Pentecost 15 C: Freedom to Stop Counting and Start Blessing
Dear Partner in Preaching,
I think it’s rather difficult for most of us to imagine the reaction Jesus’ words would have elicited. To us, this seems like rather humdrum polite advice. (Not that we’d necessarily take it, mind you, but it probably wouldn’t give offense.) But to Jesus’ first-century hearers, living in an honor-shame culture that was intensely sensitive to issues of status and recognition, it would have seemed rather remarkable, and ultimately offensive.
I say “ultimately” because the problem Jesus names was acute. There were few things that would be more humiliating than to have a host ask you to move to a lower position at a social gathering. You would feel like you’d been named an upstart, someone who thought too much of him or herself, one who didn’t know his/her place, and the physical act of moving lower would mirror the drop in your prestige and social capital. Thus, at first blush anyway, his advice makes sense and, indeed, repeats similar counsel found elsewhere (including today’s first reading).
But Jesus doesn’t stop with merely offering advice on social etiquette. He continues by admonishing his listeners not to take into account the social payoff or reward of their invitations and hospitality. Indeed, Jesus says they should not invite to dinner those who already respect them or who are in a position to reward their hospitality or who would invite them back in return, but rather to invite the outcast – the poor, the sick, the socially undesirable, and more.
And I think he means it! That is, Jesus’ whole life is centered on inviting into the presence of God those who neither expect nor deserve such an invitation. And he expects us to do the same. He expects us, that is, to stop counting the costs, benefits, and rewards of our actions and live from a sense of abundance and blessing.
Counting. It’s so omnipresent in our lives that we almost forget it exists even as it exacts a tremendous toll on us. Whether we are counting the amount in our bank accounts or the opinions of our neighbors on what we wear or do, we are continually counting. Why? Because we live with the sure conviction that there is not enough. Not enough money, time, prestige, resources, recognition…you name it. And that conviction seems sure, even unquestionable, because so much in our culture – and particularly the advertisements we’re relentlessly subjected to – tell us there isn’t.
But what is there was? What if there was enough and more than enough to go around? What difference would that make in our own peace of mind and the way we treated others? What if we saw others not as competitors for scarce resources but as partners, even siblings, commissioned by God to distribute the riches of God’s goodness and grace?
In our family growing up, on Christmas morning we often named one of the five kids “Santa’s helper” and that child got to distribute all of the presents to the rest of the family. While this never seemed like an enviable role to play when we were very young – after all, it meant delaying opening those presents with your name on it! – as we grew older it became perhaps the most enjoyable part of our Christmas celebration. Because there is something simply joyful – and frankly unbeatably fun – about giving to others out of a sense of abundance.
And that’s what Jesus is inviting here. To stop counting and start giving and blessing. While we might launch into a great stewardship sermon on this theme, I’d invite us this week, Dear Partner, to keep in mind Jesus’ particular focus on social relationships. And to ask what it would be like to live into the freedom to stop calculating our social prestige and stop worrying about what others think and simply be kind to everyone around us, particularly those who are not often the recipients of kindness. What would it look like at work, at school, and at the places we volunteer or play sports or socialize, to look out for those who seem off to the margin and to invite them into the center by inviting them into our lives? (Particularly with school staring this week or the next, this might be a particularly relevant message to our youth, that part of our community that least frequently hears sermons directed to them!)
While I realize that grammatically Jesus’ words are phrased as commands, Dear Partner, I really think Jesus means them to be an invitation, an invitation to a life freed from the unnecessarily constraints and burdensome worries of what everyone else thinks, an invitation to experience the joy of playing “God’s helper” in handing out the abundant gifts of dignity and worth and value with which we have been blessed.
I think our folks want and need a break – even if they can’t always name it – from the relentless counting our culture encourages and a reminder of the joy that comes from blessing others with our regard. Let’s give them that break, reminder, and invitation this week, Dear Partner, as we, through the power of the Holy Spirit, usher our people into God’s realm of abundance and blessing. Thank you for your part in this and blessings on your ministry and proclamation.
Yours in Christ,
David
Lots of great grist for the sermon mill again here, David — thanks for helping prime my pulpit pump!
Thanks David! Plenty of great ideas here. You inspire me often!
Fear. That is why we count. Much of our life is centered on fear. I fear not having enough…(fill in the blank). Is the fear real? How do institutions and governments use and manipulate fear for their own advantages? At what cost? How is society intentionally formed around fear? We are both consumed by fear and consumers of fear. Heck, we even “count” our blessings! What???
Religion is the offspring of experience. If I am bombarded by fear, survival, then my religion will be modeled and formed by that fear. Hence a religion of heaven and hell. Cannot get more fearful than that!
Jesus is not niave. He is very well aware of the constructs of the rich and powerful who keep their hands of fear (and punishment from God or sword) around the weary necks of the peasants. Justice and care on earth, as it is in heaven, is STILL a radical, even heretical, notion today.
Jesus idid not die suggesting a more caring and sharing society. He was executed for demanding a radically transformed society in which ALL of God’s children are fed adequately and with dignity. Capitalism would have him executed today as well. Good luck teaching that to a social club audience in today’s typical consumerism church!
Brad, true what you say, but we are still called to speak to the church and witness to its work or failure to work. How could you take what you see, and know, and make it hearable?
Just what I needed for preaching this Sunday, David, and for living.
Hello all. I have been retired now for two months and am grateful for the opportunity to travel and attend services across the land as a pew participant. The gospel message and your words of exploration speak loudly of giving without expectation of material return. This week I attended worship in Calgary where the traditional coffee time ‘for members only’ has never been. Instead it is a meal open to all. And it’s real as Hillhurst United is located near the city centre. The gospel message indeed speaks tried and true 2000 years later.