August 19, 2007

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12^th Sunday after Pentecost

Read Luke 12:49-56

Read also Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29–12:2, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19
           

“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! (said Jesus) “I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed!

I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!

From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, 'It is going to rain'; and so it happens.  And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat', and it happens. 

You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

    .     eisegesis     .

You may call it “eisegesis”,

the bending of scripture

to fit my personal views,

but, if you can forgive this idiosyncrasy,

I'd like for you to notice  

a curious convergence of themes

that seems to echo the current drift of things

and replicate the headlines of the day.

I’m not exactly sure

what Jesus meant when he spoke

of bringing fire to earth,

or sharp divisions on a personal basis,

or weather-signs of rain

and wind and scorching heat.

But put them all together, they spell

“Trouble” with a capital T:

Wildfires that scar an ancient forest,

Record-setting heat, cyclonic winds

All evidence of something

seriously wrong with  the environment.

And all the while

humankind,

divided by race and creed and lifestyle

go their merry way hurting

and all too often killing each other—

from Newark to Baghdad

and back again to our back yard,

maybe our own family. 

Hey!  Is this Luke or CNN and Fox?

I guess what I am saying is

that while the precise meaning

of Jesus’ sayings may elude us

and be open to varying interpretation,

of one thing we may be sure: 

His words offer a stark warning

–a warning we neglect at our own peril. 

And more than this,

his words are a reminder

to be humble in the presence

of the Master teacher,

and not be given

to a know-it-all dogmatism,

but to rely on his Spirit

to open the door to truth. 

It is our hedge against hypocrisy.

                                                                        --- rvc 

*** D I S C L A I M E R ***

The Weekly Lessons are based on the lectionary texts for the week – usually the Gospel lesson. They are not designed as a formal commentary.  Rather, they are the personal reflections and original compositions of The Relay Online editor, Rev. Robin Van Cleef, and offer a jumping off point, using the scriptures as triggers to thought, imagination, and (we hope) empowerment.  As you read them, let your own imagination play, and let the Spirit speak to you, leading you where it will.  The Gospel Lessons reflected on this site may not be copied, reproduced or otherwise manipulated elsewhere on the internet without the expressed consent of the author.

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