"Words ... or actions?"

Today’s Gospel reading contains a short but very interesting parable which many of us here today have experienced as reality.  The truth is that most of us have, at one time or another, been in one or more of the three principal roles of this parable.  Maybe we were the individual who was responsible for assigning tasks to others, or maybe we were the one to whom a task was being assigned. 

While I was an adult member of the Boy Scouts of America, in the former Adirondack Council, I would on occasion be asked to help with the many spring-time tasks of preparing Camp Bedford for the coming summer camping season.  I remember that one time I had said yes, but then for some reason I didn’t show up.  I can also remember the several times that I had said I was not going to be able to attend, but in the end I was able to work on those days.  And I can also remember the few times when I was asked to organize a work party.  It was really amazing to experience the differences between the feelings felt when seeing someone show up who had at first said no and the feelings felt when not seeing someone who had said yes.

And so we do understand the difference between the son who had said, “’I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went”[1], and the son who had said, “’I go sir’; but he did not go.”[2]  The reality is that each individual had told his father a lie, because their actions did not match their words!  But, there is a sense of reality that allows the first son to experience a “change of heart” in a positive manner, and at the same time does not allow the second son to experience a “change of heart” in a negative manner.  Our common sense of “decency” tells us that the second son should have gone to the father and let him know that he was “changing his mind.”  When I can not show up to an event that I have said I would attend, I have the responsibility to inform the other party of this change.

Without saying it directly, Jesus implies that the chief priests and the elders are not doing the real tasks that God has asked them to do, and that they had promised to do.  At the end of this reading Jesus tells them that they have fallen in the eyes of God far below what these priests and elders would have considered to be the dregs of their own society … they are lower in the eyes of God than the tax collectors and the prostitutes! 

In this reading there is still an interesting point to be made; there is the genuine hope to be found in the presence of God!  Our responsive reading of Psalm 78 verses 1 to 16 reminds us of the many times that God continued to call to the people of Israel to come back into covenant with God self.  Even at the moment of this confrontation between Jesus and the judgmental and sanctimonious individuals he was confronting, there is the clearly implicit opportunity for salvation.

Paul wrote to the faithful community of Philippi, “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.”[3]  We do not live alone; we live within a community, and we are called to continue to live within a community.  We are not to give up hope that any individual is lost to God; rather we are called to reach out to those around us … just as Jesus reaches out to all of us … to all of those who have come before us … and all of those who will come after us. 

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[1] Matthew 21:29b NRSV

[2] Matthew 21:30b NRSV

[3] Philippians 2:4 NRSV

"What was promised to you?"

The standard practice for paying day laborers is to pay first those individuals who were hired at the beginning of the day, and then to continue down the line until you have paid the last people … those who were hired for less than the full day.  But the parable that Jesus was sharing (Matthew 20:1-16) with those who had gathered to hear him was a story which has reversed this long standing practice.  Can you imagine being one of those individuals who was hired at the very start of the day?  Just after the sun rises you are sent into the field to harvest the crop.  When the day’s work is finished and you have lined up to receive your day’s wages, you discover that the owner is going to make you wait until all of the others have been paid.  How dare this owner to pay first the ones who have only work a single hour before he has paid you.  It is an insult that you are made to wait until those who have not worked a whole day are paid before you … and on top of that they are paid a full day’s wage!  If this is true, than the owner must be prepared to pay you so much more … for it would only be fair!

But no … You discover that there is an additional insult; for he is going to pay you the same exact wage as he has paid those who have worked far less than a full day!  Being forced to wait until the lazy ones are paid may have seemed insulting, but now to have the added insult that they have been paid the same as you … this is truly unbearable.

However, at the end of the parable the owner does share a very interesting point with them.  He reminds them that not only did he pay them what he had promise to pay them, but that what he paid the others was not any of their business.  He was reminding them that he had not cheated them, that the payments where made with his treasures, and that he had the right to give away his treausers as he wanted.

After studying this parable, some of us have discovered an additional point to be shared with you.  Had any of those who were hired at the beginning of the day, or any of us, ever consider the fact they had a reward that was in additional to their promised daily wage?  They had the assurance of a day of being paid a full day’s wage.  They knew that they would be able to feed themselves and their loved ones for another day.  Those who were hired at the end of the day, most likely only believed that they would a chance to come back the next day.

With these thoughts behind us now, we can look more closely at what the real intent of the parable is about.  It is all too easy for some within a faith community to believe that there should be special rewards and or privileges for those who have been faithful members for so many years.  After all, if I’ve been a faithful Christian since I was baptized as a child, then I should have a set of honor at God’s banquet table in heaven.  There are those who may even believe that since their grand-parents where founding members of their local house of worship, then they must be entitled to special considerations.  Some individuals even might feel that “outsiders” should not have full membership rights … maybe if their children grow up in the church, then they might be allowed some of the benefits.

Jesus reminds us in this parable that at the end of our time here on earth there will be only one reward … there is no gradation in reward … everyone who has been a faithful believer in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit … everyone who is judged by God as being faithful, will receive eternal life in the presence of God.  That is the reward.

How often should I forgive?

In this morning’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is asked a seemingly simple and straight-forward question by Peter, “How many times should I forgive another member of the church?”  Now, I know for certain that on several different occasions in the past this same kind of question has gone through my own mind.  “How often must I forgive another individual?”

I’m also very impressed that Peter makes a direct reference to the limit of seven times that is mentioned in the Jewish code of ethics.  But then I’m sure I’m not the only one who has trouble forgiving someone who has “sinned” against me more than once.

The answer that was given by Jesus seems at first to be both direct and challenging, but upon reconsideration it seems confussing.  Did he really say to forgive 77 times?  Or are the other transations of this text correct when they claim that Jesus said 70 times 7?  Oh my!  Am I required by the Lord to forgive someone’s trangressions 7 times, 77 times, or 490 times?  And here I thought that forgiving them once might be in certain occations a challenge!

The reality is not about the number of times that we are to forgive, because it’s not about “keeping score.”  It’s all about the real meaning of forgiveness.

All of us gathered here today have forgiven some individuals in the past.  I know that it is often easier for me to forgive total strangers than it has been to forgive someone with whom I have been a fellow employee.  After all, most likely I will never see the stranger again, but I will have to see my fellow-worker time and time again.  A stranger may have brought harm to me without any malace of forethought, but it will always be a question that will fester deep within my thoughts when the offender is someone that I will be seeing day after day.

However, even this rule is not carved in stone, for if the one who has offended is a member of our family then the rules may be different. But even then there is a limit!  Unless of course we are talking about my wife, or one of my children … for they have not even begone to reach the “490 count” yet.  And while we are on this topic, my grandchildren are truly exempted from the issue of counting times that they are forgiven by Poppa … there is no limit for my grandchildren!

Jesus makes it clear that holding a grudge or keeping a record of the times that we have forgiven another is not our task.  Do you remember in this story he shares that the King’s servant owed the King 10,000 talents?  It’s interesting to me that a Talent is 44.9 lbs of refined silver.  This would mean that the servant owes the King 449,000 pounds of silver.  By the way, Herod the Great was only able to raise a total of 900 Talents in taxation a year while he was in power.  And so, the servant owed the King a debt that could not be paid.

After the King forgave the servant, we learn that the servant had another man thrown into prison until he should repay the servant the 100 denarii that he was owed.  Now if a “denarii” was a day’s wages for a common laborer, then this fellow’s debt was but 1/2,000,000^th of the debit that the forgiven man had owed.  And now the real point of the parable is becoming clear … when we have prayed to God for forgiveness of our sins, and received forgiveness from God … how is it possible for us to not be willing to offer forgiveness to any of our brothers or sisters? 

In the parable, when the King learned of the servant’s cold hearted unwillingness to “forgive as he had been forgiven” … the servant was punished to the fullest extent of the law.

How often have we said the word’s of the Lord’s Prayer?  Have we really paused to think for even a moment about the real depth and meaning of those words as we say them?  “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”[1]

In his letter to the faithful community in Rome, Paul wrote, “Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister?  Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister?  For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.”[2]  We are all children of God.  We will all be held accountable for our actions and our inactions by God at the final judgement.  If you’re going to keep score, then be very carefull … and be very ready to pay your own debit.

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[1] The Lord’s Prayer, United Methodist  Hymnal p. 270

[2] Romans 14:10 NRSV

"Live honorably & love your neighbor"

In the reading from Paul’s letter to the faithful community of believers in Rome (13:8-14) we hear an excellent summation of the Ten Commandments, and indeed the entire code of ethics and conduct found within the Hebrew Text and the expanded teachings of Jesus Christ.  Paul wrote, “The commandments … are summed up in this word, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” [1]  At first blush these words may sound far too simplistic; almost too easy to be the culmination of centuries of study of cultural and inter-personal relationships … but they are the summation of a deeply thoughtful study and a very complex directive.

I will begin by telling you that my understanding of love is like looking into this tangled web.  I love my wife, I love my children, and I love my grandchildren.  But what does that mean?  What does it mean to love someone?  Loving someone means more than just feeding them when they are hungry, washing them when they are not clean, caring for them when they are sick, or providing them with clothing and shelter.

Loving someone also means more than just embracing them even when there are differences of opinion, reaching out to them even when they are upset with us, or helping them when we believe that the cost may be more than we can endure.

Loving someone can also mean that we are willing to invest in the emotional cost of having to be honest with them when we believe that they have made a mistake.  Loving someone means that we are called upon to reach out to them in the same manner that we would want others to reach out to us; with honesty, with compassion, and with love.

And so we can see that all of the teachings of the Torah, of Jesus, of the Bible, and of all of the other codes of genuine ethics and love are based on the concept of treating others as we would want them to treat us.  Each of us is looking to being treated with dignity, respect, and love even in times of conflict.

And so we may ask, “What is the proper protocol for dealing with a fellow member of the church when we believe that they have done something wrong?”

In this morning’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew (18:15-20) we clearly heard the answer that Jesus gave to his disciples.  If we have been wronged by a fellow member of our worship community, then we are to go to them privately and discuss the matter.  I would also remind us that Jesus is not talking about such things as, “If you think that they may have offended you …” nor did he say, “If they have sinned against another member of the community …” No, we are only to be concerned about those stumbling block which are genuine and the ones that are between ourselves and another person.  

We are encouraged to take positive actions to correct the division rather than allow it to fester until it becomes a wall between ourselves and another member of the community.  And we are encouraged to begin the process in a one on one environment rather than seeking to divide the entire community over a private issue.

And wouldn’t it be truly wonderful if every time we come into such a one on one confrontation it would be resolved?  But the reality is that they are not, and so Jesus tells us that rather than brewing discontent within the community that we should bring one or two others with us for a conference with the one who has sinned against us.  And yet again Jesus reminds that the reality is that even these steps at attempting to deal with conflicts within a faith community are not always going to be successful … and so Jesus instructs that at this point the issue should be brought to the attention of the entire community … “and if the member refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”[2]  Interesting … Did you notice that Jesus did not say to “Throw them out!”  Do you remember with whom Jesus was spending most of his time ministering?  The gentiles and the tax collectors: those who were the outcasts of the Jewish society.

When such a one refuses to listen to us, or two or three of us, or even the entire Church, we are called to continue reaching out to them … to bring them back into the congregation … into our fellowship with each other and with God.  Let us pray …

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[1] Romans 13:9 a&c NRVS

[2] Matthew 18:17b NRSV

Overcome evil with good!

              Upon listening to this morning’s scripture readings, it would seem that we are all too often caught up in a paradox.  The dictionary informs us that the definition of paradox is, “a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true.”[1]

Two of the most critical lessons being taught through-out the history of the world and even still into this present day are: (1) Those who control the most wealth have the most power over everyone else. (2) We are to absolutely show no mercy to those who would dare to oppose us, for they are the true source of evil, and they should be repaid “an eye for an eye!”  And so through-out the centuries humanity has struggled with the concept of one individual controlling vast wealth and resources while thousands or millions of others have starved to death … and I will not even try to recount the millions upon millions who have suffered in the cruel hands of war and ethnic cleansing all in the name of revenge and trying to “keep the evil at bay.”

However, greed and revenge do not have to have the last word.  Nor do they even need to be the driving force within our lives.  We truly do have a choice; we can choose to follow the teachings of this world or we can turn our back on them and chose to follow different goals.

Jesus is asking us a very interesting question this morning, “For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?”[2]  Paul also seems to be addressing the same thought when he wrote, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”[3]  Both of these teachings would seem to placing us at odds with our everyday world for they do not match with what the world has been teaching everyone for centuries. 

I have recently had the pleasure of seeing a movie with my wife and some friends.  If you have not seen the movie or read the book entitled “The Help,” I highly recommend that you take the time to see the film.  There is little doubt about the “clash between the haves and the have nots” in this story.  The image of those who are actively striving to collect as many “things and honors” in their lives is in deep contrast with those who at first blush appear to have nothing. 

However, as the story progresses it becomes very apparent that those who are “holding tightly to the symbols of worldly wealth” are all too willing to use some of the most vile, dispicable, and evil means to gain what they believe to be the greatest treasures of this world.  At the same time, we are shown time again how the love of a child, the encouragement of family, and the trust of companions far out-weigh the all to fleeting treasures of this world.

In closing I would share with you three thoughts.  First, the next time you are at the calling hours for a “wealthy person,” look closely into the coffin … do you see their vast storehouse of treasures going with them?  Of course not; but then why should they be there?  What can any one buy in heaven?

Second, for many of us the greatest treasures in this world are the love and the respect of our family and friends.  For me there is no greater treasure in all of this world than seeing the smile on the face of one of my grandchildren when they see Poppa!

Third – I would remind all of us of a statement that has been attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”  I have discovered that the truest form of grace is to always trust and believe that we can overcome evil with good.

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[1] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paradox

[2] Matthew 16:26a NRSV

[3] Romans 12:21 NRSV

"... on this rock I will build ..."

          From this morning’s Gospel reading we hear once more a famous quote from the Bible, “… on this rock I will build my church”.[1]  Over the course of centries many individuals who have reflected deeply upon these words, spoken by Jesus to the disciple Simon Peter - son of Jonah, and also known among the Disciples as “the rock.” Many have claimed that this is the moment in time when Jesus directly points to the future creation of what has become known as the Christian Church.  And many have claimed that the one true Christian Church was built on the foundation of the faith of Simon Peter.  There are some individuals however who wonder if the placing of stress upon a single individual – Simon Peter – the Rock – detracts from the real intended message of our Savior – the Son of God - Jesus.

Our history, our heritage may have begun at the moment that Jesus shared with his disciples that his church was to be built not only on the profession of faith in the arrival of the Messiah, but also in a personal commitment to share this message of hope and salvation with those around us.

Over and over again we are able to see examples in the writtings of the Gospels, that Jesus – not only the Son of God, but indeed God incarnate and walking among us – actually does things to help those who are around him.  Jesus comforts those who are shunned, isolated or suffering in grief.  Jesus feeds those who are starving both physically and spiritually.  Jesus heals those who are ill, lame, or possessed.  Jesus returns vision to those who are either physically or spiritually blind.  Jesus brings life back to those who are dead in body or soul.  The only individuals that Jesus was not able to help in one way or another were those who did not believe in him.  The foundation of the Church is faith; faith that the Son of God came to be amoung us, faith that we are asked by God to be an active present in the lives of those around us, and faith that we will make a difference in the lives of those to whom we bring this message of hope and salvation. 

In this morning’s reading from Paul’s letter to the Christian Commumity in Roman we hear an ardent exhortation to strive so that we may advance in our spiritual worship.  Rather then being encouraged into complacency by basking in the knowledge that those who are once saved are always saved, we are challenged to continue to grow in our faith and in our actions within the community around us.

Paul … Paul is challenging all who would listen to his words that they, “Do not be comformed to this world” [2], for it would seem that it is all to easy for some individuals to be swollowed up whole by the present dictates of their all too worldly society.  When society tells us that it is better to possess as much wealth as possible rather than it is to share these treasures of God’s creation with all of our brothers and sisters, we are reminded by our faith and our Creator that we are called to share what we have so that everyone will have enough.  When society tells us that “an eye for an eye” is the true porcess to restore the balance of justice, we are reminded by our faith and our Creator to “… let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”[3]  When society tells us that we should only care for or help our true brothers and sisters – that is only those who look like us – we are reminded by our faith and our Savior that “… whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is …”[4] truly our brothers and our sisters.

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[1] Matthew 16:18b NRSV

[2] Romans 12:2a NRSV

[3] John 8:7b NRSV

[4] Matthew 12:50b NRSV

"... the crumbs that fall ..."

“[For] the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” [1]

These words from Paul’s letter to the Romans are important for us to keep in our minds as we struggle with this morning’s lesson from the Gospel of Matthew.  The unfortunate truth is that for humanity it has always been, and will forever continue to be an easy task for individuals or even societies, to either disavow or entirely strip away the gifts and callings of those who are classified as others … especially those who are outsiders.

Jesus, the Son of God, was born to Jewish parents.  This means that Jesus was/is a part of the “chosen people of God.”  He was sent by God to bring the Children of Israel back to God and away from the ways of this world.  In the preceding chapters of Matthew’s Gospel we will find time and time again where Jesus is at odds with the Jewish Religious Leadership.

Last week, we talked about Peter challenging what he thought might be just an illusion of Jesus walking on the surface of the sea.  When Jesus called Peter to step out and walk towards him; Peter did, but then Peter’s faith failed him.  Jesus had to rescue him.  And now once again, at the start of Chapter 15, the Pharisees and the scribes are challenging Jesus because his disciples are continiously breaking the traditions of the elders.[2]  And so Jesus is stressed and is once more focusing closely on achieving the goal set before him; to bring the choosen people back into a truly closer relationship with God.

And now a Canaanite woman calls to him while he is struggling with how to reach out to the choosen people.  He is able to ignore her pleas, but the disciples are now calling for him to send her away.

I’m not Jesus … not even close.   But when I’m trying to write a sermon – and someone knocks at the door asking for directions … and a car turns around in the drive-way … and when the phone rings, and it’s someone who’s not even a member of our Church who asks in a forigen language if I can help them … Well, it is tempting to be anything but compassionate.

But the response of the woman is different and interesting.  Rather than flipping him off or screaming some obscenity, she comes and kneels before him, calling him “Lord,” and begging him for help.

Maybe the answer that Jesus gave was for her, his disciples, or himself … we’ll never really know.  All we do know for sure is that he continues to concentrate on the chosen people of God while implying that she is a worthless individual … a dog.  Jesus is continuing to focus on his theological mission rather than what she is trying to communicate.  But when she answers that even the dogs will be able to eat from the crumbs under the table she is able to clearly communicate that, “Theology, valuable and necessary as it is, need not stand in the way of divine compassion or human faith.” [3]  And Jesus acknowledges that her faith is great; maybe even greater than Peter’s was while he was out for a walk on the waves of the sea.  Jesus healed the daughter of the woman … a foreigner … someone of a different faith if any faith at all.  But the reality that Jesus saw was that she did have faith; faith in someone outside of herself, faith in Jesus, faith in God.

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[1] Romans 11:29 NRSV

[2] Matthew 15:2a NRSV

[3] The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume VII: ABINGDON Press, Nashville © 1995.  Page 337 (Reflections; item 1, line7)