Dearly Beloved,
My favorite part of this last week's Annual Meeting was the opportunity to share chocolate gratitude hearts with one another. It got me thinking about how grateful I am for specific gifts that particular individuals bring. We are so blessed as a congregation! I didn't have nearly enough hearts to give to express all of my gratitude.
It was beautiful to see how many little chocolate hearts a visitor to worship, a gentleman named Hendri who speaks about as much English as I speak Spanish, ended up with. What a welcome that we shared with him our gratitude for his presence, even though he couldn't understand most of worship, even though the pastor didn't understand. And how grateful I am that at least one of our Spanish speaking congregants was able to connect with him!
This coming Sunday, Heather Tribbett will share some of her story around "Trusting belovedness." Heather and her partner Todd have been regular and active participants in our congregation and our choir for well over a year, and those delightful unicorn hats were a gift from their family.
Our scripture reading for Sunday comes from 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. It's a challenging passage that reminds us that God's wisdom often (always?) seems like foolishness to us. I can't help but think of so many of Jesus' teachings that call us to:
- love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-44);
- not worry about our lives, what we will eat, or drink or wear (Matthew 6:25-27);
- renounce self and take up our cross and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24-26);
- forgive not seven times but seventy times seven times (Matthew 18:21-22);
- sell everything we have and give the money to the poor (Matthew 19:21 & Luke 18:22);
- care for the least of these (feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, welcome the stranger) (Matthew 25);
- give away our second coat to someone who needs it (Luke 3:11);
- welcome God's kingdom like a child (Luke 18:17);
- condemn others only if we ourselves are blameless (John 8:7)
- and on and on.
In our current day, as well as when Jesus lived and taught these instructions seem foolish at best. When I feel more cynical, these seem ludicrous, naive and idealistic. But Jesus' point again and again and again that in God's economy, there is enough. Enough for everyone! Jesus clearly communicates that right relationship, forgiveness, love and justice are always what is called for. And in our world, in our society, these so often seem to be foolish.
To what seeming foolishness is God calling you? Calling us? What gifts, what life, what abundance and delight, what liberation might we experience if we say yes to God's foolishness instead of clinging to what we think of as strategic, prudent or wise? Let us be bold, risky and foolish in our pursuit of love and justice!
In peace, Thandiwe
