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