In a Class of One

2 Kings 18:1-8  New English Translation

In the third year of the reign of Israel’s King Hoshea son of Elah, Ahaz’s son Hezekiah became king over Judah. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother was Abi, the daughter of Zechariah. He did what the Lord approved, just as his ancestor David had done. He eliminated the high places, smashed the sacred pillars to bits, and cut down the Asherah pole. He also demolished the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been offering incense to it; it was called Nehushtan. He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; in this regard there was none like him among the kings of Judah either before or after. He was loyal to the Lord and did not abandon him. He obeyed the commandments that the Lord had given to Moses. The Lord was with him; he succeeded in all his endeavors. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to submit to him. He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city.

Reflection

     Careful Bible readers and studiers should remember this story and important detail. The number one King among them all was,...(no, not David.) it was Hezekiah! It is important to remember that God didn't want kings, the people did. They insisted that it would help them and would prove that they were a special people among the nations that also had kings. Yes, I know, that would make them more like the other nations and not more distinctive. Hindsight is 20/20 because it is closer to the way God can envision what will become of flawed choices.

     Hezekiah left the single most flawless legacy of leadership. He ruled with the attention to avoiding scandals, heresies, hypocrisies and (most importantly) idolatries. The phrase which keys us into the why is, "He trusted in the Lord God of Israel." Trust is the glue that holds relationships together. Trust in God is a challenge for us created folk. We have weak and fearful moments. We are easily fooled into thinking that we are doing the good and cool things that are happening. We are easily tempted into thinking that in order to get what we want, we have to take it.

     For further study, check out this interesting account of the Tunnel of Hezekiah.

Great God of our Ancestors, guide us to trust in you. Keep our path steadfast in your ways. Watch over our steps and lead us back (as you always do) when we go astray. In your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Balance, Supply, Need

2 Corinthians 8:8-15 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

I do not say this as a command, but I am, by mentioning the eagerness of others, testing the genuineness of your love. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my opinion: it is beneficial for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something. Now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. For I do not mean that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may also supply your need, in order that there may be equality. As it is written,
“The one who had much did not have too much,
and the one who had little did not have too little.”

Reflection

     I doubt that the daily lectionary planners picked this text on equality so that it would line up with the Autumnal Equinox. It seems more likely that it is pointing ahead to our Gospel text about income inequality. Balance. Even though I like more sunlight in the morning, I do appreciate balance. It sure is difficult to achieve and keep in many areas. Community and generosity seems to be the focus of Paul with the church in Corinth. As a busy trading city, they certainly had the means to share with others who were in need. What is interesting to me is the statement that "their abundance may also supply your need." I think this points to the reality that we all have different amounts of different things. All things related to faith can be seen in this way as capable of providing balance when shared.

Almighty God of all, we praise you for the balance you give to each day and season. We pray that you guide us to share with each other, so that all may know your intended equality. Bring us together into your balance of love and peace. Let those near to those in need realize the gifts that the needy share bringing both into balance. In your powerful Name, we pray. Amen.
  

Where is the debater?

1 Corinthians 1:18-24
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe.

For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Reflection

     As you read this, I hope that your day is going okay. Chances are, even amidst blessings and good news, though, that you can think of a few things that are not according to your plan. Whether it be chronic pains and aches that won't go away, or strained relationships. Maybe it is a loss. As I write this, I am missing my trusted writing companion, our dog Senna. I am sure that you can think of a loved one that you would prefer to be with you or not in pain.

     The cross is not an eraser. Perhaps those who have difficulties with faith think that it should be. The truth and reality, though is that Jesus never promised a pain-free future with him. All of his invitations into discipleship involved a caution. If you take the time to look at early Christian history, it is certainly a miracle that any of us talk about Jesus at all. So many of the brightest and best followers were martyred in cruel ways. No, Jesus does not promise an easy life. He does, however promise that he will not add any weight to us and in fact that we will be with us always and in all circumstances. He also proves on the cross that the worst the world can throw at him is not enough. So, from our side, he will not be moved.

Grab the Hyssop!

Psalm 51:1-10
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy,
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
and blameless when you pass judgment.
Indeed, I was born guilty,
a sinner when my mother conceived me.

You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.

Reflection

Hyssop (hyssopus officinalis) is a medicinal herb, known since ancient times for many healing properties. I quick search into guides will yield suggestions for cough, colds, cuts, and bruises. It is a perennial in zones 4-10 which blooms most of the summer and bees love it! It is a member of the mint family, so it is particularly fragrant. This passage, though, is referring to the liturgical use of the herb for a ceremony of spiritual cleansing (Ex 12.22, Lev. 14.4) To be made "clean" in this sense is a renewal back into the community.

Even though we typically think of this Psalm as connecting with Lent, sin knows no season. We all sin and fall short of the glory. We all need to reset and start again. The note for this Psalm describes to the leader that the occasion for this Psalm was the confrontation between Nathan and David after David's infidelity. Yet, I would say that it need not be an epic fail to call out, "Grab the Hyssop!" Rather, we can turn to our loving Jesus today or any time that we have drifted or misstepped. 

Dear Lord Jesus, you love us more than we could understand or deserve. We are so deeply indebted to you for everything that is good in our lives. Yet, we do not follow you like we should. We turn to you and return to your goodness. Fill us again with your peace and hope so that we can share and give freely to others. Make us to be spreaders of your love and bringers of kindness and justice. In your Name we pray. Amen.

I can do this all day!

Psalm 1 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked
or take the path that sinners tread
or sit in the seat of scoffers,
but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.


The wicked are not so
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous,
for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

Reflection

How often do you keep track of how and where you spend your time? If you are retired, you probably delight in the fact that you don't have to. ("Every day is a Saturday.") Or, perhaps you have found yourself exceedingly busy, and this Labor Day weekend comes as a delight. Certainly times of rest and rejuvenation can be holy and sanctifying times of Sabbath. They can be refreshing if God time is involved. Take time to pray, read, and reflect upon the Word. Meditate about how God is speaking to you now. Plan and prepare for how you can make a difference for those who rarely get enough time off and struggle to make ends meet.

Consider also how vital it is to care and to do our part. The image of a tree by water in our age must call to mind that we all have our part to end this climate crisis that we all have created. Water is such a critical resource and we are seeing how important it is to drawdown our carbon footprint.  Urge your leaders (and anyone that will listen), that the time to act is now. Taking care of Creation is something that all of us can do and every little bit counts. For this we say: "I can do this all day!"

Dear God, give us strength to follow you and give loving care for all the beauty around us that we rest in and enjoy! In the Name of Christ, Amen!