Living in the Spirit
August 14, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 12:49-56

He also said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, “It is going to rain”; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “There will be scorching heat”; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? –Luke 12:54-56

Growing up in Oklahoma, one becomes accustomed to weather’s sometimes randomness. We apparently live in a spot on the earth where various weather phenomena converge creating the unpredictable. Our forecasts come in percentages of likelihood. The first year I lived in Denver, I did not know how to react to weather forecasts. The reporters, often not meteorologists but attractive young women who read a national weather report, would state an absolute that most often happened. I particularly remember one such report that said it would rain at 8:00 pm and it did. Our scripture today is centered in a place more like the weather forecasts outcomes in Denver than Oklahoma City.

Of course here Luke talks more about the storms of life than the weather. Much like we treat climate change today, the people of Galilee and Judea chose not to see what was right in front of them. Living in oppression ala the peace of Rome they survived rather than thrived. Jesus called them to claim an abundant life not vested in money or power but love.

Poverty in the world today is related to oppression ala the peace of Rome, and it does not need to be. Those of us not living in poverty must realize that our worth does not result from class distinctions. Much of the working class and middle class through one major medical event could find themselves in poverty. Ben Franklin, one of the USA’s founders, in talking about forming our government said, we must all hang together, or we’ll surely hang separately. He meant that literally, but I think it is food for thought regarding our economy today. When we divide by classism or racism or any other ism, we lose the power of our common need to have an economy for all not just a few.

Prayer: Lord, give us the courage to be one in mutual love as you called us to be, as we work toward the full realization of your kingdom. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.