{"id":6109,"date":"2017-01-31T07:53:32","date_gmt":"2017-01-31T12:53:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/?p=6109"},"modified":"2017-01-25T12:07:52","modified_gmt":"2017-01-25T17:07:52","slug":"february-5-2017-vision-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/february-5-2017-vision-future\/","title":{"rendered":"February 5, 2017&#8211;Vision for the Future"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Scott Mims&#8211;Virginia Beach, VA<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Warm-up Question<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>On a scale from 1 to 10 \u2013 with 1 being totally pessimistic and 10 being totally optimistic \u2013 how do you see the world today?<\/li>\n<li>Using the same scale, how do you view the possibilities for your future?<\/li>\n<li>Do you think that our present vision of reality &#8211; how we \u201csee\u201d things today \u2013 impacts the future we will experience? Why or why not?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Vision for the Future<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>On Friday, January 20, Donald Trump was officially sworn in as the 45<sup>th<\/sup> President of the United States.\u00a0 In his inaugural address, President Trump laid out an assessment of our nation\u2019s current situation, as well as a vision of the challenges that his administration will overcome as part of a \u201cgreat national effort to rebuild our country and to restore its promise for all of our people.\u201d\u00a0 With stirring images that evoke solidarity, unity of purpose, and a focus on America first, President Trump presented, in broad, bold strokes, a plan to \u201cmake America great again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/01\/iStock-519649676.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-6117 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/01\/iStock-519649676-300x125.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/01\/iStock-519649676-300x125.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/01\/iStock-519649676-768x319.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/01\/iStock-519649676-1024x425.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/01\/iStock-519649676-250x104.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/01\/iStock-519649676-700x291.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/01\/iStock-519649676.jpg 1589w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Naturally, reactions to the President\u2019s speech have been mixed.\u00a0 His words have met with great approval among many Americans. They have found this address \u201crevolutionary,\u201d \u201cmemorable,\u201d and \u201cinspiring.\u201d<a href=\"http:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/johnzogby\/2017\/01\/20\/president-trumps-inaugural-address-was-revolutionary\/#6cf73116cf99\">[1]\u00a0<\/a> Others have characterized the speech as \u201cdark and defiant,\u201d both in terms of the current picture it paints of our nation, and the path that it lays before us.<a href=\"http:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2017\/01\/20\/donald-trump-president-inauguration-speech-analysis-defiant-address-and-political-revolt\/96836152\/ https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/politics\/archive\/2017\/01\/trump-inaugural-speech-analysis\/513956\/\" name=\"_ftnref2\">[2]<\/a>\u00a0 We will all have to wait and see how President Trump\u2019s vision for America actually unfolds in the coming years, but, for the moment, his first address to the nation as President has provided much for people to think about and discuss.<\/p>\n<p>A full transcript of President Trump\u2019s speech can be found online:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2017\/01\/20\/politics\/trump-inaugural-address\/\">http:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2017\/01\/20\/politics\/trump-inaugural-address\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Discussion Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Did you watch the inauguration or a replay of the President\u2019s speech? If so, what do you think about his address? How do you feel about the vision it presents?(Note: if your group is particularly divided in opinion, of if there are strong feelings present, practice the discipline of listening to one another in love by giving each person an opportunity to simply share their feelings or opinions without rebuttal, debate, or any need to convince others.)<\/li>\n<li>Using a piece of paper, a dry erase board, or some way of making a list, record your group\u2019s answers to the following two questions:\n<ol>\n<li>When you think about your community, our nation, and the world today, what is the \u201cdarkness\u201d that you see? That is, what are some of the issues, situations, or problems that make you most worried, fearful or anxious about the future?<\/li>\n<li>What \u201clight\u201d is there for you? What makes you hopeful, encouraged, or inspired?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Fifth Sunday after Epiphany<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/?ql=352360594\">Isaiah 58:1-9a [9b-12]<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/?ql=352360627\">1 Corinthians 2:1-12 [13-16]<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/?ql=352360666\">Matthew 5:13-20 <\/a><\/p>\n<p>(Text links are to <a href=\"http:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/\">Oremus Bible Browser<\/a>. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.elca.org\/Our-Work\/Congregations-and-Synods\/Worship\/Lectionary\/YearB\">Lectionary Readings<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic <a href=\"http:\/\/www.agnusday.org\/\">Agnus Day.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Gospel Reflection<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This week\u2019s gospel lesson is from a collection of Jesus\u2019 teaching that we call <em>The Sermon on the Mount<\/em>.\u00a0 Though the crowds are listening in on this \u201csermon\u201d, Jesus\u2019 is speaking primarily to his disciples.\u00a0 And so, his teachings today are especially for all who would seek to follow him.<\/p>\n<p><em>Salt and Light<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou are the salt of the earth\u2026.\u201d Jesus often took ordinary things and turned them into lessons that explained deeper realities, and that is exactly what he is doing in verses 13-16. To begin with, salt was a very precious commodity in the Ancient world.\u00a0 It was used to preserve food as well as to season it.\u00a0 There is a distinctive \u201cflavor\u201d that Jesus\u2019 followers are to bring to the world as we seek to impact things for good. Even so, salt back then often wasn\u2019t pure.\u00a0 It could lose its saltiness, leaving behind the impurities in the form of a useless white residue.\u00a0 In a similar fashion, those who claim to follow Jesus, but whose lives are not characterized by service, care for others, self-discipline and mutual love, are like this \u201cnon-salt\u201d \u2013 empty of any real flavor.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou are the light of the world\u2026.\u201d\u00a0 Like salt, even a little light in a darkened room can make a big difference. It lights up the way, exposes the shadows for what they really are; it brings direction, help, clarity, comfort. According to the Prophet Isaiah, part of Israel\u2019s calling from God was to be a \u201clight to the nations.\u201d (Isa. 42:6; 49:6)\u00a0 They were to be light-bearers to shine God\u2019s light and love into all of the dark corners of the world.\u00a0 Like a lamp giving light to <u>all<\/u> in the house, their lives were not just to show evil up for what it really is, but to allow people to find their way out by coming to know God. In the same way, our good works are not to be hidden.\u00a0 We, too, are called by God in baptism to be light-bearers as we reflect the light of Christ into our world.\u00a0 As we say when we hand a candle to those who have just been baptized, we are to let the light within us shine, that people may see our good works and give God praise and glory.<\/p>\n<p>Another point to make about these verses is that the \u201cyou\u201d in them is plural, not singular. Or, as we would say where I grew up, \u201c<u>All y\u2019all<\/u> are the salt of the earth\u2026.\u201d The point being that it is the <u>community<\/u> of Jesus\u2019 followers as whole that is being challenged to live as salt and light together.\u00a0 We cannot accomplish these things all on our own, we need one another and a community of faith.<\/p>\n<p>And finally, being salt and light is based on who we already are in Christ.\u00a0 Jesus says, \u201cYou <u>are<\/u> salt\u2026you <u>are<\/u> light,\u201d not that doing certain things will make us salt and light.\u00a0 As Lutherans, we understand that it is God\u2019s love and grace in our lives that saves us and makes us God\u2019s own. Our good works, our living out our \u201csaltiness\u201d and sharing the light of Christ with the world, come as our <em>response<\/em> to what God, in Christ, has <em>first<\/em> done for us.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Law and the Prophets<\/em><\/p>\n<p>There has been much scholarly debate over the second part of our gospel lesson, and what exactly it means for Jesus to <em>fulfill <\/em>the law and the prophets.\u00a0 That is, what does it mean that the whole story of Israel \u2013 all of the commands and promises of the scriptures \u2013 are to come true in him?\u00a0 Is it Jesus\u2019 own personal keeping of Torah?\u00a0 Is it, as Matthew often points out, the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus\u2019 life?\u00a0 Is it Jesus\u2019 own authority, and his teaching as expressed in the love-commandment (22:40) from which the other commandments take their meaning? Is it all of these and more? Many possibilities are discussed.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, whatever Jesus\u2019 fulfillment of the law and prophets ultimately means, it is clear that he does not throw out the Hebrew Scriptures \u2013 what we call our Old Testament.\u00a0 Even though Jesus does reinterpret key passages at later points in Matthew\u2019s gospel, the law and the prophets are still important for followers of Jesus.<\/p>\n<p>It is also clear, from the final verse of this passage, that the sort of righteousness \u2013 that is, right behavior and actions &#8211; that Jesus is looking for is the righteousness which comes from hearts and minds that are guided by his teachings and example.\u00a0 In short, we are to \u201cpractice what we preach.\u201d\u00a0 This will become even more apparent as we continue through the <em>Sermon on the Mount<\/em> over the next several Sundays.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Discussion Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What do you think it means to be the \u201csalt of the earth\u201d and the \u201clight of the world?\u201d Can you think of specific attitudes, actions, values or beliefs that go along with being salt and light?<\/li>\n<li>What are some of your favorite verses from the Bible? How do you experience God speaking to you through these scriptures?<\/li>\n<li>How might you be \u201clight\u201d to one another? What are some ways you can support one another in your daily walk of faith?<\/li>\n<li>Revisit your list of \u201cdarkness\u201d and \u201clight\u201d from the current events discussion. How might you bring the light of Christ into some of the areas of darkness you have listed? Can you choose an issue or two and brainstorm some individual or group actions that you could possibly take?\u00a0 Don\u2019t underestimate the power of small acts.\u00a0 Remember, it only takes a little salt to season a dish; it only takes one candle to pierce the darkness.<\/li>\n<li>Vision is a powerful thing. The pictures we hold in our minds have great impact, not only on how things turn out, but on who we are.\u00a0 Talk together about Jesus\u2019 vision for his followers \u2013 his vision for the church. As we approach the 500<sup>th<\/sup> Anniversary of the Reformation, where do you think we need to be re-formed today?\u00a0 What might that mean for you personally?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Activity Suggestions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How could you be \u201csalt\u201d together in your own community? Are there needs or issues that you could address in even small ways?\u00a0 How might your group serve together?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>For a more active take on the above question, split into groups of 3-4 participants. Give each group a large, blank sheet of paper some markers.\u00a0 Have them draw a picture of a \u201csalty Christian,\u201d depicting \/ labeling specific attitudes, actions, or values. For instance, they might draw a \u201cheart of faith,\u201d \u201chands for serving,\u201d etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For further ideas on being \u201csalt\u201d and \u201clight\u201d in regards to some of the larger issues faced by our nation and world, check out the article \u201cAdvocacy as witness: A voice for common good\u201d in the October 2016 edition of <em>Living Lutheran<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Closing Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lord Jesus Christ, you name us your own and call us to reflect your love into the world.\u00a0\u00a0 Help us to do so.\u00a0 Give us eyes to see the many opportunities for sharing and experiencing grace that you give to us day by day.\u00a0 Give us feet to walk in your way, and catch us when we stumble.\u00a0 And give us hands to reach out in love and action that we may bring your light to dark places. This we pray in your holy name.\u00a0 Amen<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Scott Mims&#8211;Virginia Beach, VA \u00a0 Warm-up Question On a scale from 1 to 10 \u2013 with 1 being totally pessimistic and 10 being totally optimistic \u2013 how do you see the world today? Using the same scale, how do you view the possibilities for your future? Do you think that our present vision of reality [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1400],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-post"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>February 5, 2017-Vision for the Future - Faith Lens<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/february-5-2017-vision-future\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"February 5, 2017-Vision for the Future - Faith Lens\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Scott Mims&#8211;Virginia Beach, VA \u00a0 Warm-up Question On a scale from 1 to 10 \u2013 with 1 being totally pessimistic and 10 being totally optimistic \u2013 how do you see the world today? 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