Rom. 12:9-21, Ex. 3:1-15 August 28 Sermon Notes

I have some writing projects that I work on as time and energy and inspiration permit. One is a longer effort to put together a 365 day grief devotional from scriptural passages. So, I gravitate to passages that deal with suffering as part of that work. Also, everyone suffers to some degree all during life from a welter of causes. I am called to the pastorate. Why should I have to go through the hassles of cataract procedures and a cancer diagnosis when I have better things to do? As Jesus said, the rain falls on us all. Nature does not discriminate on the basis of vocation.

God has an ineffable name, perhaps in the revelation to Moses at the burning bush. it is clear however that this god responds to human needs, perhaps especially the human cry. Yes, the Hebrews have a fourfold cry, but God responds in a fourfold way.As Janzen notes, god may be hidden, but God is hidden within the suffering. Moses is on holy ground, but it a hospitable ground of security and safety.The holy allows us to reconnect to the past as present and prologue, not history.God acts here.

Romans advice-pick some as a response to suffering We are God's agents in reducing and facing suffering, we continue the earthly work of healing and ease-do not be overcome by evil but overcome it with good-we often read this as a response to an evil person. Perhaps we do well to also read it as a response to the evil things that happen to us that cause suffering. We know that in the midst of a depressive episode, it can be eased by acts of service, to move form the painful zone of one's own darkness into a wider orbit. I think that Paul sees our lives as being lived on holy ground. After all, we are all of us made in the image and likeness of God. I would suggest that in meeting each other, we are in burning bush moments.Paul overturns the world of economic and social competition into a contest of kindness, of showing honor to one another. Notice not being honored but honor others and not being haughty.At the very least we treat each other with respect and courtesy, not from a position of correction but mutual concern. of refusing to drop down to the level of retaliation when injured, but as he puts it, to overcome evil with good. Paul's advice leads us to becoming full actors, full participants in the Christian life, not spectators, or fans as some call it lately.

The ground of suffering is holy ground, for God does some good work there; God's presence is sought and felt there. Suffering and evil exist as brute facts of human existence in this East of Eden world we sometimes call fallen. Nothing drives us to our knees more quickly than even the threat of suffering. we sometimes take it that god abandons us, is absent from us. The cross of Christ is a crucible where Emmanuel is God with us in the hardest times.So we too act. Contribute to the needs of the saints is really sharing and participating in the needs of the saints. In a way it is granting hospitality to those suffering and in pain. To persevere in prayer is for ourselves of course but for others as well. Nothing helps to move someone from the role of enemy as much as finding yourself capable of praying with and for them.

to sum up, whenever we encounter another person, we walk on holy ground. Holy ground exists in places of blessing and bane. Just as we learn basic courtesies, we learn as Christians paths to walk on holy ground, as we try to see the Christ in each, and speak and act accordingly.