Faithful Conversations #27

Introduction: Gratitude for a “Working Spiritual Retreat” 
MaryBeth and I enjoyed our mission trip to the 49th state and returned to Wisconsin thankful to have seen the miraculous beauty of the region, as well as the darker side of Alaska. The brokenness of many of those we encountered throughout the week was overwhelming, yet empowering at the same time. The Holy Spirit is truly at work within the lives of so many people who commit their time and energy to work with those whose lives are challenging day to day, and we were in awe of what we witnessed in that regard. It will take both of us more time to process the experience! 

And . . . a refresher on our approach to the Lectionary:
Each Wednesday since mid-February, I have been sending out the Revised Common Lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday. The goal is to become familiar with the RCL by taking some time with our Bibles in hand, and to reflect on the readings prior to our Sunday worship experience, whatever that may look like. I also offer a short reflection on one or more of the readings. I am using a “word-alone” approach to the readings, and purposely not being over-reliant on commentaries (sidebar: I include the readings here that provide the basis for my reflections). The blog is a work-in-progress and, once again, thanks for your participation!     

Readings for Pentecost 14
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28

Psalm 26: 1-8: Plea for Justice and Declaration of Righteousness
¹ Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
² Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and mind.
³ For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you.
⁴ I do not sit with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites;
⁵ I hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.
⁶ I wash my hands in innocence, and go around your altar, O Lord,
⁷ singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds.
⁸ O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:21-28: Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
²¹ From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised. ²² And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” ²³ But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” ²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. ²⁶ For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? ²⁷ “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. ²⁸ Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

This Week’s Reflection: 
This week’s readings have prompted me to reflect on the practice of OBEDIENCE in our Christian journey. Derived from the Latin, “obedire,” to obey means to serve, pay attention to, to give ear.  My impression of OBEDIENCE is that the concept (perhaps) was more important — or more consistently present — to prior generations. We live in a culture that is obsessed with personal freedom on so many levels, and OBEDIENCE to a higher power, something outside of ourselves, flies in the face of that. Indeed, OBEDIENCE seems old-fashioned, too restrictive, and far too limiting. 

It’s hard to miss the emphasis on OBEDIENCE in this week’s readings. In Psalm 26, for example, David responds to God’s steadfast love for him by walking “in faithfulness” and “integrity” (I love the phrase, “walked in my integrity” in verse 1, suggesting living the life of faith). Read that portion of Psalm 26 again with that in mind. (And, by the way, the passage from Romans offers an excellent primer on what the Christian walk should look like!). 

More dramatic, however, is the powerful exchange between Jesus and the disciples in Matthew’s Gospel. This episode comes after that lofty moment in which Peter identifies Jesus as the Messiah, followed by Jesus blessing Peter and foretelling the building of his church on earth (verses 16-20). Jesus then offers those harsh words regarding his future suffering and death, not something the disciples wanted to hear. The ever impulsive Peter rebukes Jesus and says that “must never happen” (verses 21-22). Then, in an unusually harsh tone, Jesus calls Peter out: “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things” (verse 23). He then tells his band of followers they must “take up their cross” and be willing to lose their lives for the Messiah (verses 24-25). I must admit, I feel sympathy for Peter at this chilling moment. Like us, he was limited by the reality of his time, and he (and others) expected Christ to resemble an earthly king. They could not wrap their minds around this amazing companion of theirs suffering and dying in such a humiliating way — it didn’t fit with their worldview. And, I suspect, the message Jesus offered had not yet fully penetrated their hearts. As 21st Century Christians, we live with the benefit of hindsight, and it’s good to remind ourselves that the disciples were experiencing Christ in the flesh, in real time.  Unlike us, they did not know the end of the story of his earthly life yet, nor the miracle of his resurrection.

What lesson should we draw from this exchange and how should it inform our thinking in 2023? It is uncomfortable, to be sure, to contemplate “taking up the cross” and further, hard for me to grasp as one who lives in a society where I am not in danger of being persecuted for my faith (certainly, there are Christians around the globe who actually are!). Perhaps in our present context, “taking up the cross”  means OBEDIENCE to God, checking our own ego, being open to the word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us, regardless of where that might take us. Perhaps “taking up the cross” means having a heart that is open to the pain of others, to those destitute and broken people in our midst who it is so easy to dismiss. Perhaps “taking up the cross” means to weep for the tragic divisions that continue to tear us apart and to be more deliberate and fearless about offering a Christian presence in our communities and in our world. The world desperately needs that presence. Let us “take up the cross” and walk forward in the light of Christ!

Soli Deo Gloria

Prayer (inspired by the horrific violence that has touched many communities this week):
Lord God, We pray for those that have suffered from gun violence in the past several days in our nation and around the world.  We pray for those who have been killed — may you guard their souls. We pray for those who have lost loved ones, been injured or traumatized — may you grant them healing and hope. We pray for those who perpetrate such violence — may you change their hearts and minds, and may you grant us the power to forgive these broken souls, as difficult as that may be. We ask this in your strong and loving name, Amen.    

Finally . . . a promo regarding our next round of Adult Education/Bible Study at ELC: 

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Join us for an exploration of that question in September and October. We will read and discuss Michael Foss’s book, Real Faith for Real Life: Living the Six Marks of Discipleship. In his book’s introduction, Foss writes: “This book was written to help you grow deep. It was written to help you on your journey of spiritual discovery and renewal. So it’s more than a book; it is workbook or notebook for the soul. Its pages will invite you to be open to hear the greatest call on earth, the call to Jesus the risen Messiah.”     

Meeting Dates: Wednesdays at 6:30 (September 20, 27 and October 11, and 18)

I will be leading the study and all are welcome!  We will order several books, but you may want your own copy – available at a reasonable cost through Amazon. Feel free to contact me with any questions!