Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Proper 22 (27) - Year C
Proper 26 (31) Year C
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 or Lamentations 1:1-6 ; Lamentations 3:19-26
In Egypt the people finally cried out for justice. They were led into the wilderness, away from their complaint.
In Judah the people finally cried out for justice. They were led into exile, away from their complaint.
Today the people finally cry out for justice. "The law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous -- therefore judgment comes forth perverted."
We will also be led away.
All pay when all do not stand up for justice. All pay when one perverts justice. Perhaps not immediately (which does encourage others to do the same), but eventually the cry comes forth and all are led away.
Prophets, stand with the Lamenter and Habakkuk. Help us be clear about this matter that we change and not be led away.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2004/october2004.html
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 or Isaiah 1:10-18
Facing ourselves
For ignoring the vision
breathed by the living Spirit
churning deep within our souls;
Lord have mercy,
Lord have mercy,
Have mercy upon us.
For refusing to look at the vision
alive within those
who look or act or sound different from us;
Christ have mercy,
Christ have mercy,
Have mercy upon us.
For choosing familiarity, ease, and comfort
rather than risking the opportunities
afforded in the vision
Lord have mercy,
Lord have mercy,
Have mercy upon us.
Invitation to new selves
If the vision seems to tarry
wait for it;
it will surely come…
it will surely come…
from Kathryn Hawker [MISSING URL]
How does the line, "have mercy" play within today's American politics that places such high emphasis upon photo-ops?
How does the line, "have mercy" play within your life that places such high emphasis upon being righteous?
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2004/october2004.html
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 or Isaiah 1:10-18
Imagine a later Habakkuk in an earlier Sodom or an even later (your location here). Habakkuk could be anywhere religious veneer is of more value than compassion or where preemptive violence rules the day. (Actually, these two conditions bring out the worst in each other.)
How different would the vision be for what it means to live your faith? Though not explicitly stated in this passage, would not both Isaiah and yourself spell out that vision as (1) refraining from harm, (2) the doing of good, and (3) the putting of yourself and your community into an active relationship with G*D that (1) and (2) above might be sustained?
All three of these actions work together. A question for today is which of these three active holinesses needs to be reenergized where you are to break a cycle of decline from deep insight into surface forms?
- - -
come let us argue
invites G*D and saints
our way through
qualities of leadership
let us call one another
to account and change
in the face of
violence and promise
may this challenge
lead us beyond
our current comprehension
of religion and perfection
our standard now becomes
continual reduction of violence
compassion that fatigues not
and honest relational encounters
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html
= = = = = = =
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; Lamentations 3:19-26; or Lamentations 1:1-6
"How lonely sits (__name of your congregation/denomination__) that once was full of people!"
So states the Lamenter.
Habakkuk clarifies a why behind the statement.
"Look at the Proud! Their spirit is not right in them...."
This is the key to understanding the multiple transgressions the Lamenter recognizes - satisfaction that they were getting-theirs and a rejoicing that they could help those who weren't-getting-any without, in any way, risking theirs. Pride and unilateral mission were the set up.
It does suggest that if our hope is going to be real this morning, a reversal is to really come, steadfast love and mercy will in some way involve sacrifice and mutuality.
Now what does that mean in each home and congregation?
- - -
writing a vision large
doesn't help those who don't look
should they glance
the font would be readable
while writing is crucial analysis
it pales in the face of non-readers
who find it even more critical
for them to continue apace
this is true for holy writing
in a book or on a wall
the words are present
the understanding is not
we have taken surfaces
all too literally
and lost the life of words
in some magical Word
may all dreams this night
be troubled
and all dreams tomorrow
be possible
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html
The world is going to hell in a handcart. Everyone has their own evidence of the devolution of human community. Some is just fear-mongering and some have evidence. Perverted justice is as good an example as there is. Of course, one person's perversion is another's beauty.
There seems to be no process that can guarantee putting a stop to people's perversity. It doesn't seem there is a technique that will put us on a path to a better tomorrow. All we have is our own integrity. We stand and watch and wait and evaluate and act on what we trust.
So what are you trusting these days? Try this, an end is coming soon, but not soon enough that it will keep me from my responsibility and joy to live as though something better than an end will arrive in its place.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2010/10/habakkuk-11-4-21-4.html