09-02-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
September 2, 2023
Have you ever been caught off guard, and your initial reaction was to push back vehemently? It usually happens when something pokes at a long-held belief or tradition. Jesus was constantly running into folks whose initial reaction to his ministry was that of shock and anger, emotions that usually originate from a place of discomfort. We like the comfortable and expected, never wanting to be rattled by something that appears to attack or even dismantle what we claim is important. So often we look to the stories of Jesus and how he shook so many of the foundational ideas that people had long held, but then we interpret them in our own context as simply suggesting we should not cuss as much or should attend church a bit more often. Though they are both admirable things to strive for, are they challenging us at the core of what we claim to believe? Do they cause us to rethink our priorities? I’m not suggesting everything must change, but I do believe the Jesus-story challenges every generation, as we tend to have a bad habit of falling back into the same old practices that do not uphold the values of Jesus.

Lord of both peace and discomfort, I acknowledge my need for those things I can trust and uphold as keys to my existence. But I must confess that there are certain things that are central to who I am that do not reflect your love, your kindness, or your generosity. Help me to do a little stretching in my daily life so that I am better prepared for those more impactful moments when I must be stretched for the sake of your Gospel. Amen.