Engaging our city and our culture with the Faith of our fathers

I remember once being in a discussion group with a bunch of my peers. All of us were teenagers and there may have been one or two 20 somethings in the mix. We were at a Provincial AYM youth conference discussing one of our favourite topics – how to be Christians in a non Christian world. There was a young lady in this group that said something that I will never forget: “I would rather be known for what I am and be alone,” she said, “than be known for what I am not and be lonely.” I was reminded of this statement this week when I went to read Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 11.16-30).

I will confess that it both enrages and saddens me that the lectionary removes what Jesus has to say about communities that reject the messenger and the message that would bring so much to the community. It is as if the creators of the Revised Common Lectionary believe that everyone will be fine and safe because, in the end, God won’t reject anybody. Jesus died and everybody gets saved... the problem with that is that is does not square with the overall message of Scripture. God in the Old Testament rejected Israel and punished them with exile and the loss of the Promised Land. And as I read it, it was a lack of respect for God and a willingness to listen and do as directed through the judges and prophets that lead to the situation of exile in Babylon. Do we really think that God will not discipline the Church in the same kinds of ways?

This brings me back to the young lady and her statement. We have a proclivity as human beings to make religion about what we can believe and prove. We burden each other with things like proof rather than calling on each other to reach out in faith. There is a reality in the Christian faith. Proof is not faith nor is rule keeping a sign of salvation. Faith displays the truth. Faith reveals the truth. People look at each other through their own lenses, passing judgement without the facts and try to shape their beliefs to benefit themselves rather than working on their relationship with God and neighbour. People in need do not need to be told that they are need. They are in search of the fulfillment of the need. People need answers and response to their needs – God is willing to engage our city and our society in real and meaningful ways... but is the Church ready?

Faith is meant to open people’s ears and give people their sight where God is concerned. The Church has made mistakes and has fallen into error in working out its ways in mission. The greatest mistake is to think that we can be a better Church by looking and sounding like the world with its life and regulations than trying with everything we have and are to live the life that God has called us to.

We need to trade burdens with Christ. We were not designed or destined to carry the weight of the world, but rather to carry the weight of the cruciformed life. We are made to live a live that is moving towards the glory of God, to know and to be in his presence. We need to seek his face, together in hope, alone if necessary. It is time that we looked for God’s handiwork in our society and joined him. It is time that we live our Master’s life and enter fully into the incarnation. Let us respond to the call of the kingdom and participate.

Jason+