August Week 5

Virtue: Wisdom
Resolution: I choose to seek the mind of Christ and discern the appropriate response.

Human Story: Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274)

Our virtue for this month is wisdom—I choose to seek the mind of Christ and discern the appropriate response—and there is a scene from Thomas Aquinas’s life that humorously, but also seriously, illustrates this in action.

Thomas Aquinas was born the youngest boy of nine children to a fairly wealthy family about midway between Rome and Naples, Italy. When he was five years old, he was sent to the famous Benedictine monastery, the Abby of Monte Cassino, which was almost visible from his family’s castle in Roccasecca. The apparent plan of his parents was for Thomas to eventually become Abbot of the large monastery and expand the Aquino family political influence. When he was close to 15 years old, Thomas went to Naples for theological studies.

As he was working through the curriculum of grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, astronomy, and philosophy, he came in contact with a newly formed evangelistic monastic group called the Order of Preachers (also called Dominicans). Unlike the Benedictines, this was a mendicant religious order, which means they rely on begging and charity to exist.  (Benedictines, while also committed to poverty, are often self-sustaining in their monastic life.) In 1244, Thomas took vows and adopted the habit of the Dominicans. His parents were not happy with his decision and sent his brothers to return Thomas to the family castle where he was placed under house arrest. And this is where we enter the somewhat humorous scene.

In order to return Thomas’s attention to family matters and away from his monastic devotion, his family sent to his room a prostitute. Within moments Thomas chased the prostitute out of his room with a burning log (or hot poker, depending on the account). He then returned to his room, shut the door and inscribed a cross on it with the log, committing to a life of purity and chastity. (It is said that he was visited by angels, given a gift of chastity, and was never tempted by lust again.) Within a couple of months, Thomas’s family relented, and he returned to his studies. He went on to write theology that places him among the most influential theological minds of the church.

Perhaps chasing people with fiery instruments is not the best response to tactics meant to distract us from our purpose, but such a response does suggest the vigor with which we should approach how we are to act on the mind of Christ. Having discerned that he could best serve Christ and the church through study, teaching, and preaching, Thomas vowed a lifetime vocation dedicated to such service, and displayed wisdom in resisting tempting alternatives.

Resources: G.K. Chesterton, Saint Thomas Aquinas: The Dumb Ox.
Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica (see 2-2, q47-56 for his explanation of wisdom)

Lesson: James 3:13-17 (NIV)

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Saint Thomas Aquinas Comforted By Angels by Diego Valázquez

Thomas Aquinas is one of the first theologians in Christian history to offer a lengthy treatment of the virtue of wisdom. It is clear that while he is influenced by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, he is even more conditioned and informed by the words of Scripture. For Aquinas wisdom consists in discerning the ultimate good end, which is union with God, discerning the appropriate pathways to that end, and then acting on the means to the end. The influence of the Letter of James is right on the surface of his explanation. Wisdom, as James tells us and Aquinas echoes, is not merely being informed about what “the mind of Christ” might contain or think, rather that is only the first step. True wisdom is active: Who is wise? The one who has the actions to match their beliefs.

Not just any actions or dispositions of the heart can count as wisdom and James makes this obvious to us: bitter envy, which is a kind of greed; selfish ambition, which is a kind of pride; and dishonesty about one’s motivations and intentions. Unlike “earthly, unspiritual, demonic” wisdom, wisdom from heaven—that which is a generous gift from God (James 1:5)—is honest. Godly wisdom first requires a clear-eyed view of oneself and reality (a wise person authentically asks, “Am I being envious, selfish, boastful, etc.?”). Yet, merely being honest is not enough—it is only a start. Discerning the mind of Christ, comparing my own mind to that, and recognizing both the points of connection and disconnection, is only a beginning. From there, no matter the specifics of the particular situation, we know that acting with a demeanor of peace, consideration, submission (that is, humility), mercy, impartiality, sincerity, and with an intention for that which is good, true, and right, will ensure we are on the right track to living out the appropriate response to the mind of Christ. 

As we seek to become wise, by discerning and learning the mind of Christ, we can know that habituating other important traits will begin to make us wise because they are the character of Christ. So, while we should seek God for wisdom about important decisions and situations, we should also seek to become people who are “[peacemakers], considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” By doing this we will have already discerned at least part of the mind of Christ and begun to act appropriately in light of it.

Remembrance

Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen. -       Thomas Aquinas

Challenge

Seeking the wisdom of God according to Aquinas consists of three steps:

1. Discerning the ultimate good end

2. Discerning the appropriate pathways to that end

3. Acting on the means to the end

Pursuing wisdom in this way takes practice, so this week as you come across everyday situations that require wisdom, take the time to walk through these three steps. Then when you have an important decision to make, you will be better equipped to seek the mind of Christ.

Reflection

Do you have temptations in your life that you need to chase from your mind or circumstances with a “fiery log?”

Further Growth

2021: Book of Common Prayer, Proper 17

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 4:1-9
Psalm: Psalm 15
New Testament: Ephesians 6:10-20
Gospel: Mark 7:1-23

2020

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 18:15-18
Psalm: Psalm 91
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 4:9-16
Gospel: Luke 22:24-30

August Week 4

Virtue: Wisdom
Resolution: I choose to seek the mind of Christ and discern the appropriate response.

Human Story: Barbara Brown Taylor (1951 - )

Like every believer I know, my search for real life has led me through at least three distinct seasons of faith, not once or twice but over and over again. Jesus called them finding life, losing life, and finding life again, with the paradoxical promise that finders will be losers while those who lose their lives for his sake will wind up finding them again...You do not have to die in order to discover the truth of this teaching...You only need to lose track of who you are, or who you thought you were supposed to be, so that you end up lying flat on the dirt floor basement of your heart. Do this, Jesus says, and you will live.

-       Barbara Brown Taylor, Leaving Church (p.xi)

Barbara Brown Taylor, Episcopal priest and decorated professor, lived in Atlanta with her husband for many years. She served for a decade as one of four priests within a large downtown Atlanta parish, consistently putting in sixty- hour work weeks. One evening when she and her husband were out for a walk, a fire engine passed by with lights shining and sirens blaring. After the engine passed and all was audible again, Barbara’s husband, Ed, said, “If we don’t leave the city, I’m going to die sooner than I have to” (Leaving Church, 3). Barbara’s hectic schedule paired with the noise of urban living moved both of them to decide to leave Atlanta and make their home in the quiet country of North Georgia. It was here that Barbara eventually became the leader of a small Episcopal church, where she served for the next few years. During this time, she received a phone call from Piedmont College, a small liberal arts school in Georgia, and they offered her a job to chair the newly founded major in religion and philosophy. After two decades in ministry, Taylor decided to take this job and leave parish ministry. She is a professor at Piedmont today, and she and Ed are still pursuing and unlocking the deep mysteries of faith among the trees, fields, animals, and evening breeze in the countryside.

Sometimes when we consider the nature of wisdom, we equate it with some sort of radical stance of heroic action, but wisdom is not fashioned on recklessness nor abandonment of our lives’ circumstances but on faithfully following the path set before us and gently seeking to bring Christ’s life to a hungry and thirsty world. While a lot of what comprises wisdom stems from the choices and responses we make towards others, it also stems from the choices and responses we make regarding ourselves. Barbara’s move from a large diocese to a smaller one may have seemed like a failure to many as she reduced her audience and her impact by choosing to take care of herself and her husband over her mission in Atlanta. Yet, had she chosen to stay, she may never have reached a place in her life where she had the time and mental energy to write, which in turn allowed her impact and legacy extend way beyond her diocese in Atlanta. Barbara exemplifies how there is wisdom in making healthy choices towards ourselves as it enables us to love others more fully.

Reference: Taylor, Barbara B. Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith. New York: HarperCollins, 2006.

Lesson: Matthew 11:28-30 (Message)

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

Just like Barbara and Ed, we live in a world of over-stimulation, over-scheduling, and over-doing. In our scripture text you can see Jesus’ acknowledgement of our tendency to be weary and burdened. He knows our human propensity to load ourselves up with more than what God desires. How do we seek the mind of Christ and discern the appropriate response? Phileena Heurtz (whom we met in Week 5 of January) gets us started on the right path. She says,

            Solitude teaches us to be present.
            Silence teaches us to listen.
            Stillness teaches us to engage. 

When was the last time you spent any amount of time in solitude with God? Just you being present with Him? Choosing to be silent before Him to listen to His voice?

God mostly guides us with His still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-13). But, if we are constantly on the go, regularly with other people, and always surrounded by the noise of this culture, we won’t be able to discern His voice above the rabble.

To seek the mind of Christ, start by doing what Jesus did and spend time alone with God. (Luke 6:12, Mark 6:45, Mark 14, Matthew 14:23, 26:36 ff) Then rather than talking to Him about your life, your frustrations and your stresses, listen to what He has to say to you. It takes practice to hear God’s voice and even those who are in this habit sometimes have a hard time discerning His voice from all the others, e.g., yours’s, culture’s, the devil’s.

Here are some things to consider as you seek direction from God:

• Am I willing to give over to God my own plans and desires?

• Am I willing to lay down my pride that says, “I know what’s best?”

• In the silence with God, write down what comes to your mind:

  ○      An action - write it on a to-do list
  ○      A name - is this someone you need to pray for, to help, to reconcile with, to write a letter to, to have a meal with?
  ○      An organization - does God want you to partner with them in prayer, through finances, by committing your time…
  ○      A place, an idea, a dream, etc.

• Ask God:

○      Why does this ______(action, person, idea, etc.) matter to you?
○      What is your perspective of this situation?
○      How can I best serve You?
○      What should be my response to _______ (person, situation, etc.)?
○      How do I start?

So many of us are really busy doing “good” things. I am reminded of Tim Duncan’s quote:

Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best.

God doesn’t want us doing a lot of things just because they are “good.” He probably would prefer you do less things that are “best.” Let God focus your efforts in His direction because His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. (Matthew 11:30)

Remembrance

Book of Common Prayer, Proper 6.

O Lord, from whom all good proceeds: Grant us the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may always think those things that are good, and by your merciful guidance may accomplish the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Challenge

Choose one of the following to do this week:

1. Spend 30 minutes in silence, actively listen to God and writing down what He says.

2. Write down your priorities in life and say no to something you are involved in that’s way down (or not even) on your priority list.

3. Pray before committing to do something new.

4. Write down your current activities and prayerfully determine if you need to divest yourself from any of them.

5. Prayerfully consider any new activities that God desires you to invest yourself in.

6. Give yourself permission to say “No.”

Reflection

Who sits in solitude and is quiet hath escaped from three wars: hearing, speaking, seeing: Yet against one thing shall he continually battle: that is, his own heart.

-       St. Anthony the Great (251 - 356)

Wherever you find yourself, do not go forth from that place too quickly. Try to be patient and learn to stay in one place.

-       St. Anthony the Great (251 - 356)

Further Growth:

2021: Book of Common Prayer Proper 16

Old Testament: Joshua 24:1-25
Psalm: Psalm 16
New Testament: Ephesians 5:15—6:9
Gospel: John 6:60-69

2020: Book of Common Prayer Proper 16

Old Testament: Isaiah 51:1-6
Psalm: Psalm 138
New Testament: Romans 11:25-36
Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20

August Week 3

Virtue: Wisdom
Resolution: I choose to seek the mind of Christ and discern the appropriate response.

Human Story: St. John Chrysostom (349-407)

John was born in the city of Antioch (pop. 300,000) where the disciples of Christ were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). When John was an infant his father died, so he was raised solely by his mother toward a life of piety. From an early age John was exposed to the rigors of elite philosophical and rhetorical training. In his early years John championed monasticism, though after two years living as a hermit in the Antiochian mountains John returned to the city due to poor health. Eventually ordained as a priest in Antioch, he often preached on practical matters that could be easily understood. His homilies were thick with the stuff of everyday life and included themes like marriage, family, and a Christian response to poverty. He was given the nickname “Chrysostom,” derived from the Greek word meaning “golden-mouth,” due to his brilliant and piercing sermons. There are over 800 of his sermons available to us today, many of which can be found online. His most well-known sermon, his Easter Sermon (or Paschal Homily), is still being preached today, some 1600 years later. St John’s powerful and prophetic preaching garners the respect of all three major streams of Christianity — Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant.

St. John Chrysostom’s tenure as priest in Antioch (AD 386-397) took place a mere 50 years after Constantine declared Christianity the official religion. His powerful homilies would last as many as two hours and often be interrupted by applause. This fervor attracted the political powers of the day, resulting in a reluctant Chrysostom being kidnapped away from Antioch and forcefully appointed Bishop of Constantinople, the capital city of the Roman Empire at the time. As Archbishop, Chrysostom continued in his bold commitment to Scripture and prophetic proclamation common to his sermons in Antioch, only now he was within earshot of the imperial court. It was here that John challenged the lax morals and overindulgence in sensuality that was so prominent in the capital city. While Chrysostom’s homilies provided powerful and liberating words for some, they were incriminating to others.  A decade into his bishopric, Chrysostom was exiled by the Empress Eudoxia, but since a riot ensued as a result of his exile, the empress recalled John the very next day. Upon his return he continued to fire his homiletical darts at the same targets, and Chrysostom was exiled a second time in 404 where he spent his remaining days until his death in 407.

Chrysostom continues to speak to us today. Our Anglican Daily Morning and Evening Prayers conclude with the prayer of St. John Chrysostom: “Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us.” His life teaches us that in our own experiences of exile, whatever they may be, our Father sees what we so often cannot see from our human aperture. That is why it is so important to seek the mind of Christ and rely upon His wisdom to guide our daily steps.

References
Behr, J. (Ed.). (1981).  St John Chrysostom: On wealth and poverty.  Crestwood, NY: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Ware, K. (1994). John Chrysostom: More than a great preacher. Christian History, 44. Retrieved from  https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/chrysostom-more-than-a-great-preacher

Lesson: Matthew 10:16 (NKJV)

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

The following is an excerpt from John Chrysostom’s homily on Matthew 10:16.

[Jesus] says, Be therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But what, it might be said, will our wisdom avail in so great dangers? Nay, how shall we be able to have wisdom at all, when so many waves are drenching us all over? For let a sheep be ever so wise, when it is in the midst of wolves, and so many wolves, what will it be able to do? Let the dove be ever so harmless, what will it profit, when so many hawks are assailing it? In the brutes indeed, not at all: but in you as much as possible. 

But let us see what manner of wisdom He here requires. That of the serpent, He says. For even as that animal gives up everything, and if its very body must be cut off, does not very earnestly defend it, so that it may save its head; in like manner do thou also, says He, give up everything but the faith; though goods, body, life itself, must be yielded. For that is the head and the root; and if that be preserved, though thou lose all, you will recover all with so much the more splendor. On this account then He neither commanded to be merely a simple and single-hearted sort of person, nor merely wise; but has mixed up both these, so that they may become virtue; taking in the wisdom of the serpent that we may not be wounded in our vitals; and the harmlessness of the dove, that we may not retaliate on our wrongdoers, nor avenge ourselves on them that lay snares; …

Let not then any one account His injunctions impracticable. For He beyond all others knows the nature of things; He knows that fierceness is not quenched by fierceness, but by gentleness. And if in men's actual deeds too you would see this result, read the book of the Acts of the Apostles, and you will see how often, when the people of the Jews had risen up against them and were sharpening their teeth, these men, imitating the dove, and answering with suitable meekness, did away with their wrath, quenched their madness, broke their impetuosity. As when they said, Did not we strictly command you, that you should not speak in this name? Although able to work any number of miracles, they neither said nor did anything harsh, but answered for themselves with all meekness, saying, Whether it be right to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 

Have you seen the harmlessness of the dove? Behold the wisdom of the serpent. For we cannot but speak the things, which we know and have heard. Do you see how we must be perfect on all points, so as neither to be abased by dangers, nor provoked by anger?

Remembrance

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom – Book of Common Prayer
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.

Challenge

1. The prayer of Chrysostom is found in the morning prayer of most prayer books (and is in the remembrance section above). A challenge for this week is to pray this prayer each morning. The pattern and routine of praying the morning prayer can be a way to spiritually discipline ourselves.

2. The prayer of Chrysostom includes the words from Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Make a goal to pray with someone else this week. It could be a family member, roommate, or someone from your church. Praying with others isn’t always easy for us, but it can be a time to develop connection and community with other believers.

Reflection

Reflect on Chrysostom’s quote: “taking in the wisdom of the serpent that we may not be wounded in our vitals; and the harmlessness of the dove, that we may not retaliate on our wrongdoers, nor avenge ourselves on them that lay snares.” What do you think this looks like in your own life and circumstances?

Further Growth

2021: Book of Common Prayer Proper 15

Old Testament: Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm: Psalm 147
New Testament: Ephesians 5:3-14
Gospel: John 6:53-59

2020: Book of Common Prayer Proper 17

Old Testament: Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm: Psalm 26
New Testament: Romans 12:1-8
Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27

August Week 2

Virtue: Wisdom
Resolution: I choose to seek the mind of Christ and discern the appropriate response.

Human Story: Daryl Davis (1958 - )

Racism and white supremacy have permeated the history of the United States from the beginning of its colonization. They were built into the fabric of this new country, seeping into the DNA of the structures set in place. Although legislation has since progressed freedom for all races to a more equitable place in society, cultural change is far slower moving and white privilege is still a reality. Something else that moves slowly is the heart of man. The spirit of white supremacy still resides in the heart of many white individuals. It has even been suggested that it is making a comeback in the modern day, coinciding with the rise of nationalism. What should be the Christian response to such an obvious spirit of evil? If one were to give a cursory answer based on the fact that racism and white supremacy still exist, the unfortunate evidence would mostly be one of the following: hatred, fear, anxiety, withdrawal, slander through various outlets, and perhaps the worst response of all – silence. This, however, need not be our response.

Daryl Davis is an African-American R&B and blues musician that has a side hobby: convincing Ku Klux Klan members to leave the KKK. Davis reports over 200 members have voluntarily given up their robes due to his influence, many of them donating the robes to Davis. How could he have such a profound impact on those whose hatred runs so deep? Two main factors are key: friendship and communication. He sits down with them and has dinner with them. He asks them about their families. He sends a message after dinner asking if they got home okay. Davis calls communication the best weapon against racism. He says it is the least expensive and least used weapon by Americans. The question that drives him in his relationship with KKK members is “How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?” Davis believes getting to know someone has the potential to decrease hate. The undoing of hatred does not happen overnight. Sometimes it takes years. But during those years, Davis makes phone calls, dinner invitations, and attends events.

Sometimes conventional wisdom suggests leaving, abstaining, or staying away. But for those who are filled up with Christ, wisdom may be saying to make an effort to connect. Hatred runs deep in this world. If our response to hatred is to hate in return, we are part of the problem. If our response, however, is to follow Davis’ example and seek to understand, communicate, and sit down over a meal, then others will see Christ’s solution to hatred.

Lesson: Philippians 2:3b-5 (NIV)

…in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…

At least two key take-aways should strike us in this passage. First, the person who has the mind of Christ—the wise person—is one marked by humility. Being wise, then, means being humble. And, this humility is a person’s “recognition that in their fallen state they need the help of God’s ‘humility,’ God’s being willing to serve others, as shown above all in the Incarnation (J. Rist, Augustine; quoted in J. Herdt Putting on Virtue, 58).

Second, having the mind of Christ—being both wise and humble—means doing what Jesus did, seeing all humans as equally valuable. We recognize that in the incarnation, God has affirmed again the goodness of humanity made in His image. In taking on the mind of Christ, we begin to see all humans, regardless of class, race, nationality, sex, or ability, as deeply loved and immeasurably valuable because Christ died for them as much as for anyone else. Therefore, we not only think differently about our neighbor, but we also act differently toward our neighbor. As people of wisdom, we seek loving union with our fellow believers through a character marked by humility and we press against structures and systems that lead to oppression of any person or people group.

Reference: M. Austin, Humility and Human Flourishing

Remembrance

Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.

-       Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968)

As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all must be most aware of change in the air – however slight – lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness.

-       William O. Douglas (1898 – 1980)

Challenge

One of the spiritual disciplines is service. There are many opportunities in your community to help those oppressed or in need. These can be one-time events or longer commitments. Seek out some opportunities and pray about whether God desires you to serve in one of these ways. Service must be undertaken with a heart of love, so if you pursue service, make sure your motives and heart are correct.

Reflection

Isaiah 58:6-7 teaches us to loosen the chains of injustice, set the oppressed free, share food with the hungry, provide shelter to the poor wanderer, clothe the naked, and not turn away from your own flesh and blood. Do you regard these people as deeply loved and immeasurably valuable? If not, why? If so, how does that inform your response to them?

Further Growth

2021: Book of Common Prayer Proper 14

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 8:1-10
Psalm: Psalm 34
New Testament: Ephesians 4:17—5:2
Gospel: John 6:37-51

2020: Book of Common Prayer Proper 15

Old Testament: Isaiah 56:1-8
Psalm: Psalm 67
New Testament: Romans 11:13-24
Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28

August Week 1

Virtue: Wisdom
Resolution: I choose to seek the mind of Christ and discern the appropriate response.

Human Story: Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906 – 1945)

Imagine Dietrich Bonhoeffer standing on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in New York City. He had accepted a job to teach at Union Seminary. He arrived with excitement in the United States but quickly felt a longing to return to Germany. This is not an unusual feeling – to want to return home after moving overseas. However, this situation was unique. Bonhoeffer had escaped the Nazi regime. His home was in the middle of genocide and chaos. He was a wanted man because of his anti-Hitler stance. He was a voice of wisdom, prophetically calling the church in Germany to avoid the evil promoted by Hitler. This move to America was his escape. He could live and teach in peace. He knew that if he returned to Germany, he would certainly be arrested and forced to live in a concentration camp.

While standing on that shore in New York, Bonhoeffer surely wrestled with the question – “what is the wise thing to do?” It is often difficult to discern the appropriate response in the midst of life situations. Imagine Bonhoeffer trying to discern the appropriate response. He could stay in America, become a theologian, and fight Hitler from the safety of American soil. His other option was to return to Germany where he could continue to lift up his voice on behalf of his people. He could be a guide to the church and inspire others to continue their resistance against the Nazi regime. He would risk imprisonment, torture, and possibly death.

In his situation, many people would say the wise thing to do would have been to stay in the USA. Many would discern that the appropriate response was the safety which was afforded him by the job offer in America. Bonhoeffer, however, discerned the opposite. He got on a boat and sailed back to Germany. He did end up spending years in a concentration camp and died a martyr’s death, yet his writings from the camp, however, inspired the church and many others to resist the Nazi regime, and thereby contributed to bringing down Hitler’s reign and ending the war. Bonhoeffer would not have had the same credibility nor impact if he had written from a loft apartment in New York City.

Bonhoeffer is one of the most vivid examples of wisdom we have in church history. He was excellent at discerning the voice of the Lord and determining a proper response. There are many ways he did this – encouraging bold living, avoiding cheap grace, creating strong communities of believers, and preaching boldly in the face of evil. However, it seems that his most bold and wise decision was on the shore in New York City – determining to get on a boat to return to his home.

Wisdom is not always easy. Sometimes our “appropriate response” will fly in opposition to the common sense of people around us. Our goal as believers is to seek the mind of Christ and then act boldly in our response to His guidance. May we have the kind of bold wisdom that Bonhoeffer demonstrated.

Lesson: Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The resolution for this month is not only to seek the mind of Christ (wisdom) but also to discern the appropriate response to that wisdom. The story of Bonhoeffer displays the complexity of the pursuit of this goal. There will often be times when we discern that to follow Christ, we may have to go against the grain of culture. Romans 12 gives the advice to not follow the patterns established by the world. The literal translation indicates to not be squeezed into the mold of culture. The advice is to break out of that mold and be transformed. This transformation of the mind (renewal of the mind) will result in a way to view the world that will allow the believer to better understand the will of God. This type of thinking and living requires a measure of boldness.

There were certainly many people who cautioned Bonhoeffer to not return to Germany. From an outside perspective, the wisest decision would have been to choose to stay in America. There was something inside of him, however, that compelled him to go against what seemed wise and return to the uncertainty and danger of his home. He did not allow the world to squeeze him into its mold. He broke the mold and determined that self-sacrifice was more important than self-preservation. 

In the words of Bonhoeffer:

To understand reality is not the same as to know about outward events. It is to perceive the essential nature of things. The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential. But on the other hand, knowledge of an apparently trivial detail quite often makes it possible to see into the depths of things. And so the wise man will seek to acquire the best possible knowledge about events, but always without becoming dependent upon this knowledge. To recognize the significant in the factual is wisdom.

May we, as the church, be willing to not succumb to the pressures of the culture to fit the mold, especially when we discern that God is calling us to break the mold and be transformed in our view of the world.

Remembrance

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison

In me there is darkness,
But with You there is light;
I am lonely, but You do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with You there is help;
I am restless, but with You there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with You there is patience;
I do not understand Your ways,
But You know the way for me.

Lord Jesus Christ,
You were poor
And in distress, a captive and forsaken as I am.
You know all man’s troubles;
You abide with me
When all men fail me;
You remember and seek me;
It is Your will that I should know You
And turn to You.
Lord, I hear Your call and follow;
Help me.

Challenge

The spiritual discipline of scripture reading and memorization is a powerful way to transform the mind. The challenge for this month is to read one chapter of Proverbs each day and commit to memory two passages of scripture from the book of Proverbs.

Reflection

Reflect on this quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “One act of obedience is worth a hundred sermons.” What act of obedience can you enter into that will speak volumes to those around you?

Further Growth

2021: Book of Common Prayer Proper 13

Old Testament: Exodus 16:2-15
Psalm: Psalm 78:1-26
New Testament: Ephesians 4:1-16
Gospel: John 6:24-35

2020: Book of Common Prayer Proper 14

Old Testament: Jonah 2:1-10
Psalm: Psalm 29
New Testament: Romans 9:1-5
Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33

August Introduction

August: Wisdom

Resolution: I choose to seek the mind of Christ and discern the appropriate response.

August is close to the middle of the long period of ordinary time between Pentecost and Advent. We have come down off of the highs of Easter and Ascension and are in the lull before the year begins again. This is not unlike our lives: we have varying seasons of height and celebration and lowness and solemnness. Between those is the everyday “normalness” of life. Ordinary time is that season of everyday “normalness.” In the midst of this long chapter of the calendar it is good that we take time to think about being wise, to choose to seek the mind of Christ and discern the appropriate response. Since most of our lives are lived in the ordinary time and because we best learn the mind of Christ and discern responses when not in the throes of either exhilaration or sorrow, we may best learn wisdom in the “down season.”           

Our resolution captures well and succinctly the virtue of wisdom. Sometimes wisdom is thought of as simply a virtue of thinking, reasoning, understanding, or special insight. While that is partly true it is not the full account. The intellectual aspect is only half of being wise; the wise person also acts on the path of wisdom. And for the Christian, the path always begins with God and leads to God, which is most clearly revealed in Jesus Christ, the perfect image of God (Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3). Of course, how this works out in the specifics of daily life will differ from person to person, but wisdom is always first and foremost shaped by Christ and acted out in ways that are appropriate. In addition to being shaped by Christ through the Scriptures, one of the ways we can learn wisdom is from the advice, counsel, and lived-experience of godly people.

August: Liturgy

Leader: Almighty Father, by wisdom You founded the earth, and by understanding You established the heavens.

People: Father, give us wisdom, discernment, and the grace to act on Your behalf in culture.

Leader: Lord Jesus, Philippians encourages us to have Your same mindset – a mindset that did nothing for selfish ambition or vain conceit.

People: Jesus, give us wisdom, discernment, and the grace to act on Your behalf in culture.

Leader:  Holy Spirit, we are reminded of the promise in James, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

People: Spirit, give us wisdom, discernment, and the grace to act on Your behalf in culture.