“Are we there yet?” “Almost.” Seems as though we’re often (always?) on the doorstep, poised to make an entrance. What will tomorrow bring? Even though we’ve been wandering, will God’s Plan continue to prevail? Will we ever get past wearing masks and keeping away from each other? Is there any progress to the human condition? Or–the flip side–will the powers of destruction continue to win? Are we chasing rainbows??
The Hebrew remembrance (Joshua 3:7-17) is significant because it recalls how God keeps being God, whether or not the cultic leader is here. Moses has died, but we THINK Joshua is his successor. On the doorstep to the Promised Land (at last!) we’ve paused; how can we get across this river? But even in the absence of Moses, God looked after The People: priests who bore the Ark of the Covenant stood still in the middle of the Jordan and the waters separated and we all got across with our feet dry! It’s not over yet, but for today we’ve passed THIS barrier…
I Thessalonians 2:9-13 is also about The People. Our faith-community is unique because it’s not limited by the tarnish of the rest of the world. That is, Paul encourages each member to nurture and make safe this land beyond society’s river. What does it mean to “lead a life worthy of God”? We have personal responsibility to respond to Grace extended daily; but it’s not something we can do on our own. We need a mentor to show us the twists and turns, someone who’s done this before. Just as our ancestors rejoiced as they entered the Promised Land, we also have joy in affirming that Someone Who Cares has been walking along with us.
Matthew 23:1-12 is more seasonal: Jesus addresses those who wear masks and pretend to be someone they’re not. “…do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.” I’ve gotta admit, I often act as one of these: I like my long fringes on my fancy prayer-shawls, the best seats at dinner, being recognized as a Teacher in the marketplace. Allen Hilton writes, “The light of self-promotion is always on in (us) hypocrites, because people do not stop having opinions about us, and these opinions are utterly important to us….Lacking confidence in the divine ‘yes’, we hypocrites make masks or broadcast our piety in order to win a human ‘yes’…THE ANTIDOTE FOR HYPOCRISY IS GRACE. (FEASTING on the WORD, A 4:265)
Who, then, are/have been my mentors? As I grew up, there were several men & women in my congregation at Dalton, PA who were instrumental in guiding my early life. And through my ministry there have been other clergy and laity who’ve mentored me. Even now–especially now–there are those who’ve nurtured and sheltered me in a time of old age. You probably don’t know who you are–but thanks for guiding me safely across the river!
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
My encounter with scripture assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
My Blog 
Leave a comment