Liturgy: “God’s Jiu Jitsu”
Jiu jitsu requires the humility to know that one cannot defeat one’s enemy through one’s own strength. Ultimately, I believe God allows the Evil One and all who choose to cooperate with him, driven by prideful desire to be God, to be consumed by the very evil they themselves stand for.
This Week’s Lectionary Readings
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22
Psalm 124
James 5:13-20
Mark 9:38-50
This week’s liturgy is contributed by Dr. Mark Hijleh, provost:
The Japanese art of jiu jitsu draws its brilliance from turning an enemy’s strength against him, rather than simply meeting his force with equal or superior force. In the story of Esther for today’s reading, God works this way by meting out the punishment to Haman that Haman meant for Mordecai. Jiu jitsu requires the humility to know that one cannot defeat one’s enemy through one’s own strength. Ultimately, I believe God allows the Evil One and all who choose to cooperate with him, driven by prideful desire to be God, to be consumed by the very evil they themselves stand for. God does not enjoy this, but in the end every being in the universe chooses whether to cooperate with Him or not. Thus even this jiu jitsu is grace.
Christ creates a new dynamic within the Church whereby we may stand in a different sort of grace with one another rather than in judgment. We can pray for one another, and we can be salt and light to one another out of love. This too is a kind of jiu jitsu, as Proverbs 25 (quoted by Paul in Romans 12) indicates: acts of love toward our enemies can “heap burning coals” on their heads.
I have often wanted to call down judgment on my enemies. But such a calling down also calls down judgment on me rather than allowing the brilliant grace of God to operate redemptively, even at a high cost, in both my life and the life of my enemy (if either chooses to allow it). Living in NYC provides ample opportunity, as does living with one’s own family and friends. I find that there is no escaping the opportunity and the challenge of blessing. My enemy is still my enemy, but God works together all things for eternal good.
To consider:
1) How have I seen God turn what was meant ill for me into good? How much did I cooperate, and how much did I impede?
2) What is the best opportunity presently before me to enjoy the working of God’s grace in these ways? Is it a family member? A roommate? A person on the subway?
3) What will I do to make myself more humble (knowing my own strength is insufficient) and sensitive to the working of God’s spirit as He brings about out these extraordinarily redemptive moments? Do I understand and embrace the cost, even as Jesus does?