I want to start our reflections this morning with some questions. Are you comfortable?
How comfortable are you?
And deeper - How much do you want to be comfortable?
And… this leads to the next logical progression…
What are you willing to do, or give, or give up, in order to BE comfortable?
I think it’s clear at this point you can tell I’m not just focusing on physical comfort. This isn’t about the comfy chair and slippers for our online worship. That’s nice – obviously – but it’s a temporary casual thing.
I’m talking about your spiritual and emotional comfort.
Because that is where it can be hard. We may realise that we could benefit from some growth in this area.
Yet, we also know that growth can be hard – and that it takes a bit of discomfort if we’re going to engage in actual growth and advancement. (As one fitness instructor says for the duration of a workout – if you want to see progress, get comfortable with being UNcomfortable!)
The scriptures today take us there. They highlight how sometimes, people value comfort over what is right. And it’s awkward – hey, we’re human, we just admitted we *like* being comfortable. And, if we are not the ones experiencing DIScomfort, we are even less likely to want to do the hard work of change.
The first reading takes us to Ramah, where the people are in a bit of a tizzy… they want a new king! They are used to the comfort of having a king – actually, they are used to the comfort that came from the stability of Samuel. And at the first hint of change (how tactfully the folks were: “Hey King Samuel! You’re OLD!” Hmm.) But in that preparation for change, the people admitted they did not want to be under the leadership of Samuel’s sons (who, we hear “did not follow in his ways, but turned aside after gain; they took bribes and perverted justice.”) – so they went to their old king and demanded a new king.
And what a cautionary tale we have, that even when these folks are advised against just going for a new king – because that was comfortable, and that’s what everyone else was doing – they forced their way forward. They wanted to dwell in the “we’ve always done it this way” comfort, of someone else fighting their battles and offering governance and – well, controlling everything – rather than engage in the difficult – but beneficial and faithful – practice of growth.
The letter to the Corinthians is another example of people wanting things to just be nice and easy… just before this passage, we hear how Paul is really pushing the church to BE the church, even if it’s awkward: He says “We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practise cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.”
For Paul, it’s not about what is popular or easy, it’s about what is true and Godly; speaking from the spirit of faith that is in accordance with Scripture. Highlighting the eternal benefits of temporary discomfort: “For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure.”
And the Gospel today: powerful stuff! Even Jesus’ family is so caught up in the desire to be comfortable that they want to overlook and avoid doing the uncomfortable work of making things right. This encounter is framed with the family gathering around, trying not to draw attention to itself, hoping Jesus will just simmer down and not talk about the changes that are needed – as they make people uncomfortable.
Professor David Schnasa Jacobsen at Boston University puts it this way: “Perhaps they are concerned that Jesus’ Galilean ministry of healing, exorcisms, and controversial teaching looks nothing like nice, traditional familial values. Frankly, we as contemporary readers may feel similarly: Hallmark sells cards for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, which sentimentally reinforce the familial order, but what greeting cards are suitable for a “Happy Exorcism” or “Wishing you all the best with your unclean spirit”? Jesus’ apocalyptic teachings and actions just don’t fit the traditional family.”
Jesus is inviting the community to do the hard and uncomfortable work of righteousness. Of tying up the evil in their midst – even when the crowds find it easier to blame him for this. “He has Beelzebul” is a ridiculous statement – a last-ditch effort to discredit his truth. And Jesus makes clear that he has no time for such nonsense. And instead, identifies that the lack of unity in the community is part of the problem. The divided house – a very human reality – comes when we reject the opportunity for healing. When we deny the Spirit the space to move and breath resolution into our differences. When we stifle the voice of peace and justice. When we decide we just want to cover up the uncomfortable truth – so that we can feel comfortable for the few moments of right now.
This is what Jesus addresses when he speaks of the eternal sin – the denial of the Spirit. The smothering of justice. The oppression of righteousness. The apathy of desiring temporary, earthly, personal comfort -above all else.
So. How comfortable are you feeling right now?
Because I’m going to invite us into the Gospel, to look at this challenge for comfort in our own lives… where do we find ourselves situated?
Are we part of the crowd, dismissing calls for justice?
Are we like the family of Jesus, who just wants a nice time together, ignoring the presence of discord?
Are we like the scribes, ridiculously discrediting and defaming anyone who speaks what we don’t want to hear?
Or are we willing to undertake the uncomfortable, long, life-changing work that may need doing?
Are we willing to take an honest look at our own lives, and see where we need to improve?
Because, friends, even if we want to ignore taking that look, the world around us will bring it to our eyes – and ears – and hearts.
A few examples:
The world around us is highlighting the economic disparity in access to COVID vaccines – that while Canada has one of the best rates of vaccine distribution right now (near 60%), some countries are still at 1%.
We benefit from this – no doubt – but at what cost, and to whom? And why are we okay with that?
Or what about the injustices experienced – and still being experienced – by members of the LGBTQ+ community? June is Pride month, inviting us to celebrate diversity, acknowledge suffering and hardships, and continue working towards equality.
For progress towards equality and acceptance is not a denial of rights to the hetero-cis-gender community – but in some places, coming out means expulsion from the community. And that’s NOT okay.
Or, God help us, our treatment of indigenous populations. Kamloops this week devastated our souls, as we learned and grieved over the 215 children found in a mass burial pit. A giant unmarked grave, families left unknowing, renewed terrors as we consider what horrors may be found at other schools. We lament.
Yet the discrimination continues, as indigenous communities do not have access to safe drinking water, and indigenous children are painfully over-represented in foster care across the country. Because the cost of justice – the cost of implementing the 94 calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission – is uncomfortable.
It’s not comfortable. The world is not a fair place. There are injustices around us.
And so we are right to be anxious. We are right to be uncomfortable. We are right to be outraged and upset and disgusted.
We are right to be uncomfortable… because in that discomfort, we will recognise that
we are called.
We are called to action.
Our faith calls us to face the evil in our midst – whether a family spat or a systemic and systematic oppression of peoples.
Our faith calls us to work for justice for all.
Our faith calls us against believing that our comfort is more important than standing up for justice.
So while ignorance may be bliss – for those who are comfortable – that ignorance denies the suffering of those around us who are afflicted – that ignorance denies the movement of the Spirit in our midst – that ignorance is a sin.
We know there is work to be done, to bring in the Kingdom of God. And we know that God’s children are suffering. And we know that we shouldn’t wait to engage injustice until it encroaches upon us.
We can’t change the whole world ourselves – but we can do better to make the world a more comfortable place – for all – especially if we are starting from a point of comfort.
For this is what Jesus calls us to when he addresses the crowd, saying: “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
The Spirit is calling the church – US – to action.
Let’s get comfortable with being uncomfortable – to do the will of God.
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