What color is anxiety?

Yellow is the color evoked by light that stimulates both the L and M (long and medium wavelength) cone cells of the retina about equally, with no significant stimulation of the S (short-wavelength) cone cells. Light with a wavelength of 570–580 nm is yellow, as is light with a suitable mixture of red and green..(Wikipedia.)

Much of our lives are a mixture of red and green, wondering whether to stop or go in a given situation, we find our selves in that cautious area of yellow. An area that contributes greatly to our sense of anxiety, worry and human frustration.

In today's Journey lesson, we look at two choices from the lectionary, one from the Hebrew Scriptures and one from the Gospels. What do the scriptures say about our human expression of anxiety? How do the Hebrew and Christian accounts differ and relate? What can ultimately be said about our cautious situation?

Isaiah 49:8-16a
49:8 Thus says the LORD: In a time of favor I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages;

49:9 saying to the prisoners, "Come out," to those who are in darkness, "Show yourselves." They shall feed along the ways, on all the bare heights shall be their pasture;

49:10 they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them down, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them.

49:11 And I will turn all my mountains into a road, and my highways shall be raised up.

49:12 Lo, these shall come from far away, and lo, these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Syene.

49:13 Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones.

49:14 But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me."

49:15 Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.

49:16a See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.

Matthew 6:24-34
6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

6:27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?

6:28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin,

6:29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.

6:30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith?

6:31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?'

6:32 For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

6:33 But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

6:34 So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."

Walter Morton for Journey Across the Line 

Turning the cheek of violence to non-violence

 We are all aware of how violence can become contagious not only from cheek to cheek but also from generation to generation. What do we do about violence, especially when our own religious history has fostered such horrific examples?                                                         One of the practices that Jesus states in the passages for today is that we should turn the other cheek, go the extra mile. Does this actually work?                                                           Martin Luther King Jr wondereed this in 1958 while attempting to foster Civil Rights in our country. He questioned whether Jesus' words were meant for merely individual or societal ethical relational conduct?  What did turning the cheek and going the extra mile mean in Jesus' time? Does it relate to our world today or is it a relic from an old or outdated tradition of behavior.

Matthew 5:38-48

5:38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'

5:39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;

5:40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well;

5:41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.

5:42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

5:45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.

5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

5:47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Walter Morton for Journey Across the Line 

Good Neighbors Make Good Fences

What does it mean to be a good neighbor?

In our lectionary lesson this Sunday we get several issues presented by Jesus that carry dire consequences when one does not take into account their effect on our neighbor.

In the image presented here, we see actors Grace Kelly and James Stewart in Alfred Hitchock's thriller Rear Window. It's the story of persons who begin to suspect their neighbor of murder, not to mention adultery and dishonest living.

While their suspicions turn out to be verified regarding their neighbors conduct, the film explores issues of stepping across boundaries when we may not have the best interest of the other at heart. Simply doing the act for our own interest.



What does it mean to be a good neighbor?
What can happen when we act only in self interest? 
How does this relate to the three issues Jesus presents in the Matthew passage below? 
Matthew 5:21-37

5:21 "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.'

5:22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire.

5:23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you,

5:24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

5:25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison.

5:26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

5:27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'

5:28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

5:30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

5:31 "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.'

5:32 But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

5:33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.'

5:34 But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,

5:35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

5:36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.

5:37 Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one

Walter Morton for Journey Across the Line