Richard Rohr has written, “God does not love any of us because we are good. God loves us because GOD is good.” (THE TEARS OF THINGS, Convergent Books, New York: page 94) Scripture passages to be heard this upcoming weekend explore and contrast the restlessness of the People with actual pursuit of righteousness. It’s not what you may think…
JOEL 2: 23-32 is given in the context of great calamity and drought. Yet the prophet tells his community that God still loves them, and will confirm this by the gift of God’s Spirit. To ALL, not just those who “deserve” it. Actually, none of us “deserve” seeing the Spirit of God: Joel’s people all turned away from Godly living, and were looking out for themselves. Will God still pour out this Spirit today? Will our toys stop us from seeing it?
TIMOTHY has been preaching the Godly life, but he’s scared. Nothing but bad happens to him. His mentor, someone writing in the spirit of Paul, encourages him to continue to exert himself just as this mentor has “poured himself out” that the thirsty may be helped. Even (II, 4:6-8) though the people may be looking death in the face, “the Lord, the righteous judge, will give” the crown to the faithful, those who persevere in faith and loving mercies.
LUKE 18:9-14 is Jesus’ parable of the two men in the Temple. One is a self-appreciative Pharisee, who congratulates himself on fasting and giving TWICE what’s expected–and is not like that awful tax-collector over there. The tax-collector, who has probably screwed over his clientele, says nothing except “God, be merciful to me, a sinner”. Jesus says that this guy is forgiven in God’s eyes, and the self-righteous Pharisee hasn’t a clue about how the Kingdom of God operates.
So, do we know our failings and our blasphemies? Do we think we’re doing good by adhering to tradition? Do we recognize the difference between being forgiven and blundering on without thought? God is God–and we’re not.
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
Come bring a friend on Tuesday and we’ll examine the Scripture that examines us; readings for the upcoming weekend, courtesy of the Revised Standard Lectionary at horacebrownking.com
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