I’m sure we’ve all heard – sometimes from our own mouths – questions or comments that really have not been well thought out or fully communicated.
An example, when I was teaching, a student asked if he needed to come to class. (Yes.). He followed up with “I mean, do we have to do the readings?” (Also yes). Flustered, he finally got out the whole questions – should they do the readings before they came to class. (Which is a good question for first-year undergrads!) (Also; yes.)
Sometimes, what we say just comes out differently than intended.
And there are many reasons for that: maybe we’ve not thought them through, or we’ve overthought things; maybe we’re excited or in a different headspace from where we should be. Or, if we just have the wrong words that come out (or are forgotten). Mistakes happen; and we can usually recover.
But sometimes, these questions or comments can show that there’s a different way of thinking that’s happening; they indicate a type of arrogance or grandiosity that is being presumed.
And that, if not addressed, can bring about strife and disconnect within communities.
That’s happening in today’s scriptures: as faithful people, people OF God, try to put themselves into positions where they are kinda Lording it over others.
Ah, the dreaded egos: so easy to fall into.
It’s what’s happening in Job: for his friend Elihu has named himself God’s representative, trying to give advice from a place that isn’t his… thus God speaks to Job with the reminders of God’s majesty.
It’s not that Elihu is acting out of malice, but out of ignorance and a lot of confidence. He means well – but he says a few comments that are a little bit… overstepping. God is God, and Elihu is not; Job is reminded.
In the letter to Hebrews, the community is being bolstered and strengthened in the faith; they were being influenced by some other factions to turn away from the way of Christ’s teachings. It’s helpful to remember that most of the epistles are written not as hypotheticals, but in response to the circumstances happening in those communities.
So, one can surmise that things are a little challenging, when the author implores the Hebrews to a place of community service and humble hearts; of the practice of servant leadership: not of arrogance and authority, but of caring to one another, responding to the needs of the community in ways that are faithful and fruitful.
They’re reminded that if someone seeks higher position in society, by means of putting others down, that they are not serving as Jesus himself has taught. That true leadership may deal “gently”, we hear, with the ignorant and wayward, as we are all human; prone to weakness, and not to presume our own greatness.
In the Gospel we have James and John, who have just heard 3 times Jesus foretell his own crucifixion and death – blurt out a demand. Boldly! To Jesus.
“Hey! God! Do whatever we ask of you!”
A little brash, to say the least. And their lofty demand to sit on either side of Jesus – IN his GLORY.
Not just at dinner (a big ask itself); but they are presuming a position of glory, and believe that they belong there; placing themselves above everyone else – their families, their friends, the other disciples: even above the family of Jesus himself. where they can be revered. With Jesus.
It’s a bit much; and it’s clear that they have either not understood what Jesus has been teaching them, or that they are so caught up in their own self-agrandising thinking that they presume this is okay.
It’s fascinating to hear Jesus’ response.
For he takes them back to their own thinking: and applies his teaching into it. He basically is allowing them to reframe their own way of thinking, their own expectation, and come to a renewed, more accurate, outcome: to a life of service and sacrifice.
The baptism of Jesus is a commitment to community; just as our baptism serves as a starting point in our life of faith: an initiation to a life of seeking and serving others, of respecting the dignity of all, of teaching the faith through word and action.
The Cup of Christ is, for all, a promise of victory over the grave; but is also the cup of earthly challenge; the cup of the last supper with his friends, a commitment to give of himself so that others may live. The blood of Christ; the cup of salvation: it was a heavy cup to drink.
Jesus here does not rebuke James and John: as with the other scriptures today, there is holy, gentle re-orientation and understanding that is offered. It is not punitive or derogative, but invites deeper reflection and consideration.
For those of us who hear these teachings in our world, we are likewise invited to consider how we understand leadership; how we understand Christian service.
• How often do we connect with God, like James and John, where we are dictating expected outcomes for our own benefit?
• How often do we raise the concerns of the most vulnerable in our communities, when we are speaking with those campaigning for political office – literally “civil service”
• How do we, as individuals and as a faith community, help build our communities in ways that are faithful and empowering, without enabling unhealthy patterns?
• How do we act in ways that the world knows who our Lord is; because we have shown them his glory through our service?
We do a lot: and we can do more. We can do differently!
For we can carefully and prayerfully consider how to emulate the teachings of God: as servants, leading with compassion and creativity, with faithful hearts and minds. For God has freed us to think of the world – and our place within it – differently. He has freed us not to seek to become great as the world understands greatness, but to honour the greatness of God as we serve others who are beloved of Christ.
As we go into the world, let’s do our best to be confident in our faith, while not overstepping our bounds; let’s be intentional in our thinking and in our conversations, that we are at all times reflecting the light of Christ that is within us.
Let us show the world, as much as we are able, that we are committed to being the family of God.
(Even when our words may come out wrong.)
Amen.
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