SALTY LIGHT!
Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 112:1-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16; Matthew 5:13-20
Rev. Tiare L. Mathison, Pastor & Soul-Tender
Okay.
Let’s start with this:
We’ve been given the mind of Christ. Try that one on! The mind of Christ!
It’s true. That’s what Paul writes to the church at Corinth and to WPC here in Seattle. We’ve been given His mind!
When we follow Torah - the Commandments - synthesized by Rabbi Jesus: ‘Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself,’ we participate in Christ, IN AND FOR the world. In other words, we live inside the Trinity! God’s House! Isn’t this remarkable? Each little act of care, each kindness & mercy shown, each stand for justice, each moment of awe before God, reflects this Christ-mind we have as gift. It is why we pray a prayer of confession every week, too. It takes humility to admit there were moments when Christ’s mind was not front and center, let’s just say.
The foolishness of the cross rises up in us as we go about living our daily lives. It is Christ’s love that lifts our gaze toward the other, to seek out their welfare. Spouse, children, family member, neighbor, friend, co-worker, stranger on the street. We are called to be salt & light toward the ones who KNOW they cannot lift themselves up. Our lights light up spaces of darkness and evil in the world. For we have been given power from on high!
Even our prayers for the end of the war in Ukraine, justice in Iran, restraint within our police departments, especially toward Black and Brown bodies; begging God to get Congress to move to make things better for everybody now, right now!. All of this is generated by the mind of Christ in which we dwell, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Salty Light.
It is the divine power of God at work IN us, to shape and form us to be the people of God. It is this same power that brings us to church each Sunday. It is the same power we call on to bring MORE people to WPC this year. For no one comes to church on their own. It is the nudge and niggling of the Holy Spirit that brings people together. Sure, friendships develop over time, we hang with one another through thick and thin, but I believe it is the power of Christ and Him crucified that continues to nurture communities of faith.
Of course we have to admit that some people say no. It is just the way it is. But we are not let off the hook, because of their no. Our obedience reflects our gratitude for such mercy. And we continue to pray that all will be saved, especially the ones we love dearly. We pray they be surrounded by people who bear the mind of Christ. Salty Light
The charge before us is similar to Jesus’ critique of the Pharisees. They were ‘still waiting for the eschaton, fulfillment of God’s promises to ancient Israel.’ Jesus declares, No, no, no! The kindom of God is here NOW! The covenant is complete in Me. Live it! Be Israel! Salty Light!
It is what He says to us today, in 2023. Don’t cower, don’t give up, don’t try and figure it all out either. Simply live the truth of the gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. So go live. Salt up the life of others; shine your heavenly glow in the darkest places - of your internal landscape and your external one. Most everybody I know needs to forgive themselves for something. We hold grudges against ourselves like we do against others. Let the light of Christ shine, within and without. You are the light of the world. Seriously. This is your vocation, your true calling. To be whom you were made to be. And to identify with the ones who need your salt and your light. For they are out there, you know.
The church exists for others, frankly. Certainly we get support and love as we gather for worship every week. But primarily we get refueled to go back out to spread the good news of Jesus wherever we go. To stand with the poor, the mourning, the persecuted, the unlovelies as they are called. Our purpose in life is to share what we’ve been given. Because there is plenty to go around. Salty Light! Amen.
Then Apostles’ Creed