Sharing God's Work

Friday, November 20, 2009 -- Week of Proper 28, Year One
Edmund, King of East Anglia, 870

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 992)
Psalms 102 (morning) 117:1-32 (evening)
1 Maccabees 4:36-59*
Revelation 22:6-13
Matthew 18:10-20 *found in the Apocrypha

Matthew's gospel invites the church to share in God's work and God's character of divine compassion and justice.

God's compassion is illustrated in the story of the lost sheep. If one of one hundred is lost or in danger, God's focus moves toward the needs of that one rather than the oversight of the hundred. This is not majority rule. The compassion God calls us to is universal. The spirit of this parable reminds us of the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke. Who is our neighbor? Everyone. Where is our responsibility? Upon the one who is needy, lost or in danger. No one is expendable. The flock is only whole when all are safe.

These parables are values guides for us, and they are challenging indeed. They ask us to reach out in compassion toward all so that none slip through the safety net. They speak to us of the poor, the addicted, the mentally ill, and all who are in danger in the wilderness. It is God's will that none should be lost. God's will be done.

Matthew's gospel also gives some guidance in times of conflict. The context is "if another member of the church sins against you." The issue is injustice. Your forgiveness of the other is assumed. But more than forgiveness, the gospel urges reconciliation. Talk to the person and attempt to reach reconciliation. If that doesn't work, bring some others so that you can reach more clarity. Divine justice is honest and clear. The text continues: If the other is in the wrong and refuses to listen, "let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector." Of course, Gentiles and tax collectors were those whom Jesus befriended and sat with at his table fellowship, much to the consternation of some who were scandalized and offended by his generous friendships. Gentiles and tax collectors are among those that we are told must be invited into the church and its community.

Divine justice is honest. It speaks the truth in love. Justice speaks truth to power. And divine love is boundless. God seeks reconciliation for the alienated; healing and inclusion for those who are marginalized or in danger.

Our work has eternal ramification. When we bind one another in reconciling love, we are bound in heaven. When we loose things from their destructive bondage, they are liberated in heaven. But what if we do damaging work? What if we bind others destructively or loose others into danger? Does God allow our foolishness and destructive behavior to stand forever? In some ways, "yes." The past is past. It cannot be changed. A foolish or destructive act has consequences. Yet God is always working to restore the last sheep until the flock is complete and to create reconciliation until the Gentiles and tax collectors and everyone is included.

All it takes is for two or three to be gathered in God's name for God's presence to be released. When we ask in God's name, in God's reconciling spirit of compassion and justice, God works to see it to completion. And God gives us the joy and responsibility of sharing in that work. We never work alone. We work empowered by God's Spirit with us. The vision will be accomplished. One hundred percent of the sheep will be rescued. We can work with confidence and joy do to our little part in God's ultimate victory. Or, as Joan Chittister says, "We are each called to go through life reclaiming the planet an inch at a time until the Garden of Eden grows green again."

Lowell

_____________________________________________

Audio podcast: Listen to an audio podcast of the most recent Morning Reflections from today and the past week. Click the following link: Morning Reflection Podcasts

About Morning Reflections
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 location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas