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How Much Is All? Mark 12:28 – 34; Ruth 1:1 – 18 Joan Chittister records (How Shall We Live. Erie, PA. Benetvision, 2006. P. 29) a great story about Benedict and his sister, Scholastica. Benedict, an abbot of the fifth century, founded a series of monasteries and a way of life called the Rule of Benedict. This Rule has served as guide for innumerable people throughout the ages because it offers grounding throughout any type of chaos. Benedict’s sister was also an important religious figure of the time, but depended on the guidance and support of her brother. During one of their visits together, Scholastica asked her brother to remain overnight in order to continue the reflection and talk they had begun. Benedict wouldn’t even consider this idea. He needed to get back to his monastery. There were certain things to accomplish, and particular ways his life had to run every day. The routine could not be compromised. Scholastica put her head down on the table and appeared to be in deep prayer. A severe storm materialized out of nowhere, bringing flash floods, forcing Benedict to rescind his decision about staying overnight. He complained bitterly to his sister; “God forgive you, sister! What have you done?” Scholastica answered simply, “I asked you for a favor and you refused. I asked my God and I got it.” Joan Chittister included this incident to show that rules are not always the ‘end-all’ of required and important behavior. Her point was not that through prayer we could make God work for us! Much as Benedict created a discipline that has provided substance and value for the world, there were times — even in his life — when the directives needed to be evaluated and altered. Our Gospel passage today is a conversation between Jesus and a scribe who knew the rules of faith for the day. Interestingly, the Gospel writer puts this scribe in a fairly favorable light. Out of the 19 scribes referenced in Mark, this one gets the best press/treatment. It appears he is not testing Jesus, but merely wants to know more of his ideas and opinions. When Jesus responds to the inquiry, the scribe proclaims Jesus as providing the right answer. When the scribe elaborates on the rules and commandments, Jesus identifies wisdom in the scribe. This whole repartee seems polite. The two concluding points in the passage place Jesus at an advantage, however. When Jesus tells the scribe he is not far from the kingdom of God it sounds reminiscent of ‘close, but no cigar,’ and the final statement that ‘no one dares ask Jesus more questions’ closes the debate. But what was really being said here, and is there anything for us to glean for our lives? What is within and under the words of this great commandment or rule upon which both men agree? So often we have characterized law and Gospel as a dichotomy. We see them as antithetical to each other. Exaggerating law as oppressive and Gospel as freeing/loving we have created a distortion in faith that is unhealthy. This passage reduces that simplistic dichotomy and helps us hear Jesus’ teaching as amplification and support of the rule, law and commandments of his Jewish faith. What does it mean to love with all that you are – all your heart…all your soul…all your mind…all your strength? What Jesus is NOT talking about is keeping rules, offering allegiance, making peace in half-hearted fashion. What Jesus is NOT saying is that it is permissible to adhere to the major laws of the land, but be lax about traffic laws that do not hurt anyone. What Jesus is NOT speaking of is compromising by claiming to keep the intent of the law, while personally figuring how to wiggle out of the hard parts. Loving with the ALL of oneself is more than right answers. Loving with the ALL of oneself means the words will match the actions; our lives will speak what we believe — every moment of every day our motions will be integrated with our speech. There is no middle ground, no fence sitting, no checking out the other options. Twelve-step programs do not depend on gradually reducing hurtful behavior. An alcoholic knows that a decision to enter a program demands immediate cessation of drinking. The steps of rehabbing are about reconstructing one’s life and relationships. In the beginning, however, it is all or nothing in relation to the drinking habit. Maybe at first, alcoholics go to their meetings and start their steps because of some exterior pressure, but they will not last unless their whole being cries out for the health they crave. Most healthy marriages are entered into with the understanding that partners will be monogamous. Commitment means giving up the possibility of continuing to play the field or be intimately involved with others. It is all or nothing. Perhaps at first partners will have difficulty considering total allegiance to one person, but most of us believe the marriage will not be fulfilling unless each one gives over absolute fidelity to the other and to the partnership. Contractual agreements such as mortgages, loans, utility services require users to pay an agreed-upon monthly amount of money. Even though most contracts can be altered or negotiated, our signature indicates we will pay the bill – the whole bill. It is all or no goods or services. This sounds like Deal – or No Deal! Yes, it is hard to keep paying those commitments, but at some point we have to place value on what we are receiving as equal to our outpouring. It is the same in faith. ALL means ALL. It does not mean sometimes. It does not mean “if I feel like it today.” It does not mean, “I will love you God today, if I have time.” It does not mean, “I will pay attention to you today, if I feel like you have paid enough attention to me.” The relationship we have with God is that the totality of our very being is to be given over to God. Everything we have — all the loving capabilities within our heart, soul, mind and strength will be given. No rule, no commandment, no obligation can capture how much is that “all.” The words just are not enough. Scholastica knew that even her brother’s disciplines of faith were not the ultimate definers of appropriate behavior. Her need of his presence was greater than his need of keeping a rule. Their commitment to each other did not have time boundaries. Yes, the scribe and Jesus were saying the same words. They were repeating the same commandment. But just because the scribe knew the words and seemed to believe that he was close, close to the reign of God, does not place them on equal footing. Jesus knew that loving God completely was more than words. Christ Jesus continues to draw us into the totality of love for God today. He beckons us, he leads us, he shows us a way to love with heart, soul, mind and strength – all of our very being. As a congregation we offer the space, time and each other to consider how we give all. As a congregation we provide each other with the how to make the commitment that types over mere words — to the commitment of all heart, soul, mind and strength. May we challenge each other to make the commitment and talk about what that looks like. It changes life, as we have known it, because the commitment means growing, changing, listening and challenging. Financial obligations that we make — whether they be for our homes, our schools, our political candidates, our ministries — come only after we place value on the commitment. You have been hearing and reading about the places along the way of life of this congregation especially as they challenge us to plan for the future. Consider how the places along the way of your own life have contributed to your values and plans for your future. May you be challenged by Jesus Christ who is asking for the fullness of your life today – to journey with God and God’s people…to make no distinction in your life between your time and God’s time…between what belongs to you and what has come as gift from God. When we get there, we will know that we are mere stewards of the ALL that God has created. And we will be loving, serving, witnessing, proclaiming with all heart, all soul, all mind, all strength …all that has come from God. May we be so able to give all. SW |
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