conjectural navel gazing; jesus in lint form

sermon mumblings

A brother went to Abba Matoes and said to him, 'How is it that the monks of Scetis did more than the Scriptures required in loving their enemies more than themselves?' Abba Matoes said to him, 'As for me I have not yet managed to love those who love me as I love myself.'

The lectionary readings this week have me thinking about the Holy City again. Last week I flailed around in the idea of the city as sacrament. This week I am thinking about how the church proclaims the Holy City with its crystal rivers and such. Shall we gather at the river? Perhaps this is liturgical action...that on Sunday mornings this is exactly what we do. And if liturgical action forms an ethos for the worshiping community (an ideal if not a reality), then how do we, as Christians, live out this gathering? Is there a prophetic witness here?

“An authentic prophet, therefore, is not overly worried about doing works, which is undoubtedly important, but not essential. The prophet tries, above all, to be a witness of God’s love, trying to live it in today’s world, even if his presence is considered ‘uncomfortable’ to some, because it offers and incarnates alternative values.

“Only union with God can cause and strengthen the ‘prophetic’ role of your mission, which consists in the ‘proclamation of the heavenly kingdom,’ an indispensable proclamation in every age and society.”

Pope Benedict is at it again...and this time he's speaking to nuns. As a Baptist I wonder if the same ethos holds. I don't see why not. There is certainly work to be done. And that work will embody the proclamation. It will give flessh to the willingness to be a prophet. Being prophetic is not simply about saying "No! Don't do that!" It is about offering alternatives, living love out loud.

Posted by tripp at May 10, 2007 09:48 AM