Living in the Spirit
September 24, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 16:19-31

‘There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.” But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.” –Luke 16:19-26

Jesus seemed to have a problem with privilege. Privilege seems to be a goal toward which all strive but for some reason privilege does not seem to exist in our minds unless we have it and someone else does not. Therein, lies the problem.

According to the Merriam-Webster* dictionary privilege means:

1 a: a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor: special enjoyment of a good or exemption from an evil or burden

d: any of various fundamental or specially sacred rights considered as peculiarly guaranteed and secured to all persons by modern constitutional governments (as the enjoyment of life, liberty, and reputation, the right to acquire and possess property, the right to pursue happiness) (Emphasis Added)

Indeed, there are some privileges granted as peculiar to a given situation, like the right to blow out candles on our birthday cake. There are other privileges guaranteed to all persons known as sacred rights. My guess, this definition draws from the history of God’s promises to all God’s children. In our government, we attempt to emulate such sacred rights. We are not perfect at it, but the need to strive toward such a state must resonates in our every action.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we fall short of upholding the sacred rights of all people. Make us aware when we fall short of reaching that goal. Guide our steps in reclaiming our mutual privilege. Amen.

*http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/privilege

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.