Over the last month we have sung a hymn in time of national struggle, we have argued with the Almighty, gone beyond human limits, reflected on narcissism and considered what we might learn from the story of Esther. Today we settle into these verses from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.
Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without God’s unfolding grace.
In the midst of turmoil, there is the promise of renewal.
These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye.
Despite the pain that feels eternal, hope rises with the promise of restoration.
The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.
Although our fears bring us insurmountable anxiety, we have the assurance of transformation.
God puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less.
In all times and in all places, in all sorrows and in all joys, God’s grace remains. Once we recognize this, we never settle for less.
When we compare this translation of today’s reading with others, and when we weigh our troubles with the promise of the covenant, we know that each day God’s grace brings us more than meets the eye.
Pietro Paolini: The Intercession of Esther with King Ahasuerus and Haman
Thursday, February 20, 2025
The survival of a minority is central to the story we have explored over the last two weeks; and the threats and schemes we see in Esther’s story speak to many among us today. The reality of vulnerability rises as power corrupts. Those who live in the shadows of affluence live without the security taken for granted by the privileged. We excuse discrimination. We nurse prejudices. Rather than find root causes for the demons that stalk us, we build protective walls around our comfort zone and describe “the other” as someone to fear. Esther tells us of the danger we invite when we nurture our contentment to overlook the powerful effects of envy. None of this is limited to ancient times. Indeed, too often we live this way today.
Haman was furious when he realized that Mordecai was not going to kneel and bow to him, and when he learned that Mordecai was a Jew, he decided to do more than punish Mordecai alone. He made plans to kill every Jew in the whole Persian Empire. (3:5-6)
When we re-read these verses and insert the names we see in our headlines today, we bring this story into focus. Dislike for “the other” we do not know – or whom we do not understand – plants seeds of hatred. In contemporary society, a torrent of news loops waters nascent loathing, while social media filter bubbles create hothouses that spur growth of hatred. Those along the fringes of society find themselves far from any possible avenue of inclusion.
Haman hurried home, covering his face in embarrassment. He told his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then she and those wise friends of his told him, “You are beginning to lose power to Mordecai. He is a Jew, and you cannot overcome him. He will certainly defeat you.”(6:12-13)
If we hope to build the bridges God asks us to build, we must open ourselves to the fear of others to offer assurance. Only then will we find the tools to create unity.
If we hope to inspire the compassion Christ asks us to nurture, we must ask gentle questions with patience and understanding. Only then will we find the courage to respond to God’s call.
If we hope to build peace in a world longing for harmony, we must act in the Spirit to include, to heal, to love. Only then will we begin to erase the lines that create the margins on which too many live.
Tomorrow, a final word from Esther as we move toward our Lenten journey.
When we compare other translations of these verses, we begin to find our way through the fog of hatred.
Esther 7 concludes abruptly with the hanging of Haman. We have perhaps looked for this outcome, hoping for the justice we desire in our own lives. We suspected that inversion will take place and that the plotter will suffer the fate he planned for others; but these outcomes have not halted the plot to annihilate the Jewish nation. Today we watch as Esther and Mordecai take steps to stop the impending slaughter.
With New Testament thinking, we shrink from the violence of fighting back. Revenge has no place in the Pax Christi kingdom of Jesus where we forgive, and even intervene for our enemies. So it is with sadness that we read this chapter’s closing verse.
In fact, many other people became Jews, because they were afraid of them now.
On this first Sunday of Lent, we take time to reflect on the power of egocentric living. Experts tell us that when we acquiesce to narcissists, we give them power; and that the key to escaping one like Haman is to detach, observe, protect ourselves, and plan an escape. Esther and Mordecai stand quietly against injustice; yet they leave their own trail of bloodshed, as we will see tomorrow. Rather than establish peace for all, the envy and narcissism that haunt Esther and Mordecai continue to nurture division, suspicion, and old hatred. They may have escaped the power of the narcissist, but the power of unilateral thinking remains. The murder of the Jewish nation is averted, but slaughter nonetheless takes place.
Tomorrow, our modern Purim.
When we compare translations of this chapter, we look for ways to undo the bloodshed that happens too frequently in our lives.
Yesterday we assessed the narcissism we might discover in ourselves and how unilateral listening governs our world circumstances. Today we reflect on how Esther and Mordecai operate in their world – and what we might learn from them.
It is clear that Haman is consumed by envy of Mordecai and while we cannot analyze this character from a Biblical story, we can certainly learn from his actions. It is also clear that Esther – as a woman but especially as a Jewish woman in a non-Jewish court – fears for her life, and the life of her nation. The kingdom of Xerxes is an ancient one in which individual rights are denied to most. We might believe that we as a species have evolved and it is true that in general, we have. However, many peoples in our modern society have no benefit of personal rights. When this happens, we might speculate, it is often the result of someone, or some group, behaving in a narcissistic manner. Navigating these troubling conditions is difficult at best. What does the story of Esther have to tell us?
Queen Esther answered, “If it please Your Majesty to grant my humble request, my wish is that I may live and that my people may live”.
Humility is usually an ineffective tool against brutality; it seems to encourage even more violence. Yet, here we see that despite her humble behavior and words, Esther acts in order to save a people.
“If you keep quiet at a time like this, help will come from heaven to the Jews, and they will be saved, but you will die and your father’s family will come to an end. Yet who knows—maybe it was for a time like this that you were made queen!” (Esther 4:14)
On Wednesday when we explored Chapter 4, we considered Martin Neimöller’s advice that if we do not speak against evil and injustice, we guarantee not our safety, but our sure demise. Despite their fear, Esther and Mordecai form a solidarity of two as they begin a quiet, patient assertion of justice and truth.
An article from Psychology Today gives us guidelines to manage the effects of narcissism. These experts advise that we evaluate both our surroundings and the narcissist to look for context, that we maintain a firm sense of purpose along with a sense of humor, and that we remain realistic about how much we can accomplish when working with the self-centered. If we are in dangerous surroundings, controlled by a persecutor as Esther and Mordecai are, we begin by turning to God and finding others with whom to form solidarity. We move forward with patience, reliance on the Creator, persisting in hope, and acting in mercy.
Tomorrow, fighting back.
When we read varying translations of this story by using the scripture link and the drop-down menus, we find an opportunity to transform a world beset by narcissism.
Our current national stage, with its cast of actors, asks us to explore the concept of narcissism. Unless we are professional in the field of psychoanalysis, we must consult those who have expertise and experience in discovering and handling those among us who suffer from this disorder of unilateral listening. For the layperson, an article fromPsychology Todayoutlines six signs of narcissism, contains a quiz with which readers might assess themselves, and offers strategies to become less self-centered. Today’s reading from Esther gives us another template with which to measure ourselves.
Have royal robes brought for this man—robes that you yourself wear.
Are we able to use the criticism we receive in a positive manner? Are we willing to see that we are sometimes wrong?
Have a royal ornament put on your own horse.
Can we see that a world exists beyond our person? Do we believe that others hold truths that are, at the least, equal to our own?
Then have one of your highest noblemen dress the man in these robes and lead him, mounted on the horse, through the city square.
Are we willing to abide by the guidelines set by the group? Do we see ourselves as so special that rules do not apply to us?
Have the nobleman announce as they go: “See how the king rewards someone he wishes to honor!”
Are we willing to give others the praise we wish to have ourselves? Are we comfortable when others receive praise we seek?
Haman hurried home, covering his face in embarrassment.
Are we quick to anger? What do we do with our negative feelings? How do we manage resentment and bitterness?
Haman, his family and friends have much to teach us about ourselves; our current national and local politics ask much of us. As we move through these opening days of Lent, are we willing to explore the concept of narcissism, and how it affects us personally and collectively?
Tomorrow, dealing with the narcissists in our lives.
When we read varying translations of this story by using the scripture link and the drop-down menus, we offer ourselves an opportunity to move away from our own narcissism.
We must take care to observe what schemes we enter, knowingly or unknowingly. In today’s reflection, a parade of characters brings us an invitation to explore our own motivations and actions.
Queen Esther waits beyond the throne room, knowing that entrance without permission results in death. Does she know that she will need more courage than she believes she possesses?
King Xerxes offers half his kingdom in a magnanimous gesture. Does he know what price he will actually pay for this promise?
Haman wells over with envy and anger. Does he understand what happens to plotters and schemers?
Haman’s wife Zeresh urges her husband to build an execution scaffold. Does she understand who will eventually stand on its trapdoor?
Mordecai insists on worshipping no other god before Yahweh. Does he know that the LORD will protect him?
Haman, Zeresh, and Friends
These characters invite us to explore what gallows we build for ourselves and others. They call us to examine our goals and incentives. They ask us to open ourselves to the possibility of conversion and mercy.
We use the scripture link and the drop down menus to compare varying translations of these verses. We explore more about the lives of the characters in this story today.
At Christmas time several years ago, we reflected on Esther 3 as a preamble to the Jesus story. The coming of light. A voice asking for mercy. Justice amidst corruption. The presence of simplicity in a complicated world. Plots and schemes returning to haunt their authors.
As the story unfolds, we see our own modern headlines in the verses. Millennia later, what have we learned?
Bulletins were sent out by couriers to all the king’s provinces with orders to massacre, kill, and eliminate all the Jews—youngsters and old men, women and babies—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month Adar, and to plunder their goods.
We sift into groups that exclude. We gather words and weapons to assault “the other”. Millenia later, where do we invest our resources?
There is an odd set of people scattered through the provinces of your kingdom who don’t fit in. Their customs and ways are different from those of everybody else. Worse, they disregard the king’s laws. They’re an affront; the king shouldn’t put up with them. If it please the king, let orders be given that they be destroyed. I’ll pay for it myself. I’ll deposit 375 tons of silver in the royal bank to finance the operation.
We shrink from corruption. We turn away because we believe we have no power. Millennia later, how many Hamans stalk the innocent?
At the king’s command, the couriers took off; the order was also posted in the palace complex of Susa. The king and Haman sat back and had a drink while the city of Susa reeled from the news.
We gather in solidarity. We welcome and heal. Millennia later, what is our story?
Tomorrow, one small woman.
When we compare varying versions of these verses, we open ourselves to seeing “the other”.
To read three posts on Esther 3, enter the word Preamble into the search bar and explore.
Looking forward to the end of Job’s story we have the choice of thinking that Job’s happy ending is the result of fantasy, or we may choose to believe that God abides and keeps promises. This choice to believe or doubt is entirely up to us; and I choose to believe that the story is not a fairy tale. I choose to believe that God abides.
THE MESSAGE translation of Job 40 begins with words from God, “I run the universe”. After we struggle with Job through his long story of loss and pain, we understand that although he – and we – long for specific answers to our specific questions, we must be content to rely on God’s goodness and love for us. We must be content to depend on God’s gift of hope and covenant. And we must be content to trust God’s steadfastness and mercy.
How do we do this? We have a model in Job whose fidelity through deep travail brings us a pearl of wisdom that we might employ to see our worries and anxieties through a lens of patience. Job’s persistence, as he journeys through the obstacle course of woe visited on him by Satan, gives us new eyes to refocus our own worldview.
When we spend time with Job 40, we have a fresh appreciation of his steadfastness; and we have a transformative moment to argue with the Almighty that opens us to the possibility of resurrection.
Today we use the scripture links and drop-down menus to help us argue with the Almighty.
Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable.
We might well wonder what God wants with us or from us. If God is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present, and all-loving, what can God possible want from us? Our adulation? Christ’s humility shows us that God does not want burnt offerings, but rather our open and honest hearts. Does God want our blind obedience? Created with a free will, we understand that we are able to make our own choices, for good or evil. Is God looking for our love? We have the imprint of God’s plan in our DNA, a plan that calls each of us to enact God’s word in love as best we can.
Yet how do we decipher this word? And how do we heed it?
In ancient days, God’s prophets walked among God’s people calling them to goodness; and modern-day prophets walk among us still. The New Testament stories tell us of God’s Word manifested in Jesus, and they tell us that God’s Spirit abides with us still. When we question what we are to do or what we are to say, we turn to these stories and to the Spirit within us. When we struggle with life’s anxieties and fears, we look to this Word among us.
Jesus continues the long line of prophets God sends to alert the faithful and the faithless alike. There are prophets among us still We do well to heed Christ’s call.
God builds a living temple with the stumbling stones in our lives. This temple breaths and sighs as we look for the good that God brings out of harm. We do well to make stepping-stones from obstacles.
The Spirit lives in each of us. She calls and guides, heals and consoles. We do well to heed the word of the LORD within.
Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable.
When we reflect on these verses and explore varying translations, we offer our hearts to the Word that lives among us.
Saturday, February 22, 2025
The Noontimes 