By The Rev. Canon Joanne Davies, Oblate, SSJD
If we genuinely seek God’s will for life, and know God in all life, we will automatically place ourselves apart from a world of strategies and powers. This may mean that we will be seen as critical, and we may experience some rejection or even conflict. Yet, the paradox of the Gospel is that God’s will for life, for rest, God’s comfort and healing, God’s rhythm with us, can be experienced even amid crisis, pain, and suffering.
The invitation of God, through Christ, to find intimacy, rest, and liberation is here today. In our Genesis reading God is at work in earthly details. The ordinary day to day rhythm. God gives Isaac’s servant a sign for his hope. Rebeckah responds with water for both the servant and the camels as God knew her in-spirited being would. We hear of two people finding love and comfort with each other, ready to begin building a home, for their children and children’s children in a new land. Becoming part of a whole without losing who they are. This is God’s love and welcome and inclusivity. Paul, while recognizing the human problem of sin also recognizes that Jesus is the one who brings relief and liberation. Finally, Jesus, while lamenting that some people will not or cannot receive him and his message, nevertheless invites any who are burdened to come to him. The words we heard today make it very clear that God longs for connection with us, and God is always available and accessible to those who need and want God. In addition, in this world where the effects of sin – injustice, slavery of all kinds, conflict, and judgement – are widespread and bring devastation to so many, Christ comes as the one who seeks to bring relief – liberation, justice, peace, and mercy. All of which leaves us with a choice: Will we receive Christ’s message? Will we live in faith and communion with God. …. We have the message of Christ AND we are given a choice, to turn, listen and notice God. God will also wait for us, even when we sometimes try to change the reality of God’s desires out of our desire for power and control.
When we realize we can surrender in rest with God, who loves us, and knows our lives and frailties, the good zeal arises. The crux of the Benedictine Rule is in the arising of the good zeal in us, the spiritual foundation for the full journey. Joan Chittister pleasingly reminds me good zeal is not about the measuring of correct or best religiousity or making everyone’s beliefs match but about the caring and loving of those close and loving and caring of those who are not close. Good zeal arises from loving God more than self …this love given away is freedom and rest, because God provides all the “loving back” we require.
It continues to be a journey, but I have realised I do not have to compensate, in conflict or fear, with power generated from me …I can rest in God’s love. Surrender. And react with care and honesty. And listening. God’s love is healthy, because it also asks that I continuously reflect with present clarity on the encountering of God in my life. On the meaning, call and my response. This exercise of good zeal frees me to be fully present to live and love lives near and far because God is revealing the wholeness of myself. And is only asking me to lean in and look and listen. Rest there. And then go and love. It’s about being in God’s rhythm not someone else’s or mine.
How does the Gospel open this up?
Jesus highlighted the inconsistencies in the criticisms aimed at himself and John. John lived an ascetic, pure life, and was accused of being possessed. Jesus connected with people and enjoyed sharing meals, and he was accused of being a drunkard, a glutton, and a friend of sinners. He challenges these accusations with an image of children complaining because their friends didn’t play their musical games correctly.
“This generation” did not refer to the crowds to whom Jesus was preaching, but to the religious and political leaders who sought to use the Law to control and shame others. And these critics of John and Jesus, it seems, were dissatisfied with the nonconformity of Jesus and John as leaders teaching about God —be it John’s rejection of joviality or Jesus clear partying manner.
These critics, it seems lived their lives learning the rules and trying to follow them to the letter, but with no place to rest. They did not have the openness to even listen to anyone refusing to, or unable to, dance or mourn to their tune. And worse, their tune had no rhythm. There was a lifelessness. And exhaustion of worry that was soul-destroying. I like to think that Jesus was like a gifted musician walking around among people who couldn’t sing or play sharing his music to encourage their rhythm.
It wasn’t that he had no regard for the law. He was faithful, respectful and knew his beloved life fulfilled the law. But Jesus didn’t want it to be an end in itself. Jesus was calling for good zeal, to follow a meaningful journey into a life of love and justice, connection, contribution, and creativity. The law was not just lone notes or the rules; it was about the music. The rhythm created and arising. It wasn’t a prescription for the mind and body alone, but about the soul and all that flowed from it.
It’s easier to make life and faith about the rules. It’s easier to memorize, to check the rules off on a list, and to keep everything ordered, clean, and simple. It’s easy to make the Law about technicalities. But Jesus was calling for people to allow the law to become what it was meant to be—a song, welcoming harmony, improvisation, a rhythm to dance to, and see where it leads, an indication of the notes arising leading us into the mysticism of life music.
This is how Jesus fulfilled the law. He withdrew oppressiveness, technicalities, checklists, and revealed a doorway to life, an invitation to encounter God, and a completely alternative way of being that liberates, celebrates, and welcomes. And gives rest and joy. Jesus showed how God strengthens our soul capacity to be more than merely correct – rather we are strengthened to be life receiving and life bringing. To strengthen our knowing of God present. Of being beloved. That is the burden and the yoke is obediently wearing Christ’s call to good zeal. A collective restful rhythm and a cosmic dance of the divine.