A
part of the Meditatio (second step) of Lectio
Divina, asks how the passage might have been received and understood by its
original readers/audience and how is that different from how I hear/read it?
Last week as I was reflecting on (marinating in – Thanks Mark Louden for a more
vivid image than my “soaking in Scripture”) the beatitudes, I became aware that
the beatitudes challenge the position of privilege I have enjoyed and taken for
granted all of my life, but Jesus’ original audience undoubtedly heard them
with great joy and relief that from their lifetimes struggling on the margins of
their society they are blessed in the Kingdom of God. (Please don’t fuss about
the gender/hierarchy implications of “kingdom” in our time. Just enter into the
delight of those who heard Jesus put them at the center of God’s community of
love.) This awareness had been dawning on me through the week and came into
sharp focus as I listened to Mark Louden’s message in worship with Milwaukee
Mennonite Church yesterday. Thanks, Mark!
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