Tag Archives: Common Good

Change is Coming

Living in the Spirit

June 14, 2020

Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)

‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. –Matthew 9:16-23

Now is a time to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. I have been asked a couple of times recently why I hate some politician or another so much. My answer is always the same, I do not hate them; I do disagree with almost every stance they take on governance. Our society is on the cusp of significant development, which requires changes, and people are afraid of change.

The Israelites before the exile were extremely comfortable in their ways of being even when they were not just or righteous. They did not want to rock the boat, help others at the cost of their privilege until they found themselves being marched into exile by other nations who took advantage of their complacency and greed.

God created the world within a plan that requires God’s people to take responsibility for the earth and all that is a part of it in a just and merciful manner. When that does not happen, our history indicates such societies fail.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for our failure to create a just and merciful world. Write on our hearts your vision for your children and guide us in its implementation.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Leadership

Lent

March 16, 2020

Scripture Reading:
1 Samuel 16:1-13

The Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.’ Samuel said, ‘How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.’ And the Lord said, ‘Take a heifer with you, and say, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.” Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.’ Samuel did what the Lord commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, ‘Do you come peaceably?’ He said, ‘Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.’ And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. –1 Samuel 16:1-5

Before we review this scripture, we need to think about what led up to it. The people of Israel wanted to have the power they saw in their neighboring countries who had kings not the tribal leadership they had. They clamored for a king and finally when Samuel lifted the idea to God, God relented and essentially said if they want a king give them a king. As far as I can tell Saul’s primary qualification for being king according to the people was that he was tall and good looking. We humans can be fickle and thus can let our fickleness cloud our common sense.

Flashing forward to the end of Saul’s reign, we learn that the country was in worse shape than before his selection as king and Samuel is tasked by God to set things right. I must confess I feel sorry for Saul. He clearly was out of his element in taking the job, but his pride at being selected probability made him accept it. The people of Israel were primarily at fault for letting envy and greed drive their lives rather than sharing a form of governance that would provide for the Common Good, the primary purpose of government.

This is an apt scripture for an election year. As we consider the candidates for office, we need to examine their primary purpose in seeking offices and test that against whether it provides for the Common Good of all citizens.

Prayer: Lord, cleanse us of all the fickle things of life that drive our decision and help us seek leaders whose hearts and minds are centered on the Common Good.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Sharing our Gifts

Epiphany

February 14, 2020

Scripture Reading:
1 Corinthians 3:1-9

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. –1 Corinthians 3:5-9

None of us are perfect; all of us are gifted with abilities to make this world we live in reflect the love that God longs for us to live. None of us can do everything; God created a diversity of people so that all that needs to get done can. No gift is better than any other; the staff who clean operating rooms are as responsible for the success of the surgery as the surgeons. Celebrating the gifts of one another is a good thing as we strive together to create the world God envisioned for God’s children; creating hierarchies of worth is a waste of time and energy as we are all created in the image of God. “to whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48) relates to responsibility not privilege.

We live in a world that tends toward tearing down rather than building up. That is never more present than in an election year were we-the-people must discern the leadership we need to succeed as a country, state, county, or city. We would be wise to take Paul’s admonitions to heart, as we prayerfully consider what kind of government we want and who can best deliver it by maximizing the gifts of all our citizens as we strive to work together for the Common Good.

Prayer: Lord, help us to take the time to consider what is the Common Good. Guide us in our discernment of who can best represent us in achieving the Common Good. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Common Ground

Christmastide

December 30, 2019

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,
‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’
Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ But the Lord said to me,
‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”;
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
says the Lord.’ –Jeremiah 1:4-8

I am classified as a senior citizen so I cannot say I am only a child. I still experience fear or at least hesitation at speaking or writing something that another my read far removed from what I meant. I am a strong believer that most people can find common ground to work toward positive outcomes regarding most issues. For example, I do not think capital punishment is ever necessary but I am in a clear minority so most of the justice work I can do related to the death penalty is working to assure that all people sentenced to die actually committed the crime. 156 individuals have been exonerated from death row–that is, found to be innocent and released – since 1973*. It is unknown how many innocent people were executed.

How do we get past our strong, often faith-based ideals to find common ground regarding our deeply held interpretation of what is of God and what is not to find justice for as many people as we possibly can caught in the web of the perceptions of all involved of what is right and what is wrong? I will continue to strongly believe that capital punishment is not right, but I also will invest energies in assuring that no innocent person is executed.

The USA government was founded on the premise that our elected representatives are to work together to find common ground in search of the common good. It is a place where the diverse population of the USA can come together and find that common ground.

Prayer: Lord, help us find ways to meet our civic responsibilities by finding common ground  for the common good. Amen.

*http://www.ncadp.org/pages/innocence

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Motivation

Kingdom Building

September 8, 2019

Scripture Reading: Luke 14:25-33

Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions. –Luke 14:31-33

My Bible study group is studying 1 Samuel and this week we are reading chapter 24. As the story goes Saul is pursuing David with an army of 3,000 to kill him while David is working hard to avoid Saul with a ragtag group of 600 men. As in turns out, David and some of his men hid in an apparently deep cave which Saul enters to gain some privacy as he defecates. He apparently was unaware of the audience he had behind him. David’s group wants David to kill Saul but David refuses. He does sneak up and stealthily cut off part of Saul’s royal robe. Saul then exits the cave and David follows Saul out to let him know that he had been in danger and David chose not to take advantage of his vulnerability. Saul is impressed and for a moment, only a moment he seems rational and recognizes that David will take Saul’s throne. The coincidence of my study material and our scripture for today made me wonder if Jesus remembered this story of David and Saul when he taught the lesson about being willing to give up everything for God.

The scripture above bothers me because it seems a little overcautious until at the end Jesus drops in that phrase if you do not give up all your possessions. I describe it as overcautious in the beginning because how many times have well trained, large armies been beaten by small and less equipped groups with more motivation. The American Revolution comes to mind.

The scripture is relevant today and the message it sends is crucial, our world is caught in real wars but perhaps more dangerous wars of money and power against the common good. Do we recognize the power we have in Jesus Christ to do the right thing against these odds, to do justice?

Prayer: God of Might, cleanse us so our hearts and minds are in sync with you, then send us forth to protect and provide for the common good. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

False Prophets

Jesus’ Ministry
February 17, 2019

Scripture Reading: Luke 6:17-26

‘But woe to you who are rich,
   for you have received your consolation.
‘Woe to you who are full now,
   for you will be hungry.
‘Woe to you who are laughing now,
   for you will mourn and weep.

  ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. –Luke 6:24-26

I have read the entire Bible through a couple of times. Now, I am not suggesting that is the best way to study the Bible but when we first get started as young adults, we search for ways to understand our faith. It certainly was not a waste of time. I have continued to be a Bible student all my life using various means of study. That said, it never stops to amaze me how many times I read a scripture, a very familiar scripture like the one above, and see something I have never processed before. The last verse above was startling to me as I read it today. Perhaps it stood out because my software set it apart from the other section of the scripture.

We live in a world that speaks well of people because they are saying what we want to hear as the false prophets of old did. These people are very good at manipulating us as were the false prophets of old. They are the false prophets of our day. We ignore or rebuke people who speak the truth we do not want to hear.

Perhaps one of the greatest lies is the statement that, if the rich get richer the poor will eventually get rich too. It has never happened as far as I know in the history of the world, but it is one of the most common messages preached by false prophets. The very existence of wealth differences demands winners and losers. The other popular message is that cutting taxes puts more money back into the economy. When the truth is that all money spent goes back into the economy including our tax dollars. Most tax dollars are spent relatively quickly while many private dollars are invested and saved for later use.

In the scripture above, Jesus is encouraging us to recognize greed when it creeps into our hearts and minds and to fight against it before it destroys us.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we fall prey to the false prophets. Help us to see the better way of finding common ground for the Common Good. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Working to attain the Common Good

Jesus’ Ministry
February 12, 2019

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
   whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water,
   sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
   and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
   and it does not cease to bear fruit. –Jeremiah 17:7-8

We are suffering a drought of seeking the Common Good in the United States of America. We no longer are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. We are a government for sale to the highest bidder. As soon as officials are elected, their main job becomes raising enough money for their next election. Term limits has not helped. They only limit the time the winners must pay back their financial supporters making then more stubbornly resistant to search for common ground requiring negotiation and compromise as they practice obstructive maneuvers which usually result in stalemate that gets nothing done. Often the result is that a few people benefit greatly.

Governments come and go and people suffer the consequences of their failures. People of faith, however, are called to follow a different ideal. We are called to live into the Common Good. Called to desire the very best for all God’s children and while we are never called to force our faith on anyone else via government or any other practice, surely our faith quest for the Common Good should spill over into those who represent us in government. When it does not we need to make our message loud and clear because whether we own it or not, we in the United States of American are the government and right now I do not like what I am seeing in the mirror.

Prayer: Lord, give us the strength and courage to elect people who care about the Common Good for all and are willing to do the hard work of learning what that is and how to make it happen. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Finding a Higher Rock

Jesus’ Ministry
January 20, 2019

Scripture Reading: John 2:1-11

Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. –John 2:6-11

Our signs are more sophisticated today with numbers and charts, but we still rely on them to help us see the future or potential or the wisest investment to make. The prophets of the Hebrew Bible analyzed signs first to prevent chaos, later to recover from the failure of the people they had warned to heed their wise words. The first century citizens of Galilee were looking for signs just as the children of Israel did and just as we do.

There is dis-ease all about us that I and others cannot precisely describe. Life goes on in a routine manner. We eat, sleep, work, clean, but something is not quite right we cannot put our finger on it and we cannot seem to do anything about it. What is missing? Why do we put our faith in cracked vessels wanting more and more to satisfy our unquenchable hungers and thirst for what? Why do we continue to seek a savior to come and bring us life and bring it abundantly* when we already have one?

While we await the coming of one to solve all our problems and meet all our needs, we may need to look deep into our own beings to see where we have separated from God, where our wishes and desires are missing the mark of satisfying our souls.

I believe that good leaders rise to the top when the people are ready to be led.  Unity arrived regarding the establishment of the United States of America when our founders finally realized they must work together as Ben Franklin rather succinctly put it, “We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

As people of faith we are called by God to be one that is no easy outcome. There are as many ways to do something as there are people planning to get that something done. Finding common ground for the Common Good is hard but it is also imperative, if we are to live in a world of peace and fulfillment where we can truly love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

Prayer: Lord lead, us to the Rock that is Higher than us** so that we can discover those things toward which we can all work to build a better nation and a better world. Amen.

*John 10:10
**Derived from Psalm 61

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Picking Leaders

Living in the Spirit
October 18, 2018

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10

Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,
‘You are my Son,
   today I have begotten you’;
as he says also in another place,
‘You are a priest forever,
   according to the order of Melchizedek.’ –Hebrews 5:1-6

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.“*

Referring to the scripture above we might ask what is in a title? Christ as High Priest is an example to emulate as is Melchizedek. Other High Priests are not considered good role models**. The same could be said for the title “politician” in our times. Politician is not a derisive title. Having served many years as a politician does not mean one is corrupt. Listening to the adds on TV during this campaign season we are fed a negative opinion of politicians. Abraham Lincoln was a stealthy politician holding the USA together when it was nearly severed. Franklin Roosevelt too was a seasoned politician guiding our country out of the depression and World War II. They neither were perfect but they both dedicated their lives to the Common Good and moved our country forward despite its dire situations. Both men in very real ways gave their lives for our country. Lincoln was assassinated, and Roosevelt finally wore himself out.

Titles do not define people; people give credence to titles. Christ set a high standard for all who serve in the ministry he began with his life, death, and resurrection. Just as we desire that all who follow Christ add value to the coming of God’s Kingdom, we want all our political leaders to add value to the governance of our cities, counties, states, and nation. Christ is a reflection of God who sent him unto us to be our High Priest. Are our political leaders a reflection of us, since we are the ones who select them?

Prayers: Lord, guide our discernment as we select leaders for our country in our upcoming election?

*From Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2) by William Shakespeare
**See Jeremiah 5:31 or Hosea 5:1

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Leaving a Legacy of Greed

Living in the Spirit
August 14, 2018

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, ‘Ask what I should give you.’…Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?’

 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you. If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life.’ –1 Kings 3:5, 9-14

Desiring an understanding mind and knowing the difference between good and evil are valuable assets for any leader. Seeing the breadth and depth of differing opinion and honing out a reasonable compromise is the greatest challenge of governance. Particularly in a world where powering one’s selfish choices over more prudent practices without regard to negative impacts, they might have on others is the admired approach. Politics is not football. Football is a game that tests the strength and wits of its players. Fun to watch and if anyone on either team gets hurt everyone pauses in concern for the player’s wellbeing.

Politics while often played like a game is real. Ideally, the goal of politics is to provide for the Common Good for everyone which strengthens each citizen’s potential for life success. While politics has always had a seamy side to greater or lesser extents, it should not be a dirty word. We have allowed it to become a game among players who can marshal the most money and throw it about supporting special interests whose primary concern has no relationship to the Common Good. We are thus conditioned to believe information that we know are lies and support causes that ultimately hurt us. The perpetrators could care less.

Solomon’s wisdom and wealth are well documented. The legacy of greed that resulted, however, marked the beginning of the end of the nation of Israel.

Prayer: God who is Love, forgive us as a people when we let our lust for power and our greed become our gods overriding your rule of love.  Help us seek out leaders who will work toward the Common Good of all your people. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.