Today’s Lectionary Readings: Psalm 108; Jeremiah 30:10-17; Matthew 12:9-21; 1 Peter 4:12-16; Psalm 40
In the 1960’s, Andy Warhol said, “In the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes”. Given the short attention span of the media and the American public, I’ve seen the spirit of these words lived out time and time again as the media picks up on a story, elevates one of the player in the story to the status of celebrity, becomes immediately bored, and then moves on to the next story. One of the sad dynamics that have been set into motion because of this process is that folks are use to getting their 15 minutes by “acting out”, if you will – doing something bold and brash that will set them apart from others. Such an approach toward life is in marked contrast to the spirit captured in Jesus’ quotation of Isaiah found in today’s reading from Matthew. In that passage, Jesus reminds us of the qualities to be found in the chosen one: “But he won’t yell, won’t raise his voice; there’ll be no commotion in the streets. He won’t talk over anyone’s feelings, won’t push you into the corner. Before you know it, his justice will triumph; the mere sound of his name will signal hope, even among far-off believers.” As a person of faith called to live out your convictions in an attempt to bring the realization of God’s reign a little closer, what approach do you take? Do you get sucked in to the quest of 15 minutes of fame and make bold and brash pronouncements of what should be, or as a follower of the chosen one do you find yourself manifesting those qualities that the prophet Isaiah spoke of in your own spiritual walk? If your approach is reflected by the later, you might not get your 15 minutes of fame. You might, however, get something much more lasting: peace, hope, and joy. Til next time…
In the 1960’s, Andy Warhol said, “In the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes”. Given the short attention span of the media and the American public, I’ve seen the spirit of these words lived out time and time again as the media picks up on a story, elevates one of the player in the story to the status of celebrity, becomes immediately bored, and then moves on to the next story. One of the sad dynamics that have been set into motion because of this process is that folks are use to getting their 15 minutes by “acting out”, if you will – doing something bold and brash that will set them apart from others. Such an approach toward life is in marked contrast to the spirit captured in Jesus’ quotation of Isaiah found in today’s reading from Matthew. In that passage, Jesus reminds us of the qualities to be found in the chosen one: “But he won’t yell, won’t raise his voice; there’ll be no commotion in the streets. He won’t talk over anyone’s feelings, won’t push you into the corner. Before you know it, his justice will triumph; the mere sound of his name will signal hope, even among far-off believers.” As a person of faith called to live out your convictions in an attempt to bring the realization of God’s reign a little closer, what approach do you take? Do you get sucked in to the quest of 15 minutes of fame and make bold and brash pronouncements of what should be, or as a follower of the chosen one do you find yourself manifesting those qualities that the prophet Isaiah spoke of in your own spiritual walk? If your approach is reflected by the later, you might not get your 15 minutes of fame. You might, however, get something much more lasting: peace, hope, and joy. Til next time…
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