In Times Both Good and Bad

Sometime in mid-highschool I developed a two-week crush on Leila, a classmate.  When I tried to pursue my romantic inclination, she (alas) replied, “Not at this time”.  I got over it quickly.   But for the remainder of our years together, I’d still ask, “Is it time now, Leila?”  To which she’d reply, “Not yet, Horace!”  This got to be a running gag, and we looked for the most inappropriate times to use it:  at the end of a test, or when a sub was being tested by our group.  When I saw Leila again, at our twenty-year reunion, I was quick to ask, “Is it time now, Leila?”  To which she replied,  “WHAT??”  I guess it’s never the right time….

Jeremiah, “the gloomy prophet”, did have encouragement for the remnant of Judah (31:27-34).  Now that the People have bottomed out, a new covenant is to come from God: “I will put my law WITHIN them, and I will write it on their HEARTS; …they shall ALL know me…for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.”  Is that audacious news, or what!?  When everything we value swirls down the drain, God is gonna intervene?   This new relationship is to be engraved on the hearts, and will turn the Bad Days into good ones.

I’ve been blessed to have several coaches whose voices echo through the surrounding clamor.  These Old Teachers cluster about me during crisis; sometimes with words remembered, often with unspoken support.  The Letter which we call II Timothy is an instance like this.  The Mentor passes the torch to a new generation with an admonition to persevere:  “proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.” (4:2)   In my old age, I selfishly hope that I’ve shared a few nuggets of glory with those subjected to my ministry–and I’m genuinely appreciative of all who remind me of the Great Love which over and around us lies….  You know who you are.

Luke is the only evangelist who included the parable of the Unjust Judge (18:1-8).  Even beyond the Jewish community people could relate to hard-hearted authority which abused its position by ignoring the least and lowest.  People everywhere can applaud the persistence of the widow who finally won her case!  (This is NOT what the Kingdom of God is like!)  But in the light of the other readings, the parable is one more instance of a Holy Presence in times both good and bad:  hang in there, don’t give up!  As King Henry purportedly called out, “Once more, dear friends! Into the breach!”

It’s really difficult to take the long view when dragons of daily frustrations snap at us from behind every shadow.  Our knuckles are bloody from rapping at heaven’s door.  We’ve been praying our hearts out:  “Is anybody there?  Does anybody care?”  My ears are itching for these words which reflect the Breath of God, creating and sustaining, blowing over the face of the deep.

God Bless Us, Every One                Horace Brown King

My thoughts on lectionary readings for the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook, or at horacebrownking.com.