I just finished reading a book today that left me with a sense of loss when it was finished because I had so deeply entered the world of which it spoke. It was "The Lost Letters of Pergamum" by Bruce W. Longenecker. It is historical fiction in the form of (imaginary) letters between Antipas, a Roman nobleman named after Herod Antipas and Luke, the author of the fourth Gospel. In this novel, Antipas moves to Pergamum to study and to build his honor by helping to build buildings and statues in the city. By chance, he begins an exchange of letters with Luke. Eventually, he attends a home church in Pergamum and is both appalled and pleasantly surprised at how they disregard Roman customs regarding honor and shame and treat persons of all classes of society the same. He meets a man who used to work his land (whom he never knew), who had lost the land he worked when he had a bad season. He develops some understanding of the struggles of the lower classes. And he begins to understand how these people are "blessed."
I dare not tell you too much more.
I think the story is best is one understands something of the Middle Eastern (and Roman) concepts of "honor and shame" (which are different from ours).
I dare not tell you too much more or I will give away the whole story. But it is a story that moves you.
I came up with be attitudes last evening as I was writing a note to friends about todays scripture. The two sermons and your musings helped with my thinking. We did talk about the Gospel in our before worship fellowship--A little anyway.
Thank you, these words meant a lot today. Much appreciated! The awareness of our challenges being educational is important - things in life are not always going to be pleasing, but they will be an opportunity to grow, for sure! I have the Beatitudes on my bedroom wall, so I see it everyday.
Through meditating with the beatitudes, I have discovered a very simple application that applies to everyone. They are be- attitudes, an inner stance of recognition that is a positive affirmation of our faith. As such, there is a built in benediction or speaking well, a blessing of favor that accompanies this union. God’s faith and our faith meet in sacred union. The outward circumstances remain what they are framed by a deep awareness of Presence. Here there is only abundance.
I had just returned to a small centering prayer meeting at my Episcopal church when the local bishop in “Lucy “ like fashion unexpectedly yanked the mask mandate from our diocesan churches for a second time . I sent a note to the co-leaders of the prayer group asking if we could continue wearing masks. The first leader responded much as I might have: “we need to discuss it”; “would you accept a compromise?” , and so on. The second leader , however, responded immediately with this: “As long as one person wants to wear a mask, we should all wear a mask!” I was awed. No equivocation, no political accommodation, no misguided pastoral excuse. Rather, for me, a modern day beatitude: Blessed are those who would wear a mask for the most vulnerable among us, for they shall receive God’s favor. I suddenly understood just how radical the too- often domesticated Beatitudes are. (We are still wearing our masks.) MDE
The poor and hungry have nothing. These are the people who will seek out a relationship with God in order to have some hope that things will be better. This opens up the possibility of a relationship. The rich have no such need. They are closed off from needing God. The blessing is the need for a relationship that the poor have that the rich do not.
Great alternate translation of 'blessed'. I just shared your comments with one of my Bible study groups at Grace Church in Madison.
Thank you.
THIS IS A WOW WRITING DIANE. VERY COMPASSIONATE. THANK YOU FOR IT
I just finished reading a book today that left me with a sense of loss when it was finished because I had so deeply entered the world of which it spoke. It was "The Lost Letters of Pergamum" by Bruce W. Longenecker. It is historical fiction in the form of (imaginary) letters between Antipas, a Roman nobleman named after Herod Antipas and Luke, the author of the fourth Gospel. In this novel, Antipas moves to Pergamum to study and to build his honor by helping to build buildings and statues in the city. By chance, he begins an exchange of letters with Luke. Eventually, he attends a home church in Pergamum and is both appalled and pleasantly surprised at how they disregard Roman customs regarding honor and shame and treat persons of all classes of society the same. He meets a man who used to work his land (whom he never knew), who had lost the land he worked when he had a bad season. He develops some understanding of the struggles of the lower classes. And he begins to understand how these people are "blessed."
I dare not tell you too much more.
I think the story is best is one understands something of the Middle Eastern (and Roman) concepts of "honor and shame" (which are different from ours).
I dare not tell you too much more or I will give away the whole story. But it is a story that moves you.
Saw you at Good Shepherd NY this morning! I attend digital church there. If I lived in NYC I'd be an in person member.
I so love this church. And it is always fun to preach in their community - they WANT to hear the scripture differently. Hope you enjoyed the sermon!
The sermon was great; thank you. Now I understand the "woe" part.
I came up with be attitudes last evening as I was writing a note to friends about todays scripture. The two sermons and your musings helped with my thinking. We did talk about the Gospel in our before worship fellowship--A little anyway.
Thank you, these words meant a lot today. Much appreciated! The awareness of our challenges being educational is important - things in life are not always going to be pleasing, but they will be an opportunity to grow, for sure! I have the Beatitudes on my bedroom wall, so I see it everyday.
Through meditating with the beatitudes, I have discovered a very simple application that applies to everyone. They are be- attitudes, an inner stance of recognition that is a positive affirmation of our faith. As such, there is a built in benediction or speaking well, a blessing of favor that accompanies this union. God’s faith and our faith meet in sacred union. The outward circumstances remain what they are framed by a deep awareness of Presence. Here there is only abundance.
I had just returned to a small centering prayer meeting at my Episcopal church when the local bishop in “Lucy “ like fashion unexpectedly yanked the mask mandate from our diocesan churches for a second time . I sent a note to the co-leaders of the prayer group asking if we could continue wearing masks. The first leader responded much as I might have: “we need to discuss it”; “would you accept a compromise?” , and so on. The second leader , however, responded immediately with this: “As long as one person wants to wear a mask, we should all wear a mask!” I was awed. No equivocation, no political accommodation, no misguided pastoral excuse. Rather, for me, a modern day beatitude: Blessed are those who would wear a mask for the most vulnerable among us, for they shall receive God’s favor. I suddenly understood just how radical the too- often domesticated Beatitudes are. (We are still wearing our masks.) MDE
The poor and hungry have nothing. These are the people who will seek out a relationship with God in order to have some hope that things will be better. This opens up the possibility of a relationship. The rich have no such need. They are closed off from needing God. The blessing is the need for a relationship that the poor have that the rich do not.