In September the ordered world of Proverbs and James is read against the cross of Mark’s world. Walter Brueggemann reminds us of Karl Marx’s dictum, "The ruling ideas of each age have ever been the ideas of its ruling class."

Who benefited by our pious simplistic characterizations of the Hebrew scriptures as law and the New Testament as grace? How did reading Proverbs and not the Prophets prepare us so easily to turn the symbol of the authorities’ answer to those who defied them into a symbol of the devotional life that posed no threat to the authorities? September’s meditations will bring a chill to "whatever is, is right."

September 11
How Long Will You Love Being Simple?
Proverbs 1:20-33; Psalm 19; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38

The mysterious and attractive figure of Wisdom enters our meditations. She cries aloud in the streets, asking a poignant question: "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?"

How long, O Lord, how long?

How long will we refuse to understand?

Psalm 19 tells us of the wonders of God. "The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork." Image is piled on image: The sun comes out like the bridegroom and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. The law is as much a wondrous creation as the heavens, "sweeter also than honey."

Wisdom’s question remains with us. How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will we refuse to understand?

Within the joy and beauty of Psalm 19, we are reminded that the law is as much a wondrous creation as the heavens. To the nature worshipers comes he who fulfilled the law and paid the price of a cross.

The gospel brings us to that moment on the road to Caesarea Philippi when Jesus was trying to make the disciples understand. "Who do people say that I am?" he asked them. He got a variety of answers—all good possibilities but none reflecting the new thing God was about to do. Finally Peter said Jesus was the Messiah ("Christ" in Greek), he by whom the kingdom of God would be made known.

In parable after parable, Jesus had told them what the kingdom of God was like, but a world turned upside-down was outside the realm of the possible for them. A suffering and dying Messiah? A crucified Messiah?

Too complicated for us. We love our sweet little Jesus who died for our sins—not because of our sin, the choice against God’s way.

Is it possible we love being simple? It is safer that way. If we don’t understand, we don’t have to be challenged, confronted, disturbed. If we don’t understand, we can keep our religion personal and private. Wisdom was right. We love being simple.

VERNA J. DOZIER is an educator and lay theologian in Washington, D.C. She is the author of The Dream of God: A Call to Return (Cowley Publications) and The Authority of the Laity (The Alban Institute).