This week, as we continue through the Epiphany season, we see Christ calling some of his disciples from Mark's account of the Gospel:
"Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.' Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.' And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him." Mark 1:14-20
If there is any reason whatsoever to use the Lectionary, today's Sunday school class would be the prime example. Today, our class had to merge with another due to the teacher being out and the person who was to take her place was sick. That being said, our lesson today was from Hosea. The teacher of the class asked the simple question: "What makes God angry?" Simple enough, right? Simple enough that a simple (and overtly Sunday school answer) of sin would have sufficed, yes? Well, after 25 minutes of "God doesn't mind about the little sins," from one guy and "Well, I've been talking with some Muslims and we essentially have the same God because they also worship the God of Abraham," from a woman in the class, and "God doesn't get angry with us because he loves us," from another, Sharon and I had heard enough. Thankfully the teacher, nor the rest of the class, were supporting such heresy, but needless to say something needed to be said. Sharon spoke up and plainly stated: "God does get angry with us because of our sin, BUT BECAUSE OF CHRIST," I felt the need to capitalize that since apparently no one in the class was getting to the obvious answer throughout the morning lesson, "God is able to pour out his wrath on Christ's work on the cross and not on us." I'm obviously paraphrasing her comment, but still, it was quite frustrating to listen to the arguments people were trying to make and to rationalize God. "Reason is a whore, and the greatest enemy that faith has" Martin Luther once said. Therefore, is it safe to assume that trying to rationalize God might, in fact, be a sin? Anywho...
During lunch we had a pretty lengthy discussion over the lesson and realized how fortunate we both have been to have sat under great teaching (having gone to Union and have attended Christ Community [I'm sure she has others, but that one stands out for me more than any others]) and had wonderful opportunities for discipleship. To bring it all back to the Lectionary, Christ Community may not have used the Lectionary for Sunday school lessons, but thankfully the lessons were used for the building up of the bride. Also, IF (and I stress if) any crazy heresy happened to be spurted out in a lesson, it was quickly corrected lest someone leave believing things that simply weren't true.
Anyway, enough of that. I just thought I'd share our interesting... yes, interesting experience from this morning. Go in peace, brethren, be warm and filled.
Prayer for the Week:
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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