Matthew 21:23-32; Psalm
25:1-9; Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
What does that proverb means
at the beginning of the Ezekiel text, “That the parents have eaten sour grapes
and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? The Israelite people saying it in
the reading are asserting that they have been brought into exile in Babylon
because of their parents’ sins. The truth that the prophet is making clear to
those who will hear him is that both parents and children suffer from their own
mistakes.
God
makes clear that there is no rejoicing in heaven over the death of anyone,
particularly not those who have turned away from the embrace of grace. The
openness of grace, God’s grace, is such that no generation can separate another
from it. The embrace of God’s love is not earned, but it must be experienced. The
acceptance of what God has done for anyone of us is reflected in living a holy
life. This is what Ezekiel is urging the Israelites toward in this passage.
Turning
to Matthew, the temple leaders have begun to take for granted that their titles
reflect God’s view of them- rather than understanding that they are the
stewards, the caretakers of God’s people. It is very important to remember that
all kinds of people, throughout history, (up to and including a wide variety of
religious leaders) have been very protective of what they deem their God-given
rights and duties.
Frankly,
it doesn’t matter what Jesus says to them at this point. They are afraid of how
he will disrupt the system that feeds them and gives them power. They have
forgotten what it means to be chosen representatives of the power of God in the
world, what it means to be called to witness to the power of the Creator’s
wisdom, might, and mercy.
Jesus
knows this and they realize it, but most of them are not willing to go back, to
repent, to refocus on what it means to be humble, acting justly, and pursuing mercy.
They say the words, but they do not do the deeds. The embrace of God’s love is
not earned through the right formula of words or deeds, but it must be experienced
through trust and faithful living. The acceptance of what God has done for any
one of us is reflected in working out a holy life in love and service.
What
does this mean for us? There is no such thing as Christian autopilot. We cannot
come here, say the right words, eat the right things, sing the right tunes, and
go out assured of God’s presence in our lives. That presence comes not from
what we do or don’t do, but through God’s promise.
We
must examine ourselves, our lives, our priorities. Are we just saying the words
about loving our neighbor without doing the work of forgiving, not gossiping,
offering help, comfort, or prayer? Do we blame previous generations for the
messes around us without acknowledging our own sins? Do we enjoy our comforts,
our places, our familiarities so much that what is new is automatically
suspicious and irritating?
It
is never too late to refocus, to repent, to reform… There is time to be the one
who does go and do the work, regardless of the words that may have been said in
the past. The embrace of God’s love is not earned. It experienced through trust
and faithful living. The acceptance of what God has done for any one of us is
reflected in working out a holy life in love and service and knowing that we do
not go out alone.
Comments