Human society is torn between being “Godly” or the prevailing system of prestige/ownership/wealth. This is nothing new: lessons being heard on the upcoming weekend tell of prophets who have tried to speak God’s Word only to be met with the Beatles’ response, “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah”. These texts tell again the stories of those on the brink of giving up, tired and burnt out with the constant rejection.
EZEKIEL’s book jumps right in with the vision of the Chariot of God. And here in 2:1-5 he is summoned by the Almighty to go to “a nation of rebels….impudent and stubborn”. Is this Israel in the Babylonian Captivity? or is it us?? Many will say that they’re waiting for a Special Person to peel back the clouds, but here God addresses Ezekiel as “Mortal”–an everyday sort of guy. The Church–Zeke’s descendants–is called to say “Thus says the Lord”, whether or not the surrounding culture hears. Even in a strange and alien “land”, God finds us and encourages us to keep on fighting the dragon.
The collection of messages we call II CORINTHIANS is actually a chain letter probably written by Paul’s team on his behalf. 12:1-10 describes Paul’s vision(s) of heaven and thus his tenacious handling of his own “thorn in the flesh.” How do we respond to Rachel Maddow and the Supreme Court? How can we find the words to address this corrupt society and be heard? Or does anyone really care…? I guess that we’re to be the presence of Christ to others despite our personal weaknesses, daring the opportunity of rejection.
MARK 6:1-13 tells the story of Jesus preaching in his hometown, Nazareth-not-Pennsylvania. The Old Timers there remember him as Mary & Joseph’s kid, and won’t let him grow up. The second part tells about Jesus sending out his Disciples, always with the risk of not being heard. Even still, they cast out many demons and cured the sick. In the midst of rejection, a few will respond–to Ezekiel, to Paul, to Jesus and his followers. These tales encourage us to take a deep breath and plunge in again. And again.
Maybe this weekend I’ll want to pound the pulpit as we read the Psalm for the day, Number 123: “Have mercy on us, for WE HAVE HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH OF CONTEMPT. Our soul has had MORE THAN ITS FILL of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.”
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
Please forward this on to some of your enraged friends; and be sure to join us every Tuesday as we unpack scripture texts which will be engaged on the upcoming weekend.
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