On Holiness (Leviticus 19:1-18)

Today’s daily reading from the American Bible Society is Leviticus 19:1-18. The mediation ABS offers focuses on how this passages talks about holiness.  Holiness is definitely a topic appropriate for United Methodists to reflect on. It relates quite directly to personal holiness and perfection in love, both terms we are well acquainted with.

What I like about this Leviticus passage, as it restates some of the ten commandments and outlines new ways we are to treat one another. When Jesus says we are to love God and love neighbor, surely the former is of highest importance, but it is in the latter that we often see evidences of our love for God. We cannot separate the two. What both largely seem to have in common is (1) a focus outside self and (2) a proper orientation to God’s ways.

What would it look like to consistently lay aside out won self-interests and seek to do God’s will in all our relationships? This has surely been on my mind lately. At times this calls us to love, at other times (though I don’t think this stands in opposition to love) to having healthy boundaries and expectations. Sometimes we have to speak up for those who are oppressed, and other times, we have to be honest about tendencies to favor those without in ways that create injustice. That is probably very difficult to do honestly.

Most of the instructions in this passage conclude with “I am the Lord.” In some ways, doesn’t this sound like “Because I said so!” Which is a good point. But I’m often confronted in my daily life and ministry with the question for myself from the provisional and full member exams, “What is your understanding of Jesus as Lord?” (rephrased)

It is probably a helpful question to reflect on in all times and situations. The Lordship of Jesus calls us to submit all our lives—including our relationships with others, to his care and guidance. It means we don’t get to be self-righteous or proud. We don’t get to hold onto anger or bitterness. Because all of that is really about us, our need and desire to control things.

Living with Jesus as our Lord means we will make lots of choices differently than otherwise. I am sure of it. But it is difficult. Sometimes our very religious sensibilities seem to urge us to draw lines in the sand. Sometimes our own hurts and past make it difficult to be open to God in new times. Sometimes we simply cannot see our way forward and gripping so tightly at trying to control that which we cannot, we fail to come before God (and in relationship to one another) in our brokenness and vulnerabilities.

I am glad that we are reminded here that holiness begins with our relationship with God, but also heavily involves how we relate to others. Sometimes in my life and in my ministry I find myself bogged down and drowning in interpersonal issues, brokenness in lives and relationships, and painful questions about why things happen and how to walk alongside each other. I an encouraged that all that work in holiness work. All that work is indeed God’s work. And most of all, I am glad I don’t have to do it on my own, but rather have a Christian community to walk the journey with me, and a God who has never and will never leave me along the way.

On Uncreative Preaching (and why we should all be less creative sometimes)

I’ve been following along with the American Bible Society’s daily Bible readings this year. Having a toddler and an infant makes it difficult to keep up with pretty much anything, so it’s been nice to be able to get it via email or website.

Today’s reading comes from Matthew 22:15-40, and includes the religious leaders trying to trick Jesus with questions (like should they pay taxes and what is the greatest commandment).  The truth is the latter question especially is a pretty bad question to trick Jesus. You don’t have to be all that familiar with scripture and the words of Jewish teachers, including those who preceded Jesus) to be able to answer as he does: (1) Love God and (2) Love neighbor. That’s it. Not flashy, not requiring deep theological knowledge, just basic.

The bar for preachers seems to be raised year after year. We often fall into the trap laid out by Ecclesiastes, that there is nothing new under the sun, and everything that can be said has already been said. We seem to reply with, “But…wait…wait till you hear my sermon THIS Sunday!” While it is a good and honorable goal to keep the Gospel fresh, to adapt the message to new people in new times, the reality is it’s really just the same message(s). Sometimes we just need to be okay with that. Sometimes it really is not only enough, but also preferable to stop trying to out preach ourselves or others and just say the same, abiding things.

This past Sunday, I’d struggled with a week that left little mental and emotional energy left. I need both of those to get my creative juices flowing. Faced with having to preach, and frustrated I couldn’t rock some great illustration or innovative interpretation I finally asked myself what the basic elements and illustrations are that I use all the time. All pastors have these. Most of us also have go to sermons as well.

For me, those go to elements include reflection on the Dana Carvey “Church Lady” sketch, and how the Pharisees missed the point…the latter piece I hadn’t even realized I used so much till a member at my last church quoted it back to me once!

This week, I will go to one of our local churches to preach as part of an ecumenical pulpit swap. The Gospel continues the themes of this past week, and I have to say, there was something very powerful in just saying what is so central to my own thinking. To use the tried and true ways to talk about who we are called to be as Christians. So, with some adaptations for the different passage, I’m working on some similar illustrations and points. Sometimes God doesn’t call us to be innovative, creative or unique. Sometimes we’re just called to share God’s message in ways that touch and connect with people. More often than not, that is not only “enough,” but is precise the very thing called for.