During this Season after Pentecost — some traditions call it “Kingdomtide” — we hear readings concerning God’s Steadfast Love toward the hungry, the homeless, the rogues and the wanderers. Since most of us are, or recently have been, this is a time of comfort and nurture, of finding a home when the cold winds blow.
God took care of Ruth (chapters 3 & 4) even though she was from Moab (gasp!). God used Naomi, the mother-in-law as a vehicle of wisdom: “go sleep with Boaz, and he’ll marry you.” Boaz was mature and rich; we know of his kindness, since he allowed the poor to glean his field. Not only was Ruth cared for materially, but delivered a son who was to be King David’s grandpa!
We continue to read in the Letter to the Hebrews (9:24-28) about the sole efficacy of Christ to be our Ultimate High Priest. Contemplating the Kingdom, we are directed there, shepherded, through Christ’s giving of himself.
And a double reading from Mark’s Gospel (12:38-44: Jesus cautions against the obviously Righteous and self-assured, whose spirits are shallow despite all their fancy clothes. Instead, look at this poor widow, who quietly put her last penny into the Temple treasury! This isn’t necessarily a lesson about giving, but an exercise in how radically we dare trust God to care for us in our poverty. Truth to tell, we can’t take our fancy clothes with us; so enjoy ’em now, before we’re required to put all of what’s left into God’s hands… Lord, have mercy.
God doesn’t play “How Much Do You Love Me?” Yet there’s a Divine conviction that the Lover is satisfied even more than the Beloved!
God Bless Us, Every One H B King
My Blog 
Leave a comment