For November 2, 2008

Scriptures:
Joshua 3:7-17
Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Matthew 23:1-12

Theme: Partners in Service

Hymns:
#299 For All the Saints
#539 Won't You Let Me Be Your Servant
#783 As the Grains of Wheat
#377 Forward Through the Ages

The Gospel lesson should take all of us religious leaders down a peg. Because we all have to confess, that from time to time, we do enjoy the "perks" of the clergy-- being called "reverend," having that half a hog delivered to the parsonage freezer every autumn (remember, I once served a church in Iowa), and realizing that people check their language carefully when they realize they are talking to a pastor.

We all know the same cautionary tales of sinister ministers and priests, those who abused that authority granted to them as a matter of office, who victimized the people whom they were meant to serve and instruct. The damage they have done to their victims, and their churches, is immeasurable. The psychological scars of abuse are lifelong, and visited upon generations. These are the heaviest of burdens.

Jesus' lesson is a caution to the church: the word of God is not meant to be a burden. The work of the church (and of church leaders) is not to bind up burdens, heavy to bear. Remember that in another place Jesus said, "Come to me, all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." The church should be a place where God's weary people can be unburdened.

"Leave it there, leave it there, take your burden to the Lord and leave it there," goes the old gospel hymn (which is not in our hymnal, sorry). "Every burden will be rolled away," is a Swahili folk song, one which I taught to children at peace camp a few years ago. These are the lyrics rolling through my brain this week (along with a couple of Bob Marley songs, and Stephen Foster's "Hard Times." These last few are from a Johnny Cash "Unearthed" cd I've been listening to. A prize will be awarded to anyone who can tell me who sings "Redemption Song" with Johnny. It's Joe Strummer (late of The Clash). I just want to know if anyone is reading this blog. Say "Joe Strummer" to me at church on Sunday and you will win a beautiful new Butterfinger bar.)

In what ways are we, as a congregation, prepared to engage in a ministry of "unburdening." In what ways do we need to repent from "binding up burdens" and not carrying our own weight?