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Out of Their Abundance?

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“Out of Their Abundance?”

Mark 12:38-44 (12:44) – November 10, 2024

Just think, for a moment, about the sound two coins make as they clink into each other. I have two coins here. I’m going to take them both in my hand and shake them. Can you hear that? What does that sound bring to mind? Do you feel satisfied, or scary? Is that the sound of abundance, or scarcity? What do you think of that sound? [1]

We turn to the Gospel reading for today, from Mark 12. The Rabbi Jesus and His disciples are in Jerusalem, and Jesus is having another in those continuing discussions with the chief leaders and teachers of the Jewish Law. They happen to be in the rear of the Temple. Large sanctuary, many people walked and talked, and went to and fro. Business being transacted, multiple conversations and commotion going on. Except – the sound of two coins shaken together would be easily drowned out.

Listen again to a portion of today’s Gospel reading: “a poor widow came and put two very small copper coins into the temple treasury, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their abundance; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Yes, I realize that our Lord Jesus was talking primarily about giving money. But, I have always thought of giving and being generous to count just as much for giving our time, and our talents, and our generosity in many other kinds of ways. Not simply in terms of money. I have a friend who has been retired for almost ten years now. He goes around town, quietly, and does good. He was raised in the church, but that was many years ago. Yes, he does have a belief in God, and he expresses that faith by doing good for others and being faithful.

Sometimes that means driving a friend to a doctor’s appointment. Or volunteering at a local not-for-profit organization. Sometimes that means picking up the left-over baked goods from a business at the end of the day, at closing time. And then, delivering those baked goods to a homeless shelter. He does all of this without thanks, with little or no fanfare. He is faithful. He is dependable. He contributes, in any way he can. And, I am so glad he is my friend.

Except, this is not the way that many religious people operate. Many religious folks – good, church-going folks – have been taught is that God works through deals. You do this, and I’ll do that. We do our bit, and then God will follow through with God’s part. “Pay a little extra and get a better seat at God’s table. Put in some overtime, split hairs on the detail of the law and you’ll get a nice long robe and watch everyone in the marketplace bow to you as you pass. Sure, maybe they had to foreclose on a widow or two, but business is business after all. And to make up for it look how much they gave, how much went into the offering box. Isn’t that what we want, more in the [offering] plate?” [2]

I know there are multiple ways to give, to be generous, including online giving – which is a wonderful thing. Here in the United States and in many other places around the world, we can give at the touch of a computer key or by pressing a cell phone button.

A number of years ago, at another church, I remember walking by the room next to the sanctuary where two trustees would be counting the offering after the worship service. But today, we don’t hear the offering. “The clink of coins is lost. Perhaps the value we place in pennies, nickels, and dimes has been lost, too. We no longer hear, see, or feel the weight of what happens when our small offerings come together in praise and honor of the God of abundant life.” [3]

But, back to our widow, the woman our Lord Jesus specifically points out. She had next to nothing to live on. God sees this woman, and many, many just like her. God cares about her, and about the countless others around the world. Along with commentator David Lose, I doubt anyone else, including the religious elite parading around the Temple that day and dropping in their token offerings and spare change, noticed this woman.

            Don’t you think that God also sees our struggles today, recognizes our challenges, cares about where we are hard pressed to make ends meet? And, isn’t God inviting each of us? This congregation knows I do not bring divisive politics into this pulpit. I preach what the Gospel teaches, what our Lord Jesus tells each of us to do.

I’m exhorting each of us to have open ears to what God is saying. God invites us to look around and see each other, those in our community we know and those we don’t.  I mean really see each other – the pain of those who are discriminated against because of their ethnicity, the desolation of those who cannot find work and have been abandoned to fend for themselves, the despair of those who have given up on finding work and have lost hope, the anguish of those who have been exploited by unfair employers, abusive landlords, or even detestable sex traffickers. God is inviting us to see them, to care for them, and to advocate for a system that does not leave anyone behind.[4]

This vignette from the Gospel of Mark is just a slice of the widow’s life. But, I’d like to follow the widow home. See how she treats her neighbors. Does she bring over a pot of soup to a sick friend? Does she clean the apartment of someone who has fallen and broken their leg? And what about her listening skills? Is she someone people come to, to talk about their troubles? Giving to God is so much more than just dollars and cents. So much more than just the coins the show-offy rich people put into the collection box in the Temple.

What about us, today? How can we take this scripture lesson today, and apply it to our lives? Is it just a nice story about what happened to people in Jesus’s day? Or, is it much more?

Today, we all can be like the widow in Jerusalem. This widow gave extravagantly. She gave over and above. She gave, trusting in God’s abundance. And, this widow decides that everything she is and has belongs to God. Like my friend I told you about, who does lots of things without thanks, with little or no fanfare. We all can be faithful. We all can be dependable. We all can contribute, in any way we can, to God and to God’s kingdom.

God willing, I’ll contribute to God’s kingdom. Will you contribute, too? Alleluia, amen.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/truth-telling/twenty-fifth-sunday-after-pentecost-year-b-lectionary-planning-notes

[2] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/truth-telling/twenty-fifth-sunday-after-pentecost-year-b-lectionary-planning-notes/twenty-fifth-sunday-after-pentecost-year-b-preaching-notes

[3] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/truth-telling/twenty-fifth-sunday-after-pentecost-year-b-lectionary-planning-notes

[4] https://www.davidlose.net/2015/11/pentecost-24-b-surprisingly-good-news/

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Who Does Jesus Love?

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“Who Does Jesus Love?”

John 11:32-44 – Sunday, November 3, 2024

            Today is All Saints Sunday. A lot of people think of “saints” as super-holy people. Like St. Francis of Assisi, or Mother Teresa, or St. Ignatius of Loyola. These people and many other titled saints are super-stars (or, super-saints) of the faith! What kinds of things do you think about when you consider these super-holy people? Do they pray all the time? Do they do good works for God all the time? Or, what exactly do they do all day long? And when they get to heaven, do they play harps all the time?

            When we consider the people of the Bible, many of them are considered saints. Yet, if we read more closely, almost every person recorded in the Bible – either in the Hebrew Scriptures or the New Testament – displays very human characteristics! They show very human emotions, grieve, cry, get mad, say or do stupid things, and sometimes even worse.  

            Listen to Mary of Bethany as she pours out her agonized heart to her friend the Rabbi Jesus, and the following, very human exchange: “Mary came to where Jesus was waiting and fell at his feet, saying, “Master, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

 When Jesus saw her sobbing and the Jews with her sobbing, a deep anger welled up within him. He said, “Where did you put him?”“Master, come and see,” they said. Now Jesus wept.”

            Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary has several definitions for “saint,” including “one of the spirits of the departed in heaven” and “one of God’s chosen and usually Christian people.” [1] This definition is more broad than what people often think of, when they think about saints. If we take this broader definition to heart, we can think of all Christians as being saints, and all of the people in the Hebrew Scripture as being saints, too.  

            Our Scripture reading today from the Gospel of John is often read during Lent, during the period right before Easter. However, this reading is also read on All Saints Sunday, as a witness to the power of our Lord Jesus over death. This reading is also lifted up in the African American tradition in a service of healing, for those suffering emotional distress, grief, divorce, and physical ailments. This healing also “speaks to a range of human issues and concerns. Suffering often drives individuals to petition for God’s healing.” [2]

            Whether we come to the Gospel of John expecting healing, or in preparation for Easter, or to commemorate all the saints, this reading remains one of the most hopeful, one of the most triumphant proclamations in the Bible. Our Lord Jesus has power over the living and the dead.

            Yet, here we are, on All Saints Sunday. Consider our Lord Jesus – or, the Rabbi Jesus, as He was considered then. His reaction to the death of Lazarus brings the reality of death close to us all. Jesus wept! He wept over his friend Lazarus. As our commentator Karoline Lewis says, “death is inevitable, and its pain, its loss, its cause for anger is all true and real.” She is speaking to preachers, like me. We are working professionals, who bear the hard part of death, being in the business of tending its consequences to those we professionally care for, yet so often do not take the time for our own personal sadness and grief. [3]

            How often do we tell ourselves that we will grieve “later on,” after we finish this necessary paperwork, or after we make these phone calls, or after we do these needed errands, putting off the grieving, the pain, the loss of our loved ones.

            The message we receive from the Gospel of John today tells us in detail about the raising of Lazarus. But before that happens, his sisters are devastated! Who wouldn’t be? A loved one’s death is devastating, even if death is a blessed release or a welcome and final end of pain.

I know, in my life, it is difficult for me to get up and get going when I feel devastated. It’s so hard to continue doing the normal, everyday things that need to get done in my life.  Have you ever experienced this kind of an invisible wall? Or, has someone close to you ever come up against something like this? These kinds of deep feelings happen with sad regularity among people who have just lost a loved one, a dear relative.

So many people let us down, here in this world. Either on purpose, or accidentally. Even unconsciously, sometimes. I know, it still happens. We get let down, time and again. It feels like a punch in the gut, sometimes! It hurts!

Here is where this Scripture reading comes in. It works on our hearts, draws each of us closer. We see the grief Jesus clearly felt, being disturbed at death and at the brokenness of this world, as we see Him approach the tomb. The wonder of Lazarus stepping out and the command to unbind him is a certain and sure symbol and promise of the freedom we will all know one day! And surely, this points to God’s Power, God’s Grace and God’s Gifts, for all of us. [4]

            We gather together here, in this place, to remember our friends and relatives each of us has lost, whether in this past year or in years past. Yes, we grieve and mourn. It is fitting and right that we do so. We are reminded that Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus.

There is a tension we hold – holding many complicated emotions, holding grief and mourning, and at the same time joy and gratitude as we sit with the stark fact of missing our friends, our relatives who have died. And yes, we can rejoice as we consider “the promise and hope of the Resurrection and that even as Lazarus and his beloved family are privileged to live into that promise in this life even now, so are we [for the resurrection life to come]. So are we. Thank God, so are we.” [5]

Our Scripture reading today asks us to reflect that Jesus is, indeed, the Resurrection and the Life, not just for the crisis moment of death, but for all moments in life. Jesus announces that the world is definitively under God’s care and power. And, John chapter 11 offers all of us the promise about how each of us can live our lives today, not just about how our days will end. [6]

Is there someone you particularly remember, or especially miss? Someone who has crossed that river Jordan to join our Lord Jesus in the heavenly places? We have candles here. I invite anyone who wishes to come, to light candles for those loved ones. Light them in your hearts as well, as we come together in gentle comfort and encouragement of each other.

As we lean on relationship with each other in this life, even when faced with death itself, we see with eyes of hope that new life can spring up, through faith in Jesus Christ.  Yes, there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul, to make the wounded whole, and His name is Jesus. Alleluia, amen!  

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saint

[2] http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupLectionaryReading.asp?LRID=64

[3] https://www.workingpreacher.org/dear-working-preacher/for-all-the-saints-2

[4] http://dancingwiththeword.com/these-precious-gifts-of-all-saints-day/

[5] Ibid.

[6] O’Day, Gail R., Gospel of John, New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 9 (Abington Press, 1996) 695.

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God’s Free Gift!

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“God’s Free Gift!”

Romans 3:19-31 (3:24) – October 27, 2024

I have a confession to make. I was raised a Lutheran. Baptized and confirmed in a Lutheran church on the northwest side of Chicago, I loved everything about that church. learned all I could about being a Lutheran, and about Martin Luther. I studied Luther’s Small Catechism during my two years of confirmation classes in seventh and eighth grades. I know a thing or two about Martin Luther and about the church that to this day bears his name.

            This Thursday, October 31st, is the 507th anniversary of the day Martin Luther tacked up the 95 Theses, his 95 points of disagreement he had with the Catholic Church. In 1517, the priest and doctor of theology Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the chapel door in Wittenberg, Germany, at the university where he served as professor. Thanks to the printing press, these 95 points of disagreement spread like wildfire. Not only in Germany, but throughout Europe. The Reformation began in earnest. 

            Why was Martin so upset? When he was a very young man, Martin Luther felt unworthy of God’s love. He felt lower than a worm sometimes, and tried his hardest to get into God’s good graces! He would go to confession several times a week, do penance after penance, and he made several pilgrimages. All of these things and more to stop feeling unworthy and sinful.  

            Taking a quick look at the letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman church, you and I might get that same message, too. From chapter three, “There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” All have sinned! Martin felt that so deeply! All fall short of God’s glory! All means everyone. All of us.

            Romans 3:23 is pretty bad news. Rotten news. Really hopeless news. That is the news Martin Luther faced, the more and more he read and studied the Bible, meditated, and prayed.

            Martin was right. According to the Law of Moses, given to the nation of Israel in the Hebrew Scriptures, no one can follow the Law one hundred percent. Not the Jews in the time of Moses, not Jews in Jesus’s day, not Martin Luther, five hundred years ago. And, not you and me, today, either. There is no way anyone can keep every single one of God’s commands!

            That was what I felt, when I was a teenager. I knew I couldn’t keep all of God’s rules, even if I tried really, really hard. Remember Romans 3:23? “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  When I was a teenager, I was a particularly studious teen. I would read books on the Bible and on theology when I was in high school. I prayed regularly, and tried my hardest to get closer to God. I felt sinful, unlovely and unlovable a good deal of the time. 

Martin Luther tried even harder to get close to God! He did a ton of good works. He got a university degree in theology, and started teaching from the Old and New Testament at the university in Wittenberg. He studied even more about God, and preached regularly in a church in town. And yet—Martin still felt sinful and far from God! He still felt unlovable!

            Can anyone relate to Martin? Are there times when you—when I—feel unlovable?
            I remember hearing the story of a woman, horribly burned in a fire. Her husband came to see her in the hospital and was disgusted and horrified. “You are not the woman I married,” he said, and divorced her. Are we so unlovable? Is that what we are afraid God might do to us?

            What’s more, even after lots and lots of good works and all these years of reading and study, Martin still felt so inadequate. He felt God could not possibly love or forgive him. That is—until he was reading the letter to the Romans, chapter 1, verse 17: “ For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” 

            Do you hear? Do you understand? It wasn’t about how sinful or unlovable Martin was. Or, how hard he tried to do good things, or tried to get on God’s good side, or tried to live by good works. God’s righteousness comes by faith. Faith alone! Faith in God!

            Remember Romans 3:23? “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” That is true. But—that isn’t the whole story! From verse 3:21: “21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

“From Paul’s declaration that we have all been justified by grace to Luther’s hammering his theses against the Wittenburg Church door to remind us that grace reigns supreme, the whole darn Reformation-thing was intended to tell us that, in the end, we don’t need to do anything, earn anything, say anything, accomplish anything, or buy anything to earn God’s love. That we already have it, and that most of the Church’s problems – and, indeed, the world’s problems – start when we forget we already have love and worth and dignity as a gift from God and try to earn it or take it from someone else.” [1]

I can almost see Martin falling off his chair, once he realizes how huge this is. Our sin is taken away through the redeeming that came through Jesus. We are made lovable through God’s grace. Our low self-worth and low self-esteem is now viewed by God through Jesus.

God looks at all of us, each one of us, through Jesus-tinted lenses.  We are brothers and sisters of Jesus, God’s beloved children! We are redeemed freely. By His grace, through faith, through the redemption that came by and through Christ Jesus.

The best part of this gift? It’s a free, undeserved gift, so that no one can pridefully boast about it. Another way to look at this gift from God comes from a sermon study board online I follow. I recently read this, written a few years ago by a pastor named Erik in Wisconsin.       

“This Sunday we celebrate confirmation. As a part of their confirmation requirements, students have to meet with me for a brief discussion/interview. I ask them about faith, life, God, etc. – see if they learned anything during confirmation. One question I always ask is “How will you get into heaven? How are you saved?” Most often I get the answers – “Pray. Go to church. Do good deeds.” And I shake my head and ask myself “Didn’t I emphasize grace enough?”

            “Finally, I said to the class, “Listen, you are saved purely by God’s grace as a gift. I will ask you how you are saved in your confirmation interview. If you don’t remember anything else I’ve taught during these two years, remember this: “You are saved by God’s grace!” Why is it so hard to remember? Probably because we’ve been taught not to trust anything we might get for free, even if it is from God.”

            As Martin Luther studied scripture, he finally discovered he was saved by grace, not because of anything he did or deserved. The Rev. David Hansen tells us, “He discovered a God who would send the only Son—not for the perfect people, but for the sinners. He discovered, above all else, a God and a Savior that will NEVER abandon us, that will stand by our side no matter how often we fail or how short we fall.” [2] Isn’t that good news? Jesus died for our sins. Jesus showed us radical, God-sized grace, and radical, God-sized love.

As I proclaim each week after the Confession of Sin during the Assurance of Pardon, “Believe the Good News of the Gospel: in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!”

Alleluia, amen!

Thanks to Rev. David L. Hansen and Pastor Erik from Wisconsin for their assistance in the formulation of this sermon!

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://www.davidlose.net/2015/10/reformationpen-22-freedom/

[2] from http://www.gmi.org/services/missiographics/library/world-refugee-day

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On Eagle’s Wings

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“On Eagle’s Wings” – Memorial Meditation

Isaiah 40:28-31 – Sunday, October 20, 2024

            My husband Kevin is a homebody – most of the time. However, he does enjoy occasionally hitting the road. I suggested to him about two months ago that we take a road trip, so we planned to go to the Smokies National Park next week. That is, until Hurricane Helene blasted right through that region, causing devastation all the way from landfall in Florida to many points north. The official Smokies park service website now pleads with prospective visitors not to visit, at least for a while, because of the massive clean-up that needs to be done.

            So, since I have PTO time reserved away from work already, my husband and I made a quick switch to someplace closer to home. On Wednesday, we are heading to Cahokia Mounds near St. Louis, to Pere Marquette State Park, on the Mississippi River, and to Starved Rock State Park. I know this is not prime time to see eagles, but I hope that perhaps we will catch a glimpse of these magnificent birds on their migration south to open waters for the winter! 

One of Carol Metler’s favorite church hymns was “On Eagle’s Wings.” This lovely, newer gospel song was originally written as a verse and refrain for Psalm 91, which affirms that we find refuge under God’s wings. The refrain of this gospel song is most sung in Protestant congregations – “And God will raise you up on eagles’ wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun and hold you in the palm of God’s hand.” 

            Whether we consider Psalm 91 or Isaiah chapter 40, both sections of the Bible talk about God’s protecting hand – and more! Listen to the words of the prophet again: “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

This chapter in Isaiah especially mentions the followers of God soaring on wings like eagles. You know and I know the followers of God often do not have an easy time of it. Life is not a walk in the park. Life is a challenge, sometimes. Even, more often than that, sometimes.

            I suspect our dear Carol knew that life was a challenge, many times in her life. She was stubborn, and persistent, and she made it through – with God’s help!

            However, I would like to step back and consider the historical context of this biblical passage. Isaiah chapter 40 was written while the Jewish people were in exile in Babylon, and it is  in the section of the book that deals with comfort. This reading comes from the very middle of Exile.  The Jewish people had been stuck in the foreign country long enough to feel like everything was going wrong and God wasn’t doing anything to help them. [1]

Commentator Dr. Steed Davidson stresses God’s power at work. The prophet does a compare/contrast thing here. Human people are inadequate to change the long distances of history and the circumstances of life. But – but – God is the Creator of heaven and earth! God has strength and power that transcends faulty human striving. Plus, verse 31 calls on “listeners to participate in God’s processes in order to experience transformation.” [2]

            God gives strength to the weary to continue. God comes alongside those who are bone tired, so weak and dispirited that, of themselves, they could not take even one more step. But, God! But – God! Have you ever been so tired, or worn out, or anxious, fearful, discouraged – or one of a dozen other downhearted emotions? And then – but, God!

            Imagine trying your hardest on a challenging project, and feeling like you got to the end of yourself. You can’t give any more. And then, but, God! Or, imagine you are sitting by the bed of a loved one recovering from serious surgery or in the middle of chemotherapy, and you feel so helpless to help your dear loved one. And then, but, God! God transforms everything.

            “But” is usually a negative, a placeholder, a frowny face kind of a word, in so many situations. “But” so often has negative connotations – except for this one, here – but, God!

            God transcends the negative language that we use. God transforms any downhearted stammering of “but, but, but…” into a positive, blooming, blessing of “but – God!” Showing the renewing, revitalizing possibilities of our Lord. Like the Refuge we run to, like a sturdy, safe Rock in the wilderness, God is so much more than we can possibly ask or think.

            The pastoral musician Father Michael Joncas wrote this song in the 1970’s, and it has been sung countless times, and in some very harrowing situations. Imagine the ultimate shock, horror and heart-rending grief of the September 11th attacks; this song was performed at many of the funerals of the victims of that attack. This song is often performed during or at the end of a Catholic funeral mass. And, we will have this song played later on in this worship service, too.

Countless people have been touched by the words and music of this hymn, and many of those same grieving, hurting people would testify that God did indeed come close to them through their difficult times, just as this song tells us.

            This is just what the authors of our two sections of Scripture wanted us to remember. Time and again, stories and narratives from the Bible remind us that the saints of old had challenges – difficulties – they had to deal with – walk through – even, soar above, on eagle’s wings. Can you relate? Hoping in the Lord is expecting that God’s promise of strength is a reality. God can come alongside. God can comfort and strengthen. Just as it was when our prophet wrote these words, just as it is now, today. God can assist us when we are alone as well as when we are together in one group, one congregation, one family.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard?” Praise the Lord, we know God’s protection and care is always with us, always holding us in the palm of God’s hand.

And to that, we all may say, alleluia, amen.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2015/01/year-b-5th-sunday-after-epiphany-5th.html

[2] https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/fifth-sunday-after-epiphany-2/commentary-on-isaiah-4021-31

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Who Then Can Be Saved?

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“Who Then Can Be Saved?”

Mark 10:17-27 (10:26) – October 13, 2024

If we turn on the television, read a book, or listen to a podcast or talk radio, sometimes we might hear experts giving advice. These knowledgeable experts are often from well-known places. This week I am thinking about advice on how to live the “right” way. That’s sometimes thought to be a fruitful life, or a healthy life, or a spiritual life. Wouldn’t you be interested if you heard a radio program with a noted author or well-known expert in just this subject?

            That’s the case with Rabbi Jesus, today. In today’s scripture lesson, we get just a hint of what our Lord Jesus had to deal with much of the time. Can you see this situation? I love St. Ignatius and his prayer suggestion to put ourselves into the narrative. Let us imagine ourselves being there, right with our Lord Jesus the itinerant Rabbi, and His disciples.

The Rabbi Jesus was about to travel somewhere, and a number of His disciples are getting ready to accompany Him. It is significant to read what our commentator David Lose has to say about this journey. “In Mark, this is not merely “a journey” in general (per the NRSV), but rather represents the road to Jerusalem and the cross.” [1] And, repeatedly, our Gospel writer Mark tells us that Jesus has His face set to go to Jerusalem.

When, what happens? “17 As Jesus went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?” That is a pretty big question, isn’t it? Many people throughout the ages have wondered exactly that! The Rabbi Jesus was a widely acknowledged wise person, an expert in the interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Law of Moses and in lots of things associated with religious and spiritual life.

After all, you don’t get an expert in religion and spiritual life coming to your town just any old day.

The Rabbi Jesus is matter-of-fact, and responds (as many Rabbis would), “You know the commandments: Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t cheat, honor your father and mother.”

This is a shortened list of some of the Ten Commandments from the book of Exodus. These commands from God are revered as being the shorthand version of God’s rules for living. Now, while we have our imagining caps on, imagine we are watching this whole scene play out. Our teacher, the Rabbi Jesus, is involved in conversation with this earnest young man.

Except, something is different about this young man. He’s well-dressed, and looks to be really rich. Plus, he answers the Rabbi Jesus in all seriousness! “He said, “Teacher, I have—from my youth—kept them all!” 21 Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him!”

 What do we see here? “Jesus looks at him with love (verse 21). He does not treat him as insincere or mock him as self-righteous, but rather loves him. Every interpretation we may offer must therefore take seriously Jesus’ absolute regard and unconditional love for this man.” [2]

I am still looking at this whole scene through my imagination, too. I am right there, watching everything go on. Watching the gathered crowd in the dusty afternoon in one of the towns of Palestine. And, we can see the love shining out of our Rabbi’s eyes!

But, let us get back to our rich young man who asked Rabbi Jesus this serious question. “’Jesus said, “There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.’ 22 The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.”

Dr. David Lose said about this point in the reading, “what Jesus really meant was that we needed to unburden ourselves of whatever might be keeping us from relying on God.” [3] Yes, the rich man had a great deal of difficulty hearing these words of Jesus.

            Let’s face it: these are difficult words for many people to hear. We love our stuff, don’t we? Or, if not most of our stuff, at least some of our stuff. I would really have difficulty giving up my computer and my car. I think I am not the only one in this room today for whom that is true. Others might have difficulty unburdening themselves of whatever might be keeping each one from God.

“Jesus knew that the only thing that could overcome the gravity of the riches of this life is a force stronger, a greater pull. Love redeems; love rescues; love wins. He knew that. He knows that. Jesus loved him even though it didn’t seem to work. The young man walked away, grieving. The burden on his heart increased, instead of lightened. He had the antidote; he had the prescription. But the medicine was too bitter for him to swallow.” [4]

Let me ask, as we still consider us being there, right next to Jesus. What would it be like to have Jesus look upon each of us with that same love? What is more, Jesus asks each of us the same question about our stuff, about following Jesus. And, what is our response to Jesus?

All of our stuff gets in the way between us and God’s kingdom. All of this clutter and distraction in our lives keeps us at a distance from God. We know what Jesus has asked us to do, just like this young man did. When you don’t do what God has asked you to do, how do you picture God responding to you? Do you imagine God looks at you—at us—with loving compassion like Jesus did in this story? What’s more, we all will see how all of our “small steps” in loving and giving combine to create a beautiful impact of compassion in God’s world.

            And, maybe, just maybe “God’s gift of salvation can actually free us to do something: to love each other, to care for God’s people and world, to share the good news…right here, right now, wherever it may be that God has placed us.” [5]  

            God willing, we can all show love, giving, and compassion, every day. Alleluia, amen.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-28-2/commentary-on-mark-1017-31-3

[2] Ibid.

[3] http://www.davidlose.net/2015/10/pentecost-20-b-curing-our-heartsickness/

[4] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/walking-with-jesus/twenty-first-sunday-after-pentecost-year-b-lectionary-planning-notes/twenty-first-sunday-after-pentecost-year-b-preaching-notes

[5] http://www.davidlose.net/2015/10/pentecost-20-b-curing-our-heartsickness/

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How Majestic is God’s Name!

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“How Majestic is God’s Name!”

Psalm 8 (8:4) – October 6, 2024

            How many here can think of a truly unforgettable experience you have had? Maybe going on vacation, and seeing an unforgettable sunset or rainbow? Or perhaps taking a trip to a National Park, and experiencing some unforgettable scenery, like a spectacular waterfall? Or maybe traveling by boat or ship and seeing unforgettable sea creatures, whales, or sea lions? The world is full of marvelous, unforgettable things, and God created them all!

            But, we can’t go on vacation every day. Very few of us are able to see marvelous scenery or go to exotic places on a regular basis In the every-day, ordinary kind of way, I wonder if you and I really think the world is majestic? Awesome? God has made the world, and I think the Lord has done a pretty good job. But, how many of us think the Lord is majestic? Awesome? I mean, on an every-day basis. Are we stunned, at a loss for words by the majesty of the Lord?

            Let’s hear how our psalm today starts, again. “Lord, our Lord,  how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.” Wow! And, that is just the first verse! The Lord is OUR Lord, and the Lord’s name is majestic. Not just so-so, not pretty good, but majestic! Not to mention, the Lord has set glory and majesty in the heavens!

            I can see the stars on a clear night, but not quite as many here in Chicago as I can up in Wisconsin or in Michigan, far from the city. My husband Kevin spent two years in the mountains of Colorado, a number of years ago. He said the stars regularly put on an amazing display in the mountains, on a clear night. And, the moon, too! Truly majestic to see.

            Our psalmist marvels at the heavens, too – and more! “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is humankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”

Our psalmist King David started out contemplating the heavens, and the awesome majesty of God. Now, he shifts to considering humanity. “In comparison to the grandeur of the universe, the psalmist questions why God would be mindful of humanity and care for them.” [1] Really, this is a valid question! After God created the heavens, and the stars and moons and all the other heavenly bodies, we humans are like grains of sand. Maybe even smaller, maybe microscopic. Who are we that God is even mindful, even aware of us? 

From time to time, maybe even more often than that, it is so easy to get caught up in the pressures and expectations of the world! You and I can know that very well. Such feelings of loneliness, insecurity and doubt can threaten to overwhelm us. Imagine, not being sure that we are worth anything, and feeling that we are like tiny grasshoppers or worms.

I don’t know about you, but just reading this description of humanity makes me feel so insignificant, especially in the face of such glory, such grandeur of all creation. However, isn’t this an opportunity to affirm, to witness to the blessed fact that this God who is described here by King David is also my God? In fact, our God?

            We have reassurance from King David! “Psalm 8 reminds us of our unique identity as children of God and the incredible value and purpose we have in Him. This psalm teaches us to look beyond ourselves and recognize the greatness of our Creator, who has entrusted us with the responsibility to care for [God’s] creation.” [2]

            Listen to the next verses of this psalm, and see how much trust the Lord gives to us, how much happiness and at the same time, responsibility: “5 You have made thema little lower than the angelsand crowned them with glory and honor 6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:”

            How amazing that we – we puny humans – are crowned by God with glory and honor! And, that is all humanity we are talking about. Not just a few humans, not just the humans in our particular group or from our particular country. No! This psalm says ALL. Everyone. What a Godly proclamation to give each of us a worthy opinion of ourselves!

But wait, there’s more! God not only has made a royal proclamation that crowns all of us with glory and honor, the Lord has also made each of us heaven-appointed stewards of this marvelous world we all inhabit.

We all have a task to do, simply by nature of being born on this earth. Just as in the beginning of Genesis, Adam and Eve were assigned tasks by God to tend and keep the Garden of Eden, so with each person today. Whether we garden, or recycle and pick up trash, or choose responsibly-sourced food items and clothing, we all can be good stewards of this beautiful earth God has created for each of us and given us to live in.   
            One of my favorite people I follow on social media comes from the Peak District in northern England. She is a brilliant photographer of her native Peak district, and her handle is “Peaklass.” I love the description and the advice she gives: “In our rush through life, moving faster, working smarter, we miss so much. We miss the drift of seasons and the gentle ebb and flow of nature. We miss patterns, colours, changing light. We miss beauty and quiet. Sometimes we all need to stop and just watch the clouds roll.” [3]

            This psalm ends as it begins, “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Can you think of a more wonderful praise and prayer to our God than to enjoy the beauty and majesty of God’s creation, today? Yes, God’s name is majestic in all the earth! Each of us can stop where we are today, and praise God for all creation, all creatures great and small.  

            Two days ago was the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi; many faith traditions celebrate with a Blessing of the Animals this weekend. St. Francis is not only a patron saint of animals, he is also the patron of all creation, or the natural world. I want to end today with a benediction, a verse from the hymn that is attributed to Francis, “All Creatures of Our God and King.”

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!

            O, let us praise God, indeed! Alleluia, amen.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://youthgroupministry.com/lessons/youth-ministry-lesson-on-psalm-8-embracing-our-identity-in-christ/

[2] Ibid.

[3] https://x.com/peaklass1/status/1842835391595905259/photo/1

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Heavenly Prescription for Prayer

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“Heavenly Prescription for Prayer”

James 5:13-20 (5:13) – September 29, 2024

How many of you remember being really sick? So sick that you had to stay in bed for days, or perhaps even had to go to the hospital? Thank goodness here in the Chicago area we have many devoted doctors and excellent hospitals to choose from, and to figure out exactly what is ailing us. And, thank goodness we are able to have effective medicine prescribed for us when we are sick, too!

Except – what do we do when our hearts and spirits are feeling sick? Anxious, or disturbed? Where do you and I go when our faith in God seems shaky? We could perhaps go to the doctor or the hospital, but they probably will not have the right tools or equipment to help when you or I have spiritual afflictions. [1]

This is our fifth week looking into the letter of James, and we have seen over the past few weeks that James is a very practical man. He displays a great deal of common sense, and does not pull punches when it comes to talking straight to his friends scattered around Asia Minor. (The area to the north and east of present-day Palestine.)

Let’s hear from James about this very problem: “Are any among you in trouble? They should pray. Are any among you happy? They should sing praises. 14 Are any among you sick? They should send for the church elders, who will pray for them and rub olive oil on them in the name of the Lord. 15 This prayer made in faith will heal the sick; the Lord will restore them to health, and the sins they have committed will be forgiven.”

What I have seen in these past weeks and months are the overwhelming number of people with heightened emotions and reactions to anxious, even fearful situations. As someone involved in pastoral care and trained as a chaplain, I notice these things. In our scripture reading today, we find the apostle James talking straight about how to pray, and thus deal with things similar to these things he mentions: heightened, negative emotions and reactions to anxious situations, not to mention physical needs, too.

The apostle James was a practical kind of guy. We can see that from this short letter, the only letter he wrote, included in the New Testament. He gives some practical advice to his readers on how to live a faithful and effective Christian life: how to live faithfully with others in society, how to control the tongue, how to turn away from evil and towards God. Here, in the fifth chapter of James, he turns to prayer. As we look at this passage, James tells his friends how to pray, in very practical terms, almost the same way as a doctor with a prescription pad might write it out.

What are the beginnings of this spiritual prescription? You and I need a special place and a special way to access God; we need to be open and willing, in this place! You and I need God – especially through the Holy Spirit – to help our hearts and spirits feel renewed, and we need the body of Christ–all of us–to help us strengthen our faith. In fact, we all need each other. [2]

When I was a hospital chaplain, working in critical care units like the Emergency Department, Intensive Care, and trauma support all over the hospital, my primary job would be that of compassionate listener—even before prayer, and also as a heartfelt part of prayer.

Now that I am a hospice chaplain, compassionate listening becomes an even more important part of what I do, not only for my patients, but for their loved ones. I suggest for all of us to consider a heart of compassion and a gentle hand of mercy. It’s time to put our defenses down and instead experience the vulnerability of listening to one another.

“If someone has a story to tell, the greatest gift you can offer is simply to listen. You don’t need to have answers or wisdom. You probably don’t need to say anything except, ‘I hear you. I believe you. I’m sorry you experienced that.’ In the compassionate version of the world I yearn for, we offer one another solidarity, a listening ear, and a tender heart.“ [3]

Another way of defining this spiritual prescription is through prayer – corporate prayer. James says, “16 So then, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you will be healed. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect.“

Again, I am reminding us all, this exercise of prayer is not meant to be only for persons in isolation. It’s true, as a hospice chaplain, I see many people isolated in hospitals, in care centers, all alone in their rooms with no one to hold their hands or offer them a kind word of compassion or comfort. James would give us – fellow Christians – the practical advice to come alongside the sick persons in prayer and fellowship, even solidarity.

My commentator Dr. James Boyce echoes this very call from our letter-writer: “James knows a wisdom that is communal, especially in its faithful exercise of prayer. Twice he charges that confession should be “to one another,” and that we should pray “for one another,” if we have any expectation that the promised healing is to take place (James 5.16). Such prayer exercised within and on behalf of the community has power — James says it is “effective.” [4]

I think all of us can agree that as God’s people, we all need regular repentance and soul-searching, no matter what. We are also all in need of healing, personally, and certainly communally. Isn’t that what James tells us here?

At the end of this 5th chapter, this practical how-to manual on the Christian life, we can follow the heavenly prescription James sets forth. We can pray. We can worship. “We learn about how to be God’s people by reading the Bible. We find ways to serve – to do spiritual exercises that both help the world and strengthen us. We develop relationships within our faith community [or church] that are healing and helpful. And we learn to be generous – to share the many good things God has given us with others.” [5]

Whether it is the healing touch of the laying on of hands, or a simple hug from a sister or brother in Christ, or the potent power of prayer or the relief of corporate confession, active participation in the Body of Christ is preventative medicine at its best. What are you waiting for? There’s no co-pay, third-party billing, or lifetime limits on God’s grace and love. Prayer is our heavenly prescription from God.

Alleluia, amen!

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://www.stewardshipoflife.org/2012/09/rx-for-broken-lives-and-faltering-faith/

[2] https://www.stewardshipoflife.org/2012/09/rx-for-broken-lives-and-faltering-faith/

[3] https://fosteringyourfaith.com/2018/09/30/time-for-compassion/

[4] https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-26-2/commentary-on-james-513-20-4

[5] https://www.stewardshipoflife.org/2012/09/rx-for-broken-lives-and-faltering-faith/

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Wisdom from Above!

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“Wisdom from Above!”

James 3:13-4:3 (3:17) – September 22, 2024

            I wonder if you can think of people who are called the best at something? The greatest athlete in a sport? The smartest student at your school? The best chef or best writer or best driver or best of anything? Just imagine how much bitter jealousy that comment can promote. Or, how much selfishness and blind ambition all this empty striving and competition leads to!

Worldly “wisdom” is anything but wise, according to our letter writer James. I am sure you recognize these jealous, covetous people. They regularly moan and kvetch and sometimes outright quarrel about what they have or about what they don’t have. James tells us about these dissatisfied, disgruntled people in our Scripture reading today.  

            Just listen to his description: “If in your heart you are jealous, bitter, and selfish, don’t sin against the truth by boasting of your wisdom. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from heaven; it belongs to the world, it is unspiritual and demonic. 16 Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is also disorder and every kind of evil.”  

This kind of worldly striving, dog-eat-dog attitude is definitely not what James has in mind for us, as believers in Christ. He shines the spotlight on how believers ought to live. Listen! “13 Are there any of you who are wise and understanding? You are to prove it by your good life, by your good deeds performed with humility and wisdom.”

Can there be a sharper contrast between the dissatisfied, selfish, boastful worldly “wisdom” and the Godly, humble, beneficial wisdom and way of life that James talks about here? Not likely. Remember, in this practical letter, this how-to manual, James advises his friends on how to live in a way pleasing to God.

            It’s true that this fancy, flashy excitement can be attractive, even seductive, on the surface! But, all that is just for show, simply surface, an inch deep, and nothing more than worldly dissatisfaction, boastfulness and jealously. But, let’s be truthful – which of us is not tempted, sometimes, by the alluring or bright and shiny trappings of the way of worldly “wisdom?” Which of us doesn’t fall in step with others who might be jealous, or bitter, or selfish – sometimes? Most important, which of us leaves the simple, quiet, godly life of contentment for the flashy, glitzy (and shallow) excitement that so soon fades?

            Let’s consider the worldly, flawed way of thinking and being, for a moment. Carolyn Brown, retired Children’s Ministry Director, has written a prayer for this reading. Listen, if you would, and see whether these words from Ms. Brown do not resonate in our hearts.

Dear God, we want to look amazing.  

We want great clothes, cool shoes, a great haircut. We want our homes filled with our stuff.

We want all the best people to be our friends. We want to be the first, the best, the most, the greatest. So we grab and hold and demand. We even kick and punch to get what we want.

Forgive us.

Teach us to let go, to open our hands and hearts to others. Teach us to be content with what we have and to share it.

Teach us to think as much about what OTHERS want as what WE want. Teach us to be as loving as Jesus. Amen. [1]

            This prayer penetrates straight to the heart, let me tell you! I want to ask God for forgiveness, and to help me live in a loving way, like Jesus. I hope you do, too.

            This prayer makes me think of the Jewish High Holidays, which are quickly approaching. During the month before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, faithful Jews prepare for these holidays by examining their hearts. They meditate and pray, and ask forgiveness of God, of others, and of themselves for the sins and shortcomings of the past year.

            We also have a weekly time of confession and prayer at the beginning of each worship service. Thank God we receive the assurance of pardon each Sunday from our loving Lord! Yet, we keep on sinning. We still need to keep confessing our sins and shortcomings, and receive that assurance of pardon and forgiveness. Is it any wonder that we have this very practical how-to manual of how to live the Christian life by our letter-writer James, in the New Testament?  

            James assures his readers of Godly wisdom, because he describes its results. “Believers need to submit to the wise rule of God through the Spirit of God, a rule which purifies from within.” [2] The practical consequences of this wise rule of God are easy to observe. People who live God’s way are peaceable, considerate, gentle and non-combative! Does this sound very worldly to you? Certainly not selfish or jealous or bitter!

            What I wonder: how is the life of Jesus any mirror to our personal lives? Jesus is certainly recorded as merciful and loving. That is displayed over and over again in the Gospel record! When I think of our Lord Jesus during that three-year period of time in Palestine, I cannot think of anyone more sincere, honest or peaceable. More real and yet penetrating to the heart. I would love to have just a fraction of that Godly attitude and lifestyle as part of mine!

What – practically – can we take away from this reading today? Can we concentrate on living like Jesus? Living the Jesus way is peaceable, considerate, gentle and non-combative. Jesus is sincere, honest, and real. Can we make a commitment to live like Jesus?

This is the how-to of living a life pleasing to God, being filled with the presence of God. “[You and I] are works in process. This isn’t about completion and the satisfaction of a job well done; it is about a journey of discovery and transformation. But peace [gentleness, mercy, and lovingkindness] can be our companions in the journey to keep our feet on the path.” [3]

            Practical James would wholeheartedly agree! Keep on keeping on. Live in God’s way, in the wonderful, honest presence of Jesus. It’s a sure-fire way to have God draw near to each one of us. Alleluia, amen.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2012/08/year-b-proper-20-25th-sunday-in_30.html

Worshiping with Children

[2] http://www.lectionarystudies.com/sunday25bee.html  

[3]  https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/doers-of-the-word/seventeenth-sunday-after-pentecost-year-b-lectionary-planning-notes

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What about the Tongue?

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“What about the Tongue?”

James 3:1-12 (3:1-12) – September 15, 2024

How many of us can remember that old playground saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt me!” children and young people may put on a brave face when they are teased, hurt and picked on. Children and young people can be particularly mean, teasing each other, with left-handed compliments, and even downright insults. But, what insight does this Bible reading from James give us about this very problem?

Let’s hear again these serious words from James. “Just think how large a forest can be set on fire by a tiny flame! 6 And the tongue is like a fire. It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies and spreading evil through our whole being. It sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself. 7 We humans are able to tame and have tamed all other creatures—wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish. 8 But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison.”

Such a little part of the body – the tongue! And yet, despite the playground saying, the tongue can really hurt. “When people are called nasty, dirty names they know what the name caller thinks of them – and that hurts. Those people can be strong, not believe the name caller, and work to prove they are better than the name caller claims. But, it still hurts.” [1]

Names can cause pain, internally. The hurt feelings can smart and fester for a long time. And sometimes, people remember mean words, nasty words or harsh words years after they heard them. Sometimes even decades later. Words can come back to haunt us – either words we have said, or words we have heard. Internalized. Taken to heart.         

Who hasn’t been on the receiving end of a nasty argument, or mean, angry words? Sometimes, words can even change the way we think about ourselves.

Our letter-writer James would whole-heartedly agree. Remember, in this letter the apostle James writes a manual of Christian living. A how-to book on how to live a life pleasing to God.

The big problem with mean, hasty or thoughtless words is that they cannot be unsaid. Once the words have been said out loud – or, sometimes worse, printed electronically in social media – the mean or hasty or thoughtless words are out there in public, whether texts, or tweets or TikTok. These various kinds of words cannot be taken back. And, James cautions all of us on the danger of a tongue that just flaps in the wind! Or, as James says, burns like a forest fire or is fast acting as deadly poison!

Commentator Rev. Dr. Derek Weber thinks further about mean, nasty name-calling and the destructive nature of words. “In our normal catalog of sins, gossip is somewhere far down the list. We are much more concerned about other kinds of misbehavior. James would have us reconsider our hierarchy [of sins] and raise our awareness of the power of words to bring harm to the body of Christ.” [2]  

In Yiddish folklore, there is a story about a woman who would gossip and make false accusations about her neighbors. She never understood the implications of her words until the wise rabbi of her village decided to demonstrate it to her. He told her to get a feather pillow, cut the top off, and run around town with it. As she did that, the feathers flew away and fluttered all around the town. The wise rabbi then told her to collect all of the feathers that flew away and put them back in the pillow. She just couldn’t. It was an impossible task, she told him. “Maybe now you will understand,” he explained, “for you see, your words are like those feathers. Once they get out, it’s impossible to put them all back in.”

Our letter-writer James would so much agree! “As God’s children we are to be careful how we use the power of words. We are called to bless rather than harm, to seek justice and peace for all rather than revenge or harm.” [3] And, I do not want any of us to think that God is just a frowning or disapproving Supreme Being in the sky, ready to hurl thunder bolts at anyone who sins and lets their tongue run on and is a name caller and a gossip.

No, God is serious about sin, that is true! However, we can think of God our Heavenly Parent sort of like a well-loved elder who you and I love and cherish so much, who we do not want to disappoint, who we very much want to do our very best for!

Let’s flip this around, and look at our words from a positive light. Recall how you felt when someone said good, positive things to you or about you. How did you feel, deep down inside? Just think hard about the positive, beneficial impact of these words! James tells us we can certainly bless one another, just as much as we let slip mean or hateful words!

How can we build up each other with our words? What kind of effect would positive affirmations, sincere compliments and just plain being kind have on our daily interactions? I mean all of our interactions, it doesn’t matter with who. Family, friends, acquaintances, even people you meet on the street. Even people who don’t look like us, or speak our language, or wear familiar clothes. Maybe, especially different folks!

I offer the following challenge: find ways of blessing others through kind words, affirmations, and positive reinforcement. Look for everyday opportunities! Try it for the next week, and then the week after that. This is as much a challenge for me as it is for you! Please, find ways of blessing others. [4]  Remember, in this letter the apostle James writes a manual of Christian living. A how-to book on how to live a life pleasing to God. James encourages us to bless each other.

Please, consider turning to your neighbor, to the person in the next pew, and saying, “God bless you!” “God be with you!” Do it, right now. Please. That’s the way to live pleasing to God.

Finally, how would Jesus speak? Would Jesus say kind, helpful, encouraging, positive words? Would Jesus bless people? Do that. And, God will be so pleased!

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2012/08/year-b-proper-19-24th-sunday-in.html

[2] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/doers-of-the-word/sixteenth-sunday-after-pentecost-year-b-lectionary-planning-notes/sixteenth-sunday-after-pentecost-year-b-preaching-notes

[3] https://www.stewardshipoflife.org/2012/09/the-gratitude-attitude/

[4] Ibid.

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Playing Favorites!

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“Playing Favorites!”

James 2:1-10, 14-17 (2:17) – September 8, 2024

            Sometimes, my husband and I step back and observe our fellow human beings. For example, when we are at a coffee shop, or walking through a park. My husband calls it “people watching.” And sometimes, we catch snatches of conversation, too. Some of these bits of conversations are quite revealing! Sometimes, we can even hear about relationships between these people, and their family or friends. These relationships are not always the most healthy.

            Who has all really healthy, happy relationships in their family? Or, friend groups, and acquaintances? Do you – do I – have friends or family members who are mean sometimes? Or who gossip? What about family who have bad habits, like rooting for the wrong sports teams? Or to be more serious, what about friends or family members who play favorites? Who prefer certain people because of their fancy clothes, or their popularity, or how much money they have?

            That is exactly what James is talking about here in chapter 2. This letter from James is so practical! Yes, he does refer to theological concepts now and then, but James wants to give us a manual of Christian living: living the way we as believers are called to live! The description in this reading today is a pertinent, hard-hitting example. 

            James says, “Suppose a rich man wearing a gold ring and fine clothes comes to your meeting, and a poor man in ragged clothes also comes. 3 If you show more respect to the well-dressed man and say to him, “Have this best seat here,” but say to the poor man, “Stand over there, or sit here on the floor by my feet,” 4 then you are guilty of creating distinctions among yourselves and of making judgments based on evil motives.”

            One of my biblical commentators says, “The problem is ‘status serving’ – favoritism. Playing favorites! We are easily attracted toward the successful, wealthy and beautiful people. Yet for James, such partiality is something quite evil.” [1] Playing favorites is definitely not a way for anyone to please God, or to live the way we as believers are called to live. 

            The Gospel reading from the Revised Common Lectionary today also has some difficult, hard-hitting points. Jesus and the disciples are in the racially-mixed area of the Decapolis, near the Sea of Galilee in the far north of Israel. A Gentile woman approaches the Rabbi Jesus while He is at dinner, and asks Him to please heal her daughter. Jesus says some challenging words to her about being a Gentile. She convinces Jesus to help her and heal her daughter, which He does.

            This Gospel reading deals with favoritism and being partial to one group while excluding another group. Who would Jesus exclude? Would He exclude me and my family? Would favoritism include you? How about your children, or grandchildren? 

            These are difficult issues raised by both the apostle James and the Gospel writer Mark.

            Favoritism is all over the place! At work, in the school room, on sports teams, at home. Even – perhaps, especially, as James says – in our local churches. “To seek out the ‘beautiful’ people in our congregation and give them honour because of wealth, status in society, looks, youthfulness, race, education, breeding, success….. is a most ugly way to develop a Christian fellowship. Favoritism is rife in society, let it not exist in our church.” [2]

            Preferring one person over another or one group of people over another is a very worldly way of approaching life. James tells us point blank that we are not to behave this way. Period.  If we take the bare bones approach and look at what the apostle Paul tells us, that we are all one in Christ, and that we are to all love one another, as both Paul and John remind us, some might say we can all simply join hands in a big circle around a campfire and sing “Kum-by-yah” feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and that would be more than enough for the Christian life.

            If that simplistic attitude and short-sighted way of behavior was the only thing we had to do to live the Christian life, then the Christian life would be an insular, warm-and-fuzzy thing indeed. But, as James tells us throughout this letter, there is much more to the Christian life. In this letter, he gives us a how-to manual. A manual for living the way believers are called to live.   

            If we take the example that James gives us, one quick solution would be to simply buy the poor person a new outfit. See? Now the two people coming into church look the same! But, that is only a shallow, simplistic quick-fix for the situation. Instead, James “is asking them to treat the [poor] man with the same respect they would offer a well-dressed man.  Learning to do that in a culture that separates and creates fear between the richer and the poorer requires practice.” [3] This problem goes deep down in people’s attitudes, and is much more serious – even insidious. James says plainly, “Don’t be snobs! Don’t play favorites!”

            I can remember a church I attended some years ago was part of a group of houses of worship that hosted midday meals for the homeless once a week, as well as hosting a warming center during the winter months for five hours in the afternoon and early evening, allowing the homeless to gather inside in a safe space that was warm and welcoming. My husband volunteered at the warming center, and some of those friends who attended regularly mentioned how grateful they were for the church opening their doors freely.

            Yes, make sure our internal attitudes line up with the way that is pleasing to God. Remember, practical, matter-of-fact James shows us a manual for Christian living. Does God choose favorites? What if you are one of those excluded homeless people, or left-out high school kids, sitting at the loser lunch table, with no way to even get close to God? Shut out from God’s loving, caring, nurturing presence?

            Thank God we are always God’s beloved children! We are always the favorites – all of us! Here is a quote by Max Lucado. See if it resonates with you. “If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If God had a wallet, your photo would be in it. God sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning Face it, friend – God is crazy about you!“

            Does God choose favorites? No! That is the way God feels about each one of us! Please, remember that as you go into the world. Treat every single person you meet as a very beloved child of God – because, they are! No matter what, no matter who!

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] http://www.lectionarystudies.com/sunday23be.html

[2] Ibid.

[3] http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2012/08/year-b-proper-18-23rd-sunday-in.html