A reflection on the Lectionary readings for the fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
In last week’s reflection, I talked about what it looks like to do God’s will in our place and time. And as we continue to walk through Matthew’s telling of the Good News, we continue in that theme. God’s will is that we, every person who has been and is and is yet to be born, participate with God in building up the Kingdom-on-earth-as-in-heaven. The details of what this looks like differ across time, around the world, and from person to person. We are to individually and collectively and with God’s help discern what this is for us. The over arching question is whether what we do builds up or tears down God’s Kingdom. Is what I am doing helping all of us thrive or is it excluding some or harming some? Am I motivated to do this by my desire to use my skills and abilities for the good of God’s Kingdom or am I motivated by power or prestige or my need to prove myself in some way?
In our story today, when Peter begins to realize that it is Jesus walking on the water, his reaction is skepticism “if it is you, prove it.” (That’s my own paraphrase.) And Jesus does as Peter demands. Pay attention here to the order of events. Peter steps out of the boat and begins to walk toward Jesus as the storm continues to rage around him. When Peter lets his attention get drawn away from what Jesus is doing for him and back to the fear, he cries out ‘save me’. Jesus catches him and helps him into the boat. And then the storm stops. Notice, too, we aren’t told that Jesus stops the storm, just that it stops.
Does God stop the storm? Did God start the storm? We aren’t told if God did or didn’t. There are times in scripture when we are told that God caused a storm. But sometimes storms are just storms. When God created the earth and all there is, God set it in motion to do what nature does as God designed it in the rhythmical cycles of day and night, seasons, wet, dry, life, growth, death, etc. Not because God wanted to step away and either ignore what’s happening or watch it like some grand cosmic movie. God gave all of creation the ability to do what it is supposed to do. Planets rotate on their own axes and revolve around the sun. Tides rise and fall by the revolutions of the moon around the earth. The land and oceans and skies house all the creatures of God who reproduce. Some of these creatures feed other creatures and people God created. The land and sea bear fruit to sustain creatures and people. The rains come and the earth is nourished, rivers and lakes and oceans are filled. This water evaporates and the cycle repeats. Sometimes there isn’t enough rain and sometimes there’s too much and sometimes it’s just the right amount.
And sometimes, we humans do what God made us to do. Sometimes we don’t. We are not made to be pieces on a chessboard that God moves about for God’s entertainment. God made us with our own will and the agency to choose God’s will or our own. God made us with the ability to give our will over to the transformation and shaping of Holy Spirit as we grow and learn that living in God’s will is what true life for us and all of creation really is. This is what delights God, when we learn to live fully human as God made us to live, like all of Creation.
It is God’s will that all of creation thrives. It is God’s will that all people flourish and God chooses to work with us often stiff-necked human beings to bring this about. We are the ones who mess up the plan when we let ourselves get distracted by fear or greed or need for power or control. What do we do when things don’t go as we think they should, as we think we deserve or are entitled to? When Peter got distracted, he cried out to Jesus to save him and Jesus got Peter back on track even in the midst of a chaotic wind. God never gives up on us, even when we take our eyes off of Jesus. When we tell God “I got this, I don’t need you” God will leave us to our own devices, but God will never not love us, regardless of how far afield we may have wandered or for how long. God doesn’t just sit back passively and wait for us to return. God pursues us, never giving up on us. We are God’s beloved children.
Paul says to the believers in Rome, “How beautiful are the feet that carry the Good News.” Good News. Good. For those who want their own power, God’s Way isn’t good news because God’s Way requires we give up the need for self power so we can find power in our interconnectedness. Those of us who’d rather build our own kingdoms distort power with fear and turn our created interconnectedness into oppression and dependence. This is never good news for anyone.
In our prayer today we ask God to enable us to do God’s Will. We are asking for God to show us how to live as God’s people, God’s beloved children. Together, following Jesus, with God’s help, and the transformative power of Holy Spirit, we are able to participate with God in the building up of the Kingdom-on-earth-as-in-heaven. What does this look like for you, individually and collectively with those you are in community with? When it brings the good news of God’s Love for all people, you are on the right course.
Keep Lovin’ louder than the hate, Y’all!
Mother Nancy's Coffee Thoughts 