People who’ve come to worship on this Third Sunday in Lent more than likely are bringing baskets of anxieties with them. They’d like to be closer to God, yet they fear that they’re somehow not worthy of God’s companionship. Scriptures today attempt to affirm each one’s value as bearing God’s creative image–the mystery is that we are loved no matter what! God evidently doesn’t measure with human scales.
“Why,” asks Isaiah of Babylon, “do you settle for a Twinky when God has set the table for a full-course dinner?” (55:1-9) “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” Turning away from God’s bounty–or deferring it to “later”–leads to malnutrition and eventual death. The Lord’s nearness means that we can call upon the God who likes to be “found”. The “wicked” and “unrighteous” are those who cultivate cultural idols. Do we need to list ’em? Materialism; carelessness with other’s feelings and needs; military might; bullying; disregard of the stranger…
Those addressing I Corinthians 10:1-13 are cautioned against telling those who listen that “God Will Take Care of YOU!” This could turn into a harangue about God’s list of “Who’s Naughty and Nice”, which seems to greatly dilute the message. Whatever our idolatries may be, God’s faithful and steadfast love can drown them in a healing stream. And thinking that I’m strong enough to stand by myself can be my greatest temptation–and greatest idolatry. John Wesley called spiritual aids “means of grace”, all of them external before we make them our holy habits.
Ah! The parable of the Fig Tree, Luke 13:6-9! I’ve liked this story, since it relates to my own. We need to be careful about assigning roles to God/Christ/the Holy Spirit: what really matters is that you & I are each the unfruitful tree, not living up to our potential YET…and that’s where the grace comes in, with Yet Another Year. Note that this tree isn’t accorded the fickleness of the elements, but gets special attention. The gardener sees the possibilities, and hopes for Great Figs! Every year, in my yard and in cracks in my driveway, seeds are planted unbeknownst to me, and by a force which defies all reason, grow wonderful things! We almost always have a coneflower; some years, tomatoes. One year we had a bush watermelon! What will God have wrought THIS year?
According to the headlines, this is a harsh world. A lot of emphasis is placed upon winning. When we don’t win, our self-images tank and shame sets in. Can I ever be really loved, or am I but a Sinner in the Hands of an Angry God?? Ralph C. Wood tells us that “what counts is God’s own faithfulness to us, enabling us to live faithfully for God amid all the chances and changes of our existence”. (FEASTING on the WORD, C 2:90)
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My grappling with lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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