John 18:33-37
"Reign of Christ" - Proper 29 (34) - Year B
Its hard to see Pilate as a shuttling diplomat running between the religious authorities and Jesus. This activity would naturally bring forth the question about the King question, "Is this your question or not?"
Once it is established that this is question is merely for trapping purposes, Jesus responds with a challenge to us in this day as well as that - what are we to do with such an alien frame of reference, one that would not play by the established patterns of power?
Where is your realm of authority located? Is it in the arena of shuttling, seeing what is possible and following? Is it in the arena of larger perspective, of truth, that interconnects everything? What is your theory of everything?
A test here is our willingness to listen and to witness to what is currently knowable and to stretch toward that which is not yet. When we settle for whatever big frog in a small pond we are, we settle for being a king. When we humbly strive for that which is better, we pick up a new surname, Truth-Teller.
This puts Jesus right up there with Aletheia, Greek goddess of truth, and Edith Ann. Now we can see there is an alternative to the the usual understanding of power. It no longer comes from military might or human institutions, but from interconnexions with GOD and Neighbor. This is better than kingship (even though being the king is good). You came into the world, as did Jesus, not to Lord it over, but to witness to the larger picture we call truth.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2003/november2003.html
So, who are you? We need to listen to other's perception of us. There will be some truth there. It will give us a clue about who we have been, are, or might yet become.
For this to be most helpful it is good to have some idea that we are fulfilling a meaningful interaction with the other and with a community larger than our immediate community. With this larger perspective we can take other perceptions and not battle them. Sometimes we can even claim them (probably to the consternation of those who were trying to get our goat).
I am who I was born to be. This is a deep truth each of us have access to. When we do connect with it, it is amazing what power is set free within and through us.
Here is an empowering exercise. Stand in front of a proverbial mirror and say aloud, until it is firmly stated, "For this I was born – to testify to wholeness." Stating this truth continues our completion and emboldens us to assist others to arrive at a similar spot for themselves. This is leadership.
- - -
where did I come from
alpha
where am I going
omega
right now I'm between
mu and nu
I am glad to be here
me and you
for this I was born
for this I will die
in the meantime
we enjoy between times
we are and were
and are yet were-ing
to a new witness
all are loved free
look up and down
jump and kneel
remember and anticipate
amen and amen
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html
We have moved during this Pentecost season from John 15:26, back in June, to John 18:37, this fourth week of November.
We moved from a promise to send a Spirit of truth to help folks "testify" on behalf of Jesus, who, now, himself, testifies to a truthful life.
We moved from an understanding that those who receive a Spirit of truth will be sought to be killed and the killers will consider that they are doing what is good or expedient to Jesus being in exactly this same position.
In both instances we have moved from promise and expectation to a specific model of internal and external congruity, not measurable by those not on the same page and certainly not about the power of kingship.
It is this journey between possibility and reality that we have been on, trying to make that transition in our own lives. How did you do? Are you further along this year than you were a year ago? As you reflect upon this season of Pentecost and Ordinary Opportunities, note a specific or two that has been encouraging to you. This is also a favorable time to note what needs to be worked on this coming year. We have finished one perspective on this journey, Mark's, and will turn to Luke to look at the work still needed and to find insight and practice opportunities helping us progress another step closer to wholeness.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html
A most intriguing passage for a Sunday traditionally called Christ the King. This is a series of direct questions with slippery responses.
“Are you King of the Jews?” [In a context of Roman occupation, what would any response to this question mean?]
“Who’s asking?”, asks Jesus. This sends us on our first trip. The question is no longer that of hierarchy, but behavior - “What have you done?”
And Jesus spins around again. “My kingdom is not from this world.” So does this respond to the first question about kingship or is it a one-hand clapping statement? Kings are very much of this world. They can’t be king without the world allowing it. What is this other world?
Pilate took the bait with a presumption that this was a response to his first question. “So...you are a king!”
“You keep harping on power when I’m talking about an authenticity or truth beyond political or religious privilege,” clarifies Jesus.
Conveniently the lection cuts Pilates retort of “What is truth?” as he spins to leave the room. So Pilate doesn’t have to hear Jesus mutter, “The truth is you are Governor of Nothing and never will be the King you desire to be.”
Whether you call it Christ the King Sunday or the Reign of Christ, Jesus says you got it wrong and the church won’t be a source of healing until it puts such arrogance away. This is especially the case when the following week we claim the failure of kingdom talk with the beginning of a needed Advent or start on a different journey than the crazy-making one of repeating doctrines as if they were factual.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2012/11/john-1833-37.html