October 6, 2013 Lectionary 27 Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church N. Bellmore, NY The Rev. James G. Krauser, pastor Grace to you and peace, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. We had a bit of conversation at the pastor’s gathering this week about the difficulties in this week’s gospel. Not that there is anything so complex about it, it’s just that it doesn’t perhaps preach well—that it is not likely to be appreciated or heard in a positive way. It seems pretty gruff. I told them what I think I told you not so long ago, that it sounds like my home growing up. When routine things went as they were supposed to, praise and complements were not forth¬coming. Our allowance was not a reward for doing our chores—though it might be docked if they were neglected. Aunt Dot always wanted to see our report cards, and if up to par, it would merit a quarter. Not at home though. We were taught a different kind of measure. Virtue is own reward. The reward for good marks was the knowledge or skills learned…something that was ours to keep and much more important than a quarter. To this day I find it difficult to accept a compliment and perhaps more problematic I am not as free in giving them as I should be. Doing what you are supposed to is not something exceptional. Certainly (in Jesus’ language), it is not like turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, or surrendering the shirt and coat. By the world’s lights these are extraordinary deeds, but for us who understand suffering for the gospel they are simply what we learn from Jesus to do, no more no less. St. Francis did not consider himself heroic in embracing “holy poverty” and renouncing his earthly possessions. He was not deserving of thanks or praise for it. It was simply what he believed he was called by the gospel to do; he imposed that kind of radical response on no one; he did not advocate it for everyone nor think less of those who did not choose his way of life. Yet he inspired many others to examine their lives. Many joined him, and many more em¬braced greater humility and simplicity in their lives, coupled with greater generosity and kindness. We think of the term “saint” in terms of the word’s raw meaning “holy one,” But I think, using Francis as an example, it is simply one who embodies those final words from the first lesson, which meant so much to Luther: “the righteous live by their faith.” We speak of sins and law, transgressions and trespasses as if when we violate them, they are somehow injured. But that is to miss the point of why these exist in the first place. All the commandments and the laws amount to one simple thing…a way to live. All the commandments and the laws are nothing more than the duties and responsibilities we owe to our neighbor, grounded in the honor and respect we have for God and them as God’s creatures. Obedience is keeping faith with God and our neighbor, doing right by them, and as Jesus teaches his disciples in his words and actions becoming servants/slaves of all. This is what “taking up the cross and following him” is all about, being instruments of grace, bearers of grace not merely recipients or beneficiaries of grace. As important as the words of Habakkuk are, these words from the letter to Timothy really stood out for me today: “This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” This broadens our perspective on our salvation. God’s favor does not come upon us because Jesus died for us. Jesus died so that we might know how God favors us. Before the ages began it says grace was given to us. In Jesus’ exis¬tence as the first born of all creation, this gift was ours. It is his purpose in being, and as we have heard now these many weeks, his journey to Jerusalem and the cross, is to abolish death and reveal God’s heart fully to us. Ultimately Jesus isn’t earning our salvation, but bringing deliverance, from death and darkness, and revealing to us the righteousness of faith, in all its power. The disciples cried out "Increase our faith!" Jesus sees that they do not understand. Faith is not a matter of degree. Even the smallest amount is more than enough. We in our age, who have seen the power locked inside the atom, should understand this perhaps better than they. Faith is the atomic power of the Spirit unleashed in us to do good, to live righteously, thankful not only for what we have received, but for what we are called to give as “unworthy slaves.” With faith, all things are possible. One more thing about thanks for doing what you were supposed to do in the first place. I don’t think it was cold¬hearted of my parents to think that grades or chores or any other duty or responsibility didn’t deserve special thanks. What they did want to be sure we knew was that we were not loved more for our accomplishments or loved less for our failures. Love is not a reward. It is the righteousness of keeping faith with those who are given to us, just as God in Christ keeps faith with us. This is the treasure entrusted to us. Guard it well in the “spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline” like Lois and Eunice and Francis.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Oct 2013 07:36:29 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015