The last words we
hear in the Gospel reading today are stern: “None of you can become my disciple
if you do not give up all your possessions.” Gulp. These stark terms can drive
us to fear that our relationship with God sits entirely on our weak
and unfaithful shoulders.
Here is some
perspective from thoughtful writers whose words from Homily Service 2007 still speak to the preaching challenges presented by these readings.
The
Old Testament readings for today derive from a cause and effect worldview that
was part of the wisdom tradition. . . Put simply, where there is obedience
there is blessing.
Later
biblical tradition challenged this notion, suggesting in Job and Ecclesiastes
that obedience and righteous behavior were not guarantees of material
prosperity and blessing. . .
These
passages are a wonderful opportunity to remind our congregations of God's
richest desire for our heart's transformation and the blessing we have as
Christ-followers! – Thomas Boone
Luke 14:25-33
Jesus
is traveling again with large crowds following. Jesus speaks tremendously
challenging words about priorities in life, using the Semitic idiom of “hating
A and loving B,” an expression of preference. Jesus requires that those who
would be his disciples must devote themselves first of all to him and his way
of suffering love.
The
preacher must take care not to equate devotion to Jesus with participation in
church activities. One might, in fact, add church to the list of things one
must hate.
Jesus
calls for followers who will take on his way of embodying the reign of God,
with forgiveness, compassion and generosity. In two brief parables, Jesus
emphasizes that responding to such a costly calling must be well considered.
The costly calling is described in three ways: as preferring Jesus to the
supportive kinship network; as carrying the cross; and as giving up
possessions.
These
are not requirements for being admitted to heaven. Rather, they are
descriptions of how one lives with Jesus in the reign of God instead of
remaining captive to one's culture. Jesus' words are less warning than
statement of fact. – Aaron J. Couch
I
take Jesus' words as a kindly invitation given to the “great multitudes” that
accompanied him: Look where this is going and how one gets there. It is not
just a matter of “counting the cost” but of realizing that how one gets there
is part of the character and nature of the trip and where you are going. No
tricks, no bait and switch, no softening of the realities, Christ asks us to
see what this is at the beginning. We, the church, should be as honest in our
invitations. – John E. Smith
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Moses
presents a stark choice to the people of Israel as they prepare to leave the
wilderness and enter the land of Canaan. There is no middle ground to be found
between life and death. No third choice is offered. To choose life and
prosperity is to obey God and live according to the commandments. To choose
death and adversity is to turn toward other gods. It is God's great desire for
the people to choose life.
The
twenty-first-century reader of this text must not hear this choice of life or
death as presented to individuals. The promise of blessing and the warning of
adversity are offered to the people collectively. – Aaron J. Couch
Philemon 1-21
Traditionally
it has been inferred that Onesimus had run away and that Paul was appealing to
Philemon to refrain from punishing his former slave. Recent scholarship has
raised questions about that traditional interpretation. Because of Paul's
diplomatic appeal, close attention to the text seems to raise more questions
than it answers. – Aaron J. Couch
Aaron Couch
is a co-pastor of First Immanuel Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon.
John E. Smith has served as a Methodist pastor for many years.
Homily
Service 40, no. 10 (2007): 15-25.
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