2 Corinthians 2:14 to 16a (NRSV).
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.
What an incredible three days it has been since the health care reform bill was passed by the House. The news has been jumping all over about all of the controversy surrounding health care reform from those who are happy it happened, to others who are not so pleased.
What cannot be ignored in any way, shape or form is the growing violence that has been sparked by the tea party movement. In their attempts to stop health care reform from passing they have resorted to outrageous racial remarks. Their remarks included an anti-gay slur aimed at Rep. Barney Frank on his way into the House to cast his vote for health care reform. Since that began a wide degree of violence has begun all over America that has included everything from the vandalism of Democratic offices to threatening to assassinate the children of Democrats who voted in favor of health care reform. The problem with all of this that I see, is Christians who believe they are perpetrating such acts of violence in the Name of God. Taking a position of disagreeing and seeking to change things to the way they would like them is one thing. Using violence and racial language to achieve it, can not be understood or seen as anything good.
As I was searching for a Bible verse to use for today's blog entry I was drawn to the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians, specifically the verse that says: "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life." (Vs. 15 to 16a).
When I think of an aroma, I think of something that smells beautiful and wonderful. It is amazing how we can walk through the day totally depressed about things that are going on in our life, until we step into a bakery and smell the aroma of fresh baked bread. Suddenly those things we are so down about disappear and a new sense of self appreciation comes back into our minds. We see that life really is not worth getting so down about. What ever it was that got us so wound up, suddenly becomes not quite so important. All because of an aroma.
Christians have been given the task of being the aroma of God's unconditional and all inclusive love. Christians are not suppose to spreading the odor of discrimination and intolerance. A sweet and all encompassing aroma fills the nostrils of everyone who is in the room. It brings people a sense of security, comfort and peace. The Name of Jesus Christ has been given to share a message of peace, inclusion and grace. Sometimes in the midst of smelling an aroma, we might pick up an unusual scent that at first might repel us. However, that aroma that we might not know what it is, is a challenge to adopt an appreciation for the diversity that exists in the Church and society. That aroma might very well mean that the Church needs to continue to seek ways of including LGBT and other minorities with in it's embrace. But when new and wonderful people are added to the Church, we will find a new recipe for helping us share the Gospel with a diverse world.
I think this is the health care reform that will help heal the social diseases that still exist in the Church and society. If the outrageous violence following the passing of health care reform tells us anything, it tells us that Christians often confuse the difference between being an aroma that is life-giving, vs an odor that destroys not only life, but the opportunity for everyone to share in that life. The aroma of Christ in God is one that wants to bring consolation to those who are sick and cannot go to a doctor. The recipe of God's love seeks to bring into the fold of God's love those who are marginalized by society and the Church. Christians need to cooperate with God's will to love all people, rather than look for excuses to exclude people from the company of Christ. This is why the violence brought on by the tea party folks is so bad. This is also why the Archbishop of Canterbury's request for "gracious restraint" for the ordination of lesbian and gay bishops is so disturbing.
Next week during Holy Week, we will be accompanying Jesus through his passion, death and resurrection. We will also be met by the reality that the reason he was hung on the cross to die was to save us from our sins. However, his only crime was that he loved just a little too differently and for many people, just a little too much for the wrong people. People confused the new aroma Jesus brought to the second class citizens of society and the Church, with an odor. LGBT people continue to experience the same problem and are ridiculed and discriminated against because they love just a little differently and too much for the wrong people. May we go on loving a bit too much, so that everyone who thinks they are not loved, will know that they most certainly are.
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, BCP, Page 219).
No comments:
Post a Comment