By nature, I’m a peaceful guy. Except for an adrenalin-laden period in junior high, when I’d pop anything in sight, I’ve always walked away from a fight. Sometimes, I run! I’ve found it easier to live with the delusion of Peace than the reality of confrontation. The scripture lessons we’ll soon address make me a bit uncomfortable: not just in their proclamation, but in the realization that my tendency is to chicken-out when it’s my duty to speak out. It’s important for the Church to hear these things.
The prophet Micah probably lived in the 7th century BC, and his oracle(s) seem directed to the Inner Circle of Judah. He condemned the “prosperity prophets” who claimed a rosy outlook, while all the time the Assyrians were massing troops at the border (3:5-12). Not only would the seers “be disgraced, and the diviners put to shame”, but the prophet himself is now filled with power “to declare to Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin”. His audience was the rulers and chiefs “who abhor justice and pervert all equity.” Because of them will occur the ruination of Jerusalem.
Paul (for once) cuts to the chase in I Thessalonians 2:9-13: “…when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.” The image here is not so much of empowered individuals speaking Truth, but an empowered CHURCH offering a spoken presence of God yet at work within a tarnished society.
The Gospel (Matthew 23:1-12) is once again describing Jesus’ confrontation of those folks who preached, but didn’t practice, holiness. Although these teachings stand very nicely by themselves, when we see them in the context of a persistent challenge to Jerusalem between the Triumphal Entrance and the Crucifixion, they accumulate a great deal of weight. Since the Pharisees and their scribes represent The Law, Jesus tells the people to follow what they SAY. But their own style is to lay heavy burdens on others and to expect public honors for who they are. As one who likes to make my fringes long and sit at the head table, I confess my sense of entitlement.
One of the reasons that I have difficulty Speaking Truth to Power is the awareness that I AM power. In some circles, my clerical collar gets me special treatment. My bank-account embarrasses me by listing the paucity of my charitable giving while I live prosperously. By accident of birth, I’m a white educated American now trying to establish other world-citizens on an equal footing. I really need to hear this Godly Presence speaking through Micah, Paul, Jesus and the Church. God’s prodding is still at work!
God Bless Us, Every One! Horace Brown King
My anticipations of readings for the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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