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(Deuteronomy 14-16)
Ev’ry seventh year,
all debts were supposed to be
cancelled, forgiven, forgotten.
Ev’ry seventh year.
Ev’ry seventh year,
all slaves were supposed to be
set free, unless they wanted to stay.
Ev’ry seventh year
It didnt matter what had happened
those previous six years. It did,
but not so much that it couldnt be
forgiven; that it couldnt be cancelled out.
That didnt mean in those six years
you were supposed to spend it up
to max it out, to run up your tabs.
But if you had gotten yrself into
a jam—overhead or underwater—
this was the way out, the only way out.
The idea of grace did not begin with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Ev’ry seven years
all debts were cancelled,
all slaves were freed,
the past was sealed.
Ev’ry seven years,
everyone got to start over,
begin anew,
to try again.
Ev’ry seven years.
Were I to tell you that this was the seventh year …
those who are overhead or underwater,
those who have watched their interest rates
up and down, wondering, “Did I really agree to this?”
those bought their dream, only to realize that
dreams cant be bought, they can only be taken away,
those who’ve watched the “sale” in their sign
get scratched out and turned to “closure,”
those who’ve been told that they’re cutbacks,
those who’ve been told “We’re not hiring,”
those who are trying to pay reconnect fees,
those who are waiting for their food stamp cards,
those without heat,
those on the street,
… oh were I to tell you that this was the seventh year
and all debts were off!
It’s not.
It doesnt work like that anymore.
Someone always has to get paid
at your expense,
but
I can tell you
there has been
one debt cancelled–
one debt paid,
and it’s a big one.
Dont wait seven years to figure that out.
1Samuel 18.5-16, 27b-30; Acts 11.19-30
Agabus is an interesting person–a prophet–who appears only in the Acts of the Apostles. In today’s reading, he stands up and announces the imminence of a world-wide famine. He’s much like the financial correspondants on contemporary nightly newscasts, who sit in front of the camera and try to predict the market. Though Agabus wore no Armani suit and snappy tie. His hair was most likely uncombed. And he had no credentials of which to speak. He simply stood and spoke, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
“Look, things are going to get bad.”
He wasnt pointing fingers. He wasnt a defeatest. His words were not intended to tell people to give up but to step up. And we see that there intended meaning was inspirational among the people. Because of his words, we are told that all the believers in Antioch upon hearing the news of the impending famine decided to pitch in, as much as they could, and help. Each doing their share. Each rallying together to do their part.
When we hear those correspondants telling us how fragile the ecomony, when we read the headlines about unemployment rates, when we drive through town and see the masses gathered outside of unemployment offices and job placement facilities–does this cause us to give up or step up?
We are in the midst of a famine–nothing like that known on other continents–but Agabus’ words ring true still today. “Look, things are bad.” Again, not as bad as they could be–not as bad as they have been for people in other countries. But bad all the same.
People w/o work, buried under reconnect fees, tangled in the red-tape of having assistance requests granted. Needing food, needing work, needing hope, needing help. And there is not one among us who can give the kind of help that the world needs. No one church can meet all the needs; no one person can write all the checks; no one organization can solve all the problems.
But we can each do our part.
When the people of Antioch heard what Agabus had said, they all decided to help as each person was able. That’s how a community works, especially that community gathered in Christ’s name as Christ’s body. Separately we can only do so much. But together, each giving as much as we can –whether it be time, talent, or treasure–can do great things. Or else, God can do great things for us.
Individually a penny cant buy you anything but a ride on the mechanical pony at Wal-Mart. But one hundred of them … a thousand of them … millions of them …
As we begin the week, let us walk away with God’s word through Agabus ringing in our ears, stirring in our hearts, and encouraging us to look around and within as we discern what we can–what we ought to do to help, as much as we can, if we can.
Acts 3.1-10
Peter and the others, going into Temple, stopped by a person—lame—depending on the help of others. Carried to the Temple gate, every day. By whom, we dont know, but carried all the same—by others. Begging the rest of the day—whatever anyone could spare—including Peter.
But instead of passing him by, indifferent, as many others. Or instead of reaching in his purse and sparing a few coins. Peter stops and says, “Look at us. We dont have any money, but I’ll give you what I can.” And what Peter had, in the Name of Christ, was the power to help the man get back on his feet.
This flows a little from what I wrote about yesterday—about the priceless gift of peace that comes from Christ. Now, his healing power—the power to make us whole—to get us back on our feet again.
Chinua Achebe wrote a story called “Things Fall Apart,” and indeed the title rings true. Things do fall apart. And though money helps, it isnt the help we really need. What we need is wholeness—healing—the power of Christ, getting us on our feet again.
The hole that seems deep is often shallow. The rough is never so deep that a seven iron cannot see you out of it. And life is too short to sit around feeling sorry for yourself.
Lifted to his feet the man not only walked, he jumped around and praised God. That’s a big change—not just in body, which was now carried on strong ankles, but in spirit as well. No more begging. No more self-pity. No more depending on others to carry him through life. He rejoiced that he had received God’s power and that it was GOD who was now carrying him through.
No, Peter didnt have much to give—and maybe neither will we. At least if all we’re doing is thinking in economic terms. But what Peter gave the man is something we too have to give to others—HAVE to give—and that is the power that comes through the Good News of forgiveness and new life.
That’s something that WILL get people back up on their feet again.
————
Today is April 15th. It’s the day Abraham Lincoln died. It’s also the day the Titanic sank. And taxes are due.
Go figure.
The LORD says, “Come, everyone who is thirsty— here is water! Come, you that have no money— buy grain and eat! Come! Buy wine and milk— it will cost you nothing! Why spend money on what does not satisfy? Why spend your wages and still be hungry? Listen to me and do what I say, and you will enjoy the best food of all.
(Isa 55:1-2)
Imagine that, in days like these.
“Come, you who have no money—buy food and eat!”
Even as the economic stimulus package blooms closer to a trillion … a TRILLION dollars, we read this from Isaiah today.
God’s promise.
Those without money will be fed.
At least that’s how the Kingdom works.
I cannot understand the mind of God on this point though—the way God sees this promise in its ultimate fulfillment—for there are hungry people all around us.
The phone rings. A job lost. A reconnect fee owed. No heat. No way to cook. No food to cook anyway.
So where will these people without money get their food?
A friend of mine just the other day—works at a food pantry—says that people who used to be middle class are now in line. Both jobs lost. The look of defeat as if, “This isnt how we planned it.”
No one does. Especially these days.
But God’s promise is still there.
“Come, you w/o money—buy food, eat, come!”
And it will be fulfilled.
Take heart in that, if anything else.
Choose some wise, understanding, and respected people from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you. ~Deuteronomy1.13
Wise, understanding, respected.
Just as the people elected leaders in the wilderness, so too do we.
Early this morning, in the dark, standing in line within the Firestation.
A sign for rookie firefighters advised—You are not superman.
Good advice for anyone.
The door opens and a woman shouts—the polls are open!
Someone let out a cheer.
Our vet was first in line—I cannot say for certain if he ever sleeps—too much good to do in the world.
Our neighbor wasnt far behind.
A young man talked to his pastor behind us.
Religion and politics.
I had to remember to go by my first name—something that I only do in elections and credit card statements.
Of the four people I told my first name, one called me Allen.
I had to wait.
Then—the ballot.
I dont know if it’s just our precinct or the state or what have you, but we get to draw lines.
Complete the arrow pointing to the candidate you choose.
I removed the cap and paused.
Wise, understanding, respected.
In the wilderness of economic uncertainty, where wars rage across the ocean, in a few hours children will sit down in public schools for another day of learning—babies will be born, new saints will join the community of heaven, and tomorrow will be another unseasonably warm day—in the wilderness, the Israelites chose their leaders; in the wilderness, we choose ours.
God give them wisdom, understanding, and respected, as I gave some my vote.
Take good care of it.
Yes, you CAN meet and debate in the same week. I dont know where either candidate stands this morning on the matter of the debate, but I did read that they are being summoned for emergency meetings on the subject of the economy. One of these poor guys is going to be stuck w/ this mess, so yes—they need to be there.
But why cant they still debate? All a debate requires is being able to stand up, articulate yr beliefs, and possibly defend yr character. How much preparation does that take?
Though I try not to get into heated debates as a pastor, I always have to be ready to stand up and articulate my beliefs. And usually, never when I’m prepared to do so.
Take for instance a so-called “casual lunch” I had recently. I was invited out for a “casual lunch,” but immediately after the plates were cleared, BOOM—So, what do you believe about the Virgin Birth?
Now the Virgin Birth has become a matter of tension along liberal and evangelical lines. There are a lot of people out there who believe it as a literal fact, others as a symbolic truth. Both sides believe in the Virgin Birth, just do so differently.
So at this “casual lunch” I could’ve done two things (well, three, really). I could have said, “Can you give me a week to prepare my answer?” Also, I could have said, simply, “Yes,” and left it at that. But I knew neither was appropriate—I had to stand up and say what I believe.
More and more I’m learning that I’m a passionate Independent, as my answer appropriately reflected: “I believe in the Virgin Birth b/c it’s in the Bible. Now, whether or not it literally happened the way it did—some say yes, others no. But here’s what I believe: the Virgin Birth shows the best of humanity and of divinity coming together, b/c of two people’s choices. First, God chose Mary; then, Mary chose God. If believing in the Virgin Birth means believing in the perfection of Divine-Human partnership—yeah, I believe that.”
On the spot, that was my answer, and looking at it again, I still believe it to be true.
And you know what? that came at the end of a very busy week and after a busy and stressful morning.
But I didnt ask for more time or give a simple answer, and if the candidates truly believe what they are saying, then they wont either.
Dont you wish you had a job that if you failed at it, you still got paid—and paid well?
I’ve learned a lot about severance packages as members of my congregation are feeling the effects of cut backs and forced retirements. Had a recent member told that their job was no longer essential and was offered a severence of six months pay—half a year. Another is being asked to retire, early. They get to keep their pension, and got a nice plaque, thanking them for their years of service. Others have accepted buy-outs—nowhere near their yearly income. And even those who are finding other jobs are finding it hard to find ways to bridge the transition for when the new checks begin coming in.
And then I weigh this against what I’ve heard recently in the news. The former CEO of HP, and I believe, until recently, a consultant to the McCain campaign—what did she get for failing at her job? Something like 12 million dollars? And the former heads of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae? As the government acted to bail their companies out after being led to ruin, what do these people get? 14 million and 9 million dollars respectively? My numbers may not be accurate, but to me this is a slap in the face to those I have seen accept far less for working hard for decades at jobs they were asked to leave, AND will have to pay extra taxes in order to compensate for the failures of those at the top.
Okay, so people may argue that I dont see the big picture. People may say that I need more perspective. BUT my perspective is this—what if a CEO, seeing their company losing money and realizing their job is in jeopardy. What if they divided that 14 million among, let’s just say, a thousand of those they have to let go? What would that be, 14 grand to see them through until they found another job or could collect their pension? Doesnt seem like much, but it does seem fair.
Heard they dont offer preachers buy-outs when their churches are failing. Maybe I should become a CEO instead, but I’ve vowed to serve people with energy, creativity, intelligence, and love. Dont think I’m cut out to run a company. Besides, I think I heard that HP lady (you know, the one who works for McCain) say that it’s harder to run a company than a country. She would know, I guess.
