Jesus’ Ministry
January 31, 2019
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. –1 Corinthians 13:1-3
I invest a lot of time in advocacy work primarily related to federal and state legislation. It seems fitting, since I spent 35 years of my life working in state government with a lot of federal programs. I do not know if I ever make any difference, but I feel compelled to do the work. The federal process takes breaks occasionally but in general is year-round. In Oklahoma the legislative session runs from February through May with a frenzy of work starting in the late fall of the prior year with bills being pre-filed, lots of bills being filed, most of which will never get out of committee some may never get into committee. Many are written to assuage concerns of a senator or representative’s constituent, some are designed to make a statement, and others are earnest attempts to address a need, improve government productivity, or correct or update current laws. Of course, there are differing opinions on whether a bill is the right way to address a need or improve government usually depending on your political persuasion or experience. Democracy is about negotiations and compromise and never easy.
As I read the scripture above, I could not help but think that it describes democracy where there are lots of wagging tongues and noise making with prognostications grim and rosy. Knowledge is important. In some instances, faith gets involved causing consternation when it is one groups faith but not another’s. Money is always at play.
I think we too often read 1 Corinthians 13 as beautiful prose rather than the prime directive God has given throughout the ages. In everything we do we are to love even in the process of making laws. If a democracy is to succeed, the fundamental laws of love, loving God and loving one another, must override all our human concoctions as we strive to find common ground for the Common Good.
Prayer: Lord, keep us ever mindful of our task of caring for others as we care for ourselves. Amen.