May this be in the name of our loving, liberating, life-giving God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.
In the first line of today’s collect, as per the formula, God is addressed according to an attribute, a facet of God’s nature, our attempt to define the divine in terms of our relationship.
O God, who declarest thy almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity…
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity…
God’s almighty power is shown through the ways that God shows mercy and pity. God, creator and ruler of the universe, shows forth divine power by being merciful, by taking pity on us. Power, for God, is demonstrated through mercy and compassion. In the life, ministry and teachings of Jesus, we see this mercy and compassion on full display as Jesus cares for the poor and the outcast, and those without power, as our Psalm reminds us the God who made the heaven and earth, the seas and all that is in them, gives justice to the oppressed, and food to the hungry, sets prisoners free, gives sight to the blind, and lifts up those who are bowed down, cares for the stranger, and sustains the orphan and widow. Truly our God is a god of mercy and compassion.
And so we are called to transform our nature to be more and more like God’s, to show the power of God’s love to those around us, through our acts of mercy and compassion.
The last few week’s gospel lessons have dealt with the connection between power and riches, what we value in our lives, and what is valuable in the eyes of God. Last week we heard the confusing parable of the unjust steward and how he sought to take care of himself once he was fired, and the week before, we heard about the 99 sheep who were left behind while the shepherd went in search of the one lost sheep, and the women who searched and swept the whole house in search of the one lost coin out of the ten, and when she found it invited her friends to a party to celebrate. Today we continue with the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.
The contrast between these two figures couldn’t be any greater. On the one hand we have the rich man dressed in fine, purple linen clothes, with a life of sumptuous, daily feasting in a gated mansion. And on the other side of the gate, a man dressed in rags, covered in sores, being licked by wild dogs, hoping for even the smallest of crumbs from the feast. While the rich man has everything in this world, the very model and image of “success” with all that his wealth afforded him, when he dies, he loses it all, separated not only from his power and privilege, but also from God. And Lazarus who had nothing in this world, destitute, a beggar, sick and overlooked, when he dies the angels come and carry him to heaven where he is cared for by Abraham himself. Lazarus is safe, secure, and treasured. From our story it seems that the the rich man knew Lazarus, he calls him by name, perhaps he stepped around or over him as he came and went or peered at him from behind the gate, in any event, he sees him, but doesn’t really SEE him.
He fails to recognize him as a human being worthy of mercy and compassion. The rich man clings to his riches, tightly grasping power, unwilling to share, to show mercy or take pity on Lazarus. And in overlooking him, he fails to do anything to improve either one of their lives. This cautionary tale emphasizes the nature of God, a nature that is also within us, a nature that we must strive to take on. Following in the footsteps of Jesus, we are to demonstrate our power through our own acts of mercy and compassion toward others. I return again and again to our baptismal covenant which calls us:
To seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves. To strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being. What matters for God, and so, what should matter for us, what we strive to attain, must be showing and sharing God’s mercy and compassion.
This merciful power of God is for building up, leveling out, and healing, so that ALL may flourish. This is the priority for God, to cede power and to empower others for the betterment of ALL. Witness the incarnation and crucifixion of God in Jesus. God humbled, stooped down to take our human form, allowed for an unjust death on a cross, gave up all power, to give the power of resurrection to all, for the good of all. So that through Jesus all might be invited into a life of mercy, compassion and love.
(8:00) For God SO loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(9:30/11) For God SO loved the world, that God gave the beloved Son so that all who believe may not die but have everlasting life.
Our God is a god of mercy, and compassion. And we are called to see, to care for, and to share our power and our wealth with those who have not, for the betterment of us all. We are called to be rich in good works, generous, ready to share, and in so doing, to emulate our lovingly merciful and compassionate God. May we show power through our acts of mercy, and reflect God as we work together to accomplish God’s dream of inclusion, care, and love on this earth, here and now.
