Put your trust in the Lord and do good…
Take delight in the Lord,
And he shall give you your heart’s desire…
Recently several of us from St. Luke’s attended our church’s annual convention. It was held at the Episcopal School in Little Rock in the gym. Sitting there during the business meeting I noticed a poster high up on the wall. “The Class of 2031” it said. This was during the business meeting – elections of various people to some committees. My mind was sort of wandering at this point. I thought to myself, “The Class of 2031.” I probably won’t even be around then.” How distant that year seems – yet now there is a class of young people looking forward to 2031 – a time of graduation, proms, friends you will never forget and who will never forget you – yet for them it will be – that year of 2031 – will be a time of new beginnings, new opportunities, starting out a new life stretching out as far as the eye can see – as almost a grown up…
“How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?”
Well, that will get you back from daydreaming about the Class of 2031. Indeed, for many these days – maybe even most – it presupposes an answer to an earlier question. Is there even such a thing as life after death? Is this all there is? And maybe that brings up all sorts of questions that we really don’t want to think about.
And particularly on cold, bitter dark days – maybe late on some evenings I can’t sleep I sense the answer that many people these days would give – even if they wouldn’t answer the questions out loud. I think I can sense how many people feel by the way they drive – thoughtless, careless, rude – prone to road rage – tail-gaters. Or maybe the regard – or lack of it – with the trash they throw out on our roadsides – litter, garbage – is this really the “Natural State?”
Or maybe the greatest indicator that things aren’t right is the bitter divisiveness, unhappiness, hatred, evidenced in our political system. Whatever side we happen to be on many of us feel that those on the other side are not just wrong but are morally deficient – just plain evil.
So – how as followers of Christ – do we deal with all of this?
Well, I’m almost halfway through this message so I guess I’ll have to be fast.
Maybe we could start out by being a little more careful in our driving. As several signs say in the construction areas around Jacksonville and Cabot, I could put down my phone. My phone does have a voicemail feature. I could start a little earlier, so I don’t have to rush and unexpected delays don’t become so upsetting. I could keep a little more distance between me and the car in front of me. I could make it a point to be a little more courteous – to let someone out, to be kinder.
I’m not sure what the answer is to the second problem. Don’t be a slob. Keep a sack in the car for trash. Don’t throw it outside while you’re driving. We do live in a beautiful state. It would be even more beautiful if more people were thoughtful in how they disposed of trash.
Paul in the portion of his letter to the members of the church in Corinth that we’ve heard read today was trying to answer some of them about questions they had about what comes next. Particularly as we get older some of us are curious about what exactly does come next. Personally, I feel that just to know there will be another train is enough. I trust the One who is making the promises.
A writer I like who comments on current affairs – politics – is Ross Douthat. He is a believer, a Catholic. He has just released a book titled, “Belief” sub-titled “Why Everyone should be Religious.” It’s pretty good. It might not be a bad book to be reading as we approach Lent. Maybe even talks about some of things we’ve been talking about.
Some years ago, after I moved back to Arkansas from Kansas, I was a member of St. Stephen’s church. We were having some problems – not uncommon for a small church.
So much so that the Bishop came to see us. That was Bishop Maze.
And he gave us what I call his “Fish or Cut Bait” talk. How serious are you about being the church in Jacksonville? he asked.
We were, we said.
And to that he responded with leadership and innovation – and the willing co-operation and hard work of St. Stephen’s members in what was called a “ministry support team.” With prayers and the grace of the Holy Spirit St. Stephen’s survived and continues to be the voice of the church in Jacksonville and Cabot.
And maybe if we would just hush a little bit and quit thinking about how terrible the people are we don’t agree with and just listen a little bit to what Jesus is saying to us this morning maybe the world would be a little better place and we’d be that much closer to the Kingdom of God:
Love your enemies.
Do good to those who hate you.
Bless those who curse you.
Pray for those who abuse you.
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?
For even jerks love those who love them.
If you do favors for those who do favors for you what good is that.
For even jerks do that.
Love your enemies, do good, not expecting anything in return.
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…
A full measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over…
All will be put in your lap;
For the measure you give…
Will be the measure you get back.
Amen.
Richard Robertson