the greatest of these is charitable love

At the heart of our calling are interdependent commands to love – love God and love others.  

How do we describe this love - what does it look and sound like in action (with God and with others)? 

How are we to generate/experience more of it? 

How might we overcome the obstacles to sharing it more freely? 

[ref: RCL readings for Proper 25, Year A]

whose image? whose wealth? toward whose end?

Taxes? Yes. Even earthly empires have a place in God’s grand economy, when used towards the heavenly kingdom.

The same currency that can be inappropriately worshipped also can be utilized charitably and lovingly... and all forms of currency carry debts and responsibility to their creators and sovereign reserves.

When handling the notes on which we’ve printed, among other things, “In God We Trust”, re-cognize where true wealth comes from, in whose image we’re actually created, and to whom we all shall be rendered. What is the basis of our trust?

When discerning tensions between allegiance to earthly empire(s) and to God’s kingdom, we must shine light on how we, individually and collectively, are utilizing our God-given time and talent, as well as our earthly treasure.


[ref: RCL readings for Proper 24, Year A]

walk the walk more than talk the talk

Always good to reminder each other that if we're gonna talk the talk, we better walk the walk. 

Yes, systems, institutions, and groups can and should be held to account for collective actions or lack thereof... 

but, in today’s readings, we’re called first to consider our own personal response-ability and where our hearts and minds are focused when we act, or avoid/fail to act. 

Intentions are important... and what we actually do is more important than what we say we’ll do. 

Also, we get ‘called out’ for our tendency to behave like we’re gods in our own self-interest, and not so gently invited to turn back toward our creator with humility and a genuine desire to serve our creator’s interests... together... in love (acting more toward restoration than retribution).

[ref: RCL reading for Proper 21, Year A]

Go tell it – God’s unreasonably generous grace is available any time to anyone....

Go tell it – God’s unreasonably generous grace is available any time to anyone.... 

and that means in time for every one of us 

and for every one of those who don’t seem to deserve it.  

We’re sent to proclaim this good news

to those who aren’t ‘right’ by our accounting,

those who might appear lazy or uninterested, 

and (gasp!) to those who we fear might actually hear 

what the Holy Spirit is saying to God’s people.  

It may not seem fair, but it’s divine.

[ref: RCL reading for Proper 20, Year A]

turning from tolerance to forgiveness....

remembering that forgiving involves forgetting, over and over again.... not the trespasses that have been done, but the things we presume others ‘owe’ us in order to make things right. 

How often must we release others from the bonds of debt when it just doesn’t seem fair to do so? Won’t they just take advantage of our generosity? What are we expecting of them in order for us to be so generous? 

What do you believe you’d find if you checked the status of your account with God? 

Some balance sheets are only ever reconciled by a gift of outrageously generous grace. 

What do you believe God expects of you once freed from debt? 

Even if, especially if, we are not expecting to receive a bill from our unreasonably gracious host for our portion at the heavenly banquet, how are we expected to pursue and experience reconciliation with other invited guests so that all of us can more truly and freely celebrate the sharing of generous portions together?

[ref: RCL readings for Proper 19, Year A]

riffing on responsibility, repentance, and reconciliation....

What inevitably happens when two or more of us are gathered (politics and discord); who has responsibility for our well being as well as for our actions, or lack of; and do we believe Jesus is among us? 

A professor of mine (Ron Heifetz) used the metaphor of needing to maintain perspective from the balcony while also being on the dance floor in order to effectively mobilize groups for adaptive changes (to see systems for what they are while facilitating new behaviors within them). 

In today's lectionary readings, I hear a call for each of us to watch/maintain perspective from an elevated place as we not only boldly speak about approaching dangers on the horizon but also humbly name brewing unhealthiness within... maintaining fortitude in sharing responsibility for repentance while also providing ongoing opportunities for reconciliation, collectively, with God’s help. 

[ref: RCL readings for Proper 18, Year A]

Before considering our call to faithful patience and steadfast acts of love amid suffering, even in the face of death [ref: RCL readings for Proper 17, Year A],

let’s offer prayerful thanksgiving this ‘Labor Day’ weekend 
for the labor of many others that is often taken for granted, 
but without which we would not live as we do... 

as well as ask God to keep us mindful of our roles in meeting the needs of others: 

"Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen." 
(Collect for Labor Day in the Book of Common Prayer)