UFOs, Branch Davidians, and the Truth

Ever heard of the "Roswell Crash"? It happened in New Mexico in 1947. Something crashed; that's not much contested. The debates center around whether it was an airplane, a weather balloon, or a UFO. Many books, TV shows, and movies have bet on the "flying saucer."

But one thing that is absolutely undebatable is this: it did not crash in Roswell. Whatever it was, it smacked into the earth in tiny Corona, a good 70 miles from Roswell.

Hunh?

I know. It's confusing. If it didn't happen in Roswell, then why call it the "Roswell Crash"?

We'll come back to this.

Almost everybody knows about David Koresh and the 51-day FBI siege that led to the horrible events at the Branch Davidian Compound in Waco, Texas on April 19, 1993. In fact, people use "Waco" as shorthand for such things, saying something like, "We don't want another Waco."

But, as every local will tell you, the Branch Davidian debacle did not happen in Waco, the leader's name was not David Koresh, and the people in the compound weren't Branch Davidians. *

Hunh?!

In both these cases, the media provided considerable coverage. One key challenge faced by all reporters is how to help the reader/listener/viewer understand where the story is taking place. In 1947, almost no one could have found Corona on a map ... but Roswell was a good sized city, and the closest to the crash site.

Similarly, it was unlikely the average news consumer would be able to picture Elk, a tiny, unincorporated village east of Waco. Easier to just say "Waco."

And that brings me to this week's Lectionary selections: some of them deal with the actual "Branch of David," especially the first two on the list. Scripture is quite clear about the true identity of that person, and it was never David Koresh.

Beware those who claim the mantle of Christ and yet propagate violence. Fact: Jesus ignored the call of those who wanted Him to seize an Earthly crown. He chose, instead, to obey His Heavenly Father.

Whether or not David Koresh truly believed himself to be the second coming of the Messiah, he certainly had convinced his followers of it. And by claiming what can only belong to Jesus, he led most his followers to a horrible end.

What to expect from the true Messiah: "By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:78 NRSV)

Beware those who sum it all up in a word or two. In reality, shorthand names never sum up the truth. It takes the whole story to have the whole story. Make it your goal to get the truth.

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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Reign of Christ - Proper 29 (34) (November 20, 2016)
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

Luke 1:68-79
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 46
Colossians 1:11-20
Luke 23:33-43

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Join us at 8:00 on Friday mornings at the "Egg and I" in Waco. We meet for about an hour to chow down on food for the body and food for the soul.

Enjoy the week!
Steve

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* BONUS CONTENT:
The so-called "Davidians" of Waco fame split from the main body of the Seventh Day Adventists Church in the 1930's. The reason: the Davidians believed the return of The Lord was imminent, and that the larger body of Adventists were too worldly. They originally settled to the west of Waco, Texas, where they farmed semi-communally. They were very successful, even during the Great Depression. They produced more than they needed, sold the excess, and increased their acreage; all the while peacefully awaiting the second coming of the Messiah.

It was into this pleasant situation charismatic narcissist Vernon Wayne Howell stepped. He claimed new revelation from God, changed his name to David Koresh, and declared himself to be the Messiah. Koresh led a splinter group to Elk, Texas. There he had his followers abandon the name "Branch Davidian," and instead declared they were to be known as "Students of the Seven Seals." The rest is well known.

[A somewhat different version of this Lectionary reflection appeared in November 2013]

The Wisdom of My Blue Heaven (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

My Blue Heaven is a funny movie.

That's probably not so surprising, seeing as it is a vehicle for the comic talents of Steve Martin. In it, Martin plays Vincent ("Vinne") Antonelli, an organized crime figure who has been tucked away in Witness Protection. He is supposed to keep a low profile, marking the days in a fictional San Diego, California suburb until he can testify against some mob bosses.

Vinnie does not do "low profile."

And that is only one of the challenges faced by his minder, FBI Agent Barney Coopersmith (Rick Moranis). A huge problem for Barney is that Vinnie appears to be an habitual criminal, constitutionally unable to pass up almost any chance for illegal gain.

Vinnie has some (seeming) flaws that keep him from succeeding in the world of organized crime. For example, when asked about his shooting skills, he swears, "I never touched a gun in my life. That and that alone forever doomed me to middle management."

The real problems, though, for someone in his world is what we observe through the course of the movie: Vinnie makes and keeps friends. He is loyal. He likes to help people. He likes children. He is a romantic. And, as he confides to Barney after attempting to tip a flight attendant, "Its not tipping I believe in. It's overtipping."

Middle management, indeed.

There's a scene where he tells Barney, "Now when I say 'I'm with you,' I don't mean it like an expression, like I'm saying 'I understand what you mean.' I mean, I'm. With. You." At the time, Vinnie was using the phrase to leverage himself out of having been caught committing credit card fraud.

But the phrase keeps coming back to the viewer as Vinnie, time and time again, acts positively toward Barney; teaching him how to dance the méringue (yes; named after the dessert), how to woo the woman he loves, even how to dress for success. And, perhaps most importantly, how to relax and enjoy life.

Vinnie really was with Barney. He made himself part of Barney's life; all the parts of Barney's life ... and Barney was the better for it. No, it was not a smooth process (and where would be the fun in that?). But over the course of their time together, Vinnie became Barney's friend; a true friend. The very person any of us would want in our lives, even if that person made us a bit uncomfortable from time to time; even if we couldn't control them or predict their behavior.

The relationship would be worth it.

In this week's Lectionary selection from the Prophet Haggai, God says: "...take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear." (Haggai 1:4-5 NRSV)

God is not just present, and His declaration is not just "an expression." He is saying He will be with his people through everything that is coming, through good and bad; that He plans to "abide" with them, to come and to stay. Long before Jesus came to earth, God declared "Immanuel" to His people.

He said to them and is saying to us, "I'm. With. You."

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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 27 (32) (November 6, 2016)
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

First reading and Psalm
Haggai 1:15b-2:9
Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 or Psalm 98
Alternate First reading and Psalm
Job 19:23-27a
Psalm 17:1-9
Second reading
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
Gospel
Luke 20:27-38
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Come and be with us at Lectionary Breakfast, Friday morning. We still meet at 8:00 at the Waco "Egg and I" restaurant and we would love for you to join us.

Sure, the food's tasty, but the real treat is getting to spend time with each other.

See you there?

Steve