More Ready Than You Think!

My mother, God Bless Her, was described by her brothers & sister as a person who “could find a cloud for every silver lining.”  She always expected something to go wrong.  Alas!  I have inherited from her what Marie calls my “worry-gene”, a passive expectation that Nothing’s Right Today!  Sunday’s readings are an antidote for me and all the other Eeyore’s of the Church.

In the Second Book of the Kings of Israel comes the story of Naaman, General of Syria’s armies:  good of heart and skilful in battle, he had leprosy.(5:1-14)   A Hebrew serving-girl exclaimed to Naaman’s wife, “If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria!  He would cure him of his leprosy.”  To make a long story shorter, Naaman soon arrived amid pomp & splendor at Elisha’s door, with many gifts & honors.  Elisha’s instructions (delivered by butler, how disrespectful!)  were to wash in the Jordan seven times.  Grumbling,  Naaman did–and was instantly cured!   Great story!  Happy ending!  I guess Naaman was finally ready when someone unfolded Grace to him.

Paul’s Letter to the Galatian congregations is both remonstrance and encouragement, sometimes both in one sentence!  In what we call the 9th verse of Chapter 6, we read, “so let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.”   Even when it seems as if nobody cares, and everyone’s for themselves, and death & despair in all around I see…  Do you ever get weary of doing “what is right”?   I know I do.

Jesus sends first 12 and then 70 out ahead of his tour to announce that “the Kingdom of God has come near to you.” (Luke 10:1-11, 16-20)  Just conjecture, but some of these front-men could well have muttered, “We’ll not be welcome, no one wants salvation; if they do, then let ’em come HERE.”   No, said the Lord, “The harvest is PLENTIFUL!”  He evidently saw something that the rest of us were too jaded to see.

My cynicism often troubles me.  I’d rather say that we can do it, than it can’t be done.  These scriptures are to jar me into higher expectations of God’s abilities and humanity’s readiness to accept God’s Kingdom.   As I dare to speak them on Sunday, I pray that I may expect others to be encouraged to expect more from God and each other….   “Once more, dear friends, into the breach!”

God Bless Us, Every One                 H   B   King