Finding Love in Proverbs, May 27, 2024
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15, Prov. 10:1-12; 1 Tim. 1:1-17; Matt. 12:22-32 :
Today’s lectionary includes a selection from Proverbs which is part of a group of books in the Bible known as Wisdom literature. The purpose of Wisdom literature is not to tell a story like many of the books of the Bible but rather to teach, and specifically to teach about God handing down justice and the importance of living a life in which we practice good judgement. This would include choosing the moral high ground, practicing prudence concerning lifestyle choices, rather than taking the less desirable but albeit tempting route, where we might stray into excessive practices, such as eating too much ice cream, gossiping or just generally not being very smart in our daily choices. You might say that Proverbs endorses that saying we’ve all heard from time to time, “All things in moderation.” The verses are typically short and to the point, some being as plain as the nose on your face and others less obvious requiring us to unpack their hidden meaning, interpreting how they might apply to our daily lives. For the most part they apply to concrete daily situations. So, in short, lessons to be learned but not always what we might want to hear. After all, who when they’re in their teens or at any stage of life wants to be told moderation is the way to go, when enjoying yourself can often mean blowing way past the point of moderation.
As I read it, I was reminded of the important relationships in my life. Right from the beginning the writer addresses those critical interactions between a parent and their child. It continues with advice about how a child should live their life, addressing situations that I can clearly see impact us at the various ages and stages of our lives. Here we have those bits and pieces of advice or admonishments that parents try so hard to impart on their children without becoming too much of an ongoing lecture that the child quickly learns to tune out. How many times have I thought of something I learned the hard way, and have wished so dearly I could protect someone I love from those same mistakes. However, as we all know and as Jesus so clearly knew, we all make those mistakes as a necessary part of learning how to be human, learning how to live in a world where we’re dependent on our relationships in community and we’re not the center of the universe. Some advice is more than a little ominous: “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out.” A warning or maybe a reality check.
In yesterday’s liturgy we acknowledged the grand and mysterious triad of relationships we honor and hold dear as the Holy Trinity. The sacrosanct model for all relationships. One of the most valuable lessons the Trinity imparts is that love is the binding element in all relationships. It is God’s love imbued in us that covers the mistakes we might commit. Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth reminds us of this truth, “So now faith, hope, and love abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” The last verse in our reading seems to anticipate the new covenant that Jesus introduced. Old school advice that still rings true.
Faithfully,
Sally+
Questions for Self-Reflection: How might in our present culture, so full of divisive, harmful language, we apply the verses from Proverbs to be more open to seeing the face of God in those with whom we disagree?