For Sunday, 13,
2020, Readings: Exodus 14:19-31, Psalm 114, Romans
14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35
The
LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea
into dry land; and the waters were divided...the Israelites walked on dry
ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and
on their left. [Exodus 14:21b, 29]
Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the
Lord...Who turned the hard rock into a pool of water and flint-stone into a
flowing spring.
[Psalm 114:7, 8]
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not
for the purpose of quarreling over opinions...Who are you to pass judgment
on...[another]? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they
will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand. [Romans 14:1, 4]
Peter came and said to Jesus, "...how often should I
forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven
times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times...'[The lord of the slave said]
Should you not have mercy of your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?'...So my
heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your
brother or sister from your heart." [Matthew 18:21-22, 33, 35]
The Israelites in
the desert escaping the Egyptians is a classic Biblical Epic. A Pillar of Cloud
by day and the Pillar lights up in the night ~ their only GPS. And the parting
of the Red Sea ~ a universally known story and some people even know it without
conjuring the image of Charlton Heston. After getting across the Sea on dry
land, as it folds over and drowns the Egyptians, it says in Exodus 14:31, So
the people feared the Lord and
believed in the Lord and in his
servant Moses. And then the rest of the journey went well, right? Stay
tuned for updates.
I commend to you all of Romans 14:1-12
for a stark lesson in our individual accountability. If it isn’t perfectly
relevant to our very time, nothing is. Why do you pass judgment on your brother
or your sister? …For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. Read
the entire piece, re-read, read again and, as we say, “inwardly digest.” It is quite
a prelude to this week’s Gospel.
Jesus tells Peter that seventy-seven
times we are to forgive, or, as in an older perhaps more familiar
translation to some, seventy times seven. Sometimes
forgiving once feels beyond my capacity but I sure can snap to
judgment in a nano-second. I do know that my instant judgment of another sometimes
has to do with a projection of what I don't like about myself, specifically the
uncomfortable awareness of my own sins. When I push myself to move beyond
denial and engage in thoughtful, prayerful reflection of who I am and how I
react, I remember the saying, If God forgives you, who are you not to
forgive yourself?! Of course, in these tumultuous times, anger and
judgment seem to permeate the very air that we breathe. Forgiving is a challenge
when the stakes feel so highly charged. Plus, when I dig deeper, I discover
that forgiveness received and given isn't a mere
slap-dash-high-five-good-to-go. It requires a significant, deliberate,
conscious change in me without requiring the same
of others. Oh, the agony! Some days - some minutes! - are easier
than others to live up to the challenge of self-changing. But when I purposely
accept the forgiveness of God and make a sincere intentional pledge and employ
much effort to be better and do better, I do experience a lifting of my spirit,
a freedom, and a strengthening of my faith even though, too often, short-lived.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
When I feel forgiven, it is easier to
extend forgiveness, understanding, and compassion to others. When judgment and
cynicism wane and I feel forgiving, the work of faith, hope, and love
becomes more instinctual though not less difficult. It is a continuous process
filled with detours, back-tracking, monumental failure, and persistence in
starting over. Paul reminds us that we are each accountable to
God. Perhaps a sticky note that says accountable, on
the dashboard of my car or on my computer screen when I log into social media, will
help me to remember in one of those many moments, that
it is God's favorable judgment I seek. I also need frequent reminders that it
is my own responsibility to live as a disciple of Christ, with honor. After
all, as Paul asks, who am I to judge another?
Jesus
is uncomfortably clear that God will forgive us AS, in the way that, we
forgive others. How simply difficult. Okay then, it's a new day, the
long road is before us, and, we are never alone as long as we seek that Pillar
of Cloud and Light. Let us follow the wisdom of Moses, Paul, and Jesus, and
walk always toward God's dry and holy ground with mercy, compassion, and
forgiveness for others in our hearts, and an account-ing lesson to remember.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE,
PRAY
Leader: ~ Holy God, Pillar of our Universe, liberate us
from the slavery of judgment and anger, keep us mindful of our accountability
to You and always aware that You forgive us as sincerely and grace-fully as
we forgive all others.
Most Merciful Lord
RESPONSE:
I am accountable to You
~ Holy God, Pillar of our Universe, in these
perilous times, energize us to press the urgency of informed decision-making
and rational response to crises for ourselves and especially the leaders of our
Planet, our Nation, and our Local Community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Most
Merciful Lord
I am
accountable to You
~ Holy God, Pillar of our Universe, part the
waves of illness, pain, and despair for all whose hope is sinking; and lift the
spirits of those who provide support. We now join our hearts together
to pray for those in need… add your own petitions
Most
Merciful Lord
I am
accountable to You
~ Holy God, Pillar of our Universe, our souls
are comforted by the heavenly embrace and infinite peace of our loved ones who
now live again in You. We pray especially for… add your own petitions
Most
Merciful Lord
I am
accountable to You
~ Holy God, Pillar of our Universe, we pause
in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions,
petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions
Most
Merciful Lord
I am
accountable to You
~ Holy God, Pillar of our
Universe, bestow an unlimited capacity for energy and spiritual joy to all who
are anointed and entrusted to guide us by Your Word and Wisdom. We
pray especially for: add your own petitions
Most
Merciful Lord
I am
accountable to You
The Celebrant adds: O God of Wind and Water, our Light in the
Darkness, quicken our faith in Your Presence, and impose upon us the character
and courage to forgive as forgiven, seeking Your dry ground of mercy and
compassion for all. We ask always through the blessings of Your Son Jesus, our
Christ; and Your most Holy Spirit, our Counselor; who are together with You,
One God, now and forever. Amen.
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