The text above that makes up this title comes from Proverbs 18: 21.
In the NRSV, it is written as:
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits. (Proverbs 18:21)
In the Message, it is written as:
Words kill, words give life;
they're either poison or fruit—you choose. (Proverbs 18:21)
Today's actions are most assuredly the actions of a disturbed individual or group. The little we know at this time is that the boy who did this was rambling and extremely disturbed. While you cant stop folks like them from acting in destructive and violent ways, we can and must stop contributing to it.
Lately, we have had a lot of words floating around that dehumanize or call for violence against those that are different/disagree/speak out against a perceived majority or cultural group. For minds that are looking for something to latch onto, these words act as both a beacon and a call to action. These words motivate them and they dwell on them. These words lead people to go into churches and shoot doctors, crash planes into buildings, and finally shoot little girls who were there to see her congresswoman.
What is worse is that when we dont speak against these words or those that say them, we cover ourselves in the blood of the actions these words breed. When we give them a pass, we cover ourselves in the blood these words spill. Because words precede deeds. Words are the kindling.
Therefore, We must choose what words we use and whose words we listen to and repeat. WE must hold not only ourselves, but the speakers of these words accountable. We must stand and say no this isnt acceptable. When they say others have done it in the past, we must say SO WHAT we wont do it anymore.
In the end, like in the prayer of Francis of Assisi, we choose life or death. For me, I choose life.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Epiphany 2011
Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”
When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
----
A thought...
The Wise men had a star to point out where Jesus was and even they got it wrong. They went looking in the centers of power for God, but God was out amongst his people. We need to remember that God isnt in temples or places of power but there amongst us.
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”
When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
----
A thought...
The Wise men had a star to point out where Jesus was and even they got it wrong. They went looking in the centers of power for God, but God was out amongst his people. We need to remember that God isnt in temples or places of power but there amongst us.
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