1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Epiphany 5- Year C
Paul's experience of Jesus was first through the eyes of enmity and then a revelation of the risen Christ. Each one of us is a center of the universe, perceiving life from our experience. So it is very easy to see this whole "dying for us" focus as Paul's explanation of the mechanism that led to the transition he went through in regard to Jesus.
When we move away from Paul's limitations we can see the whole sacrificial atonement process in its limited scope. We can also begin retranslating through our experiences and revelations and reading of scriptures that go beyond the scriptures available to Paul.
Can you imagine the shift in our institutions had Paul written something like: "I hand on to you my priority ranking of my relationship with Jesus: Christ lived to reveal G*D and the fullness of life. His presence healed many and upset the religious and political status quo. All parts of the status quo conspired to exercise their "right" to capital punishment (execution). The fullness of life could not be so summarily curtailed and in the fullness of days was experienced anew by many, including ourselves.
"This fullness is worth participating with to the highest degree through our relationships with G*D and neighbor. This leads us to proclaim the goodness of creation, the presence of G*D and the transformation of life in this life."
It is possible to stop short of this present/future orientation by understanding death to be the purpose of Jesus and a deus ex machina bringing him back around. I simply find this bloody sacrifice too limiting and leading to excuses used by each generation for their "holocaust" of some group or other.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2004/february2004.html
By the grace of GOD I am who I am.
Who's that? I am!
Indeed, me too!
No matter what anyone else may say, I am.
May you be one, too.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2004/february2004.html
Proclaimed and received - a circuit through which energy might flow. This is a valuable tool that can evolve as it works.
We might want to take a step back to remember the expansive love of G*D proclaimed to Saul. Was that proclamation as early as Saul's learning with Gamaliel or was it present in the stoning of Stephen? Might it have been heard as Saul went around persecuting followers of a risen Christ? How many times might Saul have fallen on his face in recognition that G*D's steadfast love was not threatened by folks trying to honor it in a different way? Finally, outside Damascus, Saul received a proclamation and life changed. Paul arises.
How many proclamations had come to the folks at Corinth before Paul came along and a proclamation and a reception connected?
The proclamation seems to be that a risen Christ can and has appeared to many in every generation. This appearance transforms people's lives, changes their named identity.
How many different ways has this connection between Christ and an individual or group occurred? As many ways as there are people and groups. Whether it was one way or another for you, it is probably different for me, and different from either of us when we are dealing with someone else.
We can get caught up in doctrinally defining Jesus in this passage, but that won't get too far. It is far better to look at the sweep of process, proclamation and reception, in all its many combinations and permutations. This will keep us ready to receive strangers, unaware as we are of the spirit's work with them.
- - -
the last of the apostles
is a very hallowed position
we all want to be the culminationthe first of the apostles
is important but the new and improved version
finally arrived can't be beatyes, apostles can define everyone else
out of their ranks and ranking
but mystery abounds beyond apostlesthe last is never last
take a breath and you're next to last
thus the danger of pride of receptionmay we so hallow the next apostle
that we will find our apostleship
confirmed in giving it up
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_02_01_archive.html
Tricky brother Paul tests the Corinthians on "good news" - is it creedal or experiential?
He begins with Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, according to the scriptures. Key here is the straitjacket of scripture. Meet this criterion and the next and next. That's it. It's all about the dying (Romans) and burying (Arimathean Joseph) and raising (G*D). These are all external matters. It seems not to be about the living, just the matching with predetermined outcomes.
Second, I am what I am. Key here is a relationship (with a few prideful comments about working harder that those other apostles) with grace.
So, Corinthians, are you going to stake your good news on interpretations of scripture or experience of grace? Are these strictly equal or are we to decide which trumps which? By and large, the church institutional has come to bet on control of interpretation. That has grown old and is being seen through. To be one's self, maturing in one's gifts and responses to opportunities, is an important edge of new growth - good news.
What did Paul intend to remind us of? If he wasn't dazzled by his own footwork, I'm betting it was that grace is still open.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2010/02/1-corinthians-151-11.html