We continue with our five-week worship series this week on topics we’re not supposed to put on The Table. Each week we will invite reflection on how our faith might shape the ways we approach some of the controversial issues of our day. We hope to create a safe, if at times challenging and even at times uncomfortable, space to reflect on faithful Christian responses to each of these topics. We recognize the eclectic and beautiful diversity of our church community. We trust we won’t all have the same opinions on these difficult issues. Still, we believe the way and the life of Jesus calls us to address each of these topics through the lens of Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. We look forward to being in this with you all over the coming weeks.
Outline for On The Table
January 10: Guns (Micah 4.1-4)
January 17: Fear (Romans 12.18-21)
January 24: Privilege (Mark 3.1-6)
January 31: $.77 (2 Corinthians 8.13-15)
February 7: Jesus Christ (Luke 5.1-11)
Take time today to journal and reflect on how you feel safe or feel fearful. What does this look like in every day life?
Read Romans 12.18-21 aloud and then share:
Pastor Mary Hinkle writes: “Notice verse 20, with its reference to heaping burning coals on the head of one’s enemy…. The language comes directly from Proverbs 25, and there it is also in the context of advice about doing good to one’s enemy. Scholars disagree on whether Paul has a particular penitential rite, featuring live coals, in view. The reference may be metaphorical; pointing to the way that returning good for evil has the effect of shaming one’s enemy and thus possibly motivating a change in behavior. Either way, it is true that returning evil for evil has the effect of escalating conflict and reinforcing the sense of righteous indignation on both sides, while showing hospitality to enemies is at least confusing to them and may disarm them altogether. The circle of those to whom Christians relate in genuine love expands finally to include everyone in verse 18. One of the most common outcomes of defining a group over against others in its environment is that insiders to the group receive particular benefits, while outsiders are left out. Frequent flyers are upgraded to business class. Employees of the month get better parking spots. “Members” get special discounts, and on and on. Yet such distinctions are absent in the ethic Paul describes. The Christian ethic of Romans 12 results, finally, in relationships marked by humble, generous love, no matter the character or status of those to whom Christians relate.”
How do you experience peace as “depending on you?” What connections might reaching in love have with living peaceably with all?
Today, find time to pray for peace.