Abram's descendants -- the promise of land.
Life goes awry in a very usual way -- from poverty to poverty in three generations. Stereotypically, a poor individual gains through hard work and perseverance and makes a bundle, their children don't have to work as diligently because of the resources at hand, their grandchildren have lost diligence altogether and squander the inheritance back to poverty.
Hosea calls the descendants to return to the basic relationship with G*D without the intermediary of sacrifice which puts all the blame for lack of fortune upon some failed magic in a sacrifice and/or G*D's perversity.
As you consider the dream you once had for your life and where you have come to -- is this a time of rejoicing or regret? Have we been caught in a spiritual version of this old sociological model of generational wealth? What will motivate us third generational progressive prophets to return to our radical roots? (You may want to consider our Camp Kairos this summer as a way of regenerating your spirit.)
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2005/june2005.html
Hosea 5:15-6:6 or Genesis 12:1-9
Psalm 33:1-12 or Psalm 50:7-15
Romans 4:13-25
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
To Abram and Matthew a call: "go from your country" and "come, follow me" - there is another spot where we will find greater life, greater hope beyond hope. Being open to this call in our own day is part of the challenge for settled individuals and congregations and nations.
This call is not just geographical. The Psalmist and Paul remind us of the changes we need to be making internally that our heritage might be healed, that our distress and sacrifice be swept away by steadfast love.
Whether an external move or an internal one, a key element is transformation from acting out of fear of further distress because our guilt needs to be atoned for by some sacrifice to being proactive beyond fear to ask for what is needed (Tabitha's father and unnamed woman with a twelve-year hemorrhage) in anticipation of steadfast love without retributive punishment needing to occur first.
Note the acceptance of Jesus of the request for him to move, not Tabitha's father or Tabitha. Note the acceptance of Jesus of a touch that slows him during his journey.
Perhaps we might envision a mutual journey - G*D's and ours - not one pulling or pushing the other from where they are, but a mutual attraction and desire to move in common.
- - -
journey without a destination
challenges our control need
even with past adventures
having turned out well
there is hesitation
to trust again
journey without a destination
raises again an insatiable god
testing and testing again
our temptation
to settle
in
journey without a destination
a realistic assessment of our lot
no matter how we disguise it
change and death obtain
warrants to search
empty lives
journey without a destination
anticipates beyond current plateaus
use of several learnable skill sets
to envision preferred futures
to enact their foundations
to enliven generations