Reflection for Monday, September 30 or Day 267
Jeremiah 5; Psalm 69; II Peter 2
If you were a “seeker,” one who is asking questions, searching for meaning, looking for purpose…what would you think of the Christian religion if you read today’s passages from the Bible? Depressing is a word that comes to mind! Not a lot of joy, hope or encouragement, and precious little guidance to face the future. One has to wonder in praying one of the Prayer Book collects that says, “ Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning…” What can we learn from these verses? Perhaps the first thing to learn is that the Bible is primarily a collection of writings of the people of God reflecting on their encounters with the Divine. It is written retrospectively: something happened, and someone thought about it and then wrote about it. In the New Testament, this happens relatively soon (within 200 years), but it takes much longer in the Old Testament.
Lamentations mourns over the desolation of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, and its liturgical poetry bemoans the destruction of the city and prays for God to restore it. Psalm 69 seems to be a post-exilic lament as well, cursing enemies and entreating God’s favor. The Second Letter of Peter cautions against false prophets who would distort the Gospel message and lead believers astray during a difficult growing time for the Church. All three readings contain elements of suffering for the sake of the Kingdom.
I am wondering how Christians in Pakistan would read these passages this week. The message of Scripture is a little more poignant for those who are under persecution and have witnessed destruction and desolation in their lives. My hunch is that the words are much more real for those who are just starting to recover from the tragedies of the past weeks. With the psalmist, let us pray, “You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay.”
Doug McCaleb
Trinity Cathedral Miami
Jeremiah 5; Psalm 69; II Peter 2
If you were a “seeker,” one who is asking questions, searching for meaning, looking for purpose…what would you think of the Christian religion if you read today’s passages from the Bible? Depressing is a word that comes to mind! Not a lot of joy, hope or encouragement, and precious little guidance to face the future. One has to wonder in praying one of the Prayer Book collects that says, “ Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning…” What can we learn from these verses? Perhaps the first thing to learn is that the Bible is primarily a collection of writings of the people of God reflecting on their encounters with the Divine. It is written retrospectively: something happened, and someone thought about it and then wrote about it. In the New Testament, this happens relatively soon (within 200 years), but it takes much longer in the Old Testament.
Lamentations mourns over the desolation of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, and its liturgical poetry bemoans the destruction of the city and prays for God to restore it. Psalm 69 seems to be a post-exilic lament as well, cursing enemies and entreating God’s favor. The Second Letter of Peter cautions against false prophets who would distort the Gospel message and lead believers astray during a difficult growing time for the Church. All three readings contain elements of suffering for the sake of the Kingdom.
I am wondering how Christians in Pakistan would read these passages this week. The message of Scripture is a little more poignant for those who are under persecution and have witnessed destruction and desolation in their lives. My hunch is that the words are much more real for those who are just starting to recover from the tragedies of the past weeks. With the psalmist, let us pray, “You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay.”
Doug McCaleb
Trinity Cathedral Miami
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