Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19)
Proper 12 (17) - Year C
We are not to let anyone condemn us in matters of food and drink, observing festivals. These personal and experiential issues are not the measure of Christ in our life. Christians can be omnivores, carnivores or vegetarians. Christians can participate in Ramadan, Festival of Booths or Easter (not to mention Solstice, Diwali or Vesak).
We are not to be disqualified by or intimidated into self-abasement. Likewise we are not to be coerced into this belief or that belief about angels dancing on a pin or anything else. Creeds are always behind the times, fighting the tail end of any dispute.
Creation and growth mix clay and breath and all manner of other seeming incompatibilities. To buy into a standardized religion is to chose against the being of Christ and the image of G*D. Both blow where they will, are nonstandard.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2004/july2004.html
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit....
On tonight's NOW with Bill Moyers there was in interview with George Lakoff regarding the framing of issues that is very important. You can read more about this at the NOW website - click on framing the issues at the bottom of the page.
It is amazing how language sets the agenda for the work we do in the world. What key phrases do you need to use over and over again to project the realities you understand and desire? How do you reframe bad theology beyond saying "not" to someone else's "so"?
This is some of the most difficult work there is to do. It is also some of the most crucial. The Word becomes flesh in our words. We can set people free through a reframing. The elemental spirits of the universe need to be transformed. This is what the Lord's Prayer does; this is what Hosea does.
We need to not only care about our not being taken captive, but about others being taken captive. It is important to take part in the day-to-day political realities with the people we are with. There should be a whole year's course in seminary about reframing the comments that are overheard in church. This is holy work. It is also hard work that has a tremendous payoff. Let's continue reframing the discussions around us.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2004/july2004.html
"As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him." This line raises a question: just how do we receive a Christ.
Those who have gradually morphed into a relationship with a Christ that continues to point beyond Christ are encouraged to continue growing, not to stop with the current relationship.
Those who have suddenly come to a relationship with a Christ that continues to point beyond Christ are instructed to be prepared for yet another change as Christ pays attention to a Living G*D and will be changing accordingly.
How did you receive a Christ who points beyond? Guess what - there are still more changes to come. Don't become captive to deceitful philosophy or to your current "having come thus far to Christ". There is still more nourishment and growing of additional ligaments and sinews ahead - with G*D.
- - -
live your life
as you have lived your life
is not a condemnation
to stasis
life so far
has been a journey
of maturing at least growing
and fading away
live in the middle
of such diverse dynamism
and wonder upon wonder
will be revealed
more life than ever imagined
will open through more growth
and through more endings
along your way
live your life
as you have lived your life
and you will live
as you have never lived before
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_07_01_archive.html
"Christ" is a special code word. While not supposed to be compared to philosophy, if Christ does not captivate our philosophical bone and bent, this Christ may not survive the rough and tumble of life or it may become uber-philosophical and codify all contradictions away.
"Christ" as a category is not to be deceitful. The most adamant Christ-followers seem willing to stretch anything in order to accomplish a goal of more baptisms.
"Christ" and human traditions are put in conflict with one another. Hard to know what "fully human" means if human experience is to be so heavily discounted. This justifies cultural missionaries.
"Christ" is exempt from the elemental spirits of creation. Hard to know what "fully divine" means if creation is not to be listened to. This justifies environmental rape.
"Christ" is G*D's excuse to forgive. Remember how unforgiving G*D can be - No Mercy, No Forgiveness. This feels like face-saving. Poor old G*D can't just start forgiving again or showing mercy again - some intermediary step was required by G*D and Jesus fit the bill. Consider that the whole bloody atonement thing is about G*D looking good in G*D's eyes and isn't about Jesus at all. G*D could have said, bring me a hundred more foreskins (1 Samuel 18:12-30 - since G*D has been acting like Saul, G*D might as well use a Saul-like subterfuge) and felt justified in getting back on the steadfast love wagon. Or simply, again, acknowledged not living up to G*D's best, repented behavior, regretted absence, set another sign alongside a heavenly bow, and proceeded - imagine such a one acting on one's own for one's own integrity.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2010/07/colossians-26-15-16-19.html