Friday, September 29, 2023
Feasts of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Is this the time?
You have sown much, but have brought in little. You have eaten, but not been satisfied. You have drunk, but not been intoxicated. You have clothed yourselves, but you have not been warmed. And whoever earned wages put them into a bag with holes in it. Consider your ways, my people!
This story of Sisyphus, who toils forever and always to get up the hill and then must start again – this tale blinds and deafens and stings until all my senses are overwhelmed with the presence of something beyond myself. What are you doing?
God tries to get my attention. I am sweating so much I can’t see, and my ears ring with exhaustion. God gives up on my senses, and stands in front of me, strong and immovable.
STOP!
Go up into the hill country and bring timber. Build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and receive my glory, says the Lord.
But that was my plan all along, I think. So I speak up.
But that was my plan all along, Lord.
What was missing then might still be missing now, David. My plan is not your plan, even if it looks just the same on the outside. Can you make sense of that?
It makes sense when I look through your eyes. As you give me eyes to see, then it makes sense, Lord. I am not in charge. You are.
OK then. Look through my eyes. I don’t want you spending all your born days toiling in vain for food to eat. Come to the table! Eat fine meats and drink good wine. You’re my child, not my servant.
One more time, Lord? Child before servant? Grace before contract? Your love before my hard work? When will I get that through my thick head! On my deathbed, maybe. O, woe to the German genes embedded deep inside of me!
Don’t blame this on your ancestors or your genes, or the habits you were taught by your father who was taught by his father,who was taught by his. I whispered in their ears too, all their livelong days. Now it’s your turn. And I notice, yes I notice, that you are beginning to hear me.
Oh, Lord, I’ll eat the pancakes before I go to work, if that’s how you want to do it. The cows can wait.
No, the cows won’t wait. I love them too, you know.
Thank you for this morning conversation, Father. And for helping me figure out this puzzle, moment by moment. You are my King.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord.
(Isaiah 55, Psalm 145, Philippians 1, Acts 16, Matthew 20)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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