Once upon a time, you & I had a vision of what the earth/culture/society could be. After a bit, we incorporated some form of spirituality into this vision, and innocently attempted to live with values and plans which reflected our hopes. As we accumulated days & years, our world-involvement side took over and we became cynic and selfish about our lifestyle. We knew that holiness wouldn’t cut it, that only the tough survive. Nothing new here. Scripture readings address the tension of many generations–ours, too–of living a responsible life in the face of so many material pressures.
The desolation of JEREMIAH shows up in 8:18-9:1: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved….Is there no balm in Gilead?” The Prophet speaks for YHWH, wishing to cry over the “slain of my poor people”. Jeremiah adopts a stance between YHWH and the people, who have abandoned their ethics and trust in a half-tolerated liturgy… The “wounded” here are the “sin-sick souls” who recognize their afflictions to be a matter of dis-ease and un-wholeness/un-holiness. Ancient words challenge modern hearers to hold onto the Vision.
I TIMOTHY, probably a disciple of Paul, urges his readers to nurture that vision to ALL–even (uggh!) kings & rulers (2:1-7). The Savior desires EVERYONE to be included within the fold! (What about despots of all ages, military conquerors and corrupt former presidents?) It’s always difficult for me to invite the homeless and the unwashed in a spirit of hospitality. It would be easier if Jesus had come to only rich heterosexual white guys… but All means ALL. God continues to stretch the envelope of my comfort zone, and displays The Vision in surprising places.
LUKE 16:1-13 is a satirical story told by Jesus, where a crooked manager is getting sacked. “What’ll I do?? Who’ll invite me to dinner NOW?” So he told the boss’ creditors to fudge their accounts–and the boss commended the manager for looking out for himself! (Ethics? But think of the JOBS!!) Long ago I was urged to file a complaint about a misplaced raincoat, which I declined to do. I was then told, “Nice guys finish last!” Do they? On whose racetrack? Helen Montgomery Debevoisek says, “Even in the present age, with the imperfect treasures of this world, we are stewards of God.” (FEASTING on the WORD, C 4:97)
And so we struggle, one foot on the dock and one foot in the rowboat. Paradise looks SO nice…yet we’re caught in the daily rat race of getting and having. Despite my best intentions, momentary valuations creep up on me–and I’m once again embracing commerce and rationalizing my morals. I guess that participation in the holy is the singular way to Hold Onto the Vision.
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It is oh so hard not to be cynical in these days of Trump and Putin but God is within our present turmoil. It may be difficult with inflation, Supreme Court packing and redistricting but God is here amongst all the destruction we human cause and natural destruction we choose to ignore. We are still the hands and feet of God in a broken world.