Proper 25 (B) +Take heart! + 10.28.18

(From Diana Glyer's Clay in the Potter's Hands)

M. Campbell-Langdell

All Santos, Oxnard

(Job 42:1–6, 10–17; Ps. 34:1–8, (19–22); Hebrews 7:23–28; St Mark 10:46–52)

Today I want to talk about two hidden things and a question.

The two hidden things reside in the scripture which we don’t hear today. The words between the dots, which are the humiliation of Job’s friends. God basically tells them off because, as it says in the scripture they have not spoken of him what is right. One Hebrew scholar actually says this is an incorrect translation. A better version “you have not spoken to me as you should have.” ^[1] God’s quibble is not so much of what Job’s friends said about God- namely that God would not have allowed such things to happen if Job hadn’t done something wrong – as much as the fact that rather than engaging in dialogue with God as Job did, they just leapt to conclusions and spoke to Job. Instead, Job talked to God, and yes God gave him what-for also, but God at least respected the engagement.

How many times do we need to remember not to just speak of God but to speak to God?
Another hidden thing, found in the same section, is the fact that it is possible that God tells off Job’s friends not just for what they did or didn’t say, but also for their actions. They chose fear over concern for their friend.^[2] This is always a good reminder that we must choose compassion first.

As migrants move towards our border, may we remember compassion. May we see not potential terrorists but people who are in need. Just as Jesus showed us compassion.
Which brings me to a question. Here in our gospel reading we have Jesus’ interaction with Bartimaeus. As may have heard, Blind Bart is unusual because we know his name. He was clearly an important or otherwise known actor in his community and he is pestering Jesus. At first he is shooed away but then Jesus says come here. And so the people say, take heart! He approaches Jesus. And Jesus asks him what he needs.

Well, duh! This part always surprises me a bit. Most blind people are obviously so. You would think that Jesus might have noticed this about Bartimaeus. But no. Or perhaps the truth is that he does know, but it is in his nature to wait to ask us.
I wonder if prayer isn’t a bit like this. God knows what we want and need. But God is not creepy. God waits for us to ask for what we need, rather than imposing God’s self, because that is the way God is.
God doesn’t assume the obvious about us and our needs, and so we should not do so with others either.
I read a book recently, and I am still processing its helpfulness. It is called Toxic Charity and its concept is that churches sometimes hurt more than they help by giving handouts to those in need rather than working on more cooperative projects with the poor. But there was an excellent point made in the book. It said that a need did not necessarily constitute a call to help. He says that we need to focus our efforts in one or two areas.^[3] That any given neighborhood has many needs, but we cannot effectively serve all of them. For example, All Santos serves the needy and the homeless through providing space for the food pantry, Bread of Life and potentially via the Safe Sleep Program. We also open up our property to community programs such as 12 step groups and other classes and nonprofits that need space. We also collaborate with the local community garden. And a few other things. But we try to stay focused on what we can do in collaboration with others, knowing that our property is big but our volunteer leadership is small, so we rely on projects that aren’t all about all of us doing everything.

Just like God steps back, every so often we step back with our church leadership and ask our community: What do you want me to do for you? And then we try to respond faithfully when we hear a clear call or need.

Soon we will all hopefully be turning in pledge cards and we will have an idea for our budget for next year. We will have a chance as a congregation to set priorities. What areas of maintenance, staff support, outreach ministry and other areas will we set our highest hopes on?

Sometimes my work is not just in the pulpit. This week at one point I was in parishioner’s living rooms giving them communion, sometimes with other parishioners. At another point I was standing by an Arco station waiting to help fill a tank for an unemployed pair of veterans trying to get on their feet. One of the things I love about my job is that it takes me everywhere, from the city offices to the transit center to the community garden and the Starbucks and back to church! And as Cody reminded us last week, this isn’t just my ministry, but it is all of ours. You are ministering at work or in the shops, or at tea, as we will sing in a bit.

Sometimes we help directly and sometimes we serve from afar and encourage others’ ministry.
But we are each called to speak directly to God, not just of God and our fears about who God is. We are called to focus on compassion over fear. Whether it is compassion for our transgender neighbor, our Jewish neighbor in light of the synagogue shooting yesterday, or the migrant miles away on a road, headed our way.

How will we respond?

Take heart! We have a loving Savior who wishes to heal us, just as he did Bartimaeus.
And who partners with us in this saving work.
Let us move forward prayerfully. Let us not assume that we know about others or about God. Just as Jesus didn’t assume.

As we move forward, may we see things that are too wonderful for us.

May we see healing – for our country and for those who are hurting in the far flung corners of the world.
Let us pray, ask the questions and not forget to ask God for what we need as we seek to serve others.

Amen.

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[1] Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner, “Working Preacher Sermon Brainwave Podcast for October 28, 2018,” https://www.workingpreacher.org/brainwave.aspx?podcast_id=1068.

[2] Lisa Davison, commentary on Job, NISB, Abingdon Press 2003.

[3] Robert D. Lupton, Toxic Charity, Harper Collins, 2011.