It was
the Lord who made it known to me, and I knew; then you showed me
their deeds. But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter.
And I did not know it was against me that they devised schemes… But
you, O Lord of hosts, who judge righteously, who try the heart and the mind, let me see your retribution upon them, for
to you I have committed my cause. [Jeremiah 11:18-20]
For the Lord knows the way of the
righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed. [Psalm 1:6]
But
if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful
and false to the truth...But the wisdom from above is first pure, then
peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy...And a harvest of
righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. [James 3:14,
17-18]
...for [Jesus] was teaching his disciples,
saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and
they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise
again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to
ask him... on the way [to Capernaum] they had argued with one another who was
the greatest. [Jesus]...said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be
last of all and servant of all." Then he...said to them, "Whoever
welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me
welcomes not me but the one who sent me." [Mark 9:3-37]
Taking 2 verses of any book of the Bible is problematic. Out of
context of the chapter, the book, and lacking more information of the author’s
history, general focus, and intent, even varying translations, all too often
leads to weaponization with two or more sides finger pointing toward their
intended targets resulting in mutual stare-downs seeing in the “other” what
they/we cannot or choose not to see in themselves/ourselves. This is never more
so than in contentious times. It is so much easier and self-satisfying to seek
retribution for the “other”. This week we have several choices within the
assigned Lectionary and the pickings are not mine to make. And so, we have just
2 verses of Jeremiah. Yet in the weaving of these four readings, as is most
often the case, there is an underlying coherent message from which a parallel
question asked in last week’s Gospel might well be What do you say that the
message of these 4 is?
The Psalmist compares the actions that make
for the happy righteous and the doomed wicked,
reminding us that the Lord knows both us and them and the
who and the what. And James charts the course of attitudes and behaviors
reflecting earthly and inwardly unmet cravings against
those who find their path in the wisdom, peace, and gentleness from above. But
Jesus is working to prepare the disciples, again, for all that is to come, and,
again, they do not understand.
As
the writer of Mark tells us, the chosen disciples were those closest and most
committed to Jesus. Yet, close as they were, they were still afraid to ask
Jesus to explain what he meant about being betrayed and killed and rising from
the dead. But, on the way to Capernaum instead of asking those questions among
themselves, they were arguing with each other about which one of themselves
was the greatest of them all. Perhaps they were confused about and therefore
tuned out the hard truth Jesus was giving because it was too difficult to digest
and discuss.
In a
culture, such as ours in the west, that teaches that one must strive to thrive
through success, achievement, wealth, power, and position, it is exceedingly
difficult to avoid the traps of envy, ambition, conflict, distrust, etc. Fear
of asking questions is also prevalent ~ one learns early in school to be
fearful of being mocked and labeled stupid if one asks a
seemingly “dumb” question. Surely one only wants to ask the
"right questions" and not give too much information away to those
with whom one competes. Perhaps each of the disciples were worried that they
would ask the wrong question and fail a test of sorts. Or perhaps they were
unable to determine what question would be right. James references that as well
by telling us that if we didn’t get what we asked for, it was because we asked
wrongly, that is, we asked for earthly for human pleasure rather than the
spiritual treasure that God provides.
Jeremiah, the Psalmist, and the writer of
James also bring being righteous into our understanding and instruction.
It is one of those words we hear often from the Bible readings ~ we can guess
by its sound that it means God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are righteous, that
is, they are objective yet loving. For us it sounds as if we are to be
"right" with God and in truth it does mean that, to lead a life that
is pleasing to God who knows us, to be someone whose actions God would
find to be just, gentle, and merciful. We are told very specifically what
happens to those who sit in the seats of the scornful [Ps 1:1] and
are boastful and false to the truth [James 3:14b]. And now Jesus
gives the disciples, and us, the terms of a righteous life: Be last not first,
a servant of all, and those who welcome in the name of Jesus will be welcoming
God into their midst, thereby drawing themselves near to God who will in turn
draw nearer to them.
As followers of Jesus we are to commit to
selfless service, especially among those who give nothing return whether by
circumstance or choice; to reach toward humility in shedding traces of inward
and outward aspiration to greatness; and we are to submit ourselves to
God. The height and breadth and depth and weight of all that is expected feels
staggering helping us to understand how the disciples felt at times. Yet they
were together in the best and worst of times, as we are in our communities of
faith, working together, learning to understand, committing and submitting
ourselves to Christ for the life of each other and our eternal souls. We fail
regularly as did those closest to Jesus then and now, and we are always given
another opportunity to turn ourselves around and begin again and again, and,
always, again. As we draw nearer to God, God will draw nearer to thee and me.
Our place in this life is at the last of all
as God’s gentle lambs, not led to a slaughter, but serving all of God’s people
in the name of our Righteous Lamb.
LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ God Almighty, refresh our souls to keep us from envy and
selfish ambition, more able to resist earthly temptation, and willing to
yield our hearts and minds to Your Divine Wisdom.
Knowing, Welcoming
Lord
RESPONSE:
Draw us
nearer to You
~ God Almighty, embolden us to stand together in Christ’s
name as we strive to ensure ethical and principled, just and merciful governing
by the leaders of our World, our Nation, and our Community. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
Knowing, Welcoming Lord
Draw us nearer to You
~ God Almighty, grant hope to all who suffer in body, mind,
or spirit, and energy to all who give them care. We now join our hearts to
pray for those in need…add your own petitions
Knowing, Welcoming Lord
Draw us nearer to You
~ God Almighty, shine Your perfect light into the darkness
of grief, as You gather those newly departed from this life, into the gleaming
expanse of eternal life with You. We pray especially for: add your
own petitions
Knowing, Welcoming Lord
Draw us nearer to You
~ God Almighty, we pause in this moment
to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and
memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions
Knowing, Welcoming Lord
Draw us nearer to You
~ God Almighty, quicken the minds and lighten the steps of
all who share Your wisdom with us and delight with us in Your Word. Guide us that
together we may sow the seeds that will bear the good fruit to prosper a
harvest of righteousness and peace. We pray especially for: add
your own petitions
Knowing, Welcoming Lord
Draw
us nearer to You
The Celebrant adds: O Lord our God, release us from the grip of mortal pride
and temporal lures to be Christ’s selfless, humble, and welcoming servants of
all. Strengthen us as we seek to do the work You have given us to do, not for
our own greatness, but the greatness of Your Eternal Kingdom. We ask through
the glory and sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus; and the wise counsel of the
Spirit Most Holy; who together with You, are One, boundless, and eternal God,
forever and ever. Amen.
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