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Bible Readings for Monday February 21st, 2011 – The 7th Week of Epiphany *Click on each bible passage to expand the text. Psalm 119:57-64 57. The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words.

58. I implore your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.

59. When I think of your ways, I turn my feet to your decrees;

60. I hurry and do not delay to keep your commandments.

61. Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law.

62. At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.

63. I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts.

64. The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes… Proverbs 25:11-22 11. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

12. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.

13. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest are faithful messengers to those who send them; they refresh the spirit of their masters.

14. Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of a gift never given.

15. With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break bones.

16. If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, or else, having too much, you will vomit it.

17. Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, otherwise the neighbor will become weary of you and hate you.

18. Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.

19. Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble.

20. Like vinegar on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. Like a moth in clothing or a worm in wood, sorrow gnaws at the human heart.

21. If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat; and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink;

22. for you will heap coals of fire on their heads, and the LORD will reward you. Romans 12:9-21 9. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;

10. love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.

11. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.

12. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

13. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

15. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

16. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.

17. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.

18. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

19. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

20. No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.”

21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes… – Psalm 119:64

If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat; and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink; – Proverbs 25:21

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12:21

“This all sounds good in theory, but… it’s just not practical in REAL life.”

Sound familiar? I’m sure it does. Not only is this the most common response to the highlighted passages above, but it’s probably exactly what the little voice inside you is saying right now. Even myself, who longs for humanity to live with compassion and love so badly that I feel like I am dying from the heartache, my “logical” mind still whispers its cynical excuses to my heart.

Why are we so hardwired to be so cynical about the efficacy of selfless compassion? Why are we so beholden to the ways of retribution and violence?

Because we humans are creatures of fear. From the “reptilian complex” of our brains echo hard-learned lessons from generations past: kill of be killed.

In this light, there is no real difference between animals and humans. Our individual survival is paramount. Self-sacrifice for the sake of the whole is rare if not absent.

However, there is a factor not present in scientific delineations of the human brain: the human soul. Our soul is what separates us from the rest of Creation. It is our personal deposit of the divine incarnate that makes humans capable of so much more than base savagery and retribution. It is from God. It is God.

This understanding is enlightened even more by yesterday’s reading:

1 Corinthians 3 16. Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

And the Word of God teaches us something far different than the instincts found emanating from our reptilian complex: love and compassion are paramount.

Violence and bloodshed, revenge and retribution are not required to change the world. We have witnessed over and over throughout history the monumental force that is compassionate resistance. Empires have been toppled, entire peoples liberated, equality restored and justice assured.. all without violence.

Why should we be capable of such a paradigm shift in our nature as a species? Because it is God’s nature, and all things are possible in God’s Grace because fear cannot flourish in Grace.

And when we can abolish fear, we abolish all the instincts of the “reptilian complex” and allow the divine instincts of love and compassion to rule our actions in this world.

Thanks be to God.