Today's Scripture Readings
Ezekiel 33:7-11 (NRSV)
Psalm 119: 33-40 (BCP., p.766)
Romans 13:8-14 (NRSV)
Matthew 18:15-20 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
This Sunday's readings are full of tough stuff for Episcopalians and Anglicans. We are not Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox. We are also not Lutherans, Methodists or Presbyterians. We are not Unitarian/Universalists. Episcopalians/Anglicans are the via media between them all. So, to give an adequate reflection on the subject of conflict is quite challenging. It is often said that if there is one thing that all Episcopalians and Anglicans can agree on, is that we disagree about many things. Our one common element that unites us is The Book of Common Prayer.
There is also another element that is a uniting factor. We are Christians who share the mission contained in the words of our Baptismal Vows. We are to be guided by the Gospel call to the love of God, neighbor and self in all seasons and situations. It is hardly possible that we will get it exactly right in all situations and moments. Today's Lectionary Readings provide some important points for us to consider, that will be very helpful.
In today's reading from the Hebrew Scriptures, Ezekiel has been appointed by God as the sentinel for God's people. A sentinel is placed at the watch gate, so that he can give a warning to the community of the coming of evil. While it appears that this message for Ezekiel is full of doom and gloom, the essential meaning is that God wants to bring salvation to God's people. The sentinel being appointed by the Lord God, is to be God's messenger so that the people will know what their choices are. The burden of what the people choose, is the responsibility of the sentinel. If the people are not told by the sentinel, then he bears the responsibility for the choice they make. If the sentinel gives the word of the Lord and they still do not listen, the consequence is on them. God's sole wish is for God's people to follow God's desire and find salvation.
Christians are given the immense grace of God's unconditional love. In whatever capacity of ministry we are in, we are the sentinels of that message. If all that people hear is the Christianists version, which supports oppression and prejudice for a less diverse Church and society, then as Christians, we bear the responsibility of that message. The actual message of the Gospel of Christ, is one of inclusive love, healing and reconciliation. The Christian Gospel is about justice and equality for all people. Our human made labels that define our gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, religion, financial status, political party, language, etc are not part of God's language. God knows each of us as beloved daughters and sons of God, and with us, God is well-pleased.
The Readings from Romans and Matthew's Gospel, are there for us to meditate on how we as individuals and the Christian Community deal with conflict. I used the quote from The Rule of St. Benedict to begin this reflection, because I wanted to convey that whether we are Monastics in the Monastery or not, we are all in the process of learning how to follow the Lord in our own lives. Each spirituality within the Church from the Benedictines, Franciscans, Dominicans, the Ionians and so forth are all pointing us in their unique fashion to live the Gospel in our lives. We each come to understand and live the Gospel from our particular background and social location in a way that is unique and blessed. The issue in today's Gospel is not whether or not there is conflict, but, how we address conflict so that we all lead each other to an authentic and transparent living into our Christian vocation.
The final meaning of this Gospel text, has nothing to do with a church bodies' authority to excommunicate or refuse service to someone. It is about how we as people who proclaim belief in a God of inclusive love, live out what we say we are about. Even when the going gets tough. Even when we will disagree with each other. If in our disagreements with each other we can do so in a way that leads all of us into a deeper and life-giving relationship with God and one another, with love and compassion as our goal; we will accomplish great things in the Name of the Lord. On the contrary, if we deal with conflicts in a way that seeks to serve only our selfish desires, prejudices based on ignorance of one another; the life-giving message of the Gospel becomes another fairy tale that is a nice story, but it is hardly real. A Christianity that has a lot of nice sounding adventures, but, did it really change people's lives, or was it just a passing history novel?
May we enter into a deeper relationship with God in our prayer and work this week, so that as we encounter conflicts that will at times shake us up, we will recognize the presence of Christ in one another. Let us respond to God's presence in others with a reverence and respect that translates what we pray and believe into the reality of who we are, and how we love others.
Amen.
Prayers
Ezekiel 33:7-11 (NRSV)
You, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, "O wicked ones, you shall surely die," and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but their blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from their ways, and they do not turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but you will have saved your life.
Now you, mortal, say to the house of Israel, Thus you have said: "Our transgressions and our sins weigh upon us, and we waste away because of them; how then can we live?" Say to them, As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?
Psalm 119: 33-40 (BCP., p.766)
Romans 13:8-14 (NRSV)
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Matthew 18:15-20 (NRSV)
Jesus said, "If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
Blog Reflection
Therefore, we intend to establish a school for the Lord's service. In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome. The good of all concerned, however, may prompt us to a little strictness in order to amend faults and to safeguard love. Do not be daunted immediately by fear and fun away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God's commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love. Never swerving from his instructions then, but faithfully observing his teaching in the monastery until death, we shall through patience share in the sufferings of Christ that we may deserve also to share in his kingdom. Amen. (Prologue 45-50. RB 1980: The Rule of St. Benedict in English, p. 18, 19).
This Sunday's readings are full of tough stuff for Episcopalians and Anglicans. We are not Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox. We are also not Lutherans, Methodists or Presbyterians. We are not Unitarian/Universalists. Episcopalians/Anglicans are the via media between them all. So, to give an adequate reflection on the subject of conflict is quite challenging. It is often said that if there is one thing that all Episcopalians and Anglicans can agree on, is that we disagree about many things. Our one common element that unites us is The Book of Common Prayer.
There is also another element that is a uniting factor. We are Christians who share the mission contained in the words of our Baptismal Vows. We are to be guided by the Gospel call to the love of God, neighbor and self in all seasons and situations. It is hardly possible that we will get it exactly right in all situations and moments. Today's Lectionary Readings provide some important points for us to consider, that will be very helpful.
In today's reading from the Hebrew Scriptures, Ezekiel has been appointed by God as the sentinel for God's people. A sentinel is placed at the watch gate, so that he can give a warning to the community of the coming of evil. While it appears that this message for Ezekiel is full of doom and gloom, the essential meaning is that God wants to bring salvation to God's people. The sentinel being appointed by the Lord God, is to be God's messenger so that the people will know what their choices are. The burden of what the people choose, is the responsibility of the sentinel. If the people are not told by the sentinel, then he bears the responsibility for the choice they make. If the sentinel gives the word of the Lord and they still do not listen, the consequence is on them. God's sole wish is for God's people to follow God's desire and find salvation.
Christians are given the immense grace of God's unconditional love. In whatever capacity of ministry we are in, we are the sentinels of that message. If all that people hear is the Christianists version, which supports oppression and prejudice for a less diverse Church and society, then as Christians, we bear the responsibility of that message. The actual message of the Gospel of Christ, is one of inclusive love, healing and reconciliation. The Christian Gospel is about justice and equality for all people. Our human made labels that define our gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, religion, financial status, political party, language, etc are not part of God's language. God knows each of us as beloved daughters and sons of God, and with us, God is well-pleased.
The Readings from Romans and Matthew's Gospel, are there for us to meditate on how we as individuals and the Christian Community deal with conflict. I used the quote from The Rule of St. Benedict to begin this reflection, because I wanted to convey that whether we are Monastics in the Monastery or not, we are all in the process of learning how to follow the Lord in our own lives. Each spirituality within the Church from the Benedictines, Franciscans, Dominicans, the Ionians and so forth are all pointing us in their unique fashion to live the Gospel in our lives. We each come to understand and live the Gospel from our particular background and social location in a way that is unique and blessed. The issue in today's Gospel is not whether or not there is conflict, but, how we address conflict so that we all lead each other to an authentic and transparent living into our Christian vocation.
The final meaning of this Gospel text, has nothing to do with a church bodies' authority to excommunicate or refuse service to someone. It is about how we as people who proclaim belief in a God of inclusive love, live out what we say we are about. Even when the going gets tough. Even when we will disagree with each other. If in our disagreements with each other we can do so in a way that leads all of us into a deeper and life-giving relationship with God and one another, with love and compassion as our goal; we will accomplish great things in the Name of the Lord. On the contrary, if we deal with conflicts in a way that seeks to serve only our selfish desires, prejudices based on ignorance of one another; the life-giving message of the Gospel becomes another fairy tale that is a nice story, but it is hardly real. A Christianity that has a lot of nice sounding adventures, but, did it really change people's lives, or was it just a passing history novel?
May we enter into a deeper relationship with God in our prayer and work this week, so that as we encounter conflicts that will at times shake us up, we will recognize the presence of Christ in one another. Let us respond to God's presence in others with a reverence and respect that translates what we pray and believe into the reality of who we are, and how we love others.
Amen.
Prayers
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as
you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength,
so you never forsake those who make their boast of your
mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen. (Proper 18. The Book of Common Prayer, p. 233).
O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love
our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth:
deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in
your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for our Enemies, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so
move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the
people of this land], that barriers which divide us may
crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our
divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 823).
No comments:
Post a Comment