In this reading from Walter Brueggemann's A Way Other Than Our Own, the author issues an invitation to us as the final week of Lent begins. Based on Phil. 2:4-8, he challenges us to change our mind and alter our opinions about self and neighbor and our world.
Speaking of Jesus, Brueggemann writes, "...because of his passion for God's will for him, he collided with the will and purpose of the Roman empire and of the Jews who colluded with the empire. He is not crucified because of some theory of atonement. He is crucified because the empire cannot tolerate such a transformative, subversive force set loose in the world.
(In Phil. 2), "Paul summons the church and its members to exhibit in their common life the self-emptying that is congruent with Jesus. Paul knew the way (we church people) tend to act, concerned for self and our pet ideas...and our vested interests that bruise other people. And he said, do not look to your own interests.
So here is my bid to you for Holy Week. As we walk the walk from Palm Sunday to Easter...imagine all of us, in the wake of Jesus, changing our minds, renewing our minds, altering our opinions concerning self and neighbor and world. The clue to the new mind of Christ is emptying of our need to control and our anxious passion for security. And as our minds change, we come to new freedom. It is Easter freedom, unburdened and fearless, freed for the interest of the neighbor.
Lord, "we are eager for Easter joy and new life, and yet we are haunted by the space between where we are and where you are. Grant us a new mind, a new readiness, a new heart, that we might stand with you in self-emptying obedience. Amen."
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