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Now look. I’m a United Methodist clergy, and on the liberal/progressive side of that. I’ve always maintained that Grace prevails over Sin, and that a loving Creative Parent continues to rejoice over and welcome even we who’ve been “Bad”. I’m not going to drop that understanding–but the readings for this coming weekend could certainly lend themselves to a “better watch out, better not pout” sort of theology. So we’ll tiptoe forth, finding Grace where we can.

Several different lectionaries present possible Old Testament readings; I have Micah 3:5-12 before me today. Micah spoke almost 800 years before Jesus: the glory years of David & Solomon had passed into rival kingdoms, and graft & corruption prevailed among both secular and priestly rulers. “Its rulers give judgment for a bribe, its priests teach for a price, its prophets give oracles for money…” (v.11) Worse, they claim Divine protection despite their abuse of the poor and needy. “Because of you Zion shall be plowed as a field…” The prophet said that they were not living a life worthy of God.

Paul refers to some human images in his letter to the Thessalonians: “As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead A LIFE WORTHY OF GOD, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” (I, 2:12) My own sainted father would often admonish me not to do anything that would bring shame to the family; I suppose that I’ve said similar things to my two boys.
Memo from God: “Try not to screw up!”

But we do, of course we do. Matthew recalls Jesus telling the crowds, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.”(23:2-3) The religious leaders evidently courted the honors and privileges of their office, yet expected others to engage in spiritual acrobatics and guilt-trips to prove their solidarity with God. So what should they do, to live a life worthy of God? “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (v.12)

So maybe “worthiness” isn’t so much what we do as it is our state of mind which keeps us humble. If I were preaching this time around, I think that I would tell folks that a connection with Jesus as servant is Worthy, as it also reminds us that God is God…and that we’re not!

God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King

I love short stories; they’re focused, concise and notably lacking in prolonged navel-gazing. And the best stories are ones where a surprising hero enters to save the day, someone you’d least expect! Stories that we’ll explore this weekend feature the entrance of a shocking authority–and the disdain of the Old Guard in recognizing salvation when it hits ’em in the face…

Cyrus ruled Persia and most of the known world from 558 to 530 BC. He was extolled by those he ruled for his unusual tolerance of local customs and religious practices. Isaiah of Babylon calls him the Lord’s “anointed” (!), “whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him…” (45:1) “Anointed” has been read by some to mean “Messiah”, but this is more of a royal than religious understanding. Call him what you will, but Isaiah exults that at last there shall be a restoration of Israel…so get it right, this time! Cyrus, although not a traditional believer, is seen by Yahweh as a Saving Restorer of The Lord’s supremacy. “I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me there is no god.” (v.5)

The congregation at Thessalonica in Greece would also be a surprise to those of the old Jewish understanding: these were non-Hebrews, and formerly pagans. Paul is overwhelmed by “how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God…” (I Thessalonians 1:9) He had earlier affirmed that “he has chosen you” (v.4) They have become not only recipients, but anointed messengers of salvation: they have become part of the Divine Restoration of All Creation, not just some acres in Palestine!

You probably remember how Jesus was engaged by the Pharisees (who espoused non-Empirical government) and the Herodians (who favored strong Roman rule). “Is it lawful to pay taxes to the Emperor, or not?” (Matthew 22:16) Jesus confounded them by taking a coin, pointing out the Emperor’s image, and famously saying, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”(v.21) What things ARE God’s? And is the Emperor God’s Anointed? (see Romans 13) Those who hear this passage on Saturday or Sunday are challenged yet again about this whole matter of allegiance.

On the corner of South Turnpike Road and Main Street, John Rawlings kept a variety store for decades. Behind the counter, a prominent sign read, “In God We Trust. All Others Pay Cash.” We in our Confirmation Class wrote a paraphrase: “Render unto Mr. Rawlings the things that are Mr. Rawlings,…” Some felt that the Emperors of Persia & Rome were anointed by God. Where is our Revolution now??

God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King

I woke up to a feeling of serenity, of peace. Bright sunshine was streaming in, and a little breeze teased the curtain. The wine-rich air smelled of yellow leaves and fading mums. Later, Marie and I will take a walk around the block, crunching the dried maple leaves and kicking them into windrows. Tonight, we’re promised a full Harvest Moon, complete with eclipse… No one can be an atheist in October!

Lessons for this period of Kingdomtide focus in on God’s Great Bounty. We begin this weekend with Isaiah of Jerusalem, who has his usual warning about the zealous Might of a Righteous God. But then he offers a vision of Grace to the needy: “For you have been a refuge to the poor,…a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat.” (25:4) And then an invitation to abundance: “On this mountain {Zion} the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines.” (v.6) More, “let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Even Paul gets in the joyful spirit of Grace! To the Philippian believers he writes, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (4:6-7) Don’ worry, be happy? Nathan Eddy has said, “Prayer here is relationship with God, not a technique….even in difficult situations, one lets go of being one’s own savior.”

Matthew’s recollection of Jesus’ parable of the Wedding Banquet continues his direction of building the Church out of the remnants of Israel. (22:1-14) Jan Abel points out that the killing, destruction and casting into outer darkness can be “ghastly”. Yet the spirit of the story is not so much revenge upon the unrighteous as it is the generosity of the Lord in bringing in EVERYbody, riff-raff & all!

Dr. Oz–whose word is law in my house–has advised us that we feast entirely too much, that our over-indulgence is killing us. But when the Kingdom has fully drawn near, you can bet that I’m gonna enjoy every fork-full! Even the Green Marshmallow Salad…

God Bless Us (urrrp), Every One Horace Brown King