I hate to make choices. Large menus throw me into states of despair. I remember that Mom would say, “Take what they give you–and be glad you got it!” Shopping is out, for me: compare prices? Check ingredients? Nah!! So this weekend’s scriptures are a reminder to fellow settlers that there IS a Better Part for all, not just the rich and privileged. Listen up, Mom.
Amos, enigmatic non-prophet from the South, says some harsh stuff to the complacency of the North (8:1-12). He’s addressing crooked merchants and all who profit from ripping off their customers–and others of us who collect our toys and polish our trophies while the world around us cries out for help. “I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation…” The ensuing famine of divine instruction will wilt down the nation into a mob of seekers, willing to follow any old direction. The “pride of Jacob” refers to the national arrogance which says, “We can do as we please, God’ll never know!” Amos is a man for all seasons: can America still choose? More directly, can I?
The text from the Colossian Letter (1:15-28) has a year’s worth of spiritual commentary, beginning with a Christology which will curl the hair of our non-Creedal friends. For today, I especially like vv.21-22, “And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body…” The choice is still open? Wm. Barclay opines, “So Jesus Christ is the guiding spirit of the Church; it is at his bidding that the Church must live and move. Without him, the Church cannot think the truth, cannot act correctly, cannot decide its direction.” (THE NEW DAILY STUDY BIBLE, p.140) Evidently there’s still opportunity to choose between the prevalent evil and becoming “saints in the light”.
What can we glean from the familiar Mary-Martha story, Luke 10:38-42? Martha’s hospitality obsession is to be commended; yet Mary seized the present virtue, which Jesus described as “the better part”. Some will project this dichotomy onto those “worried and distracted” congregations whose perpetual motion leaves very little space for actually listening to Jesus. Today’s choice is to give Jesus our undivided attention, which is very difficult in our 24/7 world.
Maybe this thing about choosing means that I’ve gotta THINK, always painful at this advanced state of life. Life was easier when Somebody said, “Here it is, take it or leave it”. Alas, now that I’ve reached the boundary of the Land of Discernment, I can never return again. With God’s help, I can choose the Better Part. Only with God’s help.
God Bless Us Every One Horace Brown King
My encounter with scripture passages assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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