Tuesday, June 25, 2019

TURNING OUR FACES


Poem and Partial Outline
29 June, 2019
3rd Sunday After Pentecost

One Theme that calls out to me: Where do we “set out face”?

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14In this story Northern Kingdom 9th Century Prophets, Elijah and Elisha are in their last days together on earth. Elisha, Hebrew for God is Salvation, is the disciple of Elijah, Hebrew for God is YHWH. The Elijah saga is dominated by this prophet who stood stood up against King Ahab and Queen Jezebel who were champions of the Canaanite God, Baal.The classic story is the contest between the Prophets and Priests of Baal and Elijah the Prophet of YHWH, on whose God has the power to answer prayers. Elijah is the Icon for the Prophet who stands up against the powers of the state. Elisha's saga of stories, on the other hand, has the Prophet being an advisor to the powers of the state.

Elijah knows that his days on earth, his unique ministry is coming to an end; he has his face set on his total Union with God. Elisha has his face set on passing on the power of the prophets to the next Generation. Elijah sets his face to the eternal to be united with God and Elisha sets his face to pay witness to the continuing presence of God in Israel.

The Psalmist sings about how in the midst of trouble he set his face to God for strength
Paul is setting his face to the Spirit that gives us freedom to live a life in Christ: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Instead of a focus of being afraid of God's judgment on the outward display of being abiders of the law we become free to live in to our deeper nature of being Children of God.
Jesus knows that his days on earth are limited if he goes on with his ministry but he “sets his face to Jerusalem” to challenge to center of the power that keeps people in fear. He rebukes the “Sons of Thunder, James and John for their wish to punish those in the way or who dissapoint.

TURNING OUR FACES
Monday begins by setting his face to be in wonder
how all his fellow creatures are now seen anew,
filled with admiration for strong holding like glue,
the fabric of our lives no longer being torn asunder.

Tuesday begins when by setting his face to forgive
all failings and lapses that have been done to be,
not because they're deserved but because he's free
to put down those burdens and really get to live.

Wednesday begins when he no longer needs to prove
that he is worthy to be loved, no longer enslaved
by the opinions of others, better instincts betrayed
with the desire to please so they might approve.

Thursday begins by setting a face to speak truth
no longer keeping head bowed to power strutting
in order to use his silence as an injustice abutting
tactic to rule by forceful use of red claw and tooth.

Friday begins by setting his face to be given away,
opening of hands freely and his cheek to be struck
knowing that purpose of life is not trusting in luck
to fill barns but action that souls and hearts'll sway.

Saturday begins by setting his face to accept loss
as a chance to enter into stillness of God's chariot
trusting God's love not depart even Judas Iscariot
and will bring us all into reunion through a cross.

Sunday begins setting our face to new beginning
leaving the past and old ways of thinking behind
as our eyes are opened as we are no longer blind,
when now bells no longer toll but joyous ringing.

1 comment:

  1. Poem and beginning outline for 3rd Sunday after Pentecost Reflection

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