The Shining (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

There was a lot of controversy surrounding Stephen King's The Shining.

Likely, though, it's not what you think. I mean, if you think the controversies were things like a young child being stalked by evil ghosts or being endangered by his own father, then you would be wrong. Somehow, as strange as that sounds, today, people managed to accept both those premises.

The first controversy had to do with the novel, itself. King's publisher lobbied long and hard for King to not even write the novel. After the success of Carrie and 'Salem's Lot, Doubleday was worried King would get typed as a horror writer. There's some irony for you. The Shining went on the be King's first hardback bestseller.

The second controversy was the title; people just didn't get it. People had heard of visions, as in the Bible, and they had heard of precognition, as in ESP, but "shining?" What was that? Did King just make that up? It wasn't until 11 years after The Shining was first published that King explained: he took the title from a John Lennon song, "Instant Karma!," where Lennon suggests we, like the moon, stars, and sun, "all shine on."

Of course, the big controversy was the Stanley Kubrick film. Generally considered one of the greatest horror films of all time, it nevertheless diverged significantly from King's novel. King was not shy about his disappointment. The irony, here, is that the movie likely drove book sales through the roof.

It seems that "shining" has always been a bit controversial . . . as we see in this week's Lectionary scriptures. When Moses came down from the mountaintop meeting with God, his face was positively glowing . . . really glowing. Let that sink in for a minute; try to picture it. Even in this day of CGI movies, seeing someone like that in real life would be disconcerting. Moses was so bright, the people were afraid; he had to wear a veil for quite some time, until the glow had faded away.

Then, in another of this week's passages, Jesus takes his inner circle up the mountain where He is transfigured and, He too, is left glowing after encountering God there. I wonder how long that glow lasted? Scriptures doesn't tell us, but one thing we know, they didn't come down from the mountain until the next day.

Both "shinings" reappear in the II Corinthians passage, where Paul writes:

“With that kind of hope to excite us, nothing holds us back. Unlike Moses, we have nothing to hide. Everything is out in the open with us. He wore a veil so the children of Israel wouldn’t notice that the glory was fading away—and they didn’t notice. They didn’t notice it then and they don’t notice it now, don’t notice that there’s nothing left behind that veil. Even today when the proclamations of that old, bankrupt government are read out, they can’t see through it. Only Christ can get rid of the veil so they can see for themselves that there’s nothing there.

Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.”
‭‭(2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:12-18‬ ‭MSG‬‬
http://bible.com/97/2co.3.12-18.msg)

We should have no fear of the shining, the real shining. It's God's light pouring through.
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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Transfiguration Sunday (February 7, 2016)
Last Sunday before Lent
First reading
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm
Psalm 99
Second reading
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Gospel
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)

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Not all of us are morning people, bright and shining when we first face the day. That's what breakfast is for. Join us for Lectionary Breakfast Friday morning at 8:00. We gather for a great hour of relaxed fellowship and scripture at the Waco "Egg and I" restaurant.

Enjoy the week!
Steve

The Final Exam (By Steve Orr)

Does this ring a bell? Or, perhaps you still have bad dreams like this? All through the academic period, the instructor lectures on many, many topics. Then, the day comes for the final exam and . . . Wait. What's all this? You sit in absolute shock as you read question after question on topics you only vaguely recall. If at all. Your beleaguered brain cries out, "How can this be?!"

You took notes. You underlined and highlighted. You studied. You even joined a study group. Other people know stuff, right?!

There was so much material. Books-full. Months worth. Lecture after lecture. But, of course, exams only cover a small portion of the possible material. You spent so much time on stuff that, in the end, didn't help you on the Final Exam.

Oh! If only there had been some way to peek inside that teacher's head and find out what HE thought was most important. This day would be different. You would have invested your time on the stuff that counted. You would have spent absolute loads of time on that stuff. You would have made sure you would pass the final exam.

But here you are, at the end, and you know---you know---you're going to flunk this exam.

The good news? Most of us have finished our formal education and we don't have to worry about final exams. At least not this kind. More good news: the final Final Exam is still in the future for us. And, I managed to get a peek at it. I was surprised at what wasn't on it.

From Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭31-46‬ (The Message)

“When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.’

“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’

“Then he will turn to the ‘goats,’ the ones on his left, and say, ‘Get out, worthless goats! You’re good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because— I was hungry and you gave me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was homeless and you gave me no bed, I was shivering and you gave me no clothes, Sick and in prison, and you never visited.’

“Then those ‘goats’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn’t help?’ “He will answer them, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.’ “Then those ‘goats’ will be herded to their eternal doom, but the ‘sheep’ to their eternal reward.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭31-46‬ MSG)

Let's see now, is that all? Food for the hungry; drinkable water for the thirsty, shelter for the homeless, clothing for those who need it, remembering and visiting those who are ill and those who are in prison. It seems like there should be a LOT of other stuff (choose your news story . . . each one is important to someone).

But, who am I to argue with the Teacher?

Two Archers (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

Two archers met in a wood.

One archer, dressed in various shades of brown, entered the Wood from the east and walked westward. The other archer, dressed all in green, entered from the opposite side of the Wood and walked eastward. The brown archer strode purposefully; he clearly had a destination in mind. The green archer walked with ease, ambling a bit, taking in the beauty of the Wood.

Still, each was on such a path that, had they not halted, they would certainly have collided. Who can say for certain what causes one of us to take notice of another in such disparate mindsets? And yet, at the last, they did sense each other and stopped. For a few seconds they just looked at each other.

Then the brown archer said, "Hello friend. I see you, too, have come to use the King's archery range."

The green archer appeared surprised, looked about, and, only then, took notice of the targets set aways off to the north. The brown archer missed this reaction, having already set his gear and begun preparation to shoot.

All the green archer said was, "So, this is the King's range?"

"Oh yes!" replied the brown archer. "Do you not know? The King has set aside the whole of His Wood for the pleasure of His subjects. And he encourages us to use the range to improve our targeting."

As if to demonstrate, the brown archer nocked his first arrow, drew back, eyed the target, and let fly. The arrow flew swiftly across the vast clearing toward one of the targets. At first, the arrow was on course, but at the very last it appeared to lose speed. When it finally struck the target, the arrow rested well below the bullseye.

"Sin!" cried the green archer, a bright grin splitting his face. He was suddenly awakened to the fun that might be had here.

Selecting an arrow from his quiver, the green archer quickly nocked it, drew deeply on the bow, and released. In no time, a loud "THUNK" heralded the arrow's arrival at the other end the clearing. But it was not on the target. It was not even in the hay bales backing the targets. Rather, it was buried to the fletching in a hollow tree far off to the right.

"Miss," said the brown archer.

"At least it didn't fall short like yours!" crowed the green archer. Then, before the other could act, he grabbed another arrow, set it to string, and pulled even farther back before releasing. This arrow flew even faster than the first, slicing past the targets, over the bales, past the nearby trees, and off into the forest. No sound of its landing was heard.

The brown archer watched, frozen, as the green archer lofted a third arrow high and to the left, a fourth high and to the right, then turned and sent one through the woods behind them. Finally, shaken from his shock, the brown archer, cried, "What are you doing? You're not even TRYING to hit the target!"

"Of course not," replied the green archer. "How boring! The fun is in NOT aiming for the target! I so enjoy the feel of flinging the arrows off at top speed, the flexing of my muscles, and that sense of power! I really don't want to fuss with all that aiming."

The brown archer had heard enough. "Don't you realize there are others in the King's Wood? Your wild arrows could easily hit someone, perhaps even kill someone. We come here so we CAN practice our aim. This clearing is set up for just that exercise. That's WHY there are targets. Certainly the King knows we will not always hit the bullseye. I, for example, am plagued with a weak pull and my arrow often falls short. I tally many a sin. But no one, not even the worst archer, comes here INTENDING to do that. And we never act in such a way as to endanger others."

The green archer, no longer enjoying himself, gathered up his gear and spoke petulantly, "Well, YOU'RE no fun." He stalked away, continuing his original journey to the east.

The brown archer watched the other bowman disappear to the east. He stood that way for a while, thinking of the wild abandon with which the other had launched his missiles, recalling the days of his youth when he, too, had been the thoughtless archer. After a while longer, he selected an arrow from his quiver, nocked it along the string, pulled deeply on the bow, eyed the target for a long while . . .

And then let fly.

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"All who indulge in a sinful life are dangerously lawless, for sin is a major disruption of God’s order. Surely you know that Christ showed up in order to get rid of sin. There is no sin in him, and sin is not part of his program. No one who lives deeply in Christ makes a practice of sin. None of those who do practice sin have taken a good look at Christ. They’ve got him all backward.

So, my dear children, don’t let anyone divert you from the truth. It’s the person who acts right who is right, just as we see it lived out in our righteous Messiah. Those who make a practice of sin are straight from the Devil, the pioneer in the practice of sin. The Son of God entered the scene to abolish the Devil’s ways." (‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭4-8‬ MSG)

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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

Third Sunday of Easter (April 19, 2015)
First reading
Acts 3:12-19
Psalm
Psalm 4
Second reading
1 John 3:1-7
Gospel
Luke 24:36b-48

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Our Friday mornings at Lectionary Breakfast are a true pleasure. If you're in Waco, join us at 8:00 at the "Egg and I" restaurant. We will enjoy the treasures the King has shared with us, luxuriating in each other's company, and tasting the Word to see that it is good.

Bows and arrows are checked at the door.

Enjoy the week!
Steve

Photo by "rescuer" GoodWP.com

Complicit (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

Do you know the name, Lewis Powell? If so, then you get a gold star. Most people, even if they've heard it before, can't think why it should be memorable. Lewis Powell was involved in what many consider one of the greatest tragedies (if not THE greatest tragedy) in the history of the United States of America.

Well, that certainly narrows it down. No? OK, I won't keep you in suspense. Lewis Powell, and his friend George Atzerodt (another name you probably don't recognize), were accomplices of John Wilkes Booth.

Booth and his accomplices originally planned to kidnap President Abraham Lincoln, Vice President Andrew Johnson, and Secretary of State William Seward (of "Seward's Folly" fame). Then, as we all know, things changed. Their goal had always been to cripple the Union by removing the President and those immediately in line to replace him. But when kidnapping proved impossible, Booth decided assassination was their only other option.

We all know Booth's name. It is infamous. Not only did he assassinate the President, but his act, all by itself, led to the extremely harsh Reconstruction period the South had to endure following the Civil War. Lincoln had made it clear he desired a kindler, gentler reabsorption of the South into the Union. With his mediating influence gone, the hammer came down and came down hard.

Booth was gunned down by Federal troops at a farm in Virginia less than two weeks after the assassination. But what about the other two guys? Powell went to Seward's house, stabbed and seriously wounded him (but Seward survived). Atzerodt could not bring himself to attempt to assassinate Vice President Johnson (he went out drinking, instead). Nevertheless, both hanged for their roles as accomplices.

And that brings us to this week's Lectionary passages. I've read two of these stories many, many times: the murder of Naboth for his vineyard (1st Kings) and the murder of Uriah the Hittite for his wife (2nd Samuel). But on every other reading I missed something, something pretty significant.

These murderers had accomplices.

I have always focused on the actions of Ahab and Jezebel that led to Naboth's death. And, of course, we know of David's lust and how it led to the death of Bathsheba's husband. But none of these villains acted alone. Jezebel involved the "leaders and nobles" of Naboth's city in her murder plot. And David involved Joab, his chief military commander, as well as who knows how many troops, in leaving Uriah alone and unprotected in combat.

We eventually learn of God's response to the actions of Ahab, Jezebel, and and David for their evil machinations. Even though none of the three actually committed the act, God punished them harshly. But we never read anything about their accomplices. I think I know the reason for that.

I doubt these other people escaped the consequences of their complicity. "What goes around comes around" has always been truth. You do, in fact, reap what you sow. But I think the reason these are not reported to us in scripture is this: because some people are leaders while most people are led, the greatest consequence must fall upon the leaders.

Our takeaway? We should look around us and consider just who it is we lead (because there are always some that follow us). Then we should take a little time to reflect on just exactly where it is we are leading them and what is we are leading them to do.

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http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 6 (11) (June 16, 2013)

1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 15-21a
Psalm 5:1-8
2 Samuel 11:26-12:10, 13-15
Psalm 32
Galatians 2:15-21
Luke 7:36-8:3

We would love for you to join us at Lectionary Breakfast some Friday morning. We're at The Egg and I (Franklin and New Road in Waco) from about 8:00 am to about 9:00 am. Good food and even better company.

Enjoy the week!
Steve

One Brief Shining Moment

(a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

We disagree, we Jesus folk.

Contrary to what those looking in at us may think, there is no all encompassing cohesion on the inside of our belief set. We disagree about many things. We even disagree about what we call ourselves: Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, etc. . . . Or maybe just "Christian" . . . And for those with concerns about even that term, perhaps something simpler still: "follower of Jesus" or just "believer."

We disagree like this because we're human ---It may be our hallmark among the species :-)--- Still, there are a few things we agree on. One of them is this: one day Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. And then, for a bright shining moment, the crowd saw him as he truly was, their King.

It's difficult for us to grasp this scenario. The components seem, as one of my ancestors was fond of saying, "all whomper jawed." It stretches our credulity to think people would react with alleluias, blessings, and shouts of joy . . .

. . . to a man riding on a donkey.

So how do I explain it? My kingdom for a metaphor.

Most of us moderns have trouble relating to the extremely high level of anticipation flooding through the people of Israel at that time. I think that's why we kind of "skip over" this part when we think of what has come to be known as Passion Week. We know that the very heart of our beliefs are tied to the later events of that week. And, of course, we know that this so called "triumphal entry" was soon followed by some very UN-triumphal events, including His death. So, we "note" this procession, thinking of it as a kind of parade, and then shift our focus to what comes next.

But I am asking you to go back, to roll back the film if you will, to witness again this almost magical procession into Jerusalem. It's important, maybe more important than you've ever considered.

Imagine a man living near that city gate. He started his day having to shoulder his way through the crowds---the city is swelled with visitors readying themselves for the Passover later that week---so he could select the lamb for his family's Passover meal. Now, enjoying the relatively spacious elbow room of his rooftop, he is, perhaps, cooking that lamb. A part of his mind is certainly on the story of the first Passover and how, because of the blood of those first Passover lambs, the Angel of Death passed over the homes of his ancestors.

Another part is likely considering what everyone has been talking about: this man, Jesus, who supposedly walks on water, heals the sick, and raises the dead! Everyone had been speculating that maybe, just maybe, at long last their deliverance has come; that this is the Messiah, the Anointed One, the King who will throw off the shackle of Rome.

Then, he hears a commotion, over near the gate. He raises his eyes to take in something that, at first, he can hardly credit. He sees a man, riding into Jerusalem on a donkey; sees a growing crowd pulling off their cloaks and laying them, along with young palm fronds, into the path before the donkey.

And he feels a frisson of energy charge up his spine.

Everything is there just as predicted by the prophets: the donkey, the crowds, the shouts of "Hosanna!" and "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of The Lord!" Suddenly he finds himself running; down the steps, out the door, toward the gate; hears his own voice joining those of strangers and neighbors in joyful expression of what has been pent up for SO LONG.

He is shouting and laughing and crying, living to the fullest the greatest moment of his life. All is well! All will be well! At last, at last. Their savior has come.

People with a great desire to believe in their hope are charged with an energy that is truly mind-blowing in its intensity.

The thrill of hope.

That's what we are missing if we slide over this scene. That's what we MUST go back for. If we truly ARE believers, then this is how we must see our Lord, triumphantly arriving as our King.

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http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu

READINGS FOR EASTER
Acts 10:34-43
Isaiah 65:17-25
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
Acts 10:34-43
John 20:1-18
Luke 24:1-12

I know this reflection doesn't "line up" with the readings for Easter Sunday. I did this on purpose. Unless we realize just who it is we believe in, our understanding of what follows the triumphal entry is missing its best context. We must always remember with what "longing fulfilled," with what HOPE, He was welcomed into Jerusalem.

If we can even come close to that in our own joy, we will begin to understand the truth of our current relationship with God.

If you're in Waco, join us Friday at The Egg and I for some good food and something even better. We will be there at 8:00 a.m. for about an hour of thought-provoking, idea storming, thrill-inducing moments.

And absolutely full of hope.

Enjoy the week!
Steve

What You Have

What you have
(a brief Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

"Is it OK for God's people to have stuff?"

That's the question, in one form or another, I get from time to time. The questioner is concerned about materialism. And more specifically, they are concerned about the conflicting messages they are receiving from well-meaning believers and spiritual leaders.

On the one hand, we are bombarded with messages that say, in effect, if we DON'T have stuff, it's because we don't have enough faith, or enough of the right kind of faith. The message: your lack of stuff is a direct measure of your lack of faith. Simultaneously, we are bombarded from the complete opposite direction with messages telling us that we must NOT have stuff (or only have very little stuff) because stuff gets between us and God. The message: the less stuff you have, the closer to God you are.

To say the messages are confusing is somewhat of an understatement. As a result, it is quite common for us to just PICK A SIDE rather than remain confused . . . even though we are often unable to fully explain the Biblical basis for our choice.

Part of the confusion comes from the fact that we are not asking the right question. Behind the question, "Is it OK for God's people to have stuff?", is what we really want to know: "Is it OK for ME to have stuff?" As it turns out, that is a much better question, and one we can address through scripture.

Throughout the Bible there are many people depicted as having stuff; all the kings, for example. Also, there are many large land owners in scripture---including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob---who have large households, thousands of head of cattle and/or sheep, productive farming operations with many employees to perform the many tasks that attend such estates. These would be the equivalent of today's super-rich.

There are good kings and bad kings, good wealthy people and bad wealthy people. In fact, it is quite rare that the reader of scripture encounters a person who is lauded for their wealth or their lack of wealth. We read of Joseph, who comes from a wealthy background, gets sold into slavery, goes to prison, and then rises to the highest position under Pharaoh. We read of David, also from a well-off family, who goes from shepherd to soldier to sovereign.

Moses had it all and gave it all up to flee a murder charge, but ends up leading a nation. Job had it all only to see it all taken from him, and then, eventually, received even more than he had to begin with. The Prophet Elijah lives for a while on just what God gives him to eat and drink, but later has a servant and a residence. Then there is the Prophet Obadiah who worked for an evil king, lived in relative luxury during the famine, but served God honorably. Rahab is a prostitute who becomes a princess. Ruth is a widow who marries a wealthy land owner. Esther, a slave, enters a beauty contest and becomes the queen of a nation.

And then there's Solomon, someone who never knew anything but wealth. When pressed for a definitive answer, this week's scripture about Solomon is where I point people. Is it OK for you to have stuff? Personally, I don't think the answer lies with the stuff; it lies with you.

What you have
Has you.
Neither bad nor good;
Just true.

What is your relationship to the stuff? I ask that because this question about whether it's OK to have stuff is a "first world" question. It's not a "third world" question. We only ask the question because we live in a place where there is plenty. In undeveloped or underdeveloped countries, they're asking much more fundamental questions. There is not a surfeit of stuff with which to be concerned.

If God asked you, as he did of Solomon, what you want, what would your answer be? Solomon's answer perfectly reflects the idea of "Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you."

Do you have questions about materials things? or about ANY thing? Do as Solomon did: ask God for wisdom. He will give it, and more. The question then becomes, not WHETHER you may have stuff---you live in the first world; there's a LOT of stuff here---but rather what does your God-given wisdom tell you to do with it?

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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt

Proper 15 (20) (August 19, 2012)
1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14
Psalm 111
Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm 34:9-14
Ephesians 5:15-20
John 6:51-58

Lots of great selections this week on wisdom. Soak it up! :-)

We will be enjoying each other's company and some great food this Friday morning at Cafe Cappuccino (downtown Waco, on 6th near the Courthouse). Join us at 8:00 if you are in town.

Enjoy the week!
Steve

Mad Men

Mad Men
(a brief Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

Even if you haven't seen it, you have probably heard about the television show called, "Mad Men." This dark drama focuses on a fictional advertising firm in the 1960s; has won numerous awards; is chock full of unethical, morally bankrupt characters; and has a protagonist so complex and tragic, Shakespeare would fight to get his name on the credits.

[On the off chance you are interested in my opinion, here is my take on the show. First, it isn't uplifting; so keep that in mind when deciding whether to watch it. Unless you can remember the '60s (or at least lived THROUGH the '60s, even if you can't remember it all), you probably won't have the historical anchoring to put it in perspective. Without it, your viewing experience may be more like what Roger Ebert said about "The Wild Bunch": bad people we know doing bad things to bad people we don't know. Yes, it is trainwreck-fascinating, well written, and extremely well acted; but don't go there if you are looking for something uplifting. It's more "MacBeth" or "Hamlet" than "Much Ado About Nothing." On the other hand, it IS morally instructive ;-) ]

But, I digress.

With the success of Mad Men has come a renewed attention to the advertising business. People are once again thinking about the whys and wherefores of how some people get other people to think a certain way about a specific thing. And "branding" is key to that understanding.

In the 1960s (see the connection?), the top two soft drinks sold in the world were Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola, in that order. And, despite many attempts by many advertising firms, no one could crack that block. In fact, no one could even come close . . . until 1967.

In that year, 7Up launched an advertising campaign that is still talked about among advertising practitioners and is still taught in many schools for its unique approach to solving a serious branding concern called, "top of mind awareness" (TOMA); i.e. how to position a product so high up in the mind of a consumer that they just naturally think of the product with little or no prompting. Using ideas pioneered by Jack Trout and Al Reis (see "Positioning:The Battle for Your Mind"), 7Up launched its new advertising campaign. Instead of trying to break into the top tier of the "cola" position, 7Up did something brilliant: created a NEW position, the UNcola position. And promptly claimed the top spot by declaring their product THE uncola.

7Up gained its TOMA because it refused to play the game on the same playing field as colas. Instead of being stuck several rungs down on the cola "ladder" in the minds of consumers, 7Up made its own ladder and immediately occupied the top rung. They sold a lot of 7Up.

Which brings us to David.

As we saw in last week's reading, after God rejected Saul as King of Israel, God chose the LAST person any contemporary would have picked for King, if they had thought of David at all, something which his own father failed to do when the Prophet Samuel told him to gather his sons for God's anointing. Until prompted by Samuel, Jesse apparently forget he even HAD another son. Or maybe Jesse had ruled out David as a likely candidate. David was the runt, the youngest, the smallest. The UNking.

And this continues when it comes to fighting Israel's enemies in this week's reading. No one thinks of David when Goliath taunts the armies of Israel. David isn't a warrior. He's the shepherd boy. But God had a different idea. Isn't that just like God? No one was thinking about David as a solution to their giant problem. He just wasn't top-of-mind when it came to that brand. And there was already a King, who, as far as the people knew, was God's anointed.

Most of us know about David and his five smooth stones (though I bet you don't recall that David RAN TOWARD Goliath while winding up for the pitch . . . Awesome). So we know God uses David to defeat Israel's most dangerous enemy, making David the hero of the battle. And shortly thereafter, God makes him the hero of EVERY battle.

The UNking becomes top of mind. And that's how God does it.

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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 7 (12) (June 24, 2012)
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49
Psalm 9:9-20
Or
1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 18:10-16
Psalm 133

Job 38:1-11
Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41

For more reading on 7Up's brilliant campaign, see "the UN COLA advertisement campaign by 7up: a master stroke to change the competitive space itself" by Paritosh Kashyap on his MANAGEMENT GURU blog at http://themanagmentguru.blogspot.com/2009/11/un-cola-advertisement-campaign-by-7up.html