Walter Brueggemann on Friday
Have you read Walter Brueggemann? I’ve just been introduced, but what I’ve read so far is very challenging.
I’m reading from a collection of prayers from the book Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth: Prayers of Walter Brueggeman, edited by Edwin Searcy .
This piece opens with the traditional refrain, “Thank God It’s Friday!” and continues with a list of reasons we do so: we are ready for a break, a rest from the work of our week, and we are somehow deserving of this respite.
The end of the prayer/poem is quoted here so you can feel the power of his words for yourself:
But mainly, as we come to Friday we know in our deepest places that Friday is your day of entry into the hurt and hate of the world, your day of bottomless weakness where we have seen you allied with the world in its deepest disorder. We know you to be a Friday God without the honors of omnipotence. And so we pray that you will “Friday us” into the very weakness where we may receive our new life from you.
We pray in the name of your Friday Child. Amen.
How does that challenge our American middle-class perspective on weekends? In more ways than I can count right now, but I’m certainly going to meditate on it. When I read it I feel challenged, but not hopeless. What are your reactions?
Challenged, yes. Maybe even a little chastised for the “thank goodness I get a break” mentality. Inspired to be more aware of the hurt and hate in the world an to do my part to get us all to Sunday.
Oh I couldn’t agree more. Growing up, my dad always said, “You never want to be working for the weekend. Choose a career that inspires you–not a job.”
And I think he was so right. Choosing how to occupy your weekdays and seeing this to as a way to worship God is the right path, but it’s not an easy one.
I’m 31 years old and FINALLY in a job that inspires me. And in so many ways, this was a luxury afforded to me by the country where I was born, the education I received, the support offered by friends and family.
Interesting post and great food for thought on Sunday, when Monday is fast on our heels.