Treasuring Difference in Community

Daily Office Devotional, Thursday, September 14, 2023

Proper 18, the week of the fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrase for reflection from today’s epistle reading:

12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

You will find the full text of today’s Philippians reading at the end of this reflection.

Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 982)

AM Psalm 50; PM Psalm [59, 60] or 8, 84

1 Kings 18:1-19; Phil. 2:12-30; Matt. 2:13-23

Today we celebrate the Feast of The Holy Cross. (See below.)

David's Reflections

This reading presents us with another example of the challenge of translating pronouns from Greek to English. The context of any word guides the translator, and in this case the context is an appeal to the community to act as a corporate whole. In verse 5, which we considered yesterday, the "you" is plural. "Have this mind among yourselves" fits the grammar and context better than "Have this mind in you." Here, also, in verses 12-13, the "you" is plural, so that "it is God who works among you" translates more accurately than "it is God who works in you."

Paul calls on the church to "work out" or live into its salvation as a corporate whole. It is not a matter of individual Christians working out their individual eternal destinies by effort. That would contradict Paul’s consistent teaching that salvation is by faith and not by works. In verses 1-11 he has just called on Christians to be mindful of others and act in the best interest of others. In synch with that context, his concern here has to do with the church reaching toward greater corporate well being (salvation or wholeness).

How can we do that? What would make for a more whole community, a community living into its God-given mission and call? Paul offers at least two concrete actions. First, resolve conflict and refuse to continue murmuring and grumbling. "Do all things without murmuring and arguing," he says. Conflict and difference are normal in healthy community, but individual differences must be held in tension with the identity and mission of the community. We must resolve conflict without losing individual differences while preserving the loving bonds that hold us together. As one cleric has said, “Anyone can either speak the truth or maintain connection. The trick is to do both—speak truth while maintaining connection.”

Second, he wants us to shine like stars in the world, remaining devoted to the message of salvation in Christ. If our energies are turned inward into competition and conflict, we will have little energy and incentive to reach out to those around us with the loving word of Jesus' salvation. We will have credibility in the community if we avoid nagging and recurring conflicts with one another. And, we will have greater credibility with those outside the community. Those without faith hunger for loving community and they will be drawn to where it exists.

The failure is not in experiencing conflict. The failure comes when conflict is not resolved and the fragile bonds of community erode. Resolving conflict by deepening our understanding of each other and embracing difference will further interweave the bonds of community.

This text reminds me of a favorite Gospel chorus.

Weave

We are many textures,

we are many colours,

Each one different from the other.

But we are entwined with one another

in one great tapestry.

Refrain:

Weave, weave, weave us together,

Weave us together, in unity and love.

Weave, weave, weave us together,

weave us together, together in love.

We are diff’rent instruments,

playing our own melodies,

Each one tuning to a diff’rent key.

But we are all playing in harmony,

in one great symphony.

Refrain:

A moment ago, we did not know

our unity, only diversity,

Now the Christ in me

greets the Christ in thee,

in one great family.+

+ https://www.manyvoices.org/wp-content/uploads/resources/9/22/2010 at 6-57 PM/Weave_RosemaryCrow.pdf

Collect of the Day, Proper 18, the week of the fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen (BCP, 233)

Today we celebrate the Feast of The Holy Cross.

http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/Holy_Cross.htm

Collect of the Feast of the Holy Cross

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

A Collect for Protection

O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labor, and the repose of the dead: We thank you for the blessings of the day that is past, and humbly ask for your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP, 124)

For stewardship of creation

O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for your loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards

of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 259)

A Prayer for Light

Lighten our darkness, we beseech you, O Lord; and by your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, Jesus Christ, Amen. (BCP, 111)

A Collect for Mission

O God of all the nations of the earth: Remember the multitudes who have been created in your image but have not known the redeeming work of our Savior Jesus Christ; and grant that, by the prayers and labors of your holy Church, they may be brought to know and worship you as you have been revealed in your Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 257)

Daily Office Epistle, Philippians 2:12-30

12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmuring and arguing, 15so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world. 16It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17But even if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you— 18and in the same way you also must be glad and rejoice with me. 19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be cheered by news of you. 20I have no one like him who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21All of them are seeking their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22But Timothy’s worth you know, how like a son with a father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23I hope therefore to send him as soon as I see how things go with me; 24and I trust in the Lord that I will also come soon. 25Still, I think it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus—my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister to my need; 26for he has been longing for all of you, and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27He was indeed so ill that he nearly died. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, so that I would not have one sorrow after another. 28I am the more eager to send him, therefore, in order that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy, and honor such people, 30because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for those services that you could not give me.

Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer