Wrangling with words

2 Timothy 2:14-26 (NRSV) About the Christian life Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness." In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary. All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned will become special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work. Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.  As the first paragraph of this text reminds us, the letters to Timothy were specific and personal:  Paul giving advice to Timothy. However, there's some good advice here for everyone, isn't there?  How many don't know that wrangling over words does no good?  How many arguments have started as a disagreement over one or two words that were said? Growing up in Texas as I did, when I hear the word "wrangling," I think of the herding of cattle or horses.  I imagine cowboys trying to force the animals all in one direction.  That gives a good insight into what happens when we try to wrangle with words - we are trying to force conversation into one direction - OUR direction - rather than Gods.  Chaos ensues. The reality is that as much as Paul might wish that Timothy's folks weren't quarrelsome, or even that all of the followers of Christ weren't or aren't quarrelsome, we are.  Correcting opponents with gentleness I admit isn't generally my way.   But on those times when I have - when mercy and compassion comes before trying to shame someone into thinking they are wrong, great things can happen.  God gets to work and new things develop and grow. Gracious God:  forgive us when we think that our way is the only way; that our knowledge is the only knowledge that matters; that our words are the only ones that count.  Silence our quarrelsome tongues so that in that silence we can hear your will and see your grace.  Amen

Mar's Hill

Acts 17:22-34 (NRSV)

God has fixed a day of judgment

Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, "Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, 'To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him -- though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we too are his offspring.' Since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."

When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some scoffed; but others said, "We will hear you again about this." At that point Paul left them. But some of them joined him and became believers, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. 

This is one of my favorite sections in Acts.  The Aeropagus is right below the Acropolis and was a space where court cases were tried.  The Romans called it "Mar's Hill" (the name some may recognize as the same as the church that Rob Bell started).

Everything about this story reminds me of Jesus' call to the disciples "to go therefore and make disciples of all nations."

But what strikes me the most is how Paul does it.  Paul, the Jew of Jews, as he thought of himself in his previous life, goes to the Athenians and speaks to them in terms they know.  He goes into their religious spaces with reverence, not with condemnation.  He begins his speech with flattery and shows that he has taken seriously their religious convictions.  He uses places and things of their faith life that they know to proclaim the gospel to them in terms they can understand.  Even in terms of the judgment of God, Paul frames it in the assurance of the promise given through Jesus and the resurrection.

A couple weeks ago, when we were in State College, PA visiting our daughter Alex, a religious group had parked on one of the street corners carrying signs tell us all of our sinfulness and God's judgment.  A sight I'm sure many of us have seen.  

At the time, it made me think about how we dialogue with those who have other faiths than our own.  Paul's model of respect seems to not be the one lifted up, at least not publicly.  Even among different Christian groups we tend to hear in the news more about things like certain churches picketing funeral with signs of hate, rather than dialogue of healing and compassion.  But Paul was very public in his respect and slow to condemnation.

It's hard to speak of our faith sometimes to those who believe differently from ourselves. But starting from a place of curiosity and respect can bridge that gap and lead to a richer, more meaningful understanding.

Gracious God:  You love all your children.  Give us the humility to remember that and to seek out those from whom we can gain new understanding.  Remind us always to proclaim your good news with love and respect so that we can build more meaningful relationships.  Amen.

Go

Matthew 10:5-15 (NRSV)

Cure without payment

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 

During my first week of Seminary, during our orientation (called Prologue) we were sent out into the community of Mt. Airy in Philadelphia in small packs.  I was in a group of four.  We weren't sent to heal or cast out demons, but just to be present.  To engage in conversation.  To remind ourselves, and the community, that the Seminary was a part of that community.

It was scary.

So, I have to admit for all those times I think to myself when I read the Gospels, "those disciples…they just don't get it," I honestly have to admire their courage.  Jesus sending pep talk is a bit intimidating and yet it is also one full of trust.

Jesus send the twelve without reservation.  His instructions are clear, and though difficult perhaps in execution, simple in explanation.

And that's the thing.  Sometimes I think we get really wrapped up in doing our ministry the right way, and those ways are often complex and strategized and planned with the resources we think we need.  But everything really in this text hinges for me on this:  "Go and proclaim the good news."

Don't worry so much about the trappings.  Trust that God will provide what we need.  Easier said than done, I know.  But what we've been provided with is a treasure.  It's good to remember that.

Loving Lord:  You provide what we need to go out and make disciples of all nations.  As churches struggle with resources and membership, remind us that it is your good news that is really all we need.  Amen

Grace isn't fair

2 Kings 5:19b-27 (NRSV)

Greed brings leprosy to Gehazi

But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, "My master has let that Aramean Naaman off too lightly by not accepting from him what he offered. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something out of him." So Gehazi went after Naaman. When Naaman saw someone running after him, he jumped down from the chariot to meet him and said, "Is everything all right?" He replied, "Yes, but my master has sent me to say, 'Two members of a company of prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim; please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.'" Naaman said, "Please accept two talents." He urged him, and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and gave them to two of his servants, who carried them in front of Gehazi. When he came to the citadel, he took the bags from them, and stored them inside; he dismissed the men, and they left.

He went in and stood before his master; and Elisha said to him, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" He answered, "Your servant has not gone anywhere at all." But he said to him, "Did I not go with you in spirit when someone left his chariot to meet you? Is this a time to accept money and to accept clothing, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, and male and female slaves? Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you, and to your descendants forever." So he left his presence leprous, as white as snow. 

And addendum to the addendum to Naaman's story.

We don't like it when folks get off too easy, do we?  Our "innate sense of justice" is offended.

Can we blame Gehazi for being offended at Naaman getting off so lightly?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  I'm not so sure that under the same conditions I wouldn't have looked at this man - an ancient one-percenter with access to the best health care of his day - and wanted to cry foul.  All he had to do was dip in the Jordan river, and that's it?

Of course, Gehazi's sense of justice seems ultimately not about righting a wrong done to his master, but as a means to line his own purse.  Wanting those in power to pay their due is one thing.  Wanting to use their wealth for our own gain is another.

God's justice is different.  God's gift of grace is different, and sometimes, God's grace falls on those who maybe we might not have chosen.

That grace is so bountiful, so overflowing, and so generous, that it spills over places and people we might not think of.  Like the lavish seed scatterer of Jesus' parable, God throws that grace far and wide.  On us, and on our "enemies."  We are called to proclaim that abundant grace, even when we aren't sure we think it's fair.

Grace isn't fair.  It's love.

Generous and loving God: Help us to be partners with you in the spreading of your good news, telling others of your generous, spectacular grace.  And when we think that grace isn't fair, remind us of the love you bear all of your people and invite us to love them just as abundantly.  Amen

Backtracking

2 Kings 5:15-19a (NRSV)

Naaman seeks to repay Elisha

Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company; he came and stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel; please accept a present from your servant." But he said, "As the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will accept nothing!" He urged him to accept, but he refused. Then Naaman said, "If not, please let two mule-loads of earth be given to your servant; for your servant will no longer offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god except the Lord. But may the Lord pardon your servant on one count: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow down in the house of Rimmon, when I do bow down in the house of Rimmon, may the Lord pardon your servant on this one count." He said to him, "Go in peace." 

This addendum was, I think, better being left off yesterday's Old Testament reading for worship.  It is almost like an unsatisfying additional ending to a movie you thought ended already.  I've left many a movie where I thought "why did they bother with that last five minutes?  They already had the perfect ending"

I liked the ending of Naaman's story yesterday.  He'd found faith in the true God and his pride had been healed along with his leprosy.  Happy ending!

But this…it sounds almost to like Naaman backtracking.  Who wants to read about that?

Well the reality, is, that's kind of what happens, isn't it?

I've had some pretty powerful moments of full charged grace in my life.  Those moments feel often like happy endings.  But the reality is that sin always seeps its way back in.  Bargains form on my lips again with God and I am always reminded that I am still on this journey of faith and am still both saint AND sinner.  Life is continual death to sin and then resurrection.  The cycle of death and new life happens over and over and over.  Sin sweeps in, but Grace continually makes her presence known and shows who's in charge.

I can't be too hard on Naaman.  His faith has been born on that day in the Jordan river.  But as with rivers, he would find many twists and turns along the way as death and resurrection, sin and grace, end and beginning, would lead him down occasional rapids in the ongoing journey of that life of faith. 

That journey is what leads us onward to wholeness as our "old self" continually dies to sin along the way.

Gracious God, we thank you for the patience you bear us throughout our journey of faith.  Forgive us when we stumble.  Be there to pick us back up and set us back on our way with your grace, keeping us ever mindful of your desire for nothing else than for us to be the whole, beloved creatures you intended us to be.  Amen.

Wholeness

2 Timothy 2:1-7 (NRSV) Share in suffering You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier's aim is to please the enlisting officer. And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all thing I've been reading a lot of Richard Rohr and Brian McLaren lately, as well as just finished reading Nadia Bolz-Weber's memoir, Pastrix.  And while they all might say it differently, what comes always through loud and clear is that there is no path to "salvation" except through suffering and pain.  There is no resurrection without the cross.  There is no wholeness without first going through division.  There is no spring without winter.  You don't fathom the magnificence of the light without experiencing darkness. In the same way that you can't get to a finish line without running the race or reap your crops without the toil that goes into it, you don't ultimately get "saved" without first going through the valley of the shadow.  There's no way around it. This is not, I truly believe, a passage claiming "do the work, get the prize" or work's righteousness.  Instead it is a truth that is much more profound than that.  It is that pain, brokenness, suffering, harsh conditions, and death are true.  They are a reality we can't get around.  But without them, we'd not be able to experience that salvation of grace. This isn't salvation simply meaning "getting to go to heaven."  This is salvation meaning experiencing the fullness of life that only grace can bring.  It means wholeness both now and not yet. Gracious God: When the valley of the shadow comes, you are with me.  Prepare for those times, and walk with me during the valleys, and let me be ever mindful of those who need me to walk with them.  Amen.

Letters from a loved one

2 Timothy 1:13-18 (NRSV)

Paul in prison

Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

You are aware that all who are in Asia have turned away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain; when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me may the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! And you know very well how much service he rendered in Ephesus. 

Letters are a lost art for the most part.  So it is hard sometimes to remember the often personal nature of some of the "Epistles" of Paul.

Paul (or at least probably Paul…) writes from prison anticipating his death and wanting to bolster strength and courage in his follower Timothy.  They had a close relationship and so reading this letter is quite different from reading something like the Gospels or the Book of Acts, or even one of Paul's letters to his churches.

How do we bolster each other these days?  We don't really write letters.  Texts and emails don't always have the same punch, do they?  And we can't hold on to them to remember the person in the same way we can with letters.

Not long ago, my mother gave me some old letters of hers that were either from me or about me in different periods of my life.  One was the first letter I'd written from college - giving her my dream menu for my first trip home.  Another was from a friend of hers I worked with in my first job, telling my mom I was doing fine, and another from my grandmother about my coming to visit her.  

They are good treasures that my mother has entrusted to me.  And while we might not have letters the way we used to, we still have the best treasure: the faith.  It's entrusted to us with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.  It doesn't get more personal or strength-building than that.

Good and Gracious God: You have entrusted to us the most wonderful of gifts - your Spirit that sustains us and draws us together.  You claim us for relationship with you and with our neighbors.  We don't always remember the gift, and we don't always treasure it so we thank you for the loving reminders you give us along the way. Amen