Exodus 3:1-15; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20
All summer, we have been reading
portions of Paul’s letter to the Romans. Paul has been laying out a theology
for the early believers in Jesus. He and Peter had resolved that it was better
for them to reach out to different groups of people, with Peter focusing on the
Jews and Paul focusing on the Gentiles (anyone who is not Jewish) and the Jews
living in Gentile territory. Even though Paul is working in a non-Jewish
context, Paul continues to think and act like a Jew, an educated Jew at that.
This letter to the Romans is one
of his last letters, so he has had time to clarify for himself what it means
that Jesus has lived, died, and been resurrected. It means that everything is
different, new. It means that God’s love is not for sale; it is available for
free, for the asking. It is this teaching that so attracted Martin Luther.
As Paul comes near the end of the
letter, it’s time to make his point clear. What matters to God is love, and acting
in love is more important than any commandment. Indeed, Paul says, because love
doesn’t harm others, love fulfills the law. It’s this same love that is at the heart of
the other readings for today.
… A couple weeks ago we read the
story of Joseph in Egypt receiving his brothers with love while leading Egypt through
the lengthy famine; the next week, we
read the story of the birth of Moses, which happened long after the pharaohs
and the people had forgotten Joseph.
Today, Moses has an encounter
with the Holy. The Divine says, “I have noticed how things are going for your people,
and I have a plan to make your lives better. Here’s what we’re gonna do.” And
Moses says, “Hey, wait a minute. I never volunteered for this. You must have a
Plan B!” And then Moses gives a list of all the reasons he would rather not do
what God has in mind.
To each excuse, God has a
response. God sees the suffering of the people and has resolved to find a way
to make their lives better, while proving that God, the God of Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob, is more powerful than any Egyptian gods. At the root of God’s action
here, is God’s love for this people.
… In the Gospel reading about
conflict management, the root is also love. How do we deal lovingly with people?
How do we disagree with each other in love? How do we tell people that they
have hurt us in a healthy way?
This brief instruction manual on
conflict within the congregation is in most denominational constitutions,
including that of the ELCA. Let’s assume someone is causing trouble, discord in
the congregation. First, have a private conversation, then if the situation is
not resolved, include a few trusted friends and talk some more. If this larger
conversation doesn’t work, then it’s ok if the troublemaker is asked to leave
the community.
This process is intended to be a
loving, respectful one. But it doesn’t usually feel like it, in the middle of
it.
Here’s a story. I faced this
situation shortly after starting in a previous congregation. JC and his wife
had been active, valuable, members for years, but JC had also been causing
conflict for several years. Previous pastors had not been willing to deal with the
situation, so it was up to me to find a solution to the issue.
JC believes some things that are
definitely not Lutheran. He even wrote a book about his beliefs. Having
different beliefs was not a problem until he began insisting that everyone
should agree with him. He taught a class sharing his ideas. He put copies of
his book in members’ mailboxes at church. But what brought the leaders to me
was they discovered he was handing out his book in the funeral receiving line.
They had had it with him. The
leaders and I agreed that JC and his wife were valuable members of the
community, but didn’t want him forcing his ideas on other people. So, invited JC to talk in my office. We chatted
for a while. We talked about his involvement in several ministries, including
the food pantry and as an assisting minister in worship, and one of the lawn-mowers.
He explained what he believed, and I explained that he was entitled to his
beliefs, but they weren’t Lutheran, and I had a problem with him forcing them
on members and visitors in the congregation.
I suggested some boundaries that
the leaders and I had previously agreed with. He could teach his class, and
meet with those who agreed with him. But he could not put articles in the
newsletter. He could not put books or materials in the mailboxes unless people
asked for them. He definitely could not hand out books a public events at the
church.
But, JC wasn’t happy with such
limits, because after a few minutes, he said he had decided that he and his
wife would look for a congregation that was a better fit for him. Over the
years that followed, JC and I met at community events and had cordial
conversations on matters we did agree on. We had met in love and mutual
respect, and agreed on a solution to the conflict.
… It’s so important that
everything we do in and for the church is done with love and respect, because
that is what God gives us.
I hope this week you will pay
attention to what you are doing. Ask yourself why you are doing it. I hope you
discover most of what you do is for love … love for those you are interacting
with, for those you care about, and for yourself. Because that’s why God does
what God does, … for love. Amen
