Dr. Karla J. Bellinger

Dec 12 2024

Seeing Past the Presumptions

Zacchaeus is the only grown man in the New Testament who is described as little in stature. Otherwise, that particular Greek word is used for children. What was it that stunted his growth? Disease? Genetics? Malnutrition? Whatever it was, he was the size of a child.

At first glance, this looks like another of Luke’s “scoundrel conversion” stories. We expect that a chief tax collector is a cheat and a liar. The crowd assumes so, too. Zacchaeus is the rascal who needs conversion.

But that presumption may not be accurate. Look carefully. Jesus never asks Zacchaeus to repent. The little man does not beg for mercy. It is the crowd who calls him “a sinner.” Zacchaeus’s response to their judgment is not in the future tense of “I will repay.” What he actually says is, “I do repay.” This is his continual and customary action. If he finds someone who has been defrauded, he pays them back four times.

As the chief tax collector, could he quietly be rendering justice to the poor when his underlings cheat them? Might Jesus know something about this little man that the crowd does not?

Interestingly, in this cycle of Lectionary readings, we just skipped Luke’s passage about Jesus and the children. The disciples rebuke the people and tell them not to bother Jesus. The Son of Man says, “Let the children come to me.” Jesus likes little people. He loathes nothing that God has made.

This is not a scoundrel story. Jesus doesn’t see a big splotch of sin high above the people. He sees rather a smudge on a face that has been crying. Up in a tree.

The crowd sees a little man who (they believe) is a great sinner. Jesus sees a great man who is a little (bit of a) sinner. Who is being called to conversion here?

Consider/Discuss

We live in a culture that passes judgement by group identity: those “others” are bad people. But sometimes we are wrong. Sometimes we exclude or demean or disrespect others because of assumptions that we have made. What can you and I do to get past that? Whom could we listen to anew, and in charity hear who they really are and what they have to say?
Zacchaeus is pretty bold in wanting to see Jesus. A grown man running? Climbing a tree? Enduring the ridicule of the crowd? That was pretty out of-the-box for a chief tax collector! What could we do this week to be more bold about looking for Jesus?

Living and Praying with the Word

Lord, forgive me for the little things that I do. I may excuse myself or laugh them off or pretend that they aren’t important, and be pleased that I am not one of those big sinners like a chief tax collector. But even if I am hiding among a righteous-looking crowd, you see me. You know. In little ways, you nudge me to clean up the smudges in my life. Which of my habits and behaviors do you want me to be converted from? In your mercy, show me. You are so good and gracious. You raise up all those who are small. Please, Jesus, clean up my life, for I want you to come home with me, too.

Dec 12 2024

God Is All in All

I was just staring blankly out the kitchen window. A light snow whitened the October-green grass. Five goldfinches flitted at the feeder—they who had been bright yellow all summer were starting to fade to their winter olive drab. They do not want to stand out when the leaves are gone, for they would get eaten. I realized that I was not quite ready for winter yet.

“Oh God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

The Pharisee in today’s story—he did want to stand out. He puffed up his bright yellow feathers to show everyone how righteous he was. He looked down upon those who were religiously drab. The tax collector certainly had nothing to make him stand out. He just blended in and prayed,

“Oh God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

All that we have comes from God the Creator. The air that we breathe, the seeds that we eat, the vigor that we enjoy—all of it. The birds neither toil nor spin and yet our heavenly Father feeds them. We too are dependent creatures. Jesus said, “He who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” It would be a shame to get eaten by pride because we are too showy. The goldfinches would agree.

“Oh God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

What does it mean to be humble? To be humble is to see ourselves accurately. Not to make ourselves small. To know that we are small. To see ourselves as God sees us. How does God see us? We are the Lord’s little beloveds. Like the birds. That is how God sees us. We open our hands and moan, “Lord, I’ve got nothing.” And the face of the Creator of the Universe shines upon us and responds, “Of course.”

“Oh God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

Consider/Discuss

One way to pray constantly is the “Jesus prayer.” The prayer breathes in and out within us as we think our thoughts and move throughout the day. The simplest form is “Lord Jesus, have mercy.” If you want a longer version or you want to breathe more deeply, you can pray, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a poor sinner.” Breathe in the beauty of God the Creator as you pray the first half. Breath out the brokenness of created life as you pray the second half. Try it for one minute every hour each day. Practice until calling on the name of Jesus becomes habitual. Try it. Really do. See what happens.
Are you ready for winter? As the days grow shorter, the growing darkness spurs us to turn inward. Going into prayer is a little like going into temporary hibernation—it is not the outward show of summer, but a quiet moment hidden in the drab of darkness. As we move from fall into winter, how could you leave showiness behind and grow more interior in your prayer life?

Living and Praying with the Word

Oh my Jesus, you know that we struggle to prove our worth. Our hearts swell with pride when we are pleased with ourselves. We like to be applauded. The humility that you ask for does not come easily. Yet you transformed St. Paul from a puffed-up Pharisee to a man who faithfully ran the race of discipleship. If you can teach him to be humble, you can teach us, too. Help us to receive your gifts with the innocence of the birds. Thank you for your love and your care.

Dec 12 2024

The Spirit Moves in Mysterious Ways

Once upon a time there was a gift of the Holy Spirit called Worry. Worry’s job was to nudge people to pray. In the power of the Spirit, Worry unsettled parents so that they would pray constantly for their children who might go astray. He stirred up concern in friends so they would lift their hands in prayer for a pal who was sick. He needled a widow so that she rose up and incessantly badgered an unrighteous judge. He inspired Aaron to hold up Moses’ hands lest their people die in battle. He stayed small at the service of the Holy Spirit. Worry did good work that glorified God.

One day, the Tempter came by and said, “Worry, you don’t need to be so small. Grow big.”

“How do I do that?” Worry asked.

“Stop leading them to pray,” the Crafty One said. “Make them think they are all on their own. Get them to drop their hands and abandon the thought that Someone cares or might be listening or wants to act on their behalf.”

Worry set out to become big. He led people into a puddle of anxiety and left them to muddle there. He taught them to turn into themselves and believe that their own mindfulness could handle the troubles of life. He helped dedicated followers to be proud of their identity as Worriers. He encouraged publishers to exalt him and craft stories in ways that would lead folks to him. Worry grew big and full of importance.

What happened? Blood pressures skyrocketed. People over-ate and over-drank and self-medicated in hazardous ways. They could not handle how big Worry had gotten. Some people even died.

“Oh dear.” Worry began to worry. “I did not mean for this to happen. No one knows me as a gift of the Spirit anymore. Lord, could I be small again and just serve you? Please, God?”

Consider/Discuss

Many people pray most fervently when they are worried. Concerns about family, health, injustice, and danger inspire us to lift our hands for holy help. What is your experience? When do you pray most persistently? What kinds of troubles make you badger God? How does the Holy Spirit use worry to lead you to pray?
An old adage says that “Worriers are called to become prayer warriors.” What happens when we worry and don’t allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to prayer? In what kinds of puddles do we muddle? Take one of your worries each day this week and “offer it up.” Go ahead, don’t be afraid; pester the most righteous Judge with it.

Living and Praying with the Word

Jesus, what a friend we have in you! You are not an unrighteous judge who does not care. You want us to bring our needs to you. You will not let our feet slip. You guard us from all evil. You are always beside us. Here is my worry: ________. Thank you for that worry, which leads me to continually lift my hands to you. Do not let the Tempter lead me to abandon your holy help.

And Holy Spirit, could you, would you, make Worry small once again, please?

Dec 12 2024

Gratitude

Be grateful. It is good for our health. Doctors say so. Psychologists say so. Jesus approves of the leper who returns to thank him. St. Paul says to give thanks in all circumstances. As we allow the Holy Spirit to nurture within us a continual attitude of gratitude, life grows rich and meaningful. We see the world more appreciatively. Gratitude is good. Gratitude is healthy.

Naaman the Syrian is so grateful for his healing from leprosy that he wants two mule-loads of earth to take home to praise the God of Israel. What is that all about?

Scripture scholars tell us that Naaman believed that the power of a god is limited to a certain place, a particular territory. God connected to dirt . . . might that seem antiquated and a bit amusing to us nowadays?

But is there something that we moderns misunderstand or have lost sight of? We who have poured concrete over the richest soil on earth to create urban highways; we who philosophize God into abstract concepts that float like wisps into the sky . . . might a faith that flees the earth become rootless and artificial?

There is a sacredness to the earth in which we live. There is a blessedness to the ground on which we walk. We are created from dust and to dust we shall return. The incarnated God took on our flesh and became one of us, people of the earth.

Naaman was from Syria. The leper who returned to thank Jesus was from Samaria. Two “outsiders.” There are certainly holy places and sacred spaces in Israel, but the healing desire of the Creator is not limited to a location or to a particular people. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God!

The Lord gives us the earth for our flourishing. There is much to be thankful for in that.

Consider/Discuss

You wouldn’t just floss your teeth on the morning before your dentist appointment if you want your teeth to be healthy. Likewise, you don’t just throw fertilizer and mulch on your dirt in May when you put your marigolds into the ground if you want your plants to be vigorous. If you have “bad dirt,” then now, in October (in the northern hemisphere), is the time to do something about it. Throw in leaves. Throw in manure. Add compost. These earthy things are gifts from God to nurture the soil. What can you do to care for the earth this week, in gratitude to God for the gift of creation? What can you do to make “your” earth flourish?
Naaman the Syrian saw Israel as a holy place. God did promise Abraham a land and a people; God promised to be with him in that place; God promised to bless his descendants. Take some time each day this week to treasure and savor the land and the people that God has given to you.

Living and Praying with the Word

Creator of all, we look into the skies and we adore you. We look at the earth and we bless you. The mountains skip like rams in praise of you. You have made all that is good. You give health to the leper and food to the oxen. Give us a faith that loves the earth. How great you are! Holy Spirit, fill us with gratitude for the earth.

Dec 12 2024

The Divine Master

Imagine you are the servant in this story. You’ve worked all day in the summer heat. The sun begins to set. Your stomach growls. A voice calls. You turn. The master of the house stands in the doorway of the hut. He is ready for his evening meal.

When you see him in the distance, what story comes to mind? Do you recall, when you first came to this house as a nine-year-old, how you had to lift bales heavier than you had ever lifted before? Do you clench your teeth now as you trudge past this hard taskmaster into the house? You know he doesn’t care. As you knead the bread, hunger overwhelms you. Serving this master is a burden.

When you see him standing there, what story do you remember? Do you see the face of a man who rescued you from starvation after your parents died? Do you hear the call of a poor farmer who is willing to share his food with you in exchange for help in his fields? You trust him to love you. As you walk into the house, do you look up into his eye and give him a smile of gratitude? Serving this master is a joy.

Same house. Same people. Different story.

What about the Divine Master? Do we clench our teeth as we trudge past him in the doorway, thinking, “How much you owe me!” Is it a drudgery to wait on this Lord?

That same Master girded his loins, put on a towel, and washed his disciples’ feet. Then he gave himself up for us on the cross. This is the Story of stories that the Holy Spirit wishes to embed into our memory. Is serving this Master a joy?

How does faith increase? When remembering that Story of stories, of Love that loved us even unto death.

Consider/Discuss

We are inundated with stories—stories that create division, stories that spur commitment to a cause, stories that encourage allegiance to a brand or product. Marketers know that memories form attitudes and attitudes impact behavior. What difference does it make what stories we allow to swirl around in our heads? How can we allow the Holy Spirit to recast our internal stories of resentment and hardness into God’s blessed story of belovedness? Why does it matter that we do?
Like the servant in the field, there is one key to the difference between a service of burden and a service of joy—how we remember the One and the ones for whom we work. A parent will get up at night for his/her week-old baby. An undocumented immigrant will work two jobs so that her ten-year old brother can have a better life than she does. A husband will wake up hour after hour in the night to make sure his wife is still breathing. We will do these things for one whom we love. As we serve others, do we approach our responsibilities as a burden or a gift?

Living and Praying with the Word

Good Master, I want to look up into your face with a smile of gratitude. But sometimes your peace feels a long way off and I stare at the ground. You know that I get weary from working in the field. Do not allow me to become bitter from suffering but help me to tackle the tasks of life with courage. Increase my faith, my inner assurance, so that I count on your faithfulness. You who are dear to me, you have given me a home. Let me be your faithful servant.

Holy Spirit, come, awaken that Story of stories in me once more.