10-06-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
October 6, 2024
In today’s sermon, I will be looking at a story about Jesus that includes a parable found in Luke 12. In verse 15, Jesus says to some folks that have approached him, “Watch out! Guard yourself against all kinds of greed. After all, one’s life isn’t determined by one’s possessions, even when someone is very wealthy.” I never want to disagree with Jesus, but in this case, I would suggest that a person’s life is determined significantly by the possessions one has. Wealth does make a difference in many different ways, including access to physical and mental health services, healthy and life-sustaining food, and even better air quality. Could it be that Jesus was talking about something else? I sort of wonder if Jesus was implying that the value of a person’s life is not determined by his/her/their checking account or the sticker price of the cars parked in the garage. Greed often skews how we think of people, when our calling is to rise above the insecurities that drive our greed in our search for a more God-like vision of others. It’s not always easy, though Jesus follows it with a parable that is actually macabre humor that seeks to teach a lesson that includes some uncomfortable laughter. 

Continue to raise me up, O Lord of Life and Love, for you are the One whose love seeks to embrace and celebrate every human life. I pray for the strength to relinquish greed for the purpose of making more room for your love to reside within me and flow through me. Amen.