Wrestling with the ungodly – May 3

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 119:49-72; PM Psalm 49, [53], Wisdom 4:16-5:8; Col. 1:24-2:7; Luke 6:27-38

“The righteous who have died will condemn the ungodly who are living…”

That is the first piece of Holy Scripture I read this morning. What?! I felt jolted almost as much as the extra large cup of coffee yesterday afternoon. These words drip with justice and retribution...and I keep reading to see what else is in store in the Wisdom of Solomon.

“…youth that is quickly perfected (ended) will condemn the prolonged old age of the unrighteous. For they will see the end of the wise, and will not understand what the Lord purposed for them, and for what he kept them safe.”

The tension between entities continue, and for this I sought some Bible notes, sharing the context here that early death was a sign of God’s favor, rather than a curse. To live long into advanced age was filled with aches and pains, metaphorically and physically.

“The unrighteous will see, and will have contempt for them, but the Lord will laugh them to scorn. After this they will become dishonored corpses, and an outrage among the dead for ever; because he will dash them speechless to the ground, and shake them from the foundations; they will be left utterly dry and barren, and they will suffer anguish, and the memory of them will perish.”

Wow! That is some old-fashioned, harsh judgment of the unrighteous. These words in Wisdom repeat themes of the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, who prophesied that there would be a reckoning. These holy men proclaimed that God’s people would be restored and those who wronged the Israelites during exile would be brought to justice before the Lord.

Have you ever longed for someone who has hurt you – either directly or indirectly – to feel the sting of justice? The burn of regret? The heaviness of guilt? These words from the Wisdom of Solomon ring of these themes. The appointed reading for today does not end there.

The condemnation of the unrighteous is followed by the counterbalance – what will happen to the righteous. Those who were wronged “will stand with great confidence in the presence of those who have oppressed them”. Restoration comes. And deep repentance. The vindictive tone ends. “When the unrighteous see them, they will be shaken with dreadful fear, and they will be amazed at the unexpected salvation of the righteous. They will speak to one another in repentance…”

Those who have wronged others will groan and see clearly what they have done, saying “Fools that we were!” Their eyes being opened, they see the ones who are righteous in a new light and see their own actions as “paths of lawlessness and destruction”.

This reading from the Apocrypha is appointed for today in our lectionary. While these words were written around the time of Jesus’ birth, these messages that explore the contrasting trajectories of the righteous and unrighteous land in my heart today as I process the conclusion of the criminal case against the man who shot and killed Bart Rainey, Sharon Yeager, and Jane Pounds. It was painful to see that tall man walk into the courtroom yesterday. As I watched him walk and heard the chains clink around his waist and wrists, he looked at the benches filled by the families he affected, Saint Stephen’s clergy, and church leadership. I am still working through the messiness of the loss and anger and fear and resentment upon my heart. It is so much. And so deep.

The words, “I will not leave you comfortless” come to mind…the King James Version of John 14:18, which we also read as “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to see you.” Jesus will not leave me alone in this mire. Jesus will be your partner in the muck, and inspire each of us to lean upon God. And others – like trained therapists – can also be our guides and confidantes in this struggle, where love will get the final word.

Jesus’ words come to us in today’s gospel reading from Luke, which begins, “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Friends, let us pray…for those whom we have lost, for those who are lost, and for ourselves as we ache. We are not alone, and we are deeply loved by God.

-- Katherine+

Questions for Reflection:

Where do you feel anger? Who and what helps you process your deep feelings of pain and anguish?

Daily Challenge:

Sit in prayer today, praying for someone who requires extra grace to be with or pray for. Ask God to help you.