ruminations

[Sort Out video clip Harry, Ron and Hermione meet Fluffy | Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone]

Todays scripture is about the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man and the priorities of the Rich Man and understanding the importance of how we live on Earth with the life we have been given. It’s about the priorities of the Rich Man while he was on earth and his priorities after his death. And if we are claiming to be disciples of Jesus and heralds of God’s Kingdom then what are the priorities of God’s Kingdom? What are Jesus’ priorities?

Well, let’s look at the scriptures.

But, first, if we’re going to talk about scripture we need to understand where we are coming from when we read and try to understand scripture.

[Difference] Dave Hayward says “The difference between Jesus and (bible thumpers) is they use the scripture to determine what love means and Jesus uses love to determine what scripture means”

My rule is everything needs to be interpreted under the umbrella of the Greatest Commandments.

[Greatest] Mark 12 says:
28 Now one of the expert in the law came and heard them debating (Jesus). When he saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all ” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is: ‘Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’

This is a threefold reference to the different parts of the person that says, in effect, that one should love God with all one’s being.

We should love God spiritually: “with all our heart, and with all our soul”
We should love God intellectually “with all our mind”
We should love God physically “with all our strength” (from Duet 25:5)

31 The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

We should also love God socially “love our neighbor as ourself” (from Leviticus 19:18).

32 The expert in the law said to him, “That is true, Teacher; you are right to say that he is one, and there is no one else besides him. 33 And to love him with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered thoughtfully, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

In Matthew 22 it says
40 “All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

The order of these commandments is not by accident. Love God first, love my neighbor second, and love ourselves third.

[Gale Sayers] Gale Sayers, the great Chicago Bears running back, wrote an autobiographical book back in the 1970s, called “I am Third”. The title comes from this anecdote, in the introduction to the book:

“My title, I Am Third, symbolized my philosophy about life. When I was a sophomore at the University of Kansas I had seen this sign on the desk of Bill Easton, who is my track coach. “What’s that all about?” I asked Coach Easton. He told me what it meant – "The Lord is first, my friends are second, and I am third.” When I went to the Bears I had a medallion made bearing the words “I am third,” and wore it around my neck through my pro career.”

This philosophy fits nicely with Christian doctrine, and it helps us make sense of how to love ourselves. There’s a system, or hierarchy. If we love God and love the neighbor more than ourselves, we’ve got things in the right order, and – when most people do that – the world is a pretty nice place.

On the other hand, if we look out for “number one”, love the people in our circle/clique/gang, but not others, and don’t much care what God has to say about things we have a world where people have locks on their doors, and security on their computers, and build jails and hire policemen.

We can also find Jesus’ priorities in His Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes:

There are Ten Commandments Old Testament and there are the Two Greatest Commandments and Eight Be-Attitudes in the New Testament. The Beatitudes Are the New Commandments.

[PrayerPope] Pope Francis writes:
“As Moses had covenanted with God by virtue of the law received on Mount Sinai, so Jesus, from a hill on the shore of the Lake of Galilee, gives to his disciples and to the crowd a new lesson which begins with the Beatitudes. Moses gives the Law on Mount Sinai and Jesus, the new Moses, gives the Law on that hillside, on the shore of the Lake of Galilee. The Beatitudes are the path that God indicates as the answer to man’s innate desire for happiness, and they perfect the Commandments of the Old Covenant. We are accustomed to learning the Ten Commandments – of course, you all know them, you learned them in the Catechesis – but we are not used to repeating the Beatitudes. Let us try however, to remember them and to impress them upon our heart.”

[Be-Atitudes] Dave Andrews writes:
In the Be-Attitudes, I would like to suggest that Jesus gives us a set of ethical guidelines that can help us be the change we want to see in the world.

Matthew 5 says:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Who are the people blessed in the Be-Attitudes?
the poor - or poor in spirit - who identify with the poor ‘in spirit’
those who mourn - who grieve over the injustice in the world
the meek - who get angry, but who never get aggressive
those who hunger and thirst for righteousness - who seek justice
the merciful - who are compassionate to everyone in need
the pure in heart - who are whole-hearted in desire to do right
the peacemakers - who work for peace in a world at war
those persecuted for righteousness - who suffer for just causes

What are the virtues in each of the Be-Attitudes that are being blessed?
Focusing on the poor (not status or riches) - Humility
Grieving over the injustice in the world - Empathy
Getting angry but not getting aggressive - Self-restraint
Seeking for justice (not vengeance) - Righteousness
Extending compassion to all in need - Mercy
Being whole-hearted in a desire to do right - Integrity
Working for peace in a world at war - Non-violence
Suffering for just causes (patiently) - Perseverance

If we were to use the virtues blessed in the Be-Attitudes as guidelines for our lives, what kind of people do you imagine would we be?
We’d identify with the poor ‘in spirit’.
We’d grieve over injustice in the world.
We’d get angry, but never get aggressive.
We’d seek to do justice, even to my enemies.
We’d extend compassion to all those in need.
We’d act with integrity, not just for the publicity.
We’d work for peace in the midst of the violence.
We’d suffer ourselves, rather than inflict suffering.

In the Be-Attitudes, Jesus gives us a set of clear ethical guidelines that can help become the ‘people-that-be’ over (and) against the ‘powers-that-be’.

Before he died, Kurt Vonnegut, the famous satirical American author, wrote: “For some reason, the most vocal Christians among us never mention the beatitudes. But – often with tears in their eyes – they demand that the Ten Commandments be posted in public buildings. And of course that’s Moses, not Jesus. I haven’t heard one of them demand that the Sermon on the Mount, the beatitudes, be posted anywhere.” I think its time we took up Kurt’s challenge, and posted the Be-Attitudes up everywhere we can. I am mindful of how Luther’s nailing of his theses for reform to the door of his church led to the reformation of his times; and am of the mind that by posting a copy of the Be-Attitudes up not only in private spaces – like on the back of our bedroom door – but also in public spaces – like on the front of the door to our church, might lead to a new, more radical, reformation – which not only preaches grace as a precept but practices it as a process.

Imagine what could happen if, instead of merely reciting our creeds, which (by and large) have little ethical content, we began every week by reciting – and reflecting on – the Be-Attitudes, with a focus on Christlike ethical responses? Imagine what could happen if our churches, temples, synagogues, and mosques, were transformed into spirited support groups that were committed to helping people live out the Be-Attitudes as an integrated step program? What AA groups have done for our addiction to alcohol, Be groups could do for our addiction to status and violence. They could set us free to ‘love our neighbours as ourselves.’

[SheepGoats] And of course we can find Jesus’ priorities in His parable of the Sheep and Goats:
Matthew 25 says:
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.’

[Sheep-Goat] 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels! 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. 43 I was a stranger and you did not receive me as a guest, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not give you whatever you needed?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me.’ 46 And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

[Homeless-Jesus] (Homeless Jesus, also known as Jesus the Homeless, is a bronze sculpture by Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz that depicts Jesus as a homeless person, sleeping on a park bench in Toronto)

A modern day version of the goats in this parable might be:
For I was hungry … And you cut my food stamps.
I was thirsty … And you said it cost too much to replace the city’s lead pipes.
I was a stranger … And you vilified me and demanded I be deported.
I was naked … And in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.
I was sick … And you denied me healthcare.
I was imprisoned … And you said I got what I deserved.

Feed the hungry, quench the thirsty, invite the stranger, clothed the naked, visit the prisoner – these are the priorities of Jesus and we need to sort out our own priorities to match them, both individually and communally.

[D&C] Our own Doctrine & Covenants, Section 163, says:
3 a. You are called to create pathways in the world for peace in Christ to be relationally and culturally incarnate. The hope of Zion is realized when the vision of Christ is embodied in communities of generosity, justice, and peacefulness.
b. Above all else, strive to be faithful to Christ’s vision of the peaceable Kingdom of God on earth. Courageously challenge cultural, political, and religious trends that are contrary to the reconciling and restoring purposes of God. Pursue peace.
c. There are subtle, yet powerful, influences in the world, some even claiming to represent Christ, that seek to divide people and nations to accomplish their destructive aims. That which seeks to harden one human heart against another by constructing walls of fear and prejudice is not of God. Be especially alert to these influences, lest they divide you or divert you from the mission to which you are called.
4 a. God, the Eternal Creator, weeps for the poor, displaced, mistreated, and diseased of the world because of their unnecessary suffering. Such conditions are not God’s will. Open your ears to hear the pleading of mothers and fathers in all nations who desperately seek a future of hope for their children. Do not turn away from them. For in their welfare resides your welfare.

In other words, as the 2nd commandment says: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

And Section 164 says:
5 It is imperative to understand that when you are truly baptized into Christ you become part of a new creation. By taking on the life and mind of Christ, you increasingly view yourselves and others from a changed perspective. Former ways of defining people by economic status, social class, sex, gender, or ethnicity no longer are primary. Through the gospel of Christ a new community of tolerance, reconciliation, unity in diversity, and love is being born as a visible sign of the coming reign of God.

In other words, when we take on the mind of Christ our perspectives change, our priorities change.

[SwearWords] Sociologist Tony Campolo has been known, when speaking to Christian audiences, to begin by saying something like this: “I have three things I’d like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don’t give a shit. [Third] What’s worse is that you’re more upset with the fact I just said “shit” than you are that 30,000 kids died last night.”

[LoveThyNeighborThyself] Darrell Lackey writes:
If you become upset when hearing that gay marriage is legal or that a transgender person may use the same public restroom as you, but you are less upset regarding the hate, violence, and discrimination directed toward such people, often leading to suicide: You might be upset about the wrong things.

If you become upset when people use the greeting “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas,” but you are less upset at the wasteful use of resources during this season and the rampant shallow consumerism while many live in poverty: You might be upset about the wrong things.

If you become upset when the government uses its power to make corporations protect their workers and protect the environment, but you are less upset when those workers are exploited, injured, or the environment is critically harmed: You might be upset about the wrong things.

If you become upset at the grocery store when you see someone pay for their food with vouchers or food stamps, but you are less upset with the institutional and cultural structures that often create the very need for such help: You might be upset about the wrong things.

If you become upset when you see people smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol, but you are less upset when you see people over-eating, knowing the health effects of such, or wasting food, knowing that people go to bed hungry every night: You might be upset about the wrong things.

If you become upset when Hollywood puts out movies that contain coarse language or nudity, but you are less upset with the excessive, sadistic, and pornographic displays of violence, murders, gore, and bloodletting in war movies, action movies, or even movies like “The Passion of the Christ”: You might be upset about the wrong things.

If you become upset when the government tries to pass reasonable gun restriction laws, but you are less upset with the amount of accidental firearm-related deaths among children and the general level of gun violence in America: You might be upset about the wrong things.

If you become upset when you feel the government is restricting your religious liberties, but you are less upset or even applaud the restriction of the religious liberties of others: You might be upset about the wrong things.

If you become upset when someone commits adultery or at the sexual lapses of others, but you are less upset when people gather around to stone them, or gather around to throw insults, or gossip, or shun them, or shame them, or pass laws to single them out: You might be upset about the wrong things.

If the response to the above is still, “I get it, BUT…” you have missed the point and made the point, all at the same time. Yes, you can be upset at those other aspects (rightly or wrongly). The point, however, is that those aspects pale in insignificance when placed alongside the deeper and much more important moral failing noted–the failing that should really upset us. [JesusWhip] It would be like someone telling Jesus, just before he overturned the money-changer’s tables and grabbed a whip, how upset they were at the price of doves that year. It isn’t a false dichotomy. It’s a problem of scale.

I would add

If we’ve become upset at the language of some of our visitors in church instead of their well being. We are upset about the wrong things and we need to sort out our priorities.

If we’ve become upset that serving a large breakfast and/or dinner to the homeless is just too much effort: We are upset about the wrong things and we need to sort out our priorities.

If we’ve become upset when the homeless use our bathrooms and more worried about what our other Christian tenants will say than the hygiene of the homeless: We are upset about the wrong things and we need to sort out our priorities.

All of this ultimately means we must stand up for the those being vilified and persecuted, just for being different. When we wonder what would Jesus do, we need to remind ourselves that overturning tables and chasing people with a whip is within the realm of possibilities. This is when the 8th Be-Attitude, being persecuted for righteousness – suffering for just causes, is a possibility. This is where our All Are Welcome Enduring Principle can clash with our Responsible Choices Enduring Principle. This is not an I’m ok, you’re ok, All are Welcome, scenario.

In the Parable of the Clever Steward the master discovers the wastefulness of the manager who was in charge of some of his holdings. He asks him to account for his actions. When the manager sees he will be punished for his actions, he shrewdly develops a plan to reduce the debts of those who owe the master money. He does this to win their favor should he be released from his duties by the manager. The manager buys goodwill for the future. The master on hearing of the manager’s resourcefulness, praises him.

[Decaprio] Jesus says:
27 For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their contemporaries than the people of light.

In other words if it involves avoiding being over taxed by paying for work with cash and/or inflating our expenses and deductions; we can be very shrewd. If it involves getting from point A to B in the shortest amount of time so we fudge the traffic laws; we can be very shrewd. If it involves wanting to build a new house on our property, so we tear down everything of our old house but one garage wall and build it back up and call it a remodel to avoid paying for a new building permit; we can be very shrewd.

We can figure this out, people. We can love our neighbors as ourselves. We just need to sort out our priorities and go to work.

[end of Sort Out video clip]

— Priest Robert Thomas
rough notes from a sermon given in September, 2019