Blog
Who I Am
Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” – Luke 9:18-20 (NRSV)
In this era of digital life, where we can craft unique and partial (or wholly fictional) identities through online platforms, “Who do people say that I am?” is almost a rhetorical question. People might say I am healthy if I digitally tell them I am through posted pictures of super-food meals. (They don’t and I’m not.) People may say I am a spiritual leader if I digitally tell them I am, by quoting my own religious writing.
“Who does Google say that I am?” can be a more revealing question, depending on what the interwebs know about you: your past, your present, your finances, your family, your secrets, your critics. Google has the possibility of sharing a more complex representation of identity, compared to the controlled narrative we might carefully hone on specific digital platforms.
Jesus takes a Google poll of the disciples about his public image. The answers vary—John the Baptist, Elijah, an ancient prophet—but in essence, there is consensus on the public’s image of Jesus: he’s a dead religious guy who’s been resurrected. How ironic. Even Herod shares this impression of who Jesus is (Luke 9:7-9).
But the follow-up question—the truly essential question of the day—is the relational one: Who do you say that I am?
People might always be inclined to speculate about one another’s identities. And we might always be inclined to (try to) shape our public image with specific, singular narratives. But who we are, most truly, shows up in the ways we relate to each other.
Prayer: Let people talk and invent their own stories of me, but God I pray: let me not care, so long as I am true to the Holy within me and the Holy within my neighbor.
cross-posted with the Daily Devotional
Joyful Sinners
When Jesus came to the [sycamore tree], he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to the guest of one who is a sinner.” – Luke 19:5-7 (NRSV)
The point of sin, as I understood it growing up in church, was to shame you into right living. Without sins—especially inherent, unavoidable, emotional sins like pride and anger and (Lord have mercy) sexual thoughts—how would we know that God was so much better than us or that Jesus’ death was the reason to feel unworthy of God’s love?
How dare Zacchaeus, sinner that he was, skip right past shame and embrace happiness!
How dare Zacchaeus nab Jesus’ attention from the branches of a tree, instead of waiting in line like everyone else!
How dare he and his friends enjoy a good meal with the holy teacher whose presence was the hottest ticket in town!
There are systems, you see, for being redeemed by God and redeemed in society: religious rituals and social manners that must be honored, special prayers to say and certain pedigrees to respect, penance that must be served spiritually and judgment that must be endured politely before daring to go about the world with garish exuberance.
Look at Zacchaeus, laughing with crumbs in his beard! Look at Jesus, relaxed and joyful at Zacchaeus’ table!
Would that we were as easily delighted as they: that we shouted every hallelujah and roared with every gratitude; that we no longer held shame dutifully to get on God’s good side but embraced healing with pleasure; that we applauded every Zacchaeus who showed us the way.
Prayer: Perhaps today I will climb a tree, dear Jesus. Even if I don’t make it to the first branch, please set me free from social shame and welcome me into unlimited joy.
published with the Daily Devotional
Seconds
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. - Psalm 23:5 (NRSV) If a steaming dish of buttery mashed potatoes is part of the dinner spread, you’d best believe I’ll be returning for a second helping...
Marking the Moment
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. – Exodus 12:1-2 (NRSV) The shadows of Lent have almost reached their longest hour. The tension of Holy Week is...
Holy Days
Hail and hallelujah! Welcome, and praise be for your safe arrival. We were not the same without you, but now joy and hope have multiplied within us. Hail and hosanna! Come by here, and let us honor your journey. We will break bread to nourish you, and share tears to...
Cause for Alarm
In my social media feed, there’s a funny video of an emu overreacting to a loud noise by running haphazardly around the pasture with panicked energy, its legs churning, its neck swinging in high alert. A voiceover for the emu shouts: “They’re coming for the eggs!...
Sabbatical
Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather in their yield; but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of complete rest for the land, a sabbath for the Lord. – Leviticus 25:3-4 (NRSV) Eight hours you shall work a...
Psalm 128
Be glad as you walk in God's ways. Be happy to be in awe of God's works. With such joyful roots, your life will bear good fruit, and those who love you will likewise be a blessing. God bless you where you live! May you be part of the well-being of your city; may you...
Conspiring
Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? … [The One] who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision. - Psalm 2:1, 4 (NRSV) The psalmist’s “why” isn’t a hard question to answer. Why do the nations conspire? For wealth, for power, for...
Registration
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. … Joseph went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a...
Daydream Believer
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouths filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy. – Psalm 126:1-2a (NRSV) Is it better to dream or to be practical? To envision a new world, a just world, an honorable...
