the church of the
ascension
in the city of
new york
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Saturday after Ash Wednesday
by Janet Fisher
Psalm 86:1-11
Isaiah 58:1-9a
Luke 5:27-32
Imagine Matthew as one of the current day Wall Street traders or hedge fund managers inviting Jesus to an elegant dinner party catered by a celebrity chef in his sumptuously decorated triplex apartment with views overlooking the Hudson River. The chauffeur would call for Jesus at the appointed hour. Other invited guests would be Matthew's peers, who would leap at a chance to cast an envious eye on his latest acquisitions of paintings and antiquities, and of course, to spend an evening exchanging lofty ideas with Jesus on the state of the world's condition.
The evening would start off with an aged single malt whiskey or a dry martini to take the edge off the hectic day of trading. Lavishly prepared appetizers along with vintage white and red wines would be served next. Then would follow the main course: the finest grass-fed beef and a medley of organic vegetables and grains produced by local farmers. The concluding courses would embrace cheeses from nearby farms and some designer dessert, which had its origins in these same farm orchards. It would have all the trappings of an updated Babette's Feast, with an emphasis on eating locally grown and produced foods.
Just what would Jesus be conversing with this group about? What would He have charged them to do?
Since there is no shortage of topics, pick one: the lack of health care in one of the wealthiest countries in the world; the economy (our country's and the world markets); the latest challenges to voters' rights in various states around the U.S.; the connectedness, though sometimes seemingly remote, between our actions and the effects they have on people and creatures in distant parts of this earth; the much touted political buzz word "change;" our self indulgences, both personal and corporate ... blah, blah, blah.
And as the late bishop suffragan of New York, Walter Dennis, was heard to have suggested, Jesus would probably have done some financial arm twisting.
How will you step out of your comfort zone to take an action in your local area to make a difference in the life of someone not connected to your faith community that will have an impact on distance places, people, and creatures?
"Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication."
Psalm 86:1-11
Isaiah 58:1-9a
Luke 5:27-32
Imagine Matthew as one of the current day Wall Street traders or hedge fund managers inviting Jesus to an elegant dinner party catered by a celebrity chef in his sumptuously decorated triplex apartment with views overlooking the Hudson River. The chauffeur would call for Jesus at the appointed hour. Other invited guests would be Matthew's peers, who would leap at a chance to cast an envious eye on his latest acquisitions of paintings and antiquities, and of course, to spend an evening exchanging lofty ideas with Jesus on the state of the world's condition.
The evening would start off with an aged single malt whiskey or a dry martini to take the edge off the hectic day of trading. Lavishly prepared appetizers along with vintage white and red wines would be served next. Then would follow the main course: the finest grass-fed beef and a medley of organic vegetables and grains produced by local farmers. The concluding courses would embrace cheeses from nearby farms and some designer dessert, which had its origins in these same farm orchards. It would have all the trappings of an updated Babette's Feast, with an emphasis on eating locally grown and produced foods.
Just what would Jesus be conversing with this group about? What would He have charged them to do?
Since there is no shortage of topics, pick one: the lack of health care in one of the wealthiest countries in the world; the economy (our country's and the world markets); the latest challenges to voters' rights in various states around the U.S.; the connectedness, though sometimes seemingly remote, between our actions and the effects they have on people and creatures in distant parts of this earth; the much touted political buzz word "change;" our self indulgences, both personal and corporate ... blah, blah, blah.
And as the late bishop suffragan of New York, Walter Dennis, was heard to have suggested, Jesus would probably have done some financial arm twisting.
How will you step out of your comfort zone to take an action in your local area to make a difference in the life of someone not connected to your faith community that will have an impact on distance places, people, and creatures?
"Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication."
