This week's author is the Rev. Dr. Lois Happe, Eastern Regional Minister for the Connecticut Conference, UCC.
The Message: Dear, dear Corinthians, I can't tell you how much I long for
you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn't fence you in. The
smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but
you're living them in a small way. I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with
great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively.
The Inclusive New Testament: We have spoken frankly to you, Corinthians;
we've opened our hearts wide to you. We're not holding anything back; you,
on the other hand, are holding back your affection from us. It would be a
fair exchange -- I speak as to my children -- if you'd open your hearts as
widely to us as we do to you.
The Cotton Patch Version: We have no secrets, my Atlanta brothers, and our
hearts are wide open. You are not being pressured by us; you're catching it
from your own inner feelings. Come on now, give us a break. (You'd think I
was talking to children.) You all open up too.
As sometimes happened when I was serving a parish, I groaned when I read the
lectionary passages assigned for this week -- among the six cited, not a
single one inspired me. Until I read them through again, carefully.
This portion from Second Corinthians gave me pause. It appears at the
conclusion of an intense defense of Paul's work and mission, an answer to
critics who have obviously made some inroads into the Corinthian church. It
reveals a time of difficulty between Paul and this church.
I had never pondered it before, hadn't really seen it before. Where has it
been all these years? It seems the perfect piece of wisdom to be quoting
over and over again when communication gets stuck, especially in meetings
within the church.
In many situations, I have observed folks operating on parallel tracks,
sometimes unconsciously, sometimes deliberately. Those who are earnest about
resolving difficulties often put their cards on the table, wear their hearts
on their sleeves, and then, for their courage, are dismissed as naive or
irrelevant. Others, who are committed to a particular outcome (and unwilling
to budge), hold back. They leave things unsaid, they withhold information
that might support another's point of view, and they are selective about how
they shape their case.
So resolution eludes everyone. Genuine communication reaches an impasse and
the process comes to grinding halt. Where is Paul when we need him?
It's refreshing to hear Paul reinforce what we know, but may not practice.
He is direct in naming what he perceives is happening. He has been open
about his thoughts as well as his feelings with the church in Corinth. He
calls them out, asks them to abandon their cautious approach and to be
forthcoming. He suggests what is often the case: that the fault is not in
his approach, but rather something internal to the Corinthians that has tied
them in knots. Clarence Jordan, the author of the Cotton Patch translation,
goes so far as to suggest they are acting like children.
One reason I have always loved Bible study is the possibility for surprise.
There is always something new, even when I groan because I think I have
already plumbed a passage for whatever treasure might be there. This gem has
reminded me to have patience -- with the passage, with myself -- until the
riches of the Word are revealed.
Gracious God, whose wisdom is never failing, slow us down, settle our
restlessness, open our hearts, so that we may receive the gifts you
unstintingly offer to us. Amen.
Please remember:
Peggy Wright, retired Assistant to the Conference Minister, who is recovering from knee surgery;
the Rev. M. J. Hinchliff, pastor of First Church of Christ, Congregational, UCC of East Haddam, who is being treated for breast cancer;
the loved ones and families of those aboard the Air France flight lost off the coast of Brazil;
the leaders of this nation, that they may meet the challenges of the day with insight, wisdom, and compassion;
those suffering due to the ongoing financial woes of the nation, be they struggling to meet an unaffordable mortgage, confronting the loss of a job, or working to find just resolutions to the crisis; and
those serving or living in war or conflict zones around the world, or where terrorists have struck, particularly in Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan, Colombia, and the Sudan.
Please remember as well the Rev. Dr. Lois Happe, author of this week's Spirit Calendar, who retires at the end of this month. We give her great thanks for the loving spirit, passionate witness, and committed faithfulness of her ministry among us.
To be added to the prayer list, please send an email to your Regional Minister or to webmaster@ctucc.org.
Stonington
United Ch. of Stonington
P The Rev. Valerie King
Storrs
Storrs Cong'l Ch., Inc.
IN The Rev. Jay M. Terbush
AP The Rev. Hilary Dahlberg
CE Ms. Nancy Titchen
Stratford
First Cong'l Ch of Stratford
P The Rev. Edward P. Rawls
Stratford
Lordship Community Ch., Inc.
P The Rev. Mary S. Willis
Suffield
First Ch of Christ, Cong'l
IN The Rev. Robyn T. Burns
CE Ms. Christine Davies
To read previous editions of the Spirit Calendar, visit:
http://www.ctucc.org/fido/spiritcalendar/
To learn more about or subscribe to the Spirit Calendar, visit:
http://www.ctucc.org/fido/
The Spirit Calendar: June 15, 2009 by Rev. Dr. Lois Happe, Eastern Regional Minister
