January 5, 2024

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING:

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4.1-6)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

In the Advent reflections, the theme was of righteousness and allowed us to embrace James’ teaching on what is a “pure religion.” Authentic righteousness can only be bestowed. It cannot be earned. It cannot be stolen from another. It cannot be simply because, in the words of the culture and climate which has become the mantra of the current generation, “…because I said so.” I find it curious that those words which were refuted by the previous generation against their parents’ declaration of the same are now the authoritative word of the current generation. It is also the very premise, I believe, of their skepticism and disbelief in “religion.” The very impetus which brought to the forefront of faith expressions the “non-denominational” movement has established itself as a denomination. In the thrust of those who were questioning the decisions of the government when it came to civil rights, equal rights, war, conservative “authoritarian” religions (as if liberal religions and faith expressions were non-authoritarian) was spawned the “kinder and gentler” approach to life. The push back against “…because I said so…” with “…you can’t tell me what to do…” opened, I am afraid to say it, “Pandora’s Box” to borrow a phrase. I say “I am afraid to say it” because the background for that expression is rooted in mythological meanderings rooted in seeking to understand the powers of good and evil with a God-less (God with the capital G) perception. But, the consequence of opening “Pandora’s Box” which brought into this world a host of ills, evils and calamities is no less true practically speaking when we open the proverbial door to “…do what you want to do.” It actually became the theme for parenting to the conflicted generation and now the children of those parents are finding their way is not so “free” as their parents thought it would be pushing back against their parents. Now, they are telling all those around them from previous generations at all levels as an authoritative claim for their own actions of “freedom,” especially in this country, “…because I said so.” And because they “said so,” it is not only supposed to happen but “we” are supposed to make it happen for them.

And if you think that what I am proposing is wrong then why do you think we find ourselves in the throes of chaos across the face of this nation? Our government is out of control giving rights to all kinds of wrongs as a placating validation with the hope of currying favor for their own sorted identities intended for their own survival. They have turned government into their religion and the pantheon of gods under which they serve are viciously and vindictively prideful, self-serving and others consuming. This is the way in which Lucifer must have worked his own “dance to the beat of a different drummer” invitation to heavenly insurrection. Do you remember that phrase the Joker used in the early Batman movie “Care to dance with the devil in the pale moonlight”? What followed was death, mayhem and chaos. Metaphorically speaking, “the Son of righteousness” is being eclipsed with the shadow of unrighteousness. So, the current state of living in this country is being covered with unrighteousness. Crime, murder, violence, poverty, gluttony, drugs, gender-confusion, role confusion, breakdown of family units and general lawlessness are all spawned by “you can’t tell me what to do but I will tell you what to do and what I am going to do.” And all of this has happened within our own lifetimes. It did not take centuries but decades. And why? Well, I believe Paul summed it up pretty well and we can define something by what it is not. Paul said, “…live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” The problem exists when the opposite has been chosen which is “…find a worthy life in denying the call of the One who has chosen you.” “No thank you, Mr. Joker, I do not care to dance with the devil in any kind of light. I prefer to stand in the midst of the light of the world who is the true Bright and Morning Star.” I prefer to pursue righteousness which has been given me. I prefer to commit myself to living a life worthy of that gift, that bestowal, that truth which is my authentic identity as a child of God. I invite you, mighty ones of God, to join with me as we entrust ourselves to the battle for truth and to share it as the gospel which precedes us and defines us as Disciples of Christ Jesus.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, before we were conceived in the womb, You had already formed us in Your love and by Your Spirit spoke us into being. Each one of us is blessed with the opportunity of doing right, being good and producing the fruit of the Spirit so that others may be fed the truth of that same love so that the two will become one. It is our soul’s sincere desire to embrace the oneness You have in mind that we would know that we are Your people and that You are our God. Lead us in that discovery of the truth and the manifestation of that love for us all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.