Failure and Inclusion

Monday, July 17, 2006 -- Week of Proper 10; (William White)

"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 25 (morning) // 9, 15 (evening)
Joshua 1:1-18
Romans 11:1-12
Matthew 25:1-13

Paul is working on a problem today. He knows God has chosen Israel. He also knows that Israel, for the most part, rejected the ministry of Jesus. Does this mean that God has rejected Israel? No, says Paul, for God's gift of election is forever. He looks back to the days of Elijah, when the prophet led a remnant of Israel in conflict with Ahab and the prophets of Baal. There is always a faithful remnant.

The Paul affirms how God has used Israel's rejection of Jesus as a great door and opportunity. Thanks, in part, to Israel's failure to recognize Jesus as Messiah, the Jesus movement has been thrust into the Gentile world where Paul's ministry is fruitful and growing. The result of Israel's failure is an even greater victory for God. "Now if there stumbling means riches for the world, and if their defeat means riches for Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!" Note: Paul expects that in the end all of Israel will also be included in God's work of salvation.

I guess it is always this way when God reaches out more broadly to bring grace. We see it in the church. Around 30 years ago our branch of the church acted to recognized God's presence through women in ordained leadership. Some of our people rejected that decision and still do. More recently, we have moved to recognize God's presence in our gay and lesbian members and their relationships. Some of our people reject those decisions.

As Paul is anguished for the separation of the Christian movement from his own source -- "I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin" -- so we are anguished by the conflicts and divisions the church lives with. Like Paul, we can rejoice at the wider grace of God being experienced by those who were once excluded. Like Paul we can also anticipate the reconciliation and reunion of those who have rejected this stage in God's work of salvation. The expectation is for full inclusion. Jew, Gentile; male, female; gay, straight.