94 - Faith and Works

James 1:1 - 2:26

So Paul says we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ.

James says faith without works are dead.

Which is right?  Or are they both?

Reading the Epistles sometimes makes my head spin.  I have a hard time counting the angles dancing on the head of pin.

At times like this I like to go back to the Gospels.

I find that Jesus often equates faith with healing.   When Jesus heals Bartimeaus, he says:  "Go, your faith has made you well."

Likewise, the hemorrhagic woman who touched Jesus' cloak, is healed as Jesus says: "Take heart woman, your faith has made you well."

Faith, or better, trust, in Jesus, his life, death and resurrection, makes us whole.

But living as Christians is the next step.

Immediately after Bartimeaus regained his sight, we are told that he followed Jesus on the way.

What is the way?

Jesus tells us the way:

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’  Matthew 22:34-40

And the Gospels are littered with specific directions and examples - the good Samaritan, the final judgment in Matthew 25, the instruction to the rich young man to sell all he has and give to the poor.  "The Way" is a way of action, of works.  It is a way of being "doers of the word, and not merely hearers..."

For us, as Tracey said in her sermon last Sunday, we are to find our vocation -- the place where our great passion (and abilities) meet the world's great needs.  If we are lucky it's in our paid vocation, as a teacher, a nurse, even as a lawyer or politician or engineer.  Or it's in our volunteer life, as a Red Cross volunteer, a tutor, or a sponsor of a school child in Haiti.

James letter also points us to where our concern should be - with the poor.

Have you found your vocation?

93 - A Living Hope

1 Peter 1:1 - 2:12

Asia Minor

Unlike Paul's letters which were usually written to a specific church dealing with specific problems, this letter attributed to Peter is addressed to "the exiles in Dispersion" in five parts of Asia Minor.  It appears the primary problem was the sense of being exiled from their community -- they were very much a minority,  holding to a foreign religion in the Greco-Roman culture, and therefore very suspect by their neighbors.

So part of the purpose of the letter is to help the Christians there build their sense of uniqueness, to help them understand the hope that is in them, and to give advice on how to interact with those around them.

Interestingly, as the author calls on the primarily Gentile church members to live holy lives he uses Hebrew scripture references:

Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1Peter 1:15-16)

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 2 Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. (Lev 19:1)

And then the author points to the basics of Christian ethics:

Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. (1Peter 1:22)

Frequently in these epistles we see the young churches being encouraged to stay true to the faith in a time of persecution.  But often what we face is not so much persecution as temptation to follow the culture of acquisitiveness and (supposed) power.  I wonder if the same guidelines help us withstand temptation as much as persecution?

92 - A New Creation in Christ

2 Corinthians 4:1 - 6:2

In a somewhat disjointed letter to the church in Corinth, Paul talks about the transforming nature of faith in Christ, and of the suffering he has undergone while being an apostle of the gospel.

He likens himself to fragile clay jars, entrusted with the treasure of the light of Christ.  He looks forward to the day when he sheds his tent (mixed metaphor alert!) and goes to the eternal house in heaven.

Some of Paul's memorable rhetoric is found in this passage:

So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight.

and

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.

How do you exercise the ministry of reconciliation?

91 - The Most Excellent Way

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

This most beautiful description of love is often read as one of the scripture lessons in weddings in church.  What could be a better way to define the relationship between two people who pledge to live their lives together?

But a couple of things should be noted about this reading before filing it under "romantic, emotional" love.

The word for love used in this passage is agape.  This is the word used by Jesus when the Pharisees challenged him to name the greatest law, and he answered:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

Likewise in John, as Jesus is giving final instructions to his disciples, he commands them:

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Jesus is talking about unconditional, self-sacrificial love, asking that his disciples love each other and the world as God loves us.

Love from Theological Virtues by Raphael

It's also important to know the context of Paul singing the praises of agape love.  As is the case in most of his letters, Paul is writing to the church at Corinth to help them deal with issues they are facing.  Just before this passage Paul talks about how many people with many different gifts make up the Body of Christ.  These gifts include "utterance of wisdom" and "utterance of knowledge" and faith and healing and prophecy, and the gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues.  And he reminds us we all need each other.

As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’, nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’

And

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

The "still more excellent way" he shows us is that we should love one another, over and above any other gifts we have been given.

This is the way of following Christ. 

90 - The Coming of the Lord

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

First Thessalonians is believed to be the earliest extant letter written by Paul, and indeed the first writing of the New Testament.  The letter shows the great affection Paul has for the people of Thessalonica, and his appreciation for their loyalty to the gospel in spite of persecution.  He encourages them to follow the precepts of holiness in behavior towards family and community.

In our reading today he reassures the church that believers who have died will also be taken up at the parousia - the return of the Lord.  The expectation is that the second coming will be within the lifetime of the readers 

¹⁷Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord for ever.

Because of this, Christians should be watchful, and should be prepared.

Jesus' Second Coming

In the next letter, Second Thessalonians, Paul corrects the impression that the parousia is imminent, insisting instead that a series of historical events must take place first.

Two thousand years later and what are we to think?  We still have people proclaiming the end is near (anyone remember Harold Camping?).  Are we to live with our bags packed, thinking only of our own and our family's ride to heaven?  Is that what Christianity is about? Or are we to live out the gospel on earth, feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and visiting the prisoners, as Jesus commanded in his only teaching on the Judgment?

89 - All Scripture is God Breathed

2 Timothy 3:10 - 4:6

Today's reading, indeed all of 2 Timothy, reads as a last testament of Paul to a favored companion and follower.  It gives reassurance, warns of dangers, and commends fidelity to true teaching.

The verse that is frequently pointed to in this passage as the "money quote" is:

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

Of course at this time "scripture" would mean the Hebrew Scripture - the Old Testament.  Later church teaching would extend it to the New Testament, which did not come into existence for another 200 years.

Does this passage mean that every word of all scripture is dictated by God - that the Bible constitutes the "words of God?"

My understanding is that scripture is a collection of writings, with numerous human authors, editors and translators contributing to finished product.  Within the texts are differing accounts of the same events (creation, the Flood, the Nativity to name a few).

Holy Bible

But the imperfect human construction of scripture does not mean that it is not "true" in the broad sense. Its stories, histories, songs, poems and wisdom presents a picture of the interaction between a loving God and the people of God, as they learned more and more about their God and built a relationship with God.

The Bible is central to our understanding of ourselves and our relationship with each other and with God.  We read three or four passages from it every Sunday.  People being ordained and members of vestry affirm that they believe that everything necessary to salvation is found in the old and new testament.  They do not say that believing every word of the bible is necessary for salvation. We worship God, not a book.

How do you look at the Bible?

88 - Good Soldiers of Christ

2 Timothy 2:1-26

Have you ever been to the ordination of a deacon or priest?  They are wonderful, magnificent services.   Those who have responded to God's call go through the "Process" of discernment, education, formation, and scrutiny. Finally the date is set, the music selected, and the friends and family invited. They kneel and promise to follow the doctrine of the church and obey their bishop.  The bishop lays hands upon them and invokes the Holy Spirit.

In the sermon, the preacher often gives a "charge" to the ordinand -- a special instruction on how to be a good priest, a word of encouragement, or a glimpse into the life to which they have committed themselves.

This portion of 2 Timothy reads very much like a charge:

• Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus;
• Teach what you have learned of Jesus;
• Share in the suffering;
• Follow the rules of the church;
• Preach the gospel;
• Keep your eye on matters of importance.

Likewise when we as lay people are baptized or attend a baptism, we are charged and promise to:

• Continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in prayers, and in breaking of bread;
• Persevere in resisting evil, and to repent and return to Lord when we falter;
• Proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ;
• Seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves;
• Strive for justice and peace among all people, respecting the dignity of all people.

Icon of St Paul

How do you live out your charge?

87 - The Love of Money

1 Timothy 6:3-21

Jesus has made this point repeatedly.

Just two examples:  in Matthew, the rich young man who is following all the law, and Jesus tells him to sell all that he had and give the money to the poor, and then to follow Jesus.  When the young man heard this, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

In Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the rich man whose farm produced many crops, so that he had to build extra storage for them.  And with all those goods stored up, he could "relax, eat, drink and be merry."  But God said to him "You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you.  All the things you have prepared, whose will they be?"  So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.

The author of 1 Timothy puts an even finer point:  "The love of money is the root of all evil."

Does this mean having a 401(k) to support one's retirement is wrong?

I don't think that's what is being said here.  Rather this goes to the sin that kept getting the Hebrew people into trouble with God -- having false idols, believing that acquiring more and more money or stuff is the most rewarding activity, forgetting their creator and liberator.

I recently read what Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks said about the relationship between charity and justice in Jewish thought:

"The word tzedakah is untranslatable because it joins together two concepts that in other languages are opposites, namely charity and justice.  Suppose for example that I give someone $100.  Either he is entitled to it, or he is not.  If he is, then my act is a form of justice.  If he is not, it is an act of charity.  In English a gesture of charity cannot be an act of justice, nor can an act of justice be described as charity.  Tzedakah means both.

It arises from Judaism's theological insistence on the difference between possession and ownership.  Ultimately, all things are owned by God, creator of the world.  What we possess, we do not own -- we merely hold it in trust for God.  .... In Judaism, because we are not owners of our property but guardians on God's behalf, we are bound by the conditions of trusteeship, one of which is that we share part of what we have with others in need.  What would be regarded as charity in other legal systems is, in Judaism, a strict requirement of the law and can...be enforced."*

What impact would it have on your view of money if you treated it as God's money, for which you only have temporary trusteeship?

*Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, To Heal a Fractured World - The Ethics of Responsibility, p 32.

86 - Elders and Deacons

1 Timothy 3:1-16

First and Second Timothy and Titus are together called the "Pastoral Epistles," as they have more to do with how the Christians should live rather than what they should believe.

Scholars generally believe that these three books were written after Paul's death, and quite probably not to the Timothy who traveled with Paul.  Rather they are directions coming from the Pauline community addressing some specific issues and problems faced in Ephasus.

It can be difficult to read 1 Timothy in the 21st century:  in the 2nd chapter, immediately before our reading today, instruction is given concerning women:  "Let a woman learn in silence with full submission.  I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent."  I would love to hear our Presiding Bishop preach on those lines!

Our reading today starts by quoting a saying "whoever aspires to the office of bishop [or overseer] desires a noble task."  Considering what we expect bishops to do, I would wonder about anybody who did aspire to be a bishop!

The sturdy advice for the nature of bishops and deacons makes me wonder if they were not getting very good quality church leaders, particularly with two references to imbibing alcohol.

Our church's current process for choosing those to be ordained as deacons, priests and bishops is very long and tedious, but judging by those we have had serving us at Holy Comforter and the Diocese of Virginia, we are ensured that they bring true faith and a loving heart.  We have been very blessed.

Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church

85 - The Supremacy of Christ

Colossians 1:1-23

Commentators tell us that the author of the letter to the Colossians was probably not Paul, based on both literary and theological differences.  Nevertheless this letter clearly comes out of the Pauline tradition and provides further insight into the thought and experiences of the early church.

The heart of the letter is the "Christ hymn" of 1:15-20, which remind us that Christ was part of creation: "he is the image of the invisible God the firstborn of all creation."  In a somewhat bold during the height of the Roman empire, "in him all things in heaven and earth were created, ... whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers..."

He is the firstborn from the dead - the first resurrected - and he is the head of the church.  "In him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell..."  He was God incarnate.

This hymn helps remind us when we get lost in the swirls of competing demands not only in our church life but in life in general what, and Who, is most important.

Colossae

84 - Rejoice in the Lord

Philippians 4:2-9

Paul writes to his beloved church in Philippi, where Lydia was the first convert.  The letter shows his affection, his happy memories, his sense of their being fellow workers with him in sharing the gospel.

He exhorts them to unity and humility, following the example of Christ.  He quotes what was apparently a hymn, celebrating Christ's life, death and resurrection.

At the closing, in our reading today, he seeks the resolution of a conflict between two of his fellow workers in the gospel - Euodia and Syntyche - he wants them to be of the "same mind in the Lord."

Conflict in church?  At this early date?  Who would believe such?

The reality is we have always had conflict in the church.  Circumcised or not-circumcised?  Scripture or tradition? Rome or Reformation?  African Americans as members? Women in the pulpit or no?  Incense or no incense?  Gays & lesbians as bishops?

We have to work these conflicts out.  Whether or not Jesus intended to form a new church, that's what we have and we have to sort out our conflicts or continue to splinter the church in new ways.  How can we put the pieces back together?

83 - The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-20

I have to admit, I have little trouble with this passage.

There is the militaristic language of armor, breastplate, shield, sword, contrary to other scripture passages such as "nations shall beat their swords into plowshares," or "turn the other cheek."

And then there is a hint that we are invoking God to be on our side.  I prefer the words attributed to Abraham Lincoln:  "We trust that God is on our side.  It is more important to know that we are on God's side."

But if we take away the military language, what is it that we are advised to cling to?  Truth...righteousness...gospel of peace...faith...salvation.  Those are truly at the core of what makes us Christian.

The author of the letter to the Ephesians (who may not have been Paul) is giving encouragement to the young church in Ephesus in their new life in Christ.  Language we hear in baptismal services comes from this letter:

4:…. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

The strength the Ephesians drew from this letter we can also, if we "pray in the Spirit at all times" for the strength to follow Jesus, and become peacemakers and reconcilers in the world.

There is another way to surround yourself with God's protection.  In the Celtic tradition, there is what is called a Caim prayer.  Here is a description and a brief example from Celtic Daily Prayer - Prayers and Readings from the Northumbria Community:

Draw a circle clockwise around yourself, using the right index finger as you say the prayer; this symbolizes the encircling love of God.  (The situation may make this physical action impractical; in which case see the action in your mind’s eye as you pray.)  See yourself and others encircled and be aware that the living God surrounds and encloses with His love, care and protection.

Circle me (or another being prayed for), Lord.

Keep comfort near

and discouragement afar.

Keep peace within

and turmoil out.

Circle me, Lord

Keep protection near

and danger afar.

Circle me, Lord

Keep home within,

keep despair without.

Circle me, Lord

Keep light near

and darkness afar.

Circle me, Lord

Keep peace within

and anxiety without.

The eternal Father, Son and Holy Spirit

shield me on every side.

Amen.

82 - The Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:16 - 6:10

Paul is just a little upset by what he has heard is going on in the churches in Galatia which he had founded and nurtured.  And it shows in his writing.

He had told them that the Good News of Jesus was available to all, including those who were not circumcised.  After the churches were established other preachers came who preached that circumcision was necessary for all believers in Jesus.  You can see how upset Paul is if you just go back a few verses before today's reading.

So in the letter to the Galatians Paul reiterates what he also said to the Romans:  we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by doing works of the law.

Immediately before today's reading Paul tells his readers what freedom from the law by living in Christ means:

 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. 14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

So if you live by this single commandment to love one another, then you do not live by "the flesh" but by the Spirit, and the fruits of the Spirit flow from that way of living.

Have you experienced the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that Paul promises?  Not all the time, but sometimes?  Does Paul's message ring true?

81 - More Than Conquerors

Romans 8:1-39

The letter Paul wrote to the Christian community in Rome in 58AD is his fullest explication of his theology, particularly relating to God's righteousness, and justification by faith in/of Jesus Christ.

This eighth chapter is part of the sometimes dense Pauline theology, and it has great words of encouragement for those who live in Christ.  The first four verses may be as good a summary of his theology as you can find:

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

For those of us who sometimes don't know how to pray or what to pray for:  

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

And finally, the great reassurance of God's love: 

31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33 Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written,
         "For your sake we are being killed all day long;
          we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Spirit of God in us

80 - The Trip to Rome

Acts 25:1 - 28:31

In the last chapters of Acts Paul is dragged before the Roman governor and accused of being an "agitator among all the Jews" and a "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes."

The governor, Felix, can't see any reason to do anything to Paul other than leave him in confinement (leaving open the possibility of a bribe to release him).

Our reading starts when the new governor, Porcius Festus, takes office.  He wants to resolve the issue of Paul quickly.  After hearing the case against Paul he decides to grant Paul's request to be tried as a Roman citizen.  Before going to Rome, he has another hearing before King Agrippa.  The parallels in these hearings and trials to the trials of Jesus are striking -- the Roman authorities are not inclined to punish Paul for accusations, based on false evidence, brought by the Jewish leaders.

Paul before King Agrippa

Paul's transfer to Rome is an adventure, as his ship is run aground off Malta.  The natives provide hospitality, and are stunned when Paul survives the bite of a poisonous viper.  Paul heals the father of a leading citizen of Malta, and other citizens.  Finally their ship is re-provisioned and they depart for Rome.

He was restricted but not confined, and used his time to preach to the Jews - some of whom he convinced and some not.  We are not told of his trial and death -- we just know that he preached boldly about the Kingdom of God and about the Lord Jesus Christ.  Thanks be to God.