Building God’s People

From time to time, an organization which I support will send me a pack of assorted greeting cards. They’re usually very nice, with appropriate sentiments and perhaps a Bible verse. One sympathy card I didn’t use expressed sorrow and a statement of hope–and the Bible verse was, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice!” A joyful Golden Thread running through this weekend’s scriptures describes the process of God’s People learning to “go on to perfection”.

Exodus 32:1-14 has two thrusts: the backsliding “formation” (?) of the People; and the perceived anger of God which was turned aside by Moses. This is the story of Aaron’s crafting of the Golden Calf, a symbol of fertility and power. Moses had been on Mt. Sinai for a loooong time, and most of the camp at the bottom figured he had died or scarpered off. Needing a focus for worship, they pooled their gold and melted it into an idol. God was plenty mad about this and was going to erase the lot of them; but Moses acted as priest and reminded YHWH of all their holy-history. “And God repented.”

Paul continues to instruct the Philippians (4:1-9)in living the Holy Life, a source of inner Joy. He tells them that they can be joyful even in the midst of calamity: “the Lord is near”. “Unaffected, childlike rejoicing in the Lord is the hallmark of the Christian life….Joy is a discipline of perfection, not an emotion dependent on circumstances….Christian joy is subversive; it overturns threatening situations and frustrates those with selfish plans.” (Nathan Eddy in SOJOURNERS, A 4:161-163) A gracious attitude seems to be a vital part of building God’s People.

Jesus’ story of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22:1-14) is yet another one reminding the Jewish leaders–and now us?– of their original selection but ultimate exclusion due to their apathetic response to Incarnation/God become human. The invitation had been issued for many centuries; but now that the Messiah appeared, the leadership declined to show up. The parable continues with bringing in all those in the streets, good & bad alike: ah, there’s hope for me! (Has God really wrecked the leaders/Jews and cast at least one into outer darkness?? or is this part of another Matthean story…?) The Medical Mission Sisters once wrote, “Now God has written a lesson for the rest of mankind (sic), if you’re slow in responding, (God) may leave you behind; (God)’s preparing a table for that great and glorious day; when the Lord and Master calls you, be certain not to say–I cannot come…”

What do we do when our health fails, the economy swoons and our political leaders seem out of touch? “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about THESE things.” “Lord of all, to thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise.”

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My wrestling with Scripture passages assigned to the upcoming weekend may be observed every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com