Thursday, October 21, 2021                                      (today’s lectionary)
Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the waters
Just as you presented yourselves as slaves to impurity and lawlessness, now present yourselves as slaves to righteousness.
And just what is righteous? Well, the Bible talks more about money than any other topic. Mostly the Bible tells me to be steadfast and trustworthy with my money, and to give much away. And we do. But how do we know where and to whom to give it? Shouldn’t the recipients of our generosity be worthy?
It was a simpler task in the fourth century to “present yourself as a slave to righteousness.” Here is how Christian History Magazine’s issue on “The Church Goes to Market” puts it:
“Philanthropia” described the attitude a person needed to listen and show mercy, whether by pardoning them for treason, forgiving what they owed in taxes, giving them alms, or offering salvation – even if the recipients were guilty of all possible wrongs and deceits. It was this emphasis on helping others despite one’s suspicion or even knowledge that they did not deserve it that made ancient Christian philanthropy not just a lofty ideal (never reached) but a truly provocative challenge (p. 14-15).
In this scenario I don’t have to think about the value of my dollar in someone else’s hand (or pretend to, while I wish I could buy a Porsche from the dealership across the street … yes, those are real cars lit up all night on the fifth floor). Whether they deserve it or not, I am called to share my resources with them. After all, am I any less undeserving in the hands of God, who gives forgiveness to all, time after time after time for all time?
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This puts a turn on how I read Psalm 1.
Blessed is the man who does not follow the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night.
The “wicked” might be those who caution me to be circumspect when I give myself, and how I give my money/resources/time away. My careful hesitation puts too much credit on my own judgment and too little on God’s endless and universal generosity to all. Isn’t that the emphasis of the law the psalm speaks of? That’s how those early church fathers saw it.
Richard Rohr quotes Judy Cannato:
The realm of God that Jesus preached and died for was one that was known for its kindness and generosity, its compassion and healing. There was no one deemed outside the love of the Holy One whom Jesus called “Father.” No one was excluded from fellowship, not the rich or poor, male or female, slave or free. Jesus went beyond superficial divisions and called for a culture of compassion.
Listening to Jesus, it becomes obvious that Psalm 1 points me toward those who learn the art of compassion and give away what they have been given.
They are like trees planted near running water, that yield their fruit in due season and whose leaves never fade. Whatever they do, prospers.
Arguments and bitter battles rise up inside me when I consider how and what I can give. Those battles extend outside our thoughts to our families, and many dining and living rooms echo with selfish words and hostility. The fight between my ego and true self rages on. Jesus hates this. He longs to make it right for us.
I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!
It’s strange and sad how I so often turn away from Jesus’ generosity in order to hold on with both closed fists to what I think I already have. In those moments, there is so much disturbance in the force.
Do you think I have come to establish peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. A father will be divided against his son, and a mother against her daughter.
As you said yourself, Lord, these are the kind that only come out through prayer and fasting … and in the midst of fire. Save me from myself, and open my hambone fists once and for all.
(Romans 6, Psalm 1, Philippians 3, Luke 12)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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