Equality. It’s a
really nice concept. Really. Everyone on the same level, with the same
opportunities. It's a great idea.
The trouble is, we aren’t wired for that. We continually try to
outdo our neighbors.
We want the better cars, salary, jobs, stories, history, fishing tales, etc.
Our society isn’t
structured for equality either. Maybe society influences us, or maybe we
influence society—you could argue that one either way. But either way, it’s
true. Promotions don’t go to everyone…just the best or the most well-connected.
Salaries for the same jobs/work vary depending on any number of things. Gender
roles are still unconsciously observed and instilled in our children. People
still go to bed hungry, while others refuse to take home leftovers from dinner
at the restaurant.
This is nothing
new…in our gospel lesson, James and John fall into this very temptation. They
want seats of honor for their time with Jesus. These two have identified
themselves as the most important people in Jesus’ life, and they want Jesus to
say so.
Jesus doesn’t.
Jesus doesn’t buy
into the power struggle. He says this right/left hand status is not something
he grants. He won’t play the disciples off each other in a worldly game like
that.
James and John
are humbled go back to the group. That’s right! They’re not the only two
disciples, either. The other ten hear about what James and John did, and they are hurt
and angry, too. I can only imagine them whispering to each other about James
and John’s request. Planning to kick them out, ignore them, make them pay for
their arrogance.
Problem—that
makes the other ten arrogant. Jesus won’t let that happen, either. Jesus understands
the nature of humanity—there is nothing one can do to be kicked out of God’s
group. Everyone is in.
Jesus checks the
egos of the disciples. He reminds them what it truly means to follow him into
greatness—be a servant of all. Having authority means using it to promote
equality. The lowly are lifted, and the oppressors—those who would use their power
for themselves at the expense of others—are overturned.
Jesus never
tolerates abuse of power.
He overturns
tables of profiteers at the temple, stands up for a woman about to be stoned to
death, heals blind beggars, defeats the aspirations of a rich man, and today he
reverses the egotistical tendencies in his own disciples.
Jesus never
tolerates abuse of power.
So why do we?
Today
we remember that October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. We will have an
element of healing for anyone who wishes to come forward. We lift up the
services available here in Waushara County and remember those here and around
the world who have been touched by this type of violence.
Here’s the thing:
today we remember that October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. …and we
wouldn’t need to if domestic violence weren’t an issue.
We as a society look
the other way all the time in this system—by allowing those who use power to
get themselves ahead to advance, by ignoring the incidents in our
neighborhoods, our culture, and our world that reinforce power dynamics in
favor of the powerful rather than the oppressed and marginalized. These behaviors set up a pattern that allows
domestic violence to even exist, and so we would need to remember and be aware
of it.
Jesus never
tolerates abuse of power. He also loves us. We are reminded that we live as
broken people in a broken world. However, there is nothing too big or too awful
that would ever ever make Jesus turn away from us or stop loving us. The love
that Jesus shows is absolute and eternal. He works that all of us—all of
us—would have life.
Whatever has
happened to us, whatever has been done, Jesus still loves us.
We are not
abandoned by God. Ever.
The disciples ask
the un-askable—to have seats with Jesus in glory. Jesus doesn’t kick them
out, doesn’t turn away. The ten other disciples become angry with James and
John. Jesus doesn’t kick them out, doesn’t turn away.
Jesus never tolerates
abuse of power, and he reminds us we are always loved. Jesus himself is the
example of that level of selflessness. He who would be the master of all—God
incarnate—becomes the servant of all.
If we are to
follow Jesus, we must do that as well. We must realize where we are in the
global scheme and how we are using what we have. If we have power, we must use
authority we have to lift those who cannot lift themselves. To give up our
power to effect equality. To stop the abuse of power by others.
And if we are oppressed
or abused, then we ought to be lifted and liberated. We can realize that we are
loved by God and should be treated as such.
Equality. It’s
not easy, and it won’t always be happy, but it is good. It is the notion that
life can be lived with love and without fear. That we are all deserving of
that. Sometimes, that will mean realizing where we deserve better, and having
the strength to claim that. Sometimes, it will mean realizing that we have
more/better than we need, and working to bring others up, realizing we can
afford it—even if it means we go down a bit.
As we said, we
live in a broken world. It will never be perfect, but it can get better. Jesus came to bring up the low—to heal the sick, suffering, and sorrowful from
all that burdened them. Today, we also ask for that healing. In a moment, we
will have the opportunity to receive a prayer of healing along with the
anointing of oil.
Whatever our
cares, burdens, or obstacles to the world, we are invited to bring them with
us, think on them, and pray on them. We ask God in Jesus’ name to help us
give up those burdens and go over those obstacles. We hold on to the hope that
tomorrow will be better than today—that we can heal. We will continue healing from
everything from prejudice to physical ailments to mental and emotional hurts to
systemic injustices.
Our hope is in
Jesus, who sets our example, who holds on to us when we hurt, when we fail,
when we try again. Jesus, who loves us and stays with us no matter what, came
that we might have life. That life is our hope. AMEN.
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