No Second Shake

Deuteronomy 24:17-25:4   New English Translation

You must not pervert justice due a resident foreigner or an orphan, or take a widow’s garment as security for a loan. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I am commanding you to do all this. Whenever you reap your harvest in your field and leave some unraked grain there, you must not return to get it; it should go to the resident foreigner, orphan, and widow so that the Lord your God may bless all the work you do. When you beat your olive tree you must not repeat the procedure; the remaining olives belong to the resident foreigner, orphan, and widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard you must not do so a second time; they should go to the resident foreigner, orphan, and widow. Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt; therefore, I am commanding you to do all this.

If controversy arises between people, they should go to court for judgment. When the judges hear the case, they shall exonerate the innocent but condemn the guilty. Then, if the guilty person is sentenced to a beating, the judge shall force him to lie down and be beaten in his presence with the number of blows his wicked behavior deserves. The judge may sentence him to forty blows, but no more. If he is struck with more than these, you might view your fellow Israelite with contempt.

You must not muzzle your ox when it is treading grain.

Reflection

     I don't find myself quoting Deuteronomy very often, but I might start. The last line sounds antiquated, a bit funny to the modern ear, but it speaks volumes towards our current situation of ethical and Creation care needs. It is at once, self evident--allow the ox to eat some of grain while it is working. I honestly don't know precisely what that would look like, but I would imagine that it would slow down a bit and literally eat into the profits. That's the point in it, isn't it. Almost all of our current problems are directly related to muzzled oxen, figuratively speaking. It turns out that pushing for maximum profit has its long term problems--income inequality, hopeless poverty,...and lack of nurturing for the very Creation that is providing something tasty and delicious. God's good Law has a purpose beyond our short scope. 

     I also notice that there is a great deal of grace proscribed in these Laws. These are the good things that we are supposed to be. For God's chosen people (to which we have been grafted in, thank you Jesus), this is what we do. It isn't listed as optional, or "if you really want to be a good Christian..." 

     We need to pay attention to the reality that God is concerned with the leftovers and the left outs. God cares about all of Creation (including all humans). It is interesting to me that the tactics are simple and do-able. We are just not supposed to make the extra effort to do the second shake of the tree. In an age when we invent and engineer machines to eek out as much efficiency as possible, God asks us to just let it remain, let it be. Of course the challenge is that we have engineered our societies to be far from simple gleanings. We have to find ways to reverse engineer kindness and generosity into our communities and food systems. Advocacy and careful purchasing with companies that give back is important (look for certified B and 1% give back to the planet).

Gracious God, continue to prepare our hearts for your lightness of life. We tend to weigh things down and make them so complicated. Today, let us rest in you and help others to do the same. Guide us to share appropriately and abundantly with respect and dignity. In the Way of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen. 

For more about olive harvest check out
this link to Crete.

Spotlight

Galatians 2:1-10  New English Translation

Then after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, taking Titus along too. I went there because of a revelation and presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so only in a private meeting with the influential people, to make sure that I was not running—or had not run—in vain. Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, although he was a Greek. Now this matter arose because of the false brothers with false pretenses who slipped in unnoticed to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, to make us slaves. But we did not surrender to them even for a moment, in order that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

But from those who were influential (whatever they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism between people)—those influential leaders added nothing to my message. On the contrary, when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised just as Peter was entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised (for he who empowered Peter for his apostleship to the circumcised also empowered me for my apostleship to the Gentiles) and when James, Cephas, and John, who had a reputation as pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we would go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They requested only that we remember the poor, the very thing I also was eager to do.

Reflection

     I know I am not alone in enjoying Paul's writing in the letter to the church in Galatia. It isn't just that he has his grumpy pants on. Although, it is certainly entertaining. No, it is much more than that. Paul isn't just having a bad moment, these are serious issues about central matters in the Gospel. Yet, it is still enjoyable to read Paul issue a "whatever..." about the influencers. It is the second part of that additional comment, "God shows no favoritism between people," that packs a punch. Buried deep within that phrase is the answer to a great many of life's questions. Power, prestige, influence, and all the things that gain great weight in human circles find no place among God's Reigning Way. We artificially make many boundaries, lines, and barriers that God does not honor or utilize. Even more, God's mission and invitation to participation greatly broadened through Christ Jesus. The spotlight on the chosen people to get the job done has been widened and expanded. The light shines on all of us and each of us. The job, by the way, clearly includes the poor!

Dear Lord,

Sometimes we lose our focus and get distracted by so many things that don't really matter to you. We pray your guidance for our attention and our efforts, that they would be in accord and aligned with your plan and path. In your unifying Name, we pray. Amen.

Strong Words for the Days Ahead

Galatians 1:6-12
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition


I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!

Am I now seeking human approval or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin, for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Image: Illustration by Jeffrey Kam

Reflection

     Paul gives some very strong words to the new believers in Galatia. He is angry, and most of the letter shows his emotions about their missteps in practicing the faith. Even still, to say that if Paul, his ministry companions, or even if an angel were to try to proclaim a different gospel, they should be considered cursed--wow! What really comes across is that Paul is sure about what he has proclaimed to them. It isn't made up or guessed at, it is the legitimate story of faith. The source is unquestionable. The source is an actual revelation from God. This is not theatrics or an exaggeration, but a critical distinction. The Gospel does not come from humans. The Good News comes from God. (Maybe this is why regular news can be depressing--it often isn't good!)

     If we focus on the things of God, the good things of this life, we are certainly able to share this. Don't approach sharing your faith with fear and feelings of inadequacy. Just talk about good things in your life and add a simple "Thanks Be to God!" or "God be Praised!" or "I wouldn't have made it without God." Attaching the Name as the source shows that we understand, believe and trust in where all the good comes from!

Generous God,

You give you freely and abundantly, teach us to show our thanks, appreciation and honor for all the good that you do in our lives. Guide our feet to follow all the good and positive paths, turning us away from distractions and problems. Open our lips to declare your praise! Now and forever. Amen.