Got to BE a Better Way (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

The other people in the restaurant gave us some strange looks.

Granted, we earned those looks. Partly, it was the hour. A large gaggle of high school students troops into the Frisch's Big Boy at 10:00 p.m. on a school night; that, by itself, would turn a few heads. In our little river city, everyone knew where we were SUPPOSED to be at that hour: at home, maybe even in bed, already. School days started early.

We pushed a few tables together, earning more looks. Each of us asked for a menu, but almost all of us just ordered a Big Boy, fries, and drink. One girl ordered a salad. And one guy ordered onion rings instead of fries. But none of us actually looked at the menus in our hands. That got us a look from the waitress.

Then, only after putting in our orders, we lifted our menus and started reading them ... out loud ... expressively.

We were there because drama rehearsal at the high school had run a bit later than usual. And, well, no one really wanted to go home. We were keyed up and hungry. There were one or two other places open that late where high school students could legitimately go, but Big Boy was right across the street and, thus, the natural choice.

Yes, it was a few minutes of light-hearted silliness; but as odd as it may seem, the expressive reading of those menus actually served a purpose. If we could infuse interest and convey meaning when reading the words printed on a menu, we were well on our way to doing the same with the lines in our spring play. Mr. Miller, our erstwhile speech teacher and drama coach, would have been happy for our industry; but, likely, a little chagrined at our choice of venue.

There's a great scene in the movie, The Candidate, where Robert Redford's character, first time senatorial candidate Bill McKay, has recently given in to his campaign advisors and adopted a slogan, "There's got to be a better way -- McKay." In the scene, he slumps in the back seat of a car, exhausted from an already long day of campaigning that is far from over. He repeatedly mumbles part of the slogan, each time changing the emphasis: "Got to BE a better way ... GOT to be a better way ... Got to be a BETTER way ... Got to be a better WAY." In the front seat, two of his handlers give each other the eye, wondering if he has gone over the edge.

Our late night burgers and menu readings were something like that scene, and the event stands out in my memory. Not just because of the looks we garnered, and not at all because my reading partner was a cute girl (smile). It stands out because it underscored for me, in an unforgettable way, that HOW we read the words of others MATTERS. Changing which words or syllables to emphasize in a sentence or phrase can completely change the meaning.

And so, I call on you to read with care the words of God in this week's Lectionary selection from Job, especially the opening sentences. Many a translator has rendered Job 38:2-3 to "read" almost conversationally. Consider the New Revised Standard Version: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me."

I found this same kind of mild rendering in many translations and versions. And even though the word, "counsel" actually indicates God's design or purposes ---See? That already changes the meaning--- some substituted "advice" for "counsel," making it even more bland. With the exception of Job 19:25, these final chapters are the most important in the book, and among the most important in the Bible. They are all about the sovereignty of God. And "hearing" them correctly makes a difference.

Below is my understanding of the meaning of those two key verses, the ones that set the tone for the remainder of God's response to Job. I welcome your comments and thoughts. Let me know if you agree or if you "hear" it differently.

"WHO dares? Who DARES cloud MY DESIGN in darkness? Step forward and brace yourself. Now it is MY turn to interrogate YOU. Perhaps you think YOU can teach ME."

Now go read the rest of it.

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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 24 (29) (October 18, 2015)
First reading and Psalm
Job 38:1-7, (34-41)
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c
Alternate First reading and Psalm
Isaiah 53:4-12
Psalm 91:9-16
Second reading
Hebrews 5:1-10
Gospel
Mark 10:35-45

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We're having a GREAT time Friday mornings at Lectionary breakfast! The food, the scriptures, and, seriously, the laughter, add immeasurably to the quality of our weeks and our lives. If you're nearby, join us at the Waco "Egg and I" restaurant at 8:00 for an hour like no other. If you've ever wondered, let me assure you, there really IS a better way.

Enjoy the week!
Steve
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For more info about the wonderful Frisch's Big Boy restaurants, check out this link; it's the source of the above photo: http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Frisch's_Big_Boy

The Kessel Run (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

You might be surprised to learn that real scientists can be upset by what is said by fictional characters.

Oh yes, it's true. In fact, they can get in quite a tizzy about the most arcane things. They get into heated debates about the accuracy, and more specifically, the likelihood, of such things.

Case in point: in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (the first movie), Han Solo boasts that his spaceship, the Millennium Falcon, is more than fast enough to meet the needs of Luke and Obi-Wan, claiming, "It's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs."

Astronomers everywhere blanched.

A Parsec, it turns out, is a measurement of distance, not time. One Parsec is roughly 3.26 Light Years or 19 trillion miles (that's close enough for our purposes).

So, if Han wasn't bragging about the speed of his ship, what did he mean?

Well, the Internet is FULL of answers.

Many serious scientists have weighed in on this, and their answers run the gamut. A sample: one theory suggests that Han took a short-cut through a dangerous region of space to reduce the distance, went where a more risk-averse pilot would not. Another scientist talked of wormholes (or hyperspace). One even wrote a very learned paper on why it HAD TO BE time-travel.

The situation is somewhat akin to what happens when we read the statements of Jesus, especially when he tells a parable. We often get caught up in the details of the parable, completely missing the reason why Jesus told it.

In the case of Han Solo, it is unlikely there will ever be an answer that is acceptable to everyone. However, George Lucas is on record (there's a note in the script) that Han was "obviously lying." The reactions to Han's claim, especially that of Luke Skywalker, strongly support Lucas' answer.

And who knows better than the author?

In this week's Lectionary passages, we have "the parable of the unjust judge" told by Jesus to his disciples:

"Then Jesus told them a parable to show them they should always pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people. There was also a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but later on he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor have regard for people, yet because this widow keeps on bothering me, I will give her justice, or in the end she will wear me out by her unending pleas.’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says! Won’t God give justice to his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay long to help them? I tell you, he will give them justice speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:1-8 NET)

The debates about the various particulars associated with this parable are, seemingly, infinite. How much of a role model is that judge for us? Are "we" the widow in the story? Who is her adversary, in "real life?" And what is Jesus trying to tell US with that last statement about faith? On and on.

All of it, in my opinion, missing the point.

If you read it and come away with any conclusion other than we "should always pray and not lose heart," then you have drifted from the purpose of the parable. It's right there in the very first line of the passage.

And who knows better than the author?

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http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 24 (29) (October 20, 2013)

Jeremiah 31:27-34
Psalm 119:97-104
Genesis 32:22-31
Psalm 121
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Luke 18:1-8

We're continuing to meet for Lectionary Breakfast every Friday morning at the Waco "EGG AND I" restaurant. Join us at 8:00 for some excellent earth-based foods and some celestial discussions.

Astrophysicist are welcome, but must limit themselves to language we can all understand ;-)

Enjoy the week!
Steve