Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
9 November 2017
Grace Episcopal Church
uses a thematic version of the lectionary, which selects the Old Testament
reading based on themes found in the Gospel.
In this way the two canons are brought into dialogue with one
another. This week is unusual, however,
because the lectionary gives two thematic Old Testament passages to choose from
instead of proscribing just one. One text is from the Wisdom of Solomon
(6:12-20); the other is from Amos (5:18-24).
If you are not familiar with the Wisdom of Solomon, it is a
deuterocanonical text not found in most Protestant Bibles. However, you can find it online, or, for a taste
of its flavor, check out Proverbs 8.
Looking at the two side
by side, one will notice two things immediately. First, these two choices are in direct
tension with one another. In the reading
from Wisdom, God’s goodness is seen as seeking us out, desiring us, hastening
toward us. Indeed, God’s Wisdom has a
kind of softness and maternal nature to it in this reading. In fact, if one looks to Proverbs 8 the image
ripens even more. In the NRSV and many
other versions of that text, she is said to be with God from the beginning,
God’s own delight, rejoicing in His creation and especially delighting
in the human race. In both Proverbs and
our reading from Wisdom this morning, there is a joy, lightness, yearning, and
persistence about God’s seeking us out.
Not only that, the way to God’s Wisdom is equally clear. It begins with our own awakening to desire
and seeking – indefatigably – with love.
In Amos, by contrast, we
read of unworthiness, failure, and judgment, all originating from us. God is said to respond, therefore, as
a suffocating darkness. He pursues us
with the stealth of a lion and the ferociousness of a bear until we are bitten
by the snake venom of his wrath.
Wisdom – the quality of
God’s persistent, seeking, longing, delighting, loving nature – to which we
respond. Amos – presenting our faulty
sacrifices and nature as cause – to which God responds with resentment and
absence of delight. It is these two
lenses we are offered with which to make meaning of the 10 bridesmaids, foolish
and wise, in Jesus’ parable. So that’s
the first observation – these are really very very different glimpses of God,
and therefore very different interpretative lenses for what Jesus is
saying. And the lectionary forces us to
choose.
The second observation is
that by and large, we as a Church have chosen: the Amos approach. We expect that we fall short of God; we
expect we can never be pleasing to God.
Only our obedience has a shot, but even that won’t really get us into
striking range of God’s acceptance of us.
We labor under this weight, even with the gift of Jesus Christ.
So one might wonder: What
oil did the wise virgins have that the foolish ones didn’t? From an Amos
perspective perhaps it was proper sacrifices, obedience, diligent fasts and
vigils... after all, Jesus does say, “Keep awake, for you do not know the hour...” From the perspective of Wisdom perhaps the
oil was desire that inspired active seeking, gratitude that scooped up the
littlest blessings, or a cultivated spirit of joy and wonder in God’s creation. They were waiting, after all, to go to a
party!
Of course, each of these
perspectives will fall short, for God is greater than all that we can imagine
and beyond any concept. The point to
consider, though, is what happens when our view becomes too one-sided and our
relationship with God is burdened too heavily by centuries of preferential
attention to fallenness and our need to do better, over and against
created goodness and God’s desire to restore and share it.
Whichever lens we choose
to bring to this parable, we probably also bring to the Cross of our Lord –
that beautiful tree on which salvation hung.
What was it? Was it the obedience of a Man who at last substituted His
good sacrifice for our detestable ones and so appeased the lion, the bear, the
snake of God’s wrath... Or was it the
yearning, desiring, delighting Heart of God wisely seeking us so far as we had
buried ourselves, all the way into the death of our wretchedness. Seeking us who are His treasure, whom He says
in Isaiah are precious and honored and loved in His sight.
Perhaps in the light of
these readings, we can find some balance in remembering that Paul says of the
Cross of Christ that it is, among other things, the Wisdom of God. As the two options are spread before us, not
only in our theology but also in our relationship to the world in its despair,
maybe it is time for us to do the uncommonly difficult work of filling our
lamps with the oil of gladness, thanksgiving, desire, delight to the praise of
God’s glorious grace (Ephesians 1).
—Adwoa
Lewis-Wilson
Don’t forget stewardship! Our stewardship
ingathering, at which we will bless all gifts offered, will be on Sunday, 12
November. Please remain in prayer about
how you are called to give to further the mission of the Church!
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Anne
and Bob Hanlon, and Jessica Ambelang for the Sunday coffee hours.
Special “Thank You’ s” : A supply of Thank You note cards can be found
on the table at the back of church nave.
When someone in the parish does something special, take the time to
write them a personal note. Also, from
time to time, think about who you might want to thank for ongoing service, and
let them know you have noticed!
Call
for Contributions: If you
have a spiritual reflection to share, or want to point your fellow worshipers
toward a resource, submit your contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by
Wednesday in the week of publication.
Don’t
forget “Something Extra for Grace”:
Supplemental giving envelopes can be found in pews. If you want to give something extra, please
use an envelope to ensure that you are credited.
Music this Week: The
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 27A)
Organist: R. Benjamin Dobey
Prelude Sarabande Seth
Bingham
Entrance 58
“Lo! He comes with clouds descending,”
St. Thomas Offertory 61
“Sleepers, wake!” A voice astounds us,” Wachet auf
Communion
Motet O Salutaris (sung in
Latin) Charles Gounod
Communion
324 “Let all mortal flesh keep
silence,” Picardy
Closing 436
“Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates,” Truro
Postlude Toccata
in C Johann
Pachelbel
Parish Notices:
§ Adult
Education: Leslie
Kohler will teach on Sunday, November 12th at 9:00 a.m. on daily devotions and
devotional practices in the home.
§ On
Sunday, November 19th, a Rector’s Forum will be held as an open Q & A
session with Fr. Karl.
§ On
Sunday, November 26th, Jerry Molitor will begin a three week course on the
Infancy Narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
§ Stewardship: Sunday, November
12th, marks the ending goal day for the parish stewardship campaign when we
will bless all pledges received. Thank you to all who have pledged thus far. In
case you have not done so, extra pledge cards are available on the table in the
Narthex.
§ Operation
Christmas Child – Christmas Shoeboxes: DEADLINE
for items is Sunday November 12th
before Sunday School class beginning at 9:00 a.m. when the children will be packing the items. Please
feel free to join the children in packing the boxes. Should you have any
last minute items to donate, please bring them to the office by Wednesday
November 15th or if you wish to compile your own boxes, the deadline
for drop off at Sonlight Books is Monday, November 20th.
§ Cursillo Ultreya: Is Sunday, November 12th at Blessed Sacrament, Green Bay.
Fellowship will start at 2:00 p.m. and the program at 3:00 p.m. Anyone is
welcome to attend. And for those who may be wondering, the Packers have an away
game.
§ Happening for High School Youth
Closing Eucharist:
–- All are invited to the Closing, 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 12th at All Saints, Appleton. Bishop Matt Gunter
will be Celebrant. Come and celebrate!
§ Advent
Meditations: Advent,
sometimes called “Little Lent,” begins on December 3rd (First Sunday in Advent)
and concludes at sundown of the Vigil of the Nativity, December 24th. For
each day a scripture lesson will be provided. Those who participate will
offer a brief meditation (up to 400 words) in response to the scripture
reading. These meditations will be published in print and online, and can
be submitted for attribution or anonymously. In addition, meditations can
be read aloud on Grace Abounds, as part of our podcast series. If you
wish to participate, please sign up for a day, and have all meditations
completed and submitted to the parish office no later than November 19th.
Sign-up sheets and scripture readings can be found on the table in the Narthex.
§ Tripartite Thanksgiving Eve Worship: This year St. Dominic
Catholic Church, (corner of N. 21st and Geele Avenue) will be
hosting the joint celebration on Wednesday, November 22nd at 7:00
p.m. Please come and join the Tripartite Combined Choir and enjoy food and
fellowship following the service in the PAC. The collection will underwrite the
Salvation Army Emmaus Meal Program. The Tripartite will be providing the food
and volunteers for the December 2nd Meal. Please mark your calendars for this
wonderful way to serve our community in need.
§ Thanksgiving Love Feast: On November 23rd The
Blind Horse, in partnership with Love INC, and Plymouth Alliance Church will be
serving a Thanksgiving dinner for those in need from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in
The Blind Horse Winery. Seating begins at 11:00 a.m. and every hour after. Each
group will have 45 minutes of delicious food and fellowship. You must sign up
for your time by calling 920-204-5111. If anyone would like to assist with
volunteering for the event please call The Blind Horse 920-204-5111.
§ Holiday Parade: Grace Church will be
selling cocoa and coffee, brownies, apple crisp and hotdogs, before and during
the Holiday Parade which starts at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday November 26th.
The money raised goes to outreach projects both near and far. Please come by
the front of the church and enjoy a warm treat as you enjoy the parade, be sure
to bring your friends!
§ Something Extra for Grace: Envelopes are
available in the pews if you are moved to give an extra gift, beyond your
pledge or regular plate donation, toward the life of the church. Gifts are tax
deductible if you write your name on the envelope.
§ Horvats in Croatia: Aaron and Winnie, our
missionaries in Hrvatska, Croatia, have sent us their Summer newsletter. Copies
are available in the Narthex.
§ Love INC Monthly Bulletin is now available
online at:
§ Grace Notes is here: http://gracechurchgracenotes.blogspot.com/. You can sign
up to receive the blog every Thursday
§ Like
Grace Church on Facebook:
@gracesheboygan
§ We
Are on Itunes! Check out the
new podcast!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment