Marie & I went to get updated passports, yesterday. I always shiver, going before Governmental Authority, expecting some glitch from long ago to resurface and derail the project. I wear a sign which reads, “Expect the Worst”. Defying my expectations of gloom, the lady behind the desk was both friendly and helpful, handling my dumb questions without sarcasm or pitying snicker! Despite her green hair, I had a most satisfying experience: I hope she gets a raise. My expectations are human; does GOD expect Great Things, as well? This weekend’s scripture readings address God’s expectations…and how we could live with them.
We begin with Isaiah of Jerusalem’s famous Song of the Vineyard, 5:1-7. Everything God did for that vineyard–planting, weeding, cultivating, building a hedge–was eager work, an expectation of Something Wonderful! “God expected it to yield grapes (vv.2,4)…expected justice, but saw bloodshed; righteousness, but heard a cry.” (v.7) The love song pauses with a screech of grief. (Paul Simpson Duke has an excellent commentary on the passage in FEASTING of the WORD, C 3:340) The post-Isaiah interpreter is urged to remind us that “the good news is that Someone still sings, plows, plants, guards, and looks for good fruit.” (Duke)
Is there a link between this and the Hebrews reading, 11:29-12:2? This is an All Saints’ list of prophets, judges and kings who expected “the Best”, even though they could also expect a gruesome death and life-long torment. “Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided SOMETHING BETTER…” Our TV overflows with coverage of USA contenders at the Rio Olympics. Each athlete has trained for years, maybe all their lives, for this moment! They expect the Gold! “Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith…”
The Gospel lesson, Luke 12:49-56, is TOUGH! Just before this, James & John, feeling disrespected, want to call down Heavenly Fire (Zeus’s lightning bolt?) Jesus says they can’t, that’s HIS job! “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” This fire will divide us from our loved ones and our community. Not the other nations or races, but our Family. Look at the seasons, read the sky, Jesus urged. Don’t you know what’s expected now?? That’s probably enough to say: let it stand.
If it’s not presumptuous to tread upon Holy Turf, let me sing you about my broccoli. I weeded, raked, added compost, and chose only the finest plants from AGWAY. And now my plants are almost 4 feet tall! Really!! They’re all leaves–no vegetable heads. My friend Tim says that I planted tobacco by mistake. “Expect the Worst”. We can blow God’s Expectations off by saying, “We’re only human, after all!” Of course; and were we made in God’s Image? “We are longing in the easiest of all the world’s religions, leaning back into the entitlements of grace and an arrogance of heritage.” Duke, ibid.)
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My musings on scripture lessons for the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this space on Facebook; and at horacebrownking.com
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Great, great, great! I wonder if you planted Pumpkins, which I did once, next to my cucumbers, and between the two, the backyard was lost. Maybe it wasn’t meant for you to have broccoli’s just like it’s not meant for me to have Lima Beans! Great Blog! BTW…. I did receive your nice email a couple of weeks ago. We are still working our calendar out for the next few weeks. I’ll be back in touch soon. Hi to Marie.
Thanks,Lamont, for always affirming me; our writing seems to inform and inspire each other. You mentioned pumpkins–mine, years ago, were from The Little Shop of Horrors. Tendrils would lurk behind the garage all night, then jump out and try to devour Lloyd George as he cautiously mowed the lawn. Several neighborhood teenagers went missing, that summer; however, I acquired a fine assortment of baseball caps.