Daniels’ Friends

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Daniel

Last night we finished our Bible Study on the book of Daniel I closed it off with a little self-indulgence.

This painting by Simeon Solomon of ‘Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace’ encompasses several of my passions.  Stories in the Bible, Angels, Arts and Crafts, history and paintings.

This scene was portrayed in some of the earliest Christian art examples are found in the Roman Catacombs.  For the early Christians the story of these three men who stayed true to their faith despite the threat of death was an inspiration to them.  After the Medieval period this story was far less commonly portrayed in art.

Simeon Solomon (1840-1905) was a friend of Edward Burne-Jones (one of my all time favorites) and had a Jewish background which I think might be the reason why this angel appears more purposeful than angles are usually portrayed.

It’s A Question of Taboos

Tags

Photography, Psalms

As for mortals, their days are like grass;
they flourish like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.

Psalm 130:15-16

I was telling someone recently that these verses of Psalm 130 were among my favorite, they had two comments.

Firstly they said I over use that phrase when it comes to the Bible.  Apparently I hardly go past a single reading or quote without saying that it contains some of my favorite verses.  I understood what she was saying I have lots of favourite bits in the Bible, but it did get me to thinking, is it right to have favorite bits of the Bible?  After all I have always been quick to defend the lectionary as it challenges us with bits of the Bible which we might be tempted to skip over.

Her second observation was that I seem to have a tendency to talk about death a lot.  Now this I wasn’t aware of and in fact I defended quite vigorously, including by pointing out that we spend more time dead than alive.  However I ended up by having to concede that I probably talk about it far more than the average Jo or Jane in the street and were others might shy away from such conversations I will happily engage in them because I think they are important conversations to have.  It is curious to me that the last time this country was celebrating their queen’s diamond jubilee such conversations wouldn’t have seemed out of the ordinary – as indeed speaking about faith or the Bible wouldn’t have been – while we are far more open about discussing all manner of things than our Victorian ancestors would have needed the smelling salts out at the first mention of.  The later doesn’t really surprise me, it is the former that I find curious.

What causes things that weren’t taboo to become such?

Flourishing

Tags

Nature, Photography, Proverbs, Religious Thoughts

Those who trust in their riches will wither,
but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.

Proverbs 11:28

Righteousness versus wealth, the choice should be easy for the church and indeed for any Christian, which would you choose.  In this 21st century world in which we live riches are portrayed like a rock, firm and secure, but wealth is of this world and the things of this world can not last.  Rather than a rock riches are like shifting sand, look to Greece, look at the banks, riches can not be trusted the sands shift as priorities change.  Okay righteousness is not always easy, but it will always bear fruit indeed the much fruit that Jesus has been urging in our Gospel readings over the last two weeks.

The Lament of the Thirsty

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Nature, Photography, Psalms, Religious Thoughts

Hold on to your britches there are some of you out there who ain’t going to like this!

As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and behold the face of God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
while people say to me continually, ‘Where is your God?’

Psalm 42:1-3

The Lament of the Thirsty

The pain of thirst in throat and soul
for there is no bounty spread before like the shore crab enjoyed.
the signposts lied.
Oh thirst,
thirst like a wild animal
who travelling over many miles,
to reach refreshment in the promised stream,
finds the water no longer flows.
Yes, there are places,
places were the water has pooled,
due to dams and weirs,
but there is no refreshment in that water
refreshments cost is bitterness.
At other pools guards stand with false smiles -
a fee, a password, or secret sign -
without there is no quenching of thirst;
nor knowing if that guarded water will satisfy and enrich.
Surely this is not the final destination.
The promise must be more than this.
Smooth pebbles caressed for centuries by sweet water
sweet soul reviving water.
The sound like music to the ears,
but instead, instead it is drowned out by the cry
‘Where is your God?’

I have a theory, it isn’t a very popular theory nor is it one that I find easy to hold for it pains me, but I am sticking by it until someone proves to me otherwise.  Currently I am not convinced the Church either answers that question or even considers it as a question worth answering.  I think the Church is so busy licking wounds, trying to second guess where the next supposed attack might come from and fearing for itself as an institution that like Ephesus it has forgotten its first love.  It no longer glories in answering the question ‘Where is your God?’ but rather hides in its own petticoats in vain attempts to defend itself.  How can God be known and understood in the world today if the Church doesn’t reflect the wonder, awe and majesty that is God, but rather the fear, mistrust and anxiety of self-preservation?  How can a God of love been recognised when love is missing from so much of what is done in the name of the Church?  How can someone ever feel accepted by that God if they see others being rejected by those who say they do know God?  How can the 50 days of Easter be celebrated if the Church continues to live in a forlorn wilderness, denying by word and deed the very thought of resurrection?

‘Where is your God?’

The Parable of the Shore Crab

Tags

Ecclesiastes, Nature, Photography, Religious Thoughts

So I commend enjoyment, for there is nothing better for people under the sun than to eat, and drink, and enjoy themselves, for this will go with them in their toil through the days of life that God gives them under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8.15

We are still in the 50 day celebration of Easter, celebrating the new life in the risen Christ, a new life that brings hope for the here and now and hope for the future.  A new life that says grab life with both hands for there is nothing to fear, a time to eat, drink for tomorrow we don’t die, or rather the death of this earthly frame is not the end as we once might have thought.  There are those who are sincere committed Christians who believe that as a follower of Christ life should be sombre and frugal I understand where they are coming from but it wont surprise you to hear that I don’t agree with their interpretations.

This little fella was also on the boat with the Scorpion Fish I told you of yesterday, he came up in one of the creels falling onto the floor of the boat and scurrying away to hide under the manmade rock of an old bit of scaffolding.

The Parable of the Shore Crab

Consider the shore crab, it lands on a strange land but neither worries or panics.  Instead it finds for itself sanctuary and bounty beyond measure to feast upon.  It does not through suspicion reject the bounty that is laid out in full sight but eats of its fill, both seeking and finding contentment.

Consider the shore crab, feasting one moment and the next scooped up and set as bait for Brown Crabs.

I don’t believe Christ wants us to be somber dour Christians after all time and time again we hear of him eating and drinking, okay he doesn’t do it all the time but he certainly does it.  I don’t believe he wants us to be forever looking over our shoulders wondering suspiciously how and why something good has happened, for he came to bring us life in all its fullness.  And I don’t believe that Christ wants us to miserable, for if that was the case surely he wouldn’t have made people’s lives better by healing the lame and the deaf and the blind, not casting the stone, comforting the bereaved, welcoming the outcast and … well you get the picture.

I do believe that our lives can be bait for others, attractive examples of what life can be.  Of the contentment and fulfillment that life can offer knowing God will provide.  Knowing that there are places of safety when things seem a bit strange.  Set free from anxiety knowing that the future has already been taken care of by a cross and an empty grave.  I believe that to be a Christian doesn’t mean no more eating, drinking no more being merry, but rather no more worry surely that is enough to put a smile on anyones face!

Pondering the Questions

Tags

Liturgical Seasons, Religious Thoughts

Did you notice that ‘and’ hidden in last Sundays Gospel from Mark?

In among all those other familiar words for Easter Sunday a common word that is so easy to overlook but this time it struck me like never before in fact it was one of those moments when you suddenly actually see something that has always been there and immediately questions jumped into my head, questions that have been travelling with me this Easter week:

• why was that ‘and’ in between the disciples and Peter?
• was it that Peter was not physically in the same place as disciples?
• was it because Peter was still bitterly weeping elsewhere?
• or was it that Peter, because of his denial was no longer considered one of the disciples?
• who no longer considered him as such the women?
• the other disciples?
• the young man dressed in white?
• Peter himself?

The Common English Bible translates it as ‘especially Peter’ as if this strange young man dressed in white knew that this was news that Peter needed to know more than anyone else.  Was Peter now so full of remorse for his denial that he was in danger of following Judas’ path?

One little word, so many questions, and a week later not sure I really have any answers, the pondering continues.

The Law of the Lord

Tags

Liturgical Seasons, Psalms

During Lent I have been preaching a series of sermons on the Psalms and then we have been having a discussion on a Wednesday evening about issues raised in the sermon.  Last Sunday it was Psalm 19:

¹ The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
² Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
³ There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
⁴ yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
⁵ which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
⁶ Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hidden from its heat.
⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
⁸ the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
⁹ the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring for ever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.
¹¹ Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
¹² But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
¹³ Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,  O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Last night we had a great discussion about those laws which were around in the time of this psalm first being sung but we totally ignore and don’t even think about – such as the wearing of mixed fabrics – also why there are other laws of that time which still challenge the church so.

Rivers in the Sand

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Isaiah, Liturgical Seasons, Photography

 

Trickles of water carving pathways through the sand proof that there is water, working its way around small pebbles journeying onward, ever onward.

Draw near to me, hear this!
From the beginning I have not spoken in secret,
from the time it came to be I have been there.
And now the Lord God has sent me and his spirit.
Thus says the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you for your own good,
who leads you in the way you should go.
O that you had paid attention to my commandments!
Then your prosperity would have been like a river,
and your success like the waves of the sea;
your offspring would have been like the sand,
and your descendants like its grains;
their name would never be cut off
or destroyed from before me.

Isaiah 48:16-19

The Jonah Complex

Tags

Jonah, Liturgical Seasons, Religious Thoughts

This morning the reading from Jonah at Mass got me to thinking about what I am going to call the Jonah Complex.  The reading itself didn’t actually cover the complex but reminded me of the story in its entirety and the more I thought the more I got drawn into pondering on the complex.

You know the story, God asks Jonah to go to Nineveh and tell them to change their ways or God will destroy the city, Jonah first of all decides to flee and ends up in a large fish, finally he goes and does as God has asked and all the people great and small repent.  These two elements of the story are often majored on, but it was the is the final part of the tale, the Jonah Complex that has been travelling with me all day.  The notion that when God turns bad into good, when God’s promises come true, we fall out with God.  In Johan’s case it is how dare God not destroy Nineveh, the fourth and final chapter of the book.

Jonah was furious. He lost his temper. He yelled at God, “God! I knew it—when I was back home, I knew this was going to happen! That’s why I ran off to Tarshish! I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness!  God said, “What do you have to be angry about?”  But Jonah just left. He went out of the city to the east and sat down in a sulk. He put together a makeshift shelter of leafy branches and sat there in the shade to see what would happen to the city.  God arranged for a broad-leafed tree to spring up. It grew over Jonah to cool him off and get him out of his angry sulk. Jonah was pleased and enjoyed the shade. Life was looking up.  But then God sent a worm. By dawn of the next day, the worm had bored into the shade tree and it withered away. The sun came up and God sent a hot, blistering wind from the east. The sun beat down on Jonah’s head and he started to faint. He prayed to die: “I’m better off dead!”  Then God said to Jonah, “What right do you have to get angry about this shade tree?”  Jonah said, “Plenty of right. It’s made me angry enough to die!” God said, “What’s this? How is it that you can change your feelings from pleasure to anger overnight about a mere shade tree that you did nothing to get? You neither planted nor watered it. It grew up one night and died the next night. So, why can’t I likewise change what I feel about Nineveh from anger to pleasure, this big city of more than 120,000 childlike people who don’t yet know right from wrong, to say nothing of all the innocent animals?”

translation – The Message

I have seen such reactions in churches towards individuals, towards vestries, towards clerics and towards whole congregations.  The astonishing thing is that these reactions often come about after prayer has been answered in a positive way.  People want help with something, so they pray to God, one presumes that such prayer is done in faith and with some kind of hope that God will respond.  However, when God then has the audacity to hear and respond to their prayers and make things better the complex kicks in.  People get all indignant about the fact they no longer have that particular thing to grumble about.  They grumble even more about it than they ever did while it was still around.  They grumble about the fact something has ‘changed’ even if it is a change for the better.  They grumble about the fact the old problem isn’t there any more.  They grumble about all the ways in the past they had tried to solve the problem and failed.  They grumble to God and to each other.  Sometimes they, like Jonah, even grumble about the fact that because the problem is no  longer there they look foolish in some bizarre way.  They sulk as Jonah sulked and they grumble about the conditions that they sulk in.  Such displays aren’t restricted to God’s people, oh no, it is almost as if it is part of the human condition.  To grumble when things are bad and grumble some more when they are put right.

For people of faith it could be said it is back to that old adage

‘Be careful what you pray for, because you might just get it.’

In this season of Lent we are often inclined to associate ourselves with the people of Nineveh, our need to repnet, but we shouldn’t forget Jonah, not just his running from God, but also his complex.  For when Lent ends; I know it isn’t long started but that is all for the good as it gives us time to work on this; for when Lent ends we need to be fully prepared to live in the light of the risen Son and not be tempted back into Lenten woes.  Ready to rejoice for ourselves and for others.  Ready to put the past behind us and leave it there.  Ready to celebrate all the good things God has done, all of them.

Clearing Out The Gutters For Lent

Tags

4 Maccabees, Liturgical Seasons, Photography, Religion

It is recommended, especially if you live near trees, that you should clean out your gutters after the leaves have fallen so that they don’t block your gutters and cause water ingress into your home.  Well in this country it is recommended, but in Norway the story is somewhat different.

This house is part of the Romsdal Folk Museum in Romsdal, Norway.  The Norwegians were onto the whole idea of covering your roof with grass instead of tiles long before it became the thing of the eco-set, this home missed one of the vital necessities for a grass roof, that is the need to occasionally put a sheep or goat up on it for never mind leaves in the gutters, you don’t want a tree growing out of your roof for pretty soon the roots will work their way into your home and your home will be no more.

Just as pleasure and pain are two plants growing from the body and the soul, so there are many offshoots of these plants, each of which the master cultivator, reason, weeds and prunes and ties up and waters and thoroughly irrigates, and so tames the jungle of habits and emotions.

4 Maccabees 1:28-29

Taming the jungle of our habits and emotions that sounds very Lenten indeed doesn’t it – maybe it is time to check the roof.

To Be A Pilgrim

Tags

1 Corinthians, Music

Yesterday’s reading from St Paul – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – always reminds me of this hymn, this version sung by the ever wonderful Maddy Prior.

Benedicite Omnia Opera

Tags

Daniel, Religion

In the fiery furnace they sang out, they praised the Lord because amidst the danger of the flames God was.  The whole of creation blessing the Lord because all of it is in God’s care.

All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord;
Praise God and magnify God forever!
You angels of the Lord, bless the Lord;
Praise God and magnify God forever!
You heavens, bless the Lord;
You waters above the Firmament, bless the Lord;
You powers of the Lord, bless the Lord;
You sun and moon, bless the Lord;
You stars of heaven, bless the Lord;
You showers and dews, bless the Lord;
You winds of God, bless the Lord;
You fire and heat, bless the Lord;
You winter and summer, bless the Lord;
You dews and frost, bless the Lord;
You frost and cold, bless the Lord;
You ice and snow, bless the Lord;
You nights and days, bless the Lord;
You light and darkness, bless the Lord;
You lightning and clouds, bless the Lord;
Praise Him and magnify Him forever!
Let the earth bless the Lord;
Praise God and magnify God forever!
You mountains and hills, bless the Lord;
All you green things that grow on the earth, bless the Lord;
You wells, bless the Lord;
You seas and floods, bless the Lord;
You whales and all who move in the waters, bless the Lord;
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord;
All you beasts and cattle, bless the Lord;
All you children of mortals, bless the Lord;
Praise God and magnify God forever!
You people of God, bless the Lord;
You priests of the Lord, bless the Lord;
You servants of the Lord, bless the Lord;
You spirits and souls of the righteous, bless the Lord;
You pure and humble of heart, bless the Lord;
Ananias, Azarias and Misael, bless the Lord;
Praise God and magnify God forever!

Today as I think of the beauty that God sees and we sometimes miss.  I give thanks for the beauty of the wind and rain, the ice and snow, the frost and cold that along with me is part of God’s wonderful world.