A bumper sticker told me, “Jesus is coming soon–and boy, is he mad!” Do I really want to address Final Things this morning? Perhaps we turn to the apocalypse as a hope for ultimate goodness (God) to prevail over the evil system/government/culture; these lessons MAY help articulate our angst. Be careful: we can easily blaspheme by ascribing human emotions and jealousies to God. In back of all the wrath is an over-riding grace.
Zephaniah prophesied at the time of King Josiah (640-609 BC). Unlike Amos of last week’s reading, this prophet doesn’t mention the poor and downtrodden, but rails against palace corruption and impure worship (1:12-18). He saw the nation’s citizens as a Whole, condemning all who rest “on their dregs” (?) and who say in their hearts that God can’t hurt ME. Soon will be the Dies irae, dies magna calamitatus et miserie. Those who like to preach on social sins can expand this warning to today especially. Lest you think that Zephaniah eliminates grace, read Chapter 3. The entire oracle is only 3 chapters: to prepare, why not read it all at one sitting, to get the flow?
Paul reminds the Thessalonians that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (I, 5:2). The text is an admonition to stay on your toes, keeping awake and sober. It implies that the Christian congregation should involve itself in acts of charity and compassion which demonstrate that God has all of daily history–even its final throes–well in hand. The busy Thessalonians are also urged to keep an eye open as the Kingdom unfolds, in order not to be preoccupied by their worthy labors. “For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ”
Matthew’s story about the Distribution of the Talents/Treasure (25:14-30) could be a presentation about developing the gifts God has given. I’ve done it. But with these other two readings, it may be good to spin out what happens when the master returns and asks how things have developed. There’s plenty of wrath when he finds out that Slave Number Three was so afraid that he hid his share without risk! It flies against Divine Generosity and heavenly trust, and is rightly an offense. Even though the master isn’t looking over our shoulder–don’t allegorize!–we’re still entrusted to nurture and possibly increase the gifts with which we’ve been blessed.
Lord knows that Hollywood has capitalized greatly on the idea of the destruction of the world! Alas, too many other Christian groups have preached on the humanized wrath and vengeance of a jealous God. My own first impulse is to shove all of this under the rug in order to celebrate only the seasonal harvests of farm ‘n’ field. BUT these expressions of worry and fear are part of our Holy Writ, and should be addressed. Be it known that the Day of the Lord is but one more Day of Creation, and should be seen as that which makes Perfect that which has already been called Good…
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My fussing over scripture lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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