23 Feb Sermon – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2025
What is the formula offered in scripture this morning for the preservation of life, or of peace among brethren, for circumstances which will help humankind avoid starvation and poverty? The formula begins with one party putting immediate effort into one aim without delay. That aim is connection or reconnection in many cases.
Begin by introducing or reintroducing yourself. You may expect recognition but if and when you are met with blank stares or resistance, don’t give up; try again. Remind those who are now acting strange of your name and your prior relationship with them or your kinship to them. If they still look at you as though you have six heads, bid them come closer. Speak gently to them with the assurance that you harbor no ill will, even though you may feel hard feelings are justified due to a shared and complicated history.
Just accomplishing this first step is a big deal and it is a proven strategy. While connecting or reestablishing connection is both foundational and basic, it’s not easy. In fact, it’s hard, but it can be done and has been successfully done between individuals and groups once opposed to each other. Family members, entire tribes, deployed diplomats and heads of state must first begin by making some effort to meet face-to-face and become present.
If faith is something shared between them, one person might do as Joseph did:Name what God has accomplished over time, how God has shown you the big picture or what’s really important. How God aims to fulfill a plan more comprehensive than anyone could have imagined unless God provided spiritual insight or shed divine light on hindsight.
Through this scene in ancient Egypt between Joseph and his brothers, we are advised to speak the truth regarding past wrongs, but not to dwell on them. The more mature enlightened party helps the other party imagine a godly comprehensive vision of their present encounter, helps to increase understanding and assign value to the parties’ future cooperation. Wow. There’s a lot to be learned here.
The last step involves real vulnerability and commitment. Joseph invites the former offenders and their entourage to come reside near him. Yikes. That would be where I draw the line. I’m all about mending fences, but I like the fences to stay in place. I’d be good with how this scene almost ended in kissing and weeping, but engaging in conversation about what’s possible going forward. That’s scary stuff.
Maintaining ongoing relationships is tough. Being known intimately day in and day out is tough. There are many obstacles to overcoming geographical and emotional distancing like: self consciousness, feeling dismayed at seeing more of the other, wanting to keep things the same or familiar, wanting to maintain distance, wanting to avoid feelings of distress, anger, or regret. Not being able to forget the past. Not being sure you want what’s being proposed as possible to actually become reality.
The only way obstacles are overcome is by doing as Joseph does: Use what God has convinced you of to inspire you. Follow through with the formula until the end or until achieving the desired breakthrough. Let’s all take a deep breath and remember these verses from the psalmist.
“Put your trust in the Lord and do good; Take delight in the Lord, who shall give you your heart’s desire. Commit your way to the Lord and see what God will do. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently. Do not be provoked by the one who prospers or who succeeds in evil schemes. Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; do not be provoked; it leads only to evil. The lowly shall possess the land; they will delight in an abundance of peace. Deliverance of the righteous comes from you, O Lord; you are their stronghold in time of trouble. You, O Lord, will help and rescue them from the wicked and deliver them, because in you they seek refuge.”
Along comes Jesus with a dose of reality. He knows that when he speaks or we speak, not everyone will hear, that only some will listen and fewer still will understand what is said. It’s not that they can’t hear, it’s that they don’t want to.
I wonder if you yourself have checked out from what the pastor’s been saying about now. Ask yourself at this moment, am I here to listen because Jesus is about to speak.
[Jesus said:] “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Love those who hate, curse or abuse you. That’s really hard to hear if you are the one being hated, cursed or abused, Jesus.
But he continues, “If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Heard enough? I have. I don’t wish to be struck or have anything stolen from me. On every other street corner, someone is begging from those driving by in cars. If someone takes away my goods, don’t ask for them back? What about that money I lent so and so or the time I let so and so use my best whatever that they never bothered to return? I should just let them keep that money or that thing and act as if they were gifts? “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Jesus continues.“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” Gee, sometimes I struggle to even love those who love me. How ‘bout it? “ If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.” I try not to have expectations or give to get or do good to earn favor, but, but.
“If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.” You mean not only do not lend hoping to gain, but don’t even hope to get back exactly as you lend? I’m going to end up not having what I need or doing without unless I keep track of things and hold onto them. How can you suggest such things, Lord?
“ But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
This reminds me of a Prayer written by St. Ignatius of Loyola that reads, “Teach us, Lord, to serve you as you deserve: to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will.” As someone who loves to receive gifts and find rest, who hopes to gain and be rewarded, this prayer is very challenging.
Finally, Jesus says, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you in good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
Jesus describes a world no one lives in, right? Because according to security footage, car, body and dash cams everywhere, no good ever comes between enemies. Anything done that is perceived as aggression or as behavior interpreted as hateful or disrespectful is taken as an offense, an offense that requires immediate response. At a minimum, a disgruntled look, honk of the horn, snide remark or hand gesture seems appropriate, at least by today’s standards.
Taken to the next level, actions such as cursing or hurling abuse follow. Almost anything taken personally may strike a nerve and initiate retaliation. Physical contact happens when someone is pushed to their limit, whose reptilian brain has been engaged and whose normal thinking functions have disengaged.
Yes, it’s proven everyday that most people who claim to have been infringed upon, or have had what they claim as their space, property, or personal rights infringed upon, will resort to some kind of retaliation, some kind of emotional or geographic distancing, some kind of anger or even violence.
So, where, dear Lord, is the good news of the gospel for anyone struggling to let go of past hurt, feelings of disappointment or wrongdoing? It has to be in knowing that Jesus himself says, “Trust me.”
”Put your trust in the Lord and do good; Take delight in Me. I will give you your heart’s desire. Commit your way to me and see what I’ll do. Be still and wait patiently. Do not be provoked by the one who prospers or succeeds in evil schemes. Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; do not be provoked; it leads only to evil. The lowly shall possess the land; they will delight in an abundance of peace.”
Let us pray. Deliverance does come from you, Lord. You are a stronghold in time of trouble. Help and rescue those who suffer because of wickedness. May we only seek refuge in you. “Teach us to serve you as you deserve: to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will.” In your holy name we pray. Amen.