There is one Gospel lesson that often comes to my mind at this time of the year
As this time of the year is often the familiar and traditional time of harvesting our fruits to store up for the season ahead, which is commonly called stewardship. So, I am never too surprised that I begin reflecting on the lesson from John 11:55-12:8. This story of the dinner served with Lazarus, Martha and Mary and among others like the disciples/followers is assumed, particularly since Judas is named at the table gathering. This dinner happens after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and it is that story where Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume. Judas criticizes Mary’s action pointing that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus sternly says ‘Leave her alone.’ ‘Let her keep it for the day of my burial. There will always be poor around, but I won’t always be around.’
This last statement always makes me unsettled, and it should. Yes, it names that systems in place in Jesus’ time were unjust and created a significant divide between those who have and those who do not have, and yet more unsettling is that not much at all has changed in over 2,000 years. So when I read this each and every time I admittedly feel a deflating moment of depression and lack of hope. Sometimes it stays for a while. And as I sort and sift the reality ‘of always having the poor around’ I also begin to find a way to see hope in this reality.
For me that hope is found in realizing that indeed one action will not often solve systematic problems in humanity. Jesus’ stern response points to one thing, a gift of expense oil, that Mary offers in generosity and hospitality, that indeed could have been used in another way, but it would not solve the problem of ‘always the poor around.’ The systemic issues of poverty, inequality, and the oppression must be addressed in other ways and require a willingness to participate in building up with others more resources. Simply, we are still in process of enacting God’s plan of salvation toward that time when God will be all in all.
What is the Christian hope? The Christian hope is to live with confidence in newness and fullness of life, and to await the coming of Christ in glory, and the completion of God’s purpose for the world. (Catechism BCP, 861)
So, with confidence and trust in the newness and fullness of life of our baptisms we move into that time of preparing to offer our gifts toward stewarding the ministries in partnership and fellowship. Now we must turn our attention to furthering our ministries.
Our stewardship and pledging campaigns will begin in October. There will be more shared with you all as we move into the time of stewarding and pledging, in the sharing our of gifts of our time, talent and money invested in hope of extending our partnership ministry.
Peace
Fr. Doug, Priest-in-Charge
