October Thoughts

“…we must obey God rather than any human authority.”  Paul,

Romans 5:29 NRSV

Recent readings, typically in the form of parables, have dealt with themes relating to authority.  In particular, we’ve just heard the stories of the landowner with workers in his vineyard being paid the same regardless of the number of hours they’ve worked.  Then, we hear of the landlord who asks his two sons to go work in the vineyard where one says he will not but does and the other who says I go sir but does not.  In the first story, where we see God as the vineyard owner the lesson relayed is that God is God and gets to determine appropriate payment, not us workers.  Similarly, in the story with the two sons the vineyard owner and God will be more pleased with deed and faith than mere lip service.  That reality is why our Lord is more pleased with repentant sinners like the dishonest tax collectors and, we hope, with us than with the Pharisees.  For me, the message or moral is to have faith, admit to our failings, strive to do better, answer the call to serve our Lord and our community and leave judgment and compensation to God.  Yes, we also have earthly authorities, and Paul speaks about them as well.  In many instances we should rightly submit to them as well but not always as the ultimate authority is our triune God, and heavenly will supersedes unjustly earthly edicts.   

In last month’s column I spoke of our recent readings speaking “of” law and gospel.  One of our rotation of pastors of a couple of years back known for his meticulously crafted homilies, our friend in Christ the Reverend Donald Schedler, Ph.D., called me to say hello and took me to task just a little for writing speaking “to” rather than directly writing speaking law and gospel.  He was correct to do so as that wording more accurately relates what our readings and homilists intended.  Okay Brother Schedler, while we’re nitpicking, I did write “of” not “to”;.  It was good to hear from Pastor Don.  He’s now ninety-seven, doing well and says hello to everyone here in California from his home state of Missouri, the show me state. 

We’re winding down both the church year and calendar year.  Come join us for upcoming fun, fundraising and service events.  You’ll see several upcoming happenings listed elsewhere in this newsletter.  Plan to attend at least some of them and, naturally, come join us for worship every Sunday at 9:30AM.  Together we’re the body of Christ in our broken but beautiful world.  We garner strength in faith and for service when we meet. I opened with and will close with words from the apostle Paul.

“There is one body and Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:4-6 

Peace,

Chuck Prewett

Spiritual Columnist