Gift and Task Quotes

“The notion of demon possession is not easy for modern readers. Our inclination is to reduce the notion to a clinical disorder. But entertain for a moment an alternative. Consider that our society is indeed demon possessed, by the demons of greed, anxiety, and violence that disorder social relationships, that make our institutions toxic, and that deny us freedom for a life of shalom. Consider further that our society gathers these systemic demons and locates them among the vulnerable left behind who then must bear the cost of our shared addictions to greed, anxiety, and violence.”
― Walter Brueggemann, Gift and Task: A Year of Daily Readings and Reflections

“The man in the Gospel narrative asks the right question: eternal life . . . true human destiny? The first answer of Jesus is reassuring: keep the Commandments. The second answer Jesus gives ups the ante: travel light and follow. Locate your treasure. What do you value? What do you value too much? Possessions bespeak security, control, and success, all the things we most prize. The children who are on stage just before the man are likely not possessors of much. Maybe they came to Jesus in innocent expectation. The contrast between the two—a possessive adult and trusting children—sets before us the choice to which the gospel always calls us.”
― Walter Brueggemann, Gift and Task: A Year of Daily Readings and Reflections