Over the last few weeks we have explored "faith living" - living the Life Christ calls us to live in such a way that it is so innately a part of what we say and do, that we don't have to even think about it. You might say that God's presence becomes manifest in us. Appropriate, as we approach a new Advent season.
Some of the lessons we have learned are: (1) keep it simple, and go about our work and what is expected of us, with our "hand to the plow" - the reward will come; (2) go about our work with a spirit of humble and joyous thanks and praise for God's gift of a present hope and blessing; (3) the lesson of keeping our faith through persistent prayerful relationship with God, which builds trust and assurance that God's will will be done in God's good time, and God's purpose for us will be fulfilled; (4) learning to see others as Jesus sees them, and us; (4) sharing our faith with the great and the small, and learning to appreciate the love and worth God has for all of us, crossing boundaries of shame, guilt and the judgment of men; and, (5) living a "resurrection" life from the perspective of being generous with the abundance of life God has given us.
This week as we hear Jesus tell us about the destruction of the temple, and what many have called the "end times," we learn to not invest ourselves, our lives, our hopes and dreams in transient things, but in that which endures, and lasts forever - even when and as "temples fall." See The Rev. Dr. Janet H. Hunt's "Falling Temples." How do we do that? See Alyce M. McKenzie's "Get Over Yourself!"
As we continue our studies of "faith living," our Scripture readings speak of the resurrection. This week we will discuss "resurrection living."
What is "resurrection living?" See The Rev. Kate Huey's "Praise God" Reflection.
How do we vindicate Job, who "knows that my Redeemer liveth?" See David B. Gardner, Jr.'s "Hearing Job: Vindicating the Traumatized."
We continue our lessons in "faith living." We have read and discussed scripture and articles which have provided things to consider in living out the gospel innately, so that it becomes so much a part of us that we manifest God's presence and love.
Some of the lessons we have learned are: (1) keep it simple, and go about our work and what is expected of us, with our "hand to the plow" - the reward will come; (2) go about our work with a spirit of humble and joyous thanks and praise for God's gift of a present hope and blessing; (3) and the lesson of keeping our faith through persistent prayerful relationship with God, which builds trust and assurance that God's will will be done in God's good time, and God's purpose for us will be fulfilled.
Last week we discussed Jesus' parable of the publican and the Pharisee, and discussed how we see and judge others, (4) learning to see others as Jesus sees them, and us.
This week, the next lesson in "faith living" concerns (5) sharing our faith, as we read about Jesus' encounter with Zacchaeus, with the great and the small, and learning to appreciate the love and worth God has for all of us, crossing boundaries of shame, guilt and the judgment of men.
Consider "Doing Faith," by The Rev. Ben E. Heller, and "Camouflaged by Shame," by The Rev. Peter Woods.
Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10 • Psalm 71:1-6 • 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 • Luke 4:21-30
The last few weeks we have considered lessons in "faith living." We have read and discussed scripture and articles which have provided things to consider in living out the gospel innately, so that it becomes so much a part of us that we manifest God's presence and love.
Some of the lessons we have learned are: (1) keep it simple, and go about our work and what is expected of us, with our "hand to the plow" - the reward will come; (2) go about our work with a spirit of humble and joyous thanks and praise for God's gift of a present hope and blessing; (3) and, as we considered last week, the lesson of keeping our faith through persistent prayerful relationship with God, which builds trust and assurance that God's will will be done in God's good time, and God's purpose for us will be fulfilled.
Last week we discussed Jesus' parable of the unjust judge. This week, the next lesson in "faith living" concerns our judgment of others.
Consider Bruce Maples' article "Seeing Others as Zeros," and The Rt. Rev. Tony Clavier's "Are We Like the Righteous Man?"
The headlines have been full of stories about an unjust judge, and other corrupt politicians in our State. This week Jesus continues "faith lessons" with a story of a widow who persists in calling on the unjust judge who gives her justice so she won't wear him out by continually calling on him. Jesus tells us how much quicker God will grant justice to those who call on him day and night.
We have had a series of lessons about faith the last few weeks. I have often thought how we can carry out God's call to us, to live in discipleship without having to think about it, or rationalize it, so that it is such an innate part of us, that God's compassion, love, mercy and justice are manifest in and through us in all we say or do.
Two weeks ago, part of that answer was given - keep it simple, like servants who know what is expected of them, and continue to work without regard for the reward. Last week, we were told to go on living our lives joyously, in thankfulness and praise, and not let the opportunity to hear God's call slip by, even in the midst of crisis, uncertainty - even in exile, and even when we need an exodus. Through all of this, Jesus tells us "Your faith has made you whole."
Drawing on the 2nd letter to Timothy and the gospel reading for this week, The Rev. Nils Chittenden in "Patina of Faith," discusses "tradition" and "reason" and building a trusting relationship with God through persistent calling on him.
The Rev. Kate Huey, in "Ask Boldly, Live Justly/To Speak and Be Heard,"puts this week's gospel in context when she tells us what the word "widow," in that ancient culture, meant and signified. God hears the persistent cries, and prayers of "the silent one," one who is unable to speak, because society considers them unworthy - people without a voice. Sound familiar? The very people Jesus associated with, healed, fed, and liberated by his teaching, love, compassion, and the grace and mercy of his sacrifice on the cross.
This third step of faith enabling us to act out God's love and faith innately, without a second thought, is praying and building a relationship with God which results in trust, and gives us hope that God's will be done in God's time.
