The way of imagination

  ·         Biblical texts : Exodus 29.42-46; Psalm 133; Ephesians 4.1-16 Introduction      What am I doing here?   Who are these people?   What is going on?   These are normal questions for someone who is visiting a church for the first time, or perhaps finding themselves inside a church for the very first time.   These are also good questions for those of us who are long-time church goers.   Have we perhaps forgotten why we’re here?   We need to constantly be reminded of what the Church is for and why we’re a part of it.   For those of us who are new to (this) church, you may well wonder what is going on and why .   As you look around, you will probably think to yourself – these are not the type of people I usually hang around with.   As the old expression goes, “Birds of a feather flock together”.   And yet, in church – if things are working properly – you wil...

  “But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Luke 12.39-40)      Jesus and the disciples continue to journey towards Jerusalem.   The number of people thronging around Jesus is increasing (Lk. 11.14, 29; 12.1), and so is the tension between Jesus and the obstinate members of “his generation”.   The tenor of Jesus’ teaching is often severe.   Many readers of his Gospel continue to interpret passages like this one as referring to Jesus’ second coming (Lk. 12.37-40).   Read this way, these passages become warnings to the (future) Church to be alert and prepared for the unexpected return of Christ.      As Luke has told us, Jesus’ crucifixion will be the equivalent of the Exodus from Egypt (Lk. 9.31) [1] , and – in a painful irony – the eq...

  “Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them.   If he comes during the middle of the night or near dawn and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.” (Luke 12.37-38)      Jesus and the disciples continue to journey towards Jerusalem.   The number of people thronging around Jesus is increasing (Lk. 11.14, 29; 12.1), and so is the tension between Jesus and the obstinate members of “his generation”.   The tenor of Jesus’ teaching is often severe.   In spite of the fact that Luke has given us the “key” early on in his narrative, many readers of his Gospel continue to interpret passages like this one as referring to Jesus’ second coming (Lk. 12.37-40).   Read this way, these passages become warnings to the (future) Church to be alert and prepared for the unexpected return of Christ (cf. the song “I wish we’d all...

  “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  (Luke 12.32-34)      Jesus and the disciples continue to journey towards Jerusalem.   The number of people thronging around Jesus is increasing (Lk. 11.14, 29; 12.1), and so is the tension between Jesus and the obstinate members of “his generation”.   The tenor of Jesus’ teaching is severe (cf. Lk. 11.47-51).   However, in chapter 12, Jesus turns his attention to the disciples and exhorts them to be free of fear. ·         “ do not fear those who kill the body” (Lk. 12.4) ·         “ do not be afraid ; you are of more value than many spa...

  “I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,   with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism,   one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4.1-6, NRSVUE )      It’s a dream as old as the first empire – to have one world, with everyone united with a single common purpose, worshipping the same God(s).   But how to unite the world?   Sadly, even today, the answer is usually the same as it’s always been – conquer it!   The typical strategy – in the time of Paul, as in our own day – is for one powerful nation to impose itself on others, thereby “liberating” or “civilizi...