God Has Shown You What Is Good

Scriptures to be read this weekend focus upon God”s alternative to the business-as-usual stance of the world around us. We cringe about the shootings in Minneapolis and the bombings in other American cities. We realize that Jim Crow hasn’t died, he was merely sleeping. Headlines are always “Somewhere Else”–yet our own prejudices drive us to violence and wished-for destruction. We of the community of Christ have reneged on our promises of peace and justice to those we meet. Even those who grab the best seats, or cut us off in traffic…

The Prophet MICAH in 6:1-8 presents this scene of a loving God affirming the alternative to a recalcitrant people (them? us?) When God commands “Answer Me!”, God isn’t being an awkward parent, but saying “Talk to me! I’m really listening to you!” Have we forgotten our Story? Rehearsing the strengths of being Godly leads to restoring the original Right Relationship. “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Easier said than done, says Paul to the CORINTHIANS in 1:18-31. God still decides to come to us, both in the Birth of Jesus and the way God has entered YOUR life. God has chosen to influence by anointing the “alternative”: the low-born, the poverty stricken, the hungry, the little old lady who’s homeless… One born in a manger and riding into town on a donkey. “[God] is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us the wisdom of God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'”

Which brings us to the Beatitudes, MATTHEW 5:1-13. Who says that the poor in spirit would inherit the Kingdom of Heaven? And who affirms the peacemakers, the merciful and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness? God in Christ does, yet again lifting up the alternative. These are not entrance requirements, but affirmations of you and me. I hear a reprise in here of Micah’s trifecta, which means that we don’t hafta be Great fo be a Disciple.

The world is full of those who know the way–just look at the self-help bookshelf at Barnes & Noble. God gives a better way, an alternative,to violence, dictatorship, and detention of those who don’t look right. “Then rang the bells, so loud and deep, God is not dead, nor does {God| sleep; the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on Earth, Good Will to Men.”

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Come to this spot on Tuesdays for a discussion of the readings for the upcoming weekend according to the Revised Common Lectionary; horacebrownking.com