Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
Proper 21 (26) - Year B
Bullies come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They are usually experts at the argumentum ad hominem , either physically or psychologically. We do recognize that bullying goes on in religious life as well. One example is what the religious right does day in and day out. Examples of this can be found in a recent book: United Methodism @ RISK. [MISSING URL]
In fact, though, comments like the above play the tit for tat game. Even a question about degree doesn't avoid the way in which progressives use their sarcastic skills against those out of accord.
So what celebration is in order when everyone has been "hoist on their own petard"? Is this where "kingdom of God" comes in. Might that be our equivalent of Purim - a time of celebrating the end of one-upping, the arrival of cooperation, through and through?
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2003/september2003.html
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 or Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
Psalm 124 or Psalm 19:7-14
James 5:13-20
Mark 9:38-50
We have, all of us, been sold. We have sold ourselves and those dear to us. Pottage is that cheap. We have sold the children into the hands of boredom and violence. Our willingness to sell is that great. We have sold our enemies to death and hurried them on their way that we might get our bargain.
In our buying and selling of self and others we lose track of where deeds of power reside - outside of market economies. When we see a deed of power beyond our control we get jealous and covetous. It is so easy to forget that whoever is not against us is for us and when a deed of power is accomplished, not mater to whom it is directed or through whom it comes, we are benefited.
- - -
anyone sick
anyone anyone
its time for a day off
we will wander
and it will save our soul
a multitude of sins
will be blessed
and grown from[* With thanks to Ferris Buhller]
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html
There is here an expansion of a joy to include others (the poor). It is an expansion of a one-day celebration into two days.
Given this process, what is the limit of expansion of a joy?
Behind this question is an idea that there is no limit but ourselves. Can you remember a time of great joy and relief to you? Is that not worth expanding through time and space? Can you imagine Mordecai expanding this feasting into a week, month, quarter, or year? Presumably it wouldn't get acted on in the same way every day as some weeding of the ground and milling of the wheat and fermenting of the grape is important for feasting to continue. However, it might, nonetheless, be acknowledged that this seemingly ordinary day includes a celebration of some previous event and is part of its on-going gladness.
Might you take an important time in your life and reclaim it and consciously live today in its light? What would that do to your interactions with others and your engagement with the cultures of the world? You may still get it in the neck, but with new attitude and energy.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html
The story of Herod, Salome, and John the Baptist, with Herodias orchestrating from the side, has nothing on the story of Ahasuerus, Esther, and Haman, with Mordecai pulling strings off-stage. Were Haman’s kin to tell this story it may well have Haman honored as a martyr.
In some of the missing verses (7:7-8), we have a direct encounter between Esther and Haman. What were Esther’s options at this point? Why take the one she did?
These questions remind us of the options we have, but often don’t consider. We also bring back to mind that decisions have several components to them, only some of which are we aware. Hopefully these will aid us in finding a way to feast simply to feast and to be merciful simply to be merciful, not to either show off our wealth or commemorate and sweeten the bitterness of revenge.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2012/09/esther-71-6-9-10-920-22.html