Having said that I would write on justice during Lent this year, I find that I have not addressed at all what I thought I would.  The Scriptural texts that I have used seem strange even to me.  And today I use another odd one.  Romans 12:9-21 is really about how we treat one another, how our relationships should be transformed when we become Christian.  For example, love one another, serve the Lord by serving others, be joyful, be hospitable to guests.  These may be common ways of acting for anyone.
  But then Paul goes on to speak of how we should relate to our "enemies."  I suspect most of us relate to our enemies by avoiding them.  But that is not what Paul anticipates.  He says we should bless them, live happily with them, celebrate with them, don't hold a grudge, don't think we are better than they.  "Beloved, don't be obsessed with taking revenge, but leave that to God's righteous justice. . . . 'If your enemy is hungry, buy him lunch!  Win him over with kindness. For your surprising generosity will awaken his conscience, and God will reward you with favor.'  Never let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good."  (TPT)
  It's a tall order.  And as in another Scripture where it is asked, "Who is my neighbor?", I am tempted to ask, "Who is my enemy?"  In America today it seems as though we have classified entire groups of people as our enemy:  immigrants, the poor, the rich, those who wear a mask or those who don't, Republican or Democrat, White, Black or Brown, followers of QAnon.  Take your pick.  There are plenty of enemies to go around.
  Buy him lunch, be kind, generous, defeat evil with good.  We might even add listening during lunch.

#justice #peace #Lent #prayerandfasting #generosity

 Have you read 1 Samuel 25 lately?  Me neither, until someone suggested it this week.  It is part of the saga of David before he becomes king.  In this episode, David and his men have spent the winter near Carmel during which time they protected the sheepherders of a man named Nabal.  When time came for shearing the sheep, a time of festival, David sent some of his men to Nabal to ask for hospitality for him and his men.  But Nabal, a wicked and surly man, refuses.
  David's men return to him and give him the message.  David is incensed and determines to slaughter all of Nabal's men.  Meanwhile, Nabal's shepherds go to his wife Abigail and report what has happened, urging her to do something to avoid war.
  While David and his men are marching toward Carmel, here comes Abigail, riding on a donkey, bringing bread and wine, raisins and figs, along with lamb meat and grain.  They meet in a valley and Abigail is able to turn aside David's wrath by apologizing and making reparation for the refusal of hospitality by her husband.  Abigail's quick action averted war and saved the lives of many.
  Abigail returned home to find her husband drunk from the party.  So she waited until the next morning to tell him what she had done.
  For Reflection:  There are many things we can learn from this story, but let us begin with the first item: refusal of hospitality.  Hospitality was extremely important in the Hebrew world. Particularly in a desert region, which this was, one was never to refuse the basics of food, drink and lodging. Yet Nabal did, even though he was rich and David and his men had been protecting Nabal's men all winter. Do we identify with Nabal or with David?  
  Is there anyone to whom we have refused hospitality?  Why?  Can this be remedied?  
  We may not want to welcome a stranger into our home today, but do we look out for the lost and the homeless?  Are we kind to those who need to see a friendly, smiling face?  Have we failed to return a favor or pay it forward?  God calls us to peace and hospitality.
  Let us pray.  Jesus, sometimes I identify with Nabal.  Why should I share more of my hard-earned resources with others?  There have also been times when I've refused a family member entry to my home.  I'd like to be more like Abigail and find a way to bring peace.  I know you don't want me to be at odds with anyone.  Show me a way through.  Show me the way to stop the war, make amends and bring peace to the family.  Help me to be hospitable.

  Even while he traveled and preached the Gospel, Paul worked for a living.  He was a tentmaker and he was able to ply his skill wherever he went.  Peter and some of the other disciples were fishermen.  They were not able to fish everywhere they went.  So they made their living by receiving offerings from those to whom they ministered.  Peter and the apostles did not travel alone.  They had their wives with them and perhaps even their children.
  Paul tells us this (1 Corinthians 9:1-12) to make a point.  He has a right to hospitality, to be married and to be paid for his ministry to the people.  Just because he does not claim those rights, as the others do, he is not less of an apostle.  
  What we give to ministers does not always have to be money.  We can provide hospitality, food, or clothing.  We can pave the way to further places of ministry.  We can uphold them in prayer. Let us consider not only their daily needs, but their long-term needs also.  Most don't have retirement plans or college funds for their children.  They may need a vacation or a sabbatical.

  For Reflection: Whenever someone has ministered to me have I always given according to my means?  Have I offered a kind word and thanks for their ministry?  Have I witnessed to other people about how God touched me through them?
  Let us pray.  Jesus, I ask your forgiveness for being stingy about giving to ministers.  I recognize now that they have the same needs I do, and that in giving to them I am giving to you.  Please help me to make an inventory of all of those who have touched me whether in person or over the internet and allow me to make a deposit into their continuing work for you.