Tuesday 17th February 2009

Ecclesiastes 7:15-29 (http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=101853937)

How difficult it is to keep your own integrity in the face of so many alternative agendas among the people we live with. How much more difficult must that be for the one who has power!  Everyone seems to want something. And we are no different among all these different agendas and needs. We each have our own hopes and expectations so we cannot be too quick to judge.

But is this the end of the journey of wisdom? An awareness of the complexity of human life and relations, of the schemes and plans of so may people and how that will work out. Or is there more......

John 19:17-30 (http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=101854069)

Jesus transcends this turmoil of human agendas. He is fixed on God's agenda. He forgoes His own will and the temptations of power, wealth and safety and sacrifices them all to live and die in an alternative way - a way that is completely righteous. This goes beyond the teaching of Solomon, it goes beyond the wisdom of man - it is most certainly not sensible from the perspective of a life lived out solely in this world - but it is the wisdom of God. As St. Paul would say this apparent 'foolishness' of God is wiser than man's wisdom and it draws all who would follow Jesus into the ways that make for peace.

Thoughts

These two readings define the problem and the solution of the turmoil of human existence.

Solomon has searched deep and his wisdom cannot break out of the circles of power and the conflicts of interest that is his experience of life and those around him.

Jesus, on the other hand, THE Son of David and THE true King has submitted His own will to God so completely that he has been able to find a way to relinquish the human passions that result in manipulation and conflict with others. He has liberated himself and those who will follow into a new way that will bring deep peace in this world and wholeness in the next. This of course is where faith transcends reason - where wisdom becomes foolish as it seems that the only way to win is to lose; but the truth is that life is not about winning or losing in any competitive sense but about learning to play a different game altogether.

Monday 16th February

Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 (http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=101812221)

This is called a disillusioned view of life - but is it?

Isn't this passage actually about finding peace in the face of the reality of disappointment in life? I seem to be surrounded by family who are easily disillusioned with the circumstances that we find ourselves in.

But it is an unavoidable truth that peace only comes from trusting God in all circumstances. The tests we have lead us deeper into that trust - it is a positive things to be drawn deeper into that trust of God. So could Solomon be thinking along these lines?

To come to terms with the darkness in our lives and to reach out to God in the depth of it and even to know the peace of God and his certainty deep down - must be the key to drawing close to God in this life and not losing hope.

John 19:1-16 (http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=101812339)

Jesus here seems to demonstrate the sort of acceptance that Solomon deems wise in his last hours before his death.

he is unmoved. He is focused on God as the one who is totally in control and sees thing happening as they need to.

Jesus comments that all understanding that power is somehow within one's own gift or skill to take - is in fact an illusion and that if it's happening - God is allowing it. God is in control - He knows what is happening and if it happens - so it must be.

Thoughts

This is a very hard teaching to remember in the moments when a figure in authority appears to misuse their power so significantly.

I know that in many situations I have pushed against the powers that be and in so doing I have forgotten who is in control. It is of course a lack of faith that determines to use power in a similar way to those that abuse it.

Of course, it is also a lack of faith to stand by and do nothing - not to say what the situation is and seek change. But to resort to an abuse of power to acquire more power - even if it feels like taking power away from the evil - will always leave one under judgement.

The answer then? Jesus demonstrates how to hold faith in the face of a total abuse of power. To quietly and without fear announce the illusions that are operating and to await the glorious affirmation of God.