[Propertalk] Proper 16 b - 1 b

[robertpmorrison at charter.net]

Here's the second part of the first section - I hope the first part of
this section got through. The second section should have been passed
through the system already.

Bob

	 Some of the disciples may have thought that they’d have an
“in” in the villages and among the people whom they visited. All
they’d need to do is to drop Jesus’ name into the conversation.
You know, “I was over at that party with Jesus last night, and He
said …” 

	 I remember those TV commercials that said that, “When E.F. Hutton
talks, everybody listens.” And I was really impressed by the ones
John Houseman made for Smith Barney, “They make money the
old-fashioned way. They EARN it.” It’s funny how these have stuck
with me – even if I don’t have a clue about how these firms are
doing these days, or whether or not they were among the many morally
bankrupt financial institutions that have devastated the economy in
the last couple of decades. But maybe that’s the point. Their names,
even that of John Houseman, are not necessarily indicators of trust
and propriety. It’s STILL our responsibility to check, to listen, to
make up our own minds. And it’s as difficult a job to do today as it
was in Jesus’ time. Jesus is only too happy when someone talks about
the way that knowing Him and inviting Him to walk with her or him has
made a difference in that person’s life. But Jesus doesn’t expect
the listener simply to take someone else’s word on it. For that
matter, He doesn’t stand on any ceremony. He doesn’t say, “OK,
I’m Jesus. Listen up!” Unlike many today, He doesn’t expect
people to fawn over Him because of His name. Quite apart from the fact
that He doesn’t expect ANYONE to fawn over Him, Jesus hope that
we’ll each come to make up our own minds, after all sorts of
questions; after living with doubts; after, perhaps, despairing of
finding someone or something in which we can trust. 

	 Why do some people think so much of themselves that they have to
project themselves into every aspect of their lives, focusing
attention on themselves and not their ministry, not their way of
interacting in the world? 

	 Last week, I came across an article which described how a New York
State College which could use some financial help to develop its
programmes received an offer from a member of the board. “(T)he
college’s most generous benefactor, has pledged a $20 million
donation, one that the college president … says is critical to the
school’s future. 

	 “But the gift comes with a controversial requirement. In accepting
the money, the college’s board must agree to change the name …”
putting the prospective donor’s name ahead of the current name of
the College. 1 

	 One deeply troubled alumnus was quoted as saying, “Selling off
your naming rights like a sports venue, it calls into question your
integrity.” 

	 Granted, Jesus talked about ensuring the ability of people to
experience eternal life in joy, but He never pushed Himself to the
front, making Himself so far beyond people’s reaches and
expectations because He was so wonderful. In fact, He actually wore
His Divinity pretty lightly in order to emphasise how much God loves
us and wants to be in our company so that we will be completely
fulfilled. Jesus’ concern is that we take God’s love seriously,
that we learn to appreciate it and that we make it such a part of our
lives that it governs how we interact with others. 

	 I know your minds may sometimes wander during a sermon, and that’s
good. It may well be the Spirit having you consider something that’s
important for your well-being right now: for instance, what all Jesus
meant by talking, again, about eating His flesh and drinking His blood
in order to abide in Him. How can this amazingly simple meal bring
about such a close relationship that our lives are transformed? How
can this change the course of our lives for ever? 

	 How do you feel about tomato and cucumber salad with gorgonzola,
followed by roasted carrots, lentils, grapes and liquid gorgonzola,
perhaps with spaghetti carbonara and crispy duck – or salmon with
black beans and peanuts – finishing with crème brulee or mocha
panna cotta with hazelnuts. 

	 Are you getting hungry yet? 


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