1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Proper 25 (30) - Year A
Paul writes his self-understanding that he hasn't tried to trick or fool anyone, but says as directly as he can (with the honesty of a child before a naked king) the connection between his heart and a message reflective of G*D.
It is tempting to try to fool at least some of the people some of the time (for their own good, of course). Pay attention to the political ads and you will note the high degree of trying to shade language enough to fool enough people into voting a particular way. The same process is used in the politics of religion.
Today's New York Times (you can get it with a free sign-up) contains this editorial: "Dead Parrot Society" By Paul Krugman synopsized as "Despite his public image as a plain-spoken man, President Bush is in fact as slippery and evasive as any politician in memory."
In many ways Paul is an anti-politician facing a one-party government and religion. He is thrown in jail and beaten up for his straight-forward approach.
Like the religious progressives after him, Paul recognizes he has only the plain word of experience, of Christ crucified and raised, against a web of words and techniques used to maintain religious order and control. To get into a battle of webs is, for Paul and progressives, a losing battle.
Though tempting to "use words as a smoke screen to take advantage," a key to influencing people for the better is an honest heart in touch with G*D's expansive love for all people and all of creation. Test your heart and tell the truth as soon as you can - even if it does not immediately advance your advantage. It is truth that frees.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2002/october2002.html
How does one care for their own children? One starting point is that of recognizing that children are different and need different responses, even in the midst of the same situation. This reality has been overlooked in the realm of religion where we face the temptation to make one answer good for all children at all times.
It is the appeal to universal answers that keeps getting us in trouble. It is like saying that we are made to be reduced for the Answers (Sabbath) not that the Responses (Sabbath) are made for our moving on to wholeness.
Here we need to recognize the pragmatism of Paul and our ancestors in the faith who have done their best to be all things to all people -- that is, fit their responses to the situation they were facing to help folks take the next step, not to jump to some conclusion in one fell swoop.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2005/october2005.html
To attempt to choose between pleasing G*D or to pleasing mortals raises an important question between the commandments to love G*D and to love Neighbor as you love Yourself. How are these ranked? How are these interrelated?
If loving G*D means not loving neighbor, is this love of G*D anything other than projection based on prejudice against a neighbor?
Admittedly "pleasing" G*D can mean loving G*D and "pleasing" neighbor can mean kowtowing to "them". If we are talking apples and apples something is not quite right here, other than a rhetorical flourish. If we are talking about apples and oranges this is not helpful scriptural advice.
How do you deal with holding the two big Jesus-identified commandments together in a way that aids your responses to the questions of life?
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2005/october2005.html
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Deuteronomy 34:1-12 or Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18
Psalm 90:1-6:13-17 or Psalm 1
Matthew 22:34-46
Moses, the great liberator, is shut up in foreign Moab. Ruth, the great grandmother, comes forth from Moab.
All of this disparagement and honoring of Moab, depending on time and perspective, is background to the famous "love your neighbor" dicta.
This is basic inclusionary, progressive vision. It allows Jesus to continue engaging those who would be his enemy, in this particular the Pharisees.
It is encouragement to us to keep the line open with our supposed enemies, for we may well find ourselves dying in their space and rejoicing when they bring forth a heroine of our own.
- - -
what is a millennia
what is a moment
a tension between
enlivens this present
relatives become enemies
enemies become friends
we chase one another
and flee the same
in a moment
all is lost
in a millennia
we can see today
may we prosper
in our in-between time
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html
It is always possible to make demands upon another. That is subtext to negative advertising – Don't!
At the same time it possible to refuse to work in a demand-based economy, politics, relationship. In this space we not only have content (sharing the gospel of G*D) but we have process (sharing our hearts, our selves).
The divide between accepting and not-accepting demand-based relationships is a huge divide between varieties of religions. It takes a huge conversion to move from one side of this divide to the other.
Such a conversion can be led by an invitation from a shared life or pushed by one demand too many. Our usual progressive process is to invite, to model, to share. Our temptation is to use the techniques of the demanders and in our hands it is particularly dangerous. Best to recognize that life is a slow process where we don't throw our weight around, but allow it be an attractor.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html
When we share what we understand is approved by G*D we are also sharing ourselves, because the two cannot be separated. This would seem to call for restrained passion. controlled enthusiasm.
“So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves. . . .” To be clear about the differences and confluences of G*D and our self is a source of blessing for our self and for others (both G*D and Neighbor).
We bless G*D by not confusing our heart with G*D’s heart. We bless Neighbors by not confusing a word of life with a judgment cutting life off. We bless ourselves by truthfully telling the difference.
May you be blessed with serenity to accept the realities of an expansive and expanding love.
May you be blessed with courage to move our currently experienced limits into a larger venue.
May you be blessed with wisdom use both serenity and courage to guide your fruitful use of gifts sufficient for your time.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2011/10/1-thessalonians-21-8.html