Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16
Proper 27 (32) - Year A
Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16 or Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 or Amos 5:18-24
Joshua set a choice before the people. Follow the Lord and me or get your own leadership together.
As with most crowds they fall back on remembering the best of their heritage so they won't have to change in the present. There were victories along the way (and their subsequent creeds) that were recounted. Conveniently forgotten were the difficulties along the way. To avoid having to really make a choice the folks only remembered the victories and said, "Us, too."
Joshua caught this wavering and pressed on to issues of jealousy and not-forgiven to test this one-sided response.
The crowd, as with most crowds, didn't really address this but simply affirmed that they were up to whatever was needed. Anyone here heard yourself or someone else being quite positive when it came to changing a habit. We are so full of big-talk.
Joshua eventually says, "We'll see. Your real intentions will be witnessed to by your actions". Then comes a test of intentions - actually putting down a crutch you have been using and picking up a new orientation that needs living. This same test is still being put to us. Will we actually live as big as our talk? Well?
Amos shifts the imagery from material idols to the idolatry of worshipful praise. Again the test is put. We talk about justice as if it is a light mist and righteousness as though trickling down were sufficient when what is needed is a deluge and a flood. Will we actually live as big as our talk? Well?
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2005/november2005.html
Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16 or Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 or Amos 5:18-22
Psalm 78:1-7 or Wisdom of Solomon 6:17-20 or Psalm 70
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13
Wisdom requires decisions made in the moment, in this day. To wait for more information is not as wise as acting on what is now known and adding to what is known as we go along and making appropriate corrections, including recantations, to and of prior decisions.
What do you know of "bridegroom" behavior? How do you then plan and decide about their inconstancy?
What do you know of "bridegroom" forgiveness? How does this change your plans and decisions?
What do you know of "bridegroom" justice and righteous? Does this confirm or change your plans based on what you know about the forgiveness of same?
- - -
alas for you
who desire the day to come
without having made
the needed decisions of this day
to desire without planning
is driving without
seatbelt or helmet
damn silly
to desire without deciding
is counting chickens
before they are hatched
worthless
no amount of ritual
incantation or sacrifice
will atone for innocent desire
none
plan for extravagant justice
decide for expansive righteousness
for this is saving music to the ear
beautiful