Charity and Universalism
Wednesday. July 19, 2006 -- Week of 10 Pentecost (Macrina)
"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.
Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this link -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html
Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 975)
Psalm 38 (morning) // 119:25-48 (evening)
Joshua 3:1-13
Romans 11:25-36
Matthew 25:31-46
How interesting Christianity might be if all we had from the Gospels was this parable of the judgment -- People are judged entirely on the basis of charity. Those who feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, care for the sick and visit the imprisoned are rewarded with eternal life. Those who aren't are sent to the eternal fire. Pretty simple. How different might our entire religious movement be if that were our sole criteria for faithfulness. How much less suffering might there be in the world. What if our only commandment and motivation was the call to compassionate charity?
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Paul is so interesting. He's absolutely sure that the decisions we make are critical. Deciding to trust God through faith is absolutely critical to knowing oneself to be in a right relationship with God, to live in grace. Everything depends upon this, he says. This is the gift that Jesus reveals and gives. It is the gift of life. Don't miss it. Don't block it. Trust God; be saved.
He also has strong opinions about our behavior toward one another. He makes his opinions known about right and wrong. His most characteristic ethic is one a radical equality. All are the same before God. All equally loved and saved by God's universal grace. All equally in need and debt to that grace.
But transcending all of that is his experience of the overwhelming love and grace of God. God is so compelling that when he turns to contemplate the immeasurable richness of God's glorious grace, so many distinctions seem to melt away. Nothing can frustrate this divine glory, nothing can separate us from the love of God, he says.
So he thinks about his family the Jews, especially those who have rejected Jesus and continue to oppose Paul and the Jesus movement. He sees their disobedience as a door opening for the Gentile's inclusion into God's chosen family. Now Gentiles also know they receive the same mercy. And even the disobedience of the Jews does not cancel their gift of God's election. "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable... For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all."
Once again Paul's contemplation of God's goodness flows over into an expression of universalism. Immediately after thinking about this wonder, after announcing that God will be merciful to all, he explodes into a paean of praise: "O the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!"
I feel exactly the same way. My experience of God is so overwhelming and inexpressible that it absolutely transcends everything else. I can't imagine anyone or anything ultimately resisting such wonderful grace and love. I can't imagine God losing anyone or anything. Yet I know nothing. God is Mystery. But I have ultimate hope, "for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."
"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen."
Lowell
posted by Lowell @ 7:46 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Christianity that understands righteousness as the sum of my do-gooding is not interesting at all. It is christianity for goats.
Remarkably, both the sheep and the goats answer the king the same -- neither think the judgement is just. The sheep know they are unworthy, the goats had taken pains not to offend.
Did the sheep feed, clothe, and nurse out of their wealth or out of their poverty? Were they seeking to bring the poor up to their comfortable level, or did they feed the hungry because they, too, hunger? Did they offer water because they, too, pant with thirst? Did they share their robe because they, too, are naked and ashamed? Did they nurse the sick because, like the psalmist, their own wounds stink. Did they visit the prisoner because they, too, cringe the isolation of rebuke.
How interesting Christianity might be if all we had from the Gospels was this parable of the judgment -- People are welcomed entirely on the basis of Gods grace.
How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
Thanks Boo,
Compassion motivated for compassion's sake is always more authentic and liberating than doing good because you are following the rules. There's a good reason this parable isn't the sum total of the gospel. And it's a good thing to extend God's grace by receiving and giving as God does.
Appreciate your words.
Lowell
Can you say more about what you mean that compassion is liberating?
Can you say more about what you mean that compassion is liberating?
Boo,
It seems to me that charity which is exercised out of legalistic motivations (God told us to do this; feed people and try to save their souls from hell...) often has entrapping strings attached. It is sometimes condesending. Charity that is exercised out of compassion is more motivated by love. It is more freeing to both the giver and receiver.
Lowell
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