The Adventurous Lectionary: Divine Creativity and Human Agency – November 17, 2013

Last updated on: November 12, 2013 at 7:05 pm by Bruce Epperly

The Adventurous Lectionary: Divine Creativity and Human Agency – November 17, 2013 2013-11-12T19:05:40-05:00 Bruce Epperly

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Lectionary Reflections for November 17, 2013

Divine Creativity and Human Agency

Taken together today’s lectionary readings proclaim that God is active and innovative, working toward a realm of wholeness encompassing humanity and the non-human world and so should we. God is involved in world-transformation, and so should we. God’s agency inspires our own agency and creativity. We are God’s partners in promoting the realm of Shalom. An active God says “all hands on deck. Let’s get to work. Together we can bring healing to the world, part and whole.”

Isaiah asserts that there is a new world coming. God is creating a new heavens and a new earth. The days of scarcity, exile, and oppression are over. Economic injustice and infidelity are things of the past: the New Jerusalem is coming and with it laughter, health, and prosperity. Isaiah’s dream remains unfulfilled: but his report of the divine aim of history still empowers other dreamers who seek new creation in the life of persons and nations.

The question emerges: If God promises a new heavens and a new earth, why hasn’t it come? It didn’t come to Jerusalem, and our world for all its advances is also ambiguous in terms of economic justice and overall well-being. Swords are in great supply and millions go hungry. The holy mountain of Jerusalem is still at risk: Israel’s enemies still threaten the nation’s existence. Are God’s promises empty? Is God waiting for us to do our work? If so, what shall we do? How can we best play our role in bringing wholeness to our families, congregations, and the world? The heaviness of the past locks us into habits that defy new creation in ourselves and our institutions. Without a radical leap in consciousness and compassion, what can we expect from our world?

The Psalm also speaks of a now and a not yet. We rejoice in God’s victory. The whole earth rejoices. Order has triumphed over chaos; healing has triumphed over disease; justice has been victorious over greed and inequality. Yet, this also seems a dream to us today, as the gap between the wealthy and the middle class expands, not to mention the marginalization of the poor, and opposition to any initiatives that put the most vulnerable citizens at the head of the line in social services. God’s realm of Shalom is not faring well in USA or global politics and economics, and those who assert that they are on God’s side appear to be the most adamant in gutting programs for the poor and marginalized.

The passage from Thessalonians urges action and agency. We don’t exactly know who it is aimed at: Were there members of the community needlessly depending on the generosity of others? Or, were some so involved in end-time expectation that they quit their jobs, thus putting a strain on the community? The Second Coming is no excuse for passivity in our everyday economic and relational lives. We must be responsible harbingers of God’s Shalom by being healthy and affirmative members of the body of Christ, fulfilling our vocation as long as we have breath.

The pastor needs to be careful in the reading of this passage. Many will hear only: “Anyone who is unwilling to work should not eat.” Passages such as these have been used to blame the poor for their poverty and slash programs for vulnerable adults and their children. This passage cannot be used as a war against the poor. First of all, the author was unfamiliar with or is not addressing the negative impact of depression, PTSD, and certain physiological issues on productivity. Moreover, he is not addressing patterns of poverty created by the exploitation of the poor by the rich. This passage must be read affirmatively: we all have a place in God’s realm of Shalom and should use whatever agency we have to achieve it. The goal of healthy communities is to promote healthy agency by whatever means we can. We must enable all the members of the community to realize their concrete and limited vocations by creating conditions that promote joyful responsibility and agency. What we do matters to God and the well-being of our congregational and global community.

The Gospel reading is apocalyptic in nature. It speaks of the signs of the times, but gives us no chronological hint in terms of when these signs will come to pass. The signs of the times are evident in every age. Could it be that every age is a time of crisis in which we must prepare through awareness and agency? In these times, we must be willing to give testimony to our faith and values. We may feel inept, but God will give us words of wisdom. God is still speaking and will give us guidance in responding to the crises of our times.

This passage is not a call to persecution complex or some sense that we need to revolt against the end of Christendom by some form of Christian dominion theology. USA Christians are still, for the most part, privileged by government, taxation, and social affirmation. The Christian Yellow Pages and Christian Mingle and the extravagant lifestyles of certain megachurch pastors and televangelists are testimony to the economic benefits of being a Christian in the USA today. That we share governmental benefits and limitations on an equal basis with other faiths and non-believers is not perseuctuion but justice in a pluralistic age.

The Gospel counsels awareness and openness to God’s transformation. In every season of life, especially in times of personal, institutional, and global crisis, divine wisdom is available to those who ask, listen, and respond.

Progressive Christianity

Sacred Texts

Previous Post

November 4, 2013

The Furniture of Heaven and the Flames of Hell: A Response to Swedenborg’s "Our Life After Death"

Next Post

November 18, 2013 The Adventurous Lectionary: Christ the King Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Reviews The Adventurous Lectionary Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 December 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz