In seminary–back in the Last Century–I learned that the duty of the preacher is to “comfort the afflicted & afflict the comfortable”. Evidently this is truly Biblical doctrine: our lessons for this weekend (and every day) give a good dose of both affliction AND comfort. The challenge, I suppose, is to enable a balance and an intriguing tension within the hearers’ hearts…and perhaps our corner of the world will be changed.
Isaiah, never one to hold back, jumps right into the fray in the very first “chapter” of his oracles. “Says the Lord, ‘I have had ENOUGH of burnt offerings…I do NOT delight in the blood of [cattle].” (1:11) Before we get too smug in our own enlightenment, take note that these sorts of things happen yet today in our “proper” worship, both private and public! Paul Simpson Duke says, “The present attack is on the bizarre disconnect of people praising God while desecrating God’s command to love….Worship unconcerned with justice is obscene.” (FEASTING on the WORD, C 3:319) Hearing this passage will cause all of us to squirm…and maybe transform our greater community. The Hebrews lesson (11:1-3,8-16) reminds us of how Abraham’s faith popped him from his comfort zone in Chaldea to go where he had no idea. Banking solely on God’s promises of a land and descendants, he loaded his ox-cart and set off. His bumper sticker read: “Don’t follow me, I’m lost too!” Just like in PAINT YOUR WAGON, the con- versation went, “Where we goin’?” “I don’t know” “When’ll we get there?” “I ain’t certain–all that I know is I am on my way.” The road-sign reads, “Temporary inconvenience, permanent improvement.” A conviction of things not seen!
Luke’s Gospel remembrance (12:32-40) is an extension of that just last week read, about Bigger Barns and Greed. This reading begins, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Sell or give away your baggage, and invest your treasure safely with God. (Comfort, to be sure!) But can I give away my old cardigan sweaters, moth-holed and out of date? 13 of these old friends clutter my closet. 7 sport jackets, four of which fit. At least 50 neckties. (Ah, now the affliction!) “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Gulp!
Well, I’ve been afflicted, that’s for sure. And yet I still have lots of time (I think) to re-prioritize my valuables. Comfort me, Lord, by telling me yet again about the Land of Promise. Let me awaken, Scrooge-like, while the bells of God’s Kingdom tell us that it’s not too late…
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My thoughts about lectionary readings for the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this space on Facebook, and at horacebrownking.com
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