November 7, 2021 – Pentecost +24

“As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:38-44

Jesus draws a comparison between the Scribes and other religious leaders who “devour widow’s houses”. In a society where most of the people were poor, the widows and the orphans were the poorest of the poor. Who are the poorest of the poor in our society? Where are the unemployed, the under-employed, the homeless, the hungry—the people living at the bottom of our economy who are trying to scrape enough money together to pay rent, buy food, and pay their bills? How is Christ calling you to live like a neighbor, calling you to serve your neighbor, and calling you to do more than just the minimum to look as if you care?

Every day we need to say prayers of thanksgiving for those who heed the call to serve as peacemakers in their country, church and society—especially since we live in a world with so much hate and violence. Injustice and violence continue to break out around the country and the world. We need to pray for all our veterans, our active military and their families—just like we need to pray for our newly elected congressmen and women, pastors, nurses, doctors, dentists, social workers, counselors, and so many others who serve the needy and the poor and the broken. It is time we all need to focus on becoming peacemakers—and focus on serving our country and our fellow human beings.

And now an original poem by Pastor Dave. I share this poem with you not for you to rate me on my poetic skills. I write for the challenge of it, period:

In Zaraphath the widow knows, Her raging hunger—blow on blow A child of G-d; her life a light; Scarce known, still, she is G-d’s delight In Zaraphath the widow knows,

Whence came a widow—fate on fate, Elijah spoke as he stood a-gate; “Bring me a cake; no morsel more”; Said she “My Lord we are too poor We won’t survive this sorry state.”

He said “Dear friend, G-d will provide, Be not afraid—you will not die The Lord is One; and great to me, He will provide, please just believe; The oil and meal will not run dry”

The widow and her son were saved, Through the blessing, the Lord He gave; Elijah too; as he foretold, G-d did provide—His word’s like gold; Shines brightest midst our darkest days.

Pastor Dave

November 6, 2021 — 1 Corinthians 5:1 – 13

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Should you not rather have mourned, so that he who has done this would have been removed from among you? For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present I have already pronounced judgment in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing. When you are assembled, and my spirit is present with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons— not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? God will judge those outside. “Drive out the wicked person from among you.” 1 Cor. 5:1-13

As we have seen over the last few years, the issues in the Catholic Church involving sexual improprieties by their priests (and of course every church has its problems with pastors and indiscretions), is indeed troubling.  Spiritual pride along with false teachings can tend to allow such scandals to exist — if not perpetuate. Sin is sin — and the devil reigns where Christ does not. And when we are not in Christ, then we try to live by our own man-made rules and regulations — which when compared to the kingdom, is a poor, broken and fallible example indeed.

The bad example of leaders in the church is very grievous; it spreads far and wide — and its influence can be systemic. Corrupt principles and examples, if not corrected, will hurt the whole church. Believers must have new hearts, and lead new lives — we are to be transformed and renewed by the Gospel.

Let us Pray,

Lord Christ, help me to have conversations and do deeds today that are holy — or at least have holy intent. Help me to remember that to live by faith in Christ requires a righteousness, humbleness and integrity modeled by Christ.

Pastor Dave