My student churches were in Susquehanna County, PA. Though rapidly becoming suburbanized, there were yet enough old generation seniors who were still running small farms to wax eloquent over The Harvest. We offered seasonal dinners of excess: turkey, corn dishes of ancient recipe, butternut squash…and pumpkin pie. Those who didn’t eat until their eyes popped were considered barbaric. Children were told timeless tales of field clearing, stump burning and stone hauling. Then we drove recent-year cars home to our televisions and central heating and indoor plumbing… God has blessed us well!
The Hebrew Bible reading for this weekend allows the prophet Joel to do a bit of waxing, himself (2:23-32). Here Yahweh is speaking of End Times, when the Bad will be past and the Good will triumph: “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you.” The System has been flawed, fer sure–but Justice (and Prosperity) will come at last! Joel doesn’t disavow the brokenness, but emphasizes how God is restoring a straying culture.
Paul tells Timothy that such a restoration hasn’t much been seen, yet (II 4:6-18). Knowing that he’ll soon die, he keeps looking for his own “crown” and that of coming generations. (THIS one??) Some of us die cranky, fearing that Life will never respond to grace and peace. We who are dying (aren’t we all?) well may cheerfully recollect the hardships of the race while celebrating a Holy Presence which never abandons us! The good news here is that “in life, in death, we are not alone. Thanks be to God!”
I can hardly keep my eyes on yours as I read the Gospel, Luke’s account of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (18:9-14). Certainly a major evidence of sin in my life is my enduring attitude of arrogance, of smugness. I’m pretty open towards folks of other races, gender-preference, religion…but oh, those truck drivers on Rt. 17! And there’s more; plenty more. The Pennsylvania Dutch say, “All the world is queer but for thee and me; and I’m not so sure about thee…” My confessions always must begin with enumeration of those I disparage. How ’bout you?
So harvest-time is a season for counting our blessings, as long as we don’t look down on those we think are less blessed. All in all, I’ve had a good run, uphill and down; and now I’m enjoying the richness which God has supplied. I hope that these readings will carve me open for my snarky attitude, and remind me that I’m nothing ‘cept for the tenacious care of the Lord of the Harvest….
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My musings on scripture readings for the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this space on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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