another way.

This week it was tempting to choose a different reading J

We have been reading through chapter 5 of Matthew’s gospel for a few weeks, Jesus is teaching the disciples, and we have heard and thought about: the beatitudes, the exhortation to be salt and light, then a series of “You have heard that it was said, … But I say to you …”

And this week,

If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other; if anyone sues you for your coat, give them your shirt; if a soldier orders you to carry his pack one mile, take it two miles.

This seems crazy.

Let’s take a closer look at this.

If someone hits you on the right cheek, with their right hand, they are trying to put you down, humiliate you. it is very difficult for them to hit your left cheek with their right hand, without it being a fist, and a fist would make you an equal.

The only people who would be sued for a coat were the very poor. Here again, this saying of Jesus is about showing up society for what it is. If you are suing someone for their coat, they don’t have anything else to give. The idea of giving them all your clothes, is that then you would be naked; and in this culture it was the one who caused you to be naked who was shamed.

The people of Israel were under foreign occupation. A soldier could demand that you carry his pack for one mile, this allowed for heavy packs to be carried, but it was only one mile, so the people would do it, rather than arguing with the soldiers. But what would happen if you did more than was asked?

Jesus is “ starting a revolution by calling the rules of this world into question and, at the very same time, redeeming this world that will put him to death.” [i]

Jesus was talking to the victims of oppression, the ones who were humiliated daily, the ones who were forced to carry a soldiers pack, the one being sued for the clothes on his back. Jesus is talking to the victims, the ones who cannot retaliate, because that would be suicidal.[ii]

People usually respond to threats in one of two ways: retaliate or submission. In these examples where the power relationship was so unequal, retaliation is not an option, so people were submissive.

But here Jesus is saying, there is another way. Not repaying violence with violence, not cowering in submission, but  responding without violence.

 How do we respond to people?

The second part of the reading is again about not retaliating – you have probably seen this with children:  A hits B, B hits A back, A Hits B  back, and on and on – it also happens in wars and family feuds, often long after the initial event has been forgotten.

The idea of an eye for an eye, was that you could not exact more from a person than the crime they committed. It was to limit punishment to what was ‘reasonable’. Of course it didn’t work that way, and here Jesus is saying: what does taking another’s sight, or teeth, or life get you?

Martin Luther King, Jr., a student of both Jesus and Ghandi, once said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”[iii]

 Hate cannot drive out hate; fear cannot drive out fear; evil cannot drive out evil. 

Anyone watching the nightly news will know that death, injury, violence and oppression still happen.  A little over a week ago a boy was killed by his father while at cricket practice, a terrible thing to happen. But notice how the mother of that child spoke? She spoke of love, and how the father loved the boy, and how he was going through a difficult time. Not once has she blamed the man who killed their child, or the police. She has chosen not to retaliate and condemn, when it would be easy to do so.  

Then we get to the final sentence of the reading “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Not only do we turn the other cheek, not retaliate when provoked, but we need to be perfect???

No, the word translated as perfect is telos, which can also be translated as mature or complete. ^[iv]

“Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” ^[v]

 “Jesus lays before us the plans for the kingdom he proclaims and the revolution he starts. And so before joining either, we should probably know just what it is we’re getting ourselves in for!” ^[vi]

 Are we committed to living as radical disciples of Jesus, part of the revolution of love?

 

 

Revolution

(inspired by Matthew 5: 48-58, Luke 6:27-38)

 

The enemy:
love them
The oppressor:
walk the mile with them
The Master:
turn the other cheek to them

 

This doormat faith
seems too much to bear
in a world where those who bully
always seem to win

 The enemy:
imbalance them with love
The oppressor:
shame the law that oppresses
The Master:
turn the cheek as an equal

This rebellious faith
seems too much to bear
in a world where those who bully
are loved back to justice by the bullied

But this is heaven’s revolution
and we are called into it
come let us worship
 [by] love’s rebel, Jesus

 

~ written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws. http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/index.php/mucky-paws

---

[i] David Lose Working Preacher 18 February 2014

[ii] Walter Wink, 4 May 2009

[iii] David Lose, In the Meantime, 13 February 2014

[iv] David Lose, working preacher, 18 February 2014

[v] The Message

[vi] David Lose, In the Meantime, 13 February 2014

compassion, healing and discipleship

It is a privilege to be here today, to celebrate with this congregation and with Annette, a new beginning in ministry together.  

On Friday afternoon and evening I was at a meeting that was asking the questions, what is the church like now? And what would we like it to be like in 5 years? We didn’t look at the overall picture, but at some particular areas,  like leadership, discipleship and worship.

One comment was that as a church we don’t have a clear definition of discipleship.  I am not sure if that is the case or not, but I am aware that there are some aspects of our faith and Christian life that are difficult to put into succinct definitions. A disciple is a follower, an admirer, a learner; but that doesn’t say much about what our discipleship does or could look like.

What is the life of this congregation like? Are you learning from Jesus, following his example of compassion? Are you working together to offer healing?

I wonder what it would look like if we as Christians, and this Christian community in particular, had the same compassion for people, for the ‘crowds’, that Jesus did? It says Jesus had compassion on the crowds because they were harassed and helpless.   Looking at the sheep and shepherd metaphor that Matthew is using here,  shepherds are quite concerned about sheep that are harassed, usually by a predator,.. it is still used by farmers out west, in the sense of wild dogs ‘worrying’ the sheep.  

Where do we see people hopeless, harassed and helpless?

Where do we see people in need of a shepherd for protection and guidance?

What kind of healing might this community be able to offer?  To people without hope, people who are ‘worried’ by life, people who don’t know where to get the help they need.

Jesus didn’t invite the crowds to go to church, Jesus sent the disciples out to the crowds, to offer healing, life and inclusion.

I suspect some of you will tell me that you can’t do this because of…. You are too young, too old, not got enough time, …..  fill in your own blank.  And some will say they are not capable, that they don’t have any gifts for ministry at all.

Here is some news for you! take a look at the disciples, really take a look at them – a motley crew, a diverse bunch, and one who would end up betraying Jesus.

While we are disciples, we are also the body of Christ. That means while we are in need of healing, Christian community can be the place where healing occurs. While we are learning, Christian community is a place where we teach by example as well as learn from others.

Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs, with a task to do. We are strongest when we speak one message, when we all pull in the same direction.

Now to turn to Annette for a few moments. The reading from the letter to Timothy is a letter of instruction to a young leader, who is looking after a group of Christians. These days we would call him a minister – verse 14 suggests recognition by the church of his gifts for ministry. The Uniting Church has recognised and acknowledged Annette’s gifts for ministry, and you have recognised these gifts in calling her to be in ministry with you. that is with you, not for you!

But Annette is called to be a servant, not of the congregation or even the church, but of Christ Jesus.  Annette is here to serve Christ, and part of that serving Christ is offering leadership in this congregation and the wider church and community.  “ Do not neglect the gift that is in you,”  give time and attention  to your own spiritual life, so you can be the leader Christ calls you to be.

I encourage the people of this congregation to nurture your won spiritual life, and also to support Annette in nurturing her spiritual life.

I don’t know much about this congregation, though I have worshipped here occasionally when I have had a weekend off. And each time I have been here, I have been welcomed by people form this congregation. So my experience is that it is a friendly congregation.  At times I notice information about fair trade and even a fair trade stall – so that tells me you are people who are prepared to consider your everyday activities and how they impact on other people. There is much more to the story of who you are now.

And hopefully you have an idea of what God is calling this community to be like in 5 years’ time.

 Where are we now and where do we want to be in five years? And then the really hard question comes – are we prepared to do the work to make this happen?

As you and Annette move into a covenant, an agreement to work together as group of God’s people, who are part of the Uniting Church, I pray you will be a blessing to the people Jesus had compassion for, the hopeless, helpless and harassed.

Blessed?

I wonder, what does it mean to be blessed?

 

Happy, fortunate, satisfied, …..

Holy, welcome, fortunate, sanctified, approved, supported, unburdened

Dictionary – holy; beatified [declaring people holy]; bestowing joy.

It is also used to indicate special favour, unique standing, permission, empowerment, endowment, and more. It is difficult to find another word in English that fits.

So maybe the question isn’t what it means, but rather what it feels like. What does it feel like when you’re blessed?^[i]

Being blessed feels like you are not alone.

Being blessed feels like being accepted for who you are.

Being blessed feels like you have worth.

Being blessed feels like you can get through the difficult times.

Blessing is something that can’t be pursued, but can only be received as a gift.^[ii]

 

Another question – who does Jesus say is blessed?

The rich?

The mighty?

The well fed?

Jesus says it is the weak, powerless and vulnerable.

“The poor in spirit : referring either to humble people or to those who are broken and have lost hope.

Those who mourn : those who suffer loss and the feeling of emptiness that follows.

The meek : those who are gentle and unobtrusive, who refuse to use power over others as a tool to make things happen.

The merciful : people who willingly surrender their privileges or otherwise go out of their way to improve others’ well-being.

Those who are persecuted : people whose refusal to give up their quest for truth or virtuousness results in the taking away of their rights, wholeness, or dignity.” ^[iii]

 

not really a group of people we would choose to be in.

who wants to be feel the emptiness of grief?

 who wants to go out of their way to help others? 

These are people who tend to stay, or be kept, out of public view.^[iv]

 

Yet, Jesus names them all as Blessed. It is another way in the which the gospel turns our world view upside down.[v]

These people, considered by our society as people who need to get their act together, Jesus calls Blessed.

Maybe - Blessed because it is in our brokenness and weakness that we are open to Jesus in our life.

We are open to being  comforted,

we are open to others needs,

we are open to the Spirit moving in our lives,

changing, shaping and renewing us. 

It is when we accept our brokenness, and the brokenness of others, that we can see the promises of God?: comfort, mercy, intimacy with God, and so on.^[vi]

 

This morning we recognised the beginning of the school year, for some it will be a new experience, for others another year in a  familiar place with the same group of friends. We prayed for each group, that God would bless them.

Shortly we will celebrate communion together, offer thanks, hear again the story of the last supper, and we will share bread and grape juice. This is another way God comes and offers us peace, hope and life.

At the end of worship each week, you are offered a blessing, a reminder that God is and will be with you. also in Baptism, we sing, or speak, a blessing from the Old testament:

 

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face to shine upon you,

and be gracious unto you;

the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,

and give you peace.

…….

To be blessed is to know our need, to acknowledge our brokenness, to respond to the needs of others; because in doing these things, we recognise our humanity and the humanity of other people. And we recognise the dignity of each person.

And in the midst of life,

in the midst of despair,

in the midst of pain,

in the midst of fear

God shows up, offering comfort, hope and peace.

Thinking about those who are peacemakers, and those who thirst and hunger for righteousness, we may think that these groups are different to the other people represented here,

but Matthew records that those who work for peace, and try to live that out, are children of God

Matthew records that those who speak up on behalf of the poor, the oppressed and the abused, will see the kingdom of heaven.

This passage isn’t about giving people hope of a better life after death, it is about the way that “God regularly and relentlessly shows up just where we least expect God to be in order to give to us freely what we can neither earn nor achieve: blessedness.” ^[vii]

 

I wonder in what ways are you blessed?

---

[i] David Lose,  Working Preacher , 26 January 2014.

[ii] David Lose,  Working Preacher , 26 January 2014.

[iii] Matthew L. Skinner, On Scripture: Enjoy the Super Bowl; Be Suspicious of Its Values

[iv] Matthew L. Skinner, On Scripture: Enjoy the Super Bowl; Be Suspicious of Its Values

[v]  Anne Howard, Beatitudes society, January 28th, 2014

[vi] Matthew L. Skinner, On Scripture: Enjoy the Super Bowl; Be Suspicious of Its Values

[vii] David Lose,  Working Preacher , 26 January 2014.