As I embarked the reading of this reflection on Shalom, the first passage regarding the land, rain, trees and fruit entered my vision, my mind began to reposition me away from nearby distractions, and into a peaceful state of mind. I thought to myself what a beautiful way to embark on a reading such as this; which places you in the ambiance of a peaceful imagination, to experience the presence of Shalom firsthand.
However, my reaction to the reading intensified me personally and intellectually. Case in point; prior to this reading I assumed that the word “Shalom” was used as a greeting or parting among specific groups of people. Per Brueggemann, I learn that “Shalom” is the substance of the biblical vision of one community embracing all creation. …show more content…
We are in it together. Collectively we stand before God’s blessings and together we receive the gift of life if we receive it at all. Shalom comes only to the inclusive, embracing community that excludes none. The vision of wholeness, which is the supreme will of the biblical God, is the outgrowth of a covenant of shalom (Ezekiel 34: 25), in which persons are bound to one another in a caring, sharing, rejoicing community with none to make them afraid. In addition, the (3) dimensions of Shalom are important elements of communal visions in understanding its power. In the first dimension of Shalom, the vision encompasses reality, and is expressed in the mystery and majesty of creation images; With Shalom, Without Shalom, and from Chaos to Shalom. Moreover, the second dimension of Shalom is the historic political community. Absence of shalom and lack of harmony are expressed in social disorder as evidenced in economic inequality, judicial perversion, and political oppression and exclusivism.
Furthermore, the cosmic and historical-political aspects of shalom point to a third dimension, which the Bible usually assumes but does not discuss. It is the Shalom sense of well-being, experienced by the person who lives a caring, sharing, joyous life in
However, my reaction to the reading intensified me personally and intellectually. Case in point; prior to this reading I assumed that the word “Shalom” was used as a greeting or parting among specific groups of people. Per Brueggemann, I learn that “Shalom” is the substance of the biblical vision of one community embracing all creation. …show more content…
We are in it together. Collectively we stand before God’s blessings and together we receive the gift of life if we receive it at all. Shalom comes only to the inclusive, embracing community that excludes none. The vision of wholeness, which is the supreme will of the biblical God, is the outgrowth of a covenant of shalom (Ezekiel 34: 25), in which persons are bound to one another in a caring, sharing, rejoicing community with none to make them afraid. In addition, the (3) dimensions of Shalom are important elements of communal visions in understanding its power. In the first dimension of Shalom, the vision encompasses reality, and is expressed in the mystery and majesty of creation images; With Shalom, Without Shalom, and from Chaos to Shalom. Moreover, the second dimension of Shalom is the historic political community. Absence of shalom and lack of harmony are expressed in social disorder as evidenced in economic inequality, judicial perversion, and political oppression and exclusivism.
Furthermore, the cosmic and historical-political aspects of shalom point to a third dimension, which the Bible usually assumes but does not discuss. It is the Shalom sense of well-being, experienced by the person who lives a caring, sharing, joyous life in