“What,” I asked Marie, “will Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Brien do after the election?” But there’ll still be administrative silliness and inequity of justice to pillory when the current beasts are tamed and the earth tumbles through another spin-cycle. Church-goers and other spiritual folks may turn to Biblical holy-history to renew a comforting perspective of Divine Tenacity: the idols of each generation tarnish and crumble. Don’t they…?
The weekend’s scriptures address idolatry in general and materialism in particular. Jeremiah has been under house-arrest in 586 BC, ten years AFTER Babylon’s forces have taken leading citizens into forced exile. Now the same troops are knocking at the gates AGAIN! When will these troubles cease? When will we “Be Great Again”? Of all things! In the midst of fear and despair, Jeremiah buys a field! (32:1-15) His aide, Baruch, is instructed to keep the deed intact no matter what destruction occurs: this story of long-range investment needs to be told to ensuing generations. “For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.” In a way, Jeremiah redeems the Portion as an analogy of how God redeems the Whole.
The fatherly advice to Timothy (6:6-19) warns him away from idolatry, especially that of materialism. “In their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.” The better alternatives should be offered in contrast: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Christian allegiance is to God alone–excluding pension plans, the Alma Mater’s football team, family ties; and yes, civic government. Boy, is this subversive! But riches don’t have to be evil or self-serving: those who have affluence “are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.”
Luke’s Gospel, 16:19-31, is the familiar story of the Rich Man & Lazarus, told to those who were lovers of money (see vv.14ff). On the surface this seems to say that by ‘n’ by roles reverse, that what goes ’round comes ’round. Not to be ignored is The Great Chasm, which can be crossed only by the bridge of Christ, and that only in THIS life. The “haves” are to embrace justice while there’s still time… Abraham pointedly tells the ones now suffering due to their carelessness with their stuff, You Only Live Once.”
Norman Podhoretz says that a Prophet is one whom God has lifted up to confront the idol(s). Many prophets are needed to speak against our prevailing culture of “America First”, which is a way of saying “me-first and too bad about you.” Jeremiah’s property transaction records are to be retained intact, even within the earthen vessel of the Church. These are investments in the future, beginning here & now.
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My thoughts about lectionary readings for the coming weekend can b e found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook, or at horacebrownking.com
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