Brueggemann, W. (2002). Spirituality of the Psalms (p. viii). Minneapolis: Fortress Press.

Transcription

1 1 Matt 12.7 I desire mercy and not sacrifice From the ancient of days people have looker for clear and logical ways to understand life. The ancients religious practice was to offer something valuable to the gods, so that, in response the gods would do the right thing by the people offering the sacrifice. Perhaps in a similar way today our mathematical ways have encouraged us to be logical. The argument goes, you do the right thing and good things will come to you. People of use the phrase karma or in the past we would say you reap what you sow, maybe that was just what I heard people say in the country. But this does not speak of mercy that Jesus calls us to practice. Whether we like the precise and simple understandings of past religious practices or the logic of the present age, it does not answer all life s problems, life is not that simple. We know it s not that simple, and we know this by our own experience and the experience of scripture, just check out the book of Job. We see this type of experience in the Psalms which constantly call us to see things differently as the scholars tell us there is the recurring pattern of orientation disorientation new orientation. 1 There are constant 1 Brueggemann, W. (2002). Spirituality of the Psalms (p. viii). Minneapolis: Fortress Press.

2 2 readjustments in life. There are those moments when everything is right, then everything gets shaken up and there is a new orientation. We see this very clearly in Jesus Christ, who as Philippians tells us gave up the comfortableness of heaven to be disorientated by being as one of us, so that in the resurrection people can share in the new life in God. In our Psalm tonight David is on the run being hunted by King Saul. Yet David has been loyal and faithful to God and in his distress, he calls out to God. David retreats to a cave and cries out for help. In a figurative sense many can identify with this cave experience. Sometimes the pain in life is so great that we retreat into our cave, licking our wounds, complaining to God, telling Him our trouble. 2 This is healthy, it is not trying to battle on, on our own. It is licking our wounds yes, complaining to God and telling God our troubles. This is healthy because we are telling the one who loves us so much, God who is our refuge and begins our healing. Sharing our pain with God is the first step out of fear, pain or sadness. David felt the pain, but he did not hide his pain from God, as God alone has the power to rescue 2 Burrus, D. (2001). Psalms of Prayer and Praise (Vol. 3, p. 102). Dickson, TN: Explorer s Bible Study.

3 3 prisoners from captivity. God brings rescue and freedom, whether that is physical, spiritual or mental, but the act of sharing honestly with God begins the process of healing. God hears, cares and brings us to new life. It is that process of orientation disorientation new orientation. 3 We are called to be careful in our response to God, don t follow the easy path, but embrace the grace and mercy of God. I m not sure if it has come across of not but I love this service of Evensong and Benediction because for me it is sitting at the Lord s feet in silence, taking in the beauty and love God has for us that is reinvigorating and life giving. For me this is the place of worship, simply being with God, revealing in God s peace and love, allowing my vision to be realigned with vision God has for us. This is not about logic or words, it is about presence and care, love and life, taking that time out to simply be with God. This act of worship is a rare gift that we could do well to embrace more in the church today. In the Gospel we hear the words I desire mercy and not sacrifice. This quote by Jesus is from the prophet Hosea Brueggemann, W. (2002). Spirituality of the Psalms (p. viii). Minneapolis: Fortress Press.

4 4 which he has previously quoted earlier in chapter 9 verse13, so the quote must have been important to Jesus at that stage in his ministry. Jesus is saying stop being judgmental. Sometimes life is not simple. In time we evolve and move from the basics of law to get to the fundamental aspect of a holy life that is mercy. It can take a long time for that reorientation to occur, but the only way we can do that is to remain faithful to God, to join David in crying out from our cave of despair. By remaining close in unity to God we see a wider and deeper perspective, that enriches our life. Law has its place as the foundations and standard for decisions but the mercy and grace of God is more important as people live the realities of their lives and all its complications. Jesus uses this text to justify the picking of corn on the sabbath when the disciples are hot and hungry, how can that not apply to many other aspects of life with generosity. What is our response to the Gospel to lay down laws or to live the grace and mercy of God as revealed through Jesus Christ and his new life in the resurrection? Let me highlight this contrast. A mate of mine who is an Army chaplain and served in Afghanistan tells this story from his deployment there. While there he held regular meetings

5 5 with the local Imams. These were friendly and engaging. On the last occasion before he came home they asked him if he had a word from the Christian scriptures to leave with them. So, on the spur of the moment he read the story of Jesus who is presented with the woman caught in adultery. The conclusion is of course that Jesus said Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. (Jn 8.7) This did not go down well with the Islamic law the Imams practiced against adultery. The soldiers he was with bundled him up and rushed him out of the place they were. This event in Jesus life again highlights the Gospel text today But if you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice. This is the purpose of worship. We come to worship to come closer to God, to have our spirits lifted to the glory that is the love of God. We come to reconnect with the perspective of God on our life, and not to be trapped by our present world s short-sighted perspectives. But to be open to the wonder that is God s life and love for us. Esther de Waal reminds us the reality is that often we are so busy, so preoccupied with our own concerns, so self-centred and obsessed

6 6 with our own immediate world that we miss all the good things that God has prepared for us. 4 We are called by Jesus not to be implementers of the Law but to allow the spirit of God to infuse and fill us that we may share God s care for all in the world. We do that by starting with worship, crying out in our pain seeking guidance to come out of our cave like David and to be re-orientated to the way of God that is spirit and life. As the scholars say to go through the orientation disorientation new orientation. 5 We are called to do good on this day and every-day, living the Gospel and bringing new life to all we meet. 4 De Waal, E (1989). Living with Contradiction (p89). London: Fount paperbacks. 5 Brueggemann, W. (2002). Spirituality of the Psalms (p. viii). Minneapolis: Fortress Press.