01 Oct SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2023
Let’s begin with a quote from Paul’s letter to the Phillipians, “It is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” It’s important to realize that it is God who is at work, who enables anyone to will and to work, to do what God requires of those he calls his children.
It’s not willpower or an extra measure of self-discipline that enables the “good” son to do his father’s will in the gospel story. The other son is deemed “bad” for telling his dad what he wants to hear, giving him lip service: offering words of support that don’t match actions taken. My dear husband, Steve, knows that it’s not a good idea to say, “Yes,” and then fail to follow up or to only say what I want to hear hoping that will satisfy me. What a person does is really what matters.
But complaining about what’s asked of us is allowed, as long as we follow through, that is. God understands pushback and belly-aching about doing things we don’t like. God is eager to address sentiments of the heart as revealed by the spoken word, even if those words are deemed offensive to the human ear.
Case in point. I’ve spoken before about an amiable scruffy young man who consistently stands at the intersection of Cameron Street and Elmerton Avenue. He is so likable that passersby have outfitted him nicely in all weather gear. He often has many water bottles lined up near the guardrail next to his shopping cart full of goods. You might almost say this guy has a following, of sorts.
For the past week, I haven’t had any cash on me, but since then I remedied the problem. As I approached that intersection on Thursday, I contemplated whether it was “necessary” to give him money that day or keep it for another day. I watched his face for clues and to see whether anyone else offered him something. As he held up his sign, I saw his lips barely move. I was shocked to see him mouth the following words without a hint of anger, “These Mother-Blankers…”
I was shocked, shifted to mom mode and attempted to reprimand/stop his train of thought by shouting out the name he told me was his given name rather than his street name. He responded immediately. My car was in the second lane over from the shoulder so he had to look and see whether other cars were coming in the closest lane lest they hit him as he approached my passenger’s side open window.
He lit up with more than a hint of recognition at seeing me since Steve and I usually both speak with him as we come through that intersection on Sunday mornings. I gently touched the top of his hand while asking how he was doing today. Perhaps I wondered if something besides being homeless might be bothering him. He replied, “I’m alright,” then said, “God bless you,” quickly before the light changed while flashing his usual warm smile.
You see, the very instant he verbalized his feelings: whether they amounted to anger, cynicism, sarcasm, true displeasure, or disappointment, God, like any good parent, broke through and got his attention. Ezekiel the prophet was sent to do the same. The children of Israel had their teeth on edge as a result of eating sour grapes. They couldn’t stop contemplating that their plight was unfair and due to events that preceded them or circumstances beyond their control, when in fact, their own behavior was at fault and needed to be addressed.
In effect, God says to anyone bemoaning whatever’s taking place in their lives to, “Knock it off. Quit saying that the way of the Lord is unfair. Do what is lawful and right, so you may save your life and live.” The young man (and we) are reminded that it’s unfair to say that God or other people are categorically disappointing or horrid just because we feel ignored.
Ezekiel the prophet reminds us that we are each judged according to our ways, not by relative comparison to what others do. The bottom line is: Repent and turn from all transgression lest we be ruined by turning our attention somewhere it doesn’t belong, that is, toward a false belief.
It is interesting to note in the gospel story that there’s no son who immediately agrees and obeys his father without hesitation. I think the message to be gathered from that is that none of us are perfect. We all have some issue from which we need to repent.
We all have some distance to travel between how we really feel about what we’re asked to do and doing what we’re asked to do cheerfully with an open heart and a willing spirit. The two sons that represent us are the one who repents and then does as asked, and the one who insists upon doing his own thing knowing that’s not what his heavenly father asked of him.
The one cursed under his breath, but smiled as he said, “Sure, Dad. No problem. Just let me finish what I’m doing, then I’ll get to it. I got you, Pops. No worries.” According to ancient historical accounts, that son became famous for starting his own business called, “The Road to Hell: Paved with Good Intentions.” Supposedly his calling card read, “Free estimates given 24:7. No work ever performed…on premises or otherwise.”
Ezekiel said, “Get yourselves a new heart and spirit.” Paul told the Philippians to, “work out their own salvation with fear and trembling” because it is God who is at work in us, who enables us both to will and to work for his good pleasure. That is why Jesus won’t allow the chief priests and elders to bait him with what amounts to a dumb question, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”
Granted, no one had read Paul’s letter to the Philippians yet, but for hundreds of years God had been attempting to teach people that God was the source of wisdom and righteousness. The one question Jesus asked the chief priests and elders would reveal everything about them: that they were ignorant, afraid, that they had misplaced their priorities, possessed suspicion and cowardice rather than bravery and confidence regarding their religious faith and heritage, that their actions were aimed toward self-preservation, and finally, that they were just plain argumentative in nature. Which of those things are commonly true about people today or are things of which we ourselves may be guilty?
Saying, “We do not know,” is a lame response. It prompts Jesus to tell the parable of the two sons. A parable which in the end gives permission to anyone who has failed or disappointed God to change and do better, once again.
For the one who ultimately does the will of his father is one who thinks differently as a result of receiving direction, who allows their attention to be redirected upon hearing their name called. For whoever responds to whomever God sends will come to see the way of righteousness. They will be changed by one who causes them to see a different way to go.
And Jesus says, “What do you think? Will you change your minds and believe? It doesn’t matter that you said you would before, but didn’t. All that matters now is that you are willing since you know that I am working in you to will and do what the Father has asked of you.
What do you think? Will you change your minds and believe?
You see, not only the young man at the intersection was being asked by God to change. Though I had things in hand to willingly give, I secretly desired to hold onto them longer, to tuck them away for the future, to stretch them further, make my stash last, see other people step up, let the world turn on someone else’s hard work or effort, Lord. Don’t always be asking me to do stuff. Isn’t it enough to be willing? I went and got cash. I don’t drive by without thinking. I’ll pray about it. God help me think your thoughts and do your will.
Let us pray. Jesus, you’re always right. By God’s authority you teach while confronting our thoughts and behaviors. We challenge you. Then you challenge us to rely on you. You call out our name to get our attention. By doing so, you immediately point us to provisions you already have in hand that are accessible and nearby.
You are fair and just. What you ask is not unreasonable because you make it possible for us to constantly receive a new heart and spirit. Today, as we receive you again, we are humbled by your sacrifice of flesh and blood. May your word and real presence among and within us make us able to will and to do as you ask, to recognize and believe whomever you send to change our thoughts and behaviors. Strengthen our faith, and cause us to become more like you. In your holy name we pray, Amen.