A saintly view

Daniel's dream sequence of the kingdoms in chapter 7.1-18 looks to both the past and the future for Daniel. The kingdoms although for us may be past still instil for us need to look carefully at how we approach the building of our own communities whether local or national or international. The consequences of building on pride, rage and war cannot build communities that are based in love which is the order of the day for Christians. Indeed the communities that Chris asks us to build are communities that are accepting and fulfilling rather than those filled with hate and violence. The violent character of the dream kingdoms in Daniel can be seen in the way we "play" in politics and in the relationships we have with others around the world.

So from the saints point of view what is the community or kingdom that needs to be built and how do we encompass that in our day to day lives without resorting to well worn tracks of violence and intimidation? Luke's gospel and Matthew's gospel both give us the same answer, although Luke also provides the contrast (Lk 6.20-31). The Beatitudes as they are often referred to are simple instructions for simple people. Just as we often do in all biblical interpretation these instructions are over interpreted. Christ when giving these to those that surround him whether on the plain or mountain side is not talking to well educated philosophising listeners. He is speaking to rude country folk and must be or rather should be interpreted in the light of this understanding. He would not have any high highfalutin  philosophy behind these words but rather simple instructions for simple people. This being the case then can we read these instructions as that without any need to go into "deeper" understanding.

Walking past the poor we hoard the grace of God given to us

If we wish to have a saintly view point then we need to live our lives by these rules, it is that simple. We seem to have a difficulty with this because they seem so negative. However, if we think about what each is saying we come to the realisation that all that is being talked about is a life that is lived without expectation. Yes, if we are hungry now at some point in our day we will have sufficient to keep us going as we rely on God's providence to maintain our lives. It may be a struggle, it may well mean that at times we have to forgo in order to ensure that we love those around us. Yet, if we hoard that which we have and only care for ourselves how can we believe in God''s love and grace for we who are full. This does not only apply to our food but also to our knowledge. We ride roughshod over those who we believe do not know as much as ourselves. In doing so we often go hungry as we do not have the ears to hear what is being offered to us in terms of food.

The writer to the Ephesians states quite clearly that we have been given our share in the heritage (Eph 1.11) and just as we have been given so we need to share with those around us. Only then do we begin to live as a true community of Christ and as Christ's body. In this way we become one with community of Saints that is a celebration of all who are part of the body. Yet, so often we sit back and say to ourselves that we are not hungry, we have joy, we have happiness but are unwilling or not wishing to include others as we begin to build the borders that prevent people from joining in the body of Christ. If we are to have a viewpoint that reflects the saints then we must start with inclusivity and not denial of the other. We must join together and not divide forming our own little havens of understanding that exclude others unless they see the world from our point of view.