There are some powerful thoughts in today’s Scripture Readings. The Psalm verse is “R.Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life. The Alleluia Verse says, ”The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, and to proclaim liberty to captives”. In the Gospel Story we hear, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord”, and, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21).
What does the current commotion say about preaching this Gospel Story? It reminds us that as it was in Jesus’ time so it is today: the Gospel is not popular, yet it is a call to all who would be Jesus’ disciples that this is how we are to live. A worthwhile question: is it fulfilled in our hearing today, am I doing my best to live it in my life? One of the reasons Jesus was crucified was that he actually preached and lived his words which “annoyed” people. Todays’ gospel is hard to preach these days, and even harder to live. While many of us say we believe in a God of mercy, we want to decide who God shows mercy to, certainly not to people we dislike, don’t agree with, or didn’t vote for.
A number of times after preaching homilies on being involved I have heard, sometimes forcefully, “that gospel stuff is ok for church but has nothing to do with real life, don’t you tell us how to live”. Many today feel this way, as is clear from reactions to Episcopal Bishop Budde’s sermon. It seems that for many good folks the Gospel is to be preached only when it is comfortable and convenient, and it should never challenge or offend anybody. Bishop Budde’s words, “what has been given me to say”: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.” So it was, and so she did, speaking as Jesus spoke, courageously and humbly, fully aware of what would come, pastorally caring for the people she was speaking to.
I don’t want this to be about me. I’m just trying to discern what Abba is asking of me, not to preach anything, just share my wandering and wondering. I have no answers, just questions, and I’m not sure where they are going.
Abba, you are real. You are involved in my wandering and wondering, walking with me, and for this I am thankful. You love everyone involved in this mess on all sides, even as you love me. You asked Bishop Budde to live your pastoral care, and say “what was given (her) to say”, and she did so powerfully with your grace and the courage you granted her, and with utter class. May I ask that same grace and courage? I certainly am not gifted with it now. In the past, maybe, but those days are long gone. I have no reason to ask this of you. I have no position or mission, other than to be open to you, welcoming everything that comes into my life this day, because whatever it may be, it is of you. I ask that whatever your word to me is, I never see it as a threat to fear, but as an invitation in specific circumstances, to do or say something, to move in some direction, perhaps to bring your healing love to folks who are hurting.
Many of your people, a number of whom are my friends, are hurting, judged by the government and by the bishops as “unacceptable” or “disordered”. Much of the hurt is done allegedly in your name. I don’t want to be a part of that in any way. May I dare to ask that I might be a part of your healing in them? This might be happening in a choice, an offer, during this past week. I hope so, and will go where it takes me. I don’t want to be a part of the people who are causing the hurt, but we belong to the same “system” in varying degrees. Is it time to walk away from the system? You are beyond any system or institution. You are creating everybody on all sides of this mess in your own image and likeness, and many of us disagree on a lot. But we are all in your image, which means each of us is as you want us to be. So, now what? What are you asking me to do?
A year before the Nazis executed him, Dietrich Bonhoeffer suggested a question: “what really is Christianity, or indeed who Christ really is, for us.” I’m asking myself who is Christ in all this today? Who is he for me today? If I worship a god who doesn’t like the same people I don’t like, it the god I create for myself to feel comfortable and in control, not the God who lovingly creates me as I am. I need to remember this.
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing”. Is it being fulfilled in my daily living? Is there anything in my attitude that is causing people hard times or suffering, to feel judged or oppressed? Am I open to my own ongoing conversion? At times I feel the urge just to back off, go to my quiet place, and just stay there. My cardiac situation is both a gift and an opportunity to do just that. At other times I feel the urge to say what I really think and take what comes, because no doubt people will be offended. So, what else is new? It’s probably a blessing that I can no longer help in parishes because I’d probably cause a lot of unnecessary commotion. So, rather than focusing on the doors that have been closing, I’m alert to the unexpected doors that are opening, and it is an exciting experience. I’m coming to know wonderful folks I would never get to know otherwise, and coming to know Abba in new and exciting ways. I value the profound peace that is in my life now. Maybe the passage is being fulfilled, even in spite of me. Maybe, again, I don’t have to know, I just have to do, or to be. No doubt some will be “offended” by all this. Certainly not my intention, but it happens. I learned a lot while I was writing this. In Vietnam, the last place I felt such a sense of purpose, we used to say, “don’t mean nothin”, but of course it did, as does all this wandering and wondering, at least for me. Maybe there’s good happening after all. Just sayin . . .
Thank you. I ask Gos every day to let me be the person he wants me to be to others. I think God truly inspired Bishop Budde’s sermon. It’s so easy to be me in our parish. However, when I’m challenged outside that realm, I often stumble for words. I’m so glad that you touched my life so long ago. Blessings for you always, and peace.
As usual, your comments are thought provoking and sincere. I always find something to take away and apply to my life and situation. Thank you