Reflections
The flooding of the Pearl River in Jackson and the collapse of the water treatment plant has reminded us again of the foundational role of water in our lives. Scripture speaks of the primordial nature of water as the Spirit of God moved over
the waters of chaos in the beginning of all things. (Genesis 1:1-2) Water was the source and habitat of all life in its most ancient origins, and the creatures that first crawled out of the primeval water on to dry land were a dramatic next step in God’s evolutionary design of creation. And on and on it goes. Metaphorically, biologically, historically-life cannot exist without water.
Water plays an important role as a sign and symbol of life in most world religions. It is not an accident that the waters of baptism became integral to the initiation rites of the earliest Christian communities.
I’ll be doing some teaching about our baptismal liturgy on Sunday as we institute the practice at Nativity of having blessed water in our baptismal font.
Some Thoughts on Sunday’s Scriptures
Deuteronomy 30: 15-20
In his final “sermon” to the Hebrew people, Moses, knowing that he would not be going with them to the Promised Land, lays out a stark choice for them between life and death. “Choose life” he commands, and life will be abundant. In my life, the choices that I made toward life or death are not nearly so clear at that moment of choice as they are in the rear view perspective of many decades. Sometimes I feel as if I was just lucky. Or maybe, and I really want to believe this, God blessed my good decisions and redeemed my bad ones.
Psalm 1
The theme of water as life bearer and the wicked as like those burned up chaff that get blown away is suggested in this psalm. Not sure how well that would preach in the drought-strickened sections of our country.
Philemon 1-21
This epistle, read in its entirety here, is problematic for many of us. St. Paul, a product of his culture, is very clearly endorsing the institution of slavery, and this part of scripture was used for centuries by Christians around the world to justify slavery.
However, read in the context of the 1st century Roman Empire, he is teaching a very radical thing. He is sending Onesimus back to his owner, as still a slave, but(and this is the radical, foundation-shaking part) as a “beloved brother…both in the flesh and in the Lord.”
I wish that Paul would have done more, but one day someone will wish that I, too, had done more.
Luke 14:25-33
Jesus was clear from the beginning that discipleship was no bed of roses. Count the cost, he said again and again. Those who have carried the faith through the centuries have witnessed to that reality. But they have also given us another piece of advice: the cost of following Jesus has been worth it many times over.
Other Matters of Interest
Wanting to help the people in Jackson? There are a number of organizations that are being galvanized to secure water to help with distribution, including Episcopal Relief and Development, our church’s international relief agency. You can send a check to Bishop Seage’s Discretionary Fund (PO Box 23107; Jackson, MS 39225-3107) and that money will be distributed to the groups that he has endorsed. You can also access a link to give online at dioms.org.
Due to a death in my family I will be out of town next Tuesday-Thursday. Thus, I will not be available on Wednesday at the church. I will be rearranging appointments for mid week and will plan to be in Water Valley this week on Friday, September 9.
See you Sunday!
Peace,
Duncan
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