Topic: Lectionary
The Triune Voice of God
Trinity (year c)
psalm 8, proverbs 8.1-4, 22-31, john 16.12-15, & romans 5.1-5
romans 5.1-5
1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
Meditation:
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; 4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? 5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet,... (Psalm 8.3-5)
Reflection:
" We worship an inclusive God - a God who says, ‘There are not aliens in my house.' We worship a God who is trinity, unity and diversity: A God who calls us to model our lives on the lives of the Trinity. " - Archbishop Njonkulu Ndungane (Desmond Tutu's successor)
Consider:
Trinitarian worship should be a reflection of family. God has gone to pains to model these relationships within the Godhead (as difficult as it might be to comprehend), each deferring honor to the other rather than themselves. The Father finds glory in the Son, the Son deferring to honoring the Father and is filled with the "Sophia/Wisdom" - the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit speaking only what He hears from the Father and the Son. Seems that they are competing to be the "least" or the last within their own family circle of sorts--the tri-unity of the Logos.
We are talking about receiving the Holy Spirit (or desiring, submitting to, and deferring to God in cooperation with His will) being in step with the Spirit who has been given to us.
This is a radical way to live, this crucifying of our way, to live in concert with God and His mission of new earth and kingdom living. It shakes our lives to the core as we find those things that are truly important to Jesus, and align our life to completely reflect His desires.
We are on firm ground as we endeavor to mimic Jesus in our contexts today, as expressed thorough the gospels--placing us in allegiance to Him only.
As disciples, we are the best citizens of any earthly country where we find ourselves--being true servants--but our loyalties place us in another world, with other convictions... Higher convictions!
We should consider all of this as the 2008 elections draw near.
How does Jesus feel about life, war, the poor, and the alien? Questions and problems we haven't seemed to be able to answer in earthly economies...
We might be tempted to think that Christian "political issues" are relegated to a couple of hot button topics, but if we will take the time to seek God will--what His will has always been--we will see a consistent theme of justice, equality and acceptance of those marginalized, in very profound ways.
God has made up His mind about these things. Perhaps we should rediscover His intentions, as He longs to act through us, and we become His reflections in the earth today--His Church.
