TOGETHER IN WORSHIP

But Abraham said [to the rich man], “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony.” – Luke 16:25

I had very much hoped that the first time I’d be able to lead worship with you in our worship spaces I could preach on a text filled with joy, comfort, and hope. Imagine my disappointment when I checked the worship plans for March 14th, our chosen day to return to limited in person worship, and I saw this text. 

I shouldn’t have been surprised. This section of Luke, which we read through the penitential and challenging season of Lent, is full of hard parables and tough assessments. It works well for this church season, which invites us into a time of reflection and honesty about the many ways we fall short of God’s desires for us as individuals and a whole church. Maybe you’ve noticed that Pastors Brandon, Steve, and I are regularly pointing out how these lessons are tough to hear and even more complicated to faithfully live – that’s very in keeping with a Lenten sensibility. 

But still, it isn’t what I wanted to talk about. This lesson is Jesus’ warning to people who would assume that their wealth indicates God’s favor. It’s a caution that scripture’s constant reminders to love and care for our neighbors are easy for us to forget to our peril. It’s a reminder that our earthly actions and attitudes have eternal costs and consequences, not just for our own lives, but for the lives of others here and now.  

It’s a truth of our faith, really. Sometimes we don’t want to hear the hard things. We just want to feel good. There’s nothing wrong with that, especially not after a very long, hard year of losses, compromises, grief, and fear. We want to be able to celebrate a return to in person worship, even though it still has to be cautious and limited out of care for each other’s health. We don’t want to hear Jesus pointing out how our self-serving actions create suffering for others in this life and may even jeopardize our relationship with God.   

Nonetheless, it’s the word Jesus brings us today. And while it’s hard to hear, it’s still true. We still have a lot of work to do in our relationships with money and status. We still need to be called to account for how we ignore the needs of others. We have to be reminded of the constant message through scripture: God calls us to live and act solely out of love for God and love for neighbor, no matter how hard it gets.  

Sure, it might not be the message I wanted to preach when I get to be in the worship space with you for the first time, but it’s still faithful and true. And I’m glad I get to be actually with you when we hear this word, held in community, granted support and accountability, ready to keep doing this work together.

Let us pray:

God, we confess to you all the ways we prize our own comfort, success, and wealth over the abundant life you desire for all people. Make us agents of your kingdom, that we would give generously, love fiercely, and act justly in your Son’s name. Amen.