Martha Sterne reminds us that “at the heart of the Judeo-Christian faith is this Creator who emerges even in the bleakest hour in human history to create anew”. (FEASTING on the WORD, C 4:291) Scriptural texts to be read this weekend celebrate this ongoing Creation, reminding us again that God is God–and we’re not! These messages also bring cheer to steady the spines of the lonely prophets and to carry hope to those who weary of worldly glitz and self-reliance. Attend with me?
ISAIAH 65:17-25 reminds his immediate hearers, those yet living in Israel/Canaan AND us of the Twenty-First Century, that YHWH isn’t by any means “done”. What was originally called “Good” has been constantly messed up by those who embrace Reason over Holy Imagination: the ancient Israelite community and that of the Present (and all in between?) have lost the dream of justice and Godly life. But there is a sure future which Trinto-Isaiah here announces: “But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating.”
II THESSALONIANS 3:6-13 is a plea for righteous labor and a farewell to idleness. Paul’s team exhorts that congregation to keep on keepin’ on. The danger here is to place our well-being solely in our productivity, which can also be an idol. Opportunities to work within the Church are not to be disregarded, yet some “leaders” may have done their jobs so thoroughly that they’ve become ingrown and actually believe it when they’re acclaimed as rival gods…. “Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.”
“Just look what the artists and the architects have done”, marveled the disciples. “Sure enough,” said the Lord, “[But] as for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” Matter of fact, thirty years after Jesus’ death, the Temple WAS destroyed in order to keep the Jews humble and in line with Rome. Was that part of creating new heavens and new earth? Does God confound our plans when we get too big for our britches? Jesus said that there’d be LOTS of calamities–wars, earthquakes, famines–but this is not The End. However, these occasions will give believers a chance to speak about God’s process of re-creation.
What is God up to NOW?? Can a culture that has drifted into the worship of rockets, guns and football ever be reclaimed by the Holy One? And will the remnant who keep a clear eye yet be able to dream? And to speak this Dream when the rest of the world has forgotten who they are?
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
Join me each Tuesday as we are met by Lessons assigned by the lectionary to the upcoming weekend–at horacebrownking.com
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