Advent 2
December 6, 2020
All good things must come to an end
This proverb was first recorded in 1440 in the poem Partenope of Blois, “Ye wote wele of all thing moste be an ende.” Note that the word “good” is omitted. It is similar to “All things must pass,” “This too shall pass,” and “Here today, gone tomorrow,” all of which imply that the transient nature of life applies to both the good and the bad.
Isaiah 40:6-8
A voice says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?"
All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades;
but the word of our God will stand forever.
The prophet Isaiah begs to differ with this proverb. Not all things come to an end. It is only everything except The Word of the Lord. It is God’s Word alone that endures forever. One might even argue, by analogy, that such a lasting thing is something we can take with us when we die.
Advent 3
December 20, 2020
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link
Often this phrase refers to a person in a group or team; this meaning was reinforced with the once popular TV show, The Weakest Link. The aphorism originated in the 19th century. It referred to the links in an argument, suggesting that even the strongest of logical propositions lose their validity based on their weakest connections. The image is clear and meaningful, for we count on chains to work whether they are in our cars, on our fences, or part of our toilets. The Tell Tale Rag, written by G.W. Henry in 1861 speaks of a thousand-link chain that lifts us to heaven, but only one weak link will lead to its failure. It sits as a powerful call to attend to detail and more importantly, that focusing on one’s strengths alone is a problem.
1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers,
encourage the fainthearted,
help the weak, be patient with all of them.
It is interesting that the New International Version of the Bible uses the word “warn,” while the New Revised Standard Version uses “admonish.” The Message uses "gently encourage.” Such are the subtleties involved when translating a 2000-year-old document. The tone of the verse appears to be clearer with the phrase “Be patient with all of them.” And while the tone of “You are the weakest link, goodbye” from the TV show was harsh, the Bible verse recognizes that, while some are weaker than others and could cost all, our approach needn't be unkind. Rather than getting rid of our weakest links, we should care for them. Countless people get credit for saying something akin to "The true test of a civilization is how it cares for its most vulnerable members.” The only credible citation I could find was the dedication of the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, in Washington DC on November 1, 1977, where Humphrey is quoted as:
The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life,
the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the aged;
and those in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.
Advent 4
December 20, 2020
The best laid plans of mice and men
This phrase comes from Robbie Burns, To a Mouse, and finishes “... of' mice and men gang aft a-ley” meaning plans to not go wrong. It is said that was inspired when Burns ploughed over the nest of a field mouse. They are best known, however for the use in the title of John Steinbeck's book, Of Mice and Men. The main characters of the novel, George and Lennie have great plans that go unrealized. They are not so different from the field mouse that Burns ran over. The expression is used to remind us that we cannot count on the fruit of our plans.
Luke 1:51-53
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
It would seem that laying out plans for wealth and prosperity may not work out. Mary, in what is known as The Magnificat, speaks of the kinds of reversals to expect with the fruition of God’s plans. It is about trust. Trusting in our own abilities and provisions will not serve us well. Proverbs 16:9 makes a similar yet different point: In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. We can make plans, it is just that we have have to surrender results. We are not in control. This has to be the meaning of the proverb. It has to be the meaning of so many stories and passages of scripture. Salvation is not an accomplishment. It comes by yielding to the will of God. The reason that our plans and goals can be smashed and dashed in a heartbeat is because they are ultimately beyond our determination. Just because we can choose to be determined, it does not mean that becomes our nature. In humility, we are wise to offer our plans and goals to God and seek direction and blessing. It is only folly to believe that God owes us in response. It is an ongoing relationship where we acknowledge that new teaching, correction and direction could be coming our way at any second. This is what we are saying when we pray to God as our “authority” or the “author” of our lives.
Year A of the Revised Common Lectionary (Click on the season you wish to see)
Advent
Christmas and Epiphany
Transfiguration and Lent
Easter
Pentecost to Proper Sixteen
Proper Seventeen to The Reign of Christ
Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary (Click on the season you wish to see)
Advent
Christmas and Epiphany
Transfiguration and Lent
Easter
Trinity Sunday to Proper Sixteen
Proper Seventeen to The Reign of Christ
Year C of the Revised Common Lectionary (Click on the season you wish to see)
Advent
Christmas and Epiphany
Transfiguration and Lent
Easter
Pentecost to Proper Sixteen
Proper Seventeen to Reign of Christ
For more on Glenn Morison and his book that led to this page, check out The Things We Say.
All this material is copyleft. Feel free to use it however you see fit, with or without attribution.
If you wish to value this page, please make a donation to the Winnipeg Quaker Meeting.
December 6, 2020
All good things must come to an end
This proverb was first recorded in 1440 in the poem Partenope of Blois, “Ye wote wele of all thing moste be an ende.” Note that the word “good” is omitted. It is similar to “All things must pass,” “This too shall pass,” and “Here today, gone tomorrow,” all of which imply that the transient nature of life applies to both the good and the bad.
Isaiah 40:6-8
A voice says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?"
All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades;
but the word of our God will stand forever.
The prophet Isaiah begs to differ with this proverb. Not all things come to an end. It is only everything except The Word of the Lord. It is God’s Word alone that endures forever. One might even argue, by analogy, that such a lasting thing is something we can take with us when we die.
Advent 3
December 20, 2020
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link
Often this phrase refers to a person in a group or team; this meaning was reinforced with the once popular TV show, The Weakest Link. The aphorism originated in the 19th century. It referred to the links in an argument, suggesting that even the strongest of logical propositions lose their validity based on their weakest connections. The image is clear and meaningful, for we count on chains to work whether they are in our cars, on our fences, or part of our toilets. The Tell Tale Rag, written by G.W. Henry in 1861 speaks of a thousand-link chain that lifts us to heaven, but only one weak link will lead to its failure. It sits as a powerful call to attend to detail and more importantly, that focusing on one’s strengths alone is a problem.
1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers,
encourage the fainthearted,
help the weak, be patient with all of them.
It is interesting that the New International Version of the Bible uses the word “warn,” while the New Revised Standard Version uses “admonish.” The Message uses "gently encourage.” Such are the subtleties involved when translating a 2000-year-old document. The tone of the verse appears to be clearer with the phrase “Be patient with all of them.” And while the tone of “You are the weakest link, goodbye” from the TV show was harsh, the Bible verse recognizes that, while some are weaker than others and could cost all, our approach needn't be unkind. Rather than getting rid of our weakest links, we should care for them. Countless people get credit for saying something akin to "The true test of a civilization is how it cares for its most vulnerable members.” The only credible citation I could find was the dedication of the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, in Washington DC on November 1, 1977, where Humphrey is quoted as:
The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life,
the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the aged;
and those in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.
Advent 4
December 20, 2020
The best laid plans of mice and men
This phrase comes from Robbie Burns, To a Mouse, and finishes “... of' mice and men gang aft a-ley” meaning plans to not go wrong. It is said that was inspired when Burns ploughed over the nest of a field mouse. They are best known, however for the use in the title of John Steinbeck's book, Of Mice and Men. The main characters of the novel, George and Lennie have great plans that go unrealized. They are not so different from the field mouse that Burns ran over. The expression is used to remind us that we cannot count on the fruit of our plans.
Luke 1:51-53
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
It would seem that laying out plans for wealth and prosperity may not work out. Mary, in what is known as The Magnificat, speaks of the kinds of reversals to expect with the fruition of God’s plans. It is about trust. Trusting in our own abilities and provisions will not serve us well. Proverbs 16:9 makes a similar yet different point: In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. We can make plans, it is just that we have have to surrender results. We are not in control. This has to be the meaning of the proverb. It has to be the meaning of so many stories and passages of scripture. Salvation is not an accomplishment. It comes by yielding to the will of God. The reason that our plans and goals can be smashed and dashed in a heartbeat is because they are ultimately beyond our determination. Just because we can choose to be determined, it does not mean that becomes our nature. In humility, we are wise to offer our plans and goals to God and seek direction and blessing. It is only folly to believe that God owes us in response. It is an ongoing relationship where we acknowledge that new teaching, correction and direction could be coming our way at any second. This is what we are saying when we pray to God as our “authority” or the “author” of our lives.
Year A of the Revised Common Lectionary (Click on the season you wish to see)
Advent
Christmas and Epiphany
Transfiguration and Lent
Easter
Pentecost to Proper Sixteen
Proper Seventeen to The Reign of Christ
Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary (Click on the season you wish to see)
Advent
Christmas and Epiphany
Transfiguration and Lent
Easter
Trinity Sunday to Proper Sixteen
Proper Seventeen to The Reign of Christ
Year C of the Revised Common Lectionary (Click on the season you wish to see)
Advent
Christmas and Epiphany
Transfiguration and Lent
Easter
Pentecost to Proper Sixteen
Proper Seventeen to Reign of Christ
For more on Glenn Morison and his book that led to this page, check out The Things We Say.
All this material is copyleft. Feel free to use it however you see fit, with or without attribution.
If you wish to value this page, please make a donation to the Winnipeg Quaker Meeting.