The Scripture Readings this week are:
- Genesis 3:8-21
- Romans 8:31-39
- Mark 13:14-22
The Sermon title is Consequences?
Early Thoughts: When have you felt ashamed? Why? What has helped you move past that feeling?
Our choices, our actions (or our inaction) have consequences. That is a truth that can not be escaped. It is true when we are talking about our individual choices and when we talk about our collective choices. How willing are we to accept that reality?
This story from Genesis is one that many of us learned at a very early age. The story of "the fall of humanity" is, for many people, a key part of the overarching narrative of salvation history. As such we may have learned the story with several layers of interpretation to help us know 'what it really means'. It is possible some of that interpretation is not helpful in the long run.
As the story tells us, the consequences of too much knowledge, and the consequences of disobedience, are that life is not easy. Because of the choices made in the story (choices which both primeval humans try to blame on somebody else) life is harder than it was. Leaving paradise bring labour and toil and sweat.
I think we can argue that the Mark passage is also about the consequences of choices. In his ministry and preaching and teaching Jesus is calling those who follow him to join in a counter-cultural revolution against the power of empire. Empire tends to hit back against those who refuse to toe the line. That push back can well seem apocalyptic. Certainly history has shown us that it can be violent and destructive.
The primeval humans are hiding in their story. They are ashamed because of their nakedness, their exposure (this could have both physical and metaphorical meanings). Plenty of Christian theology has tried to tell us that we should all be ashamed, that shame is a proper and natural consequence of our 'fallen' natures. Somehow this is intended to motivate us to live better. I don't think shame does that.
Certainly we have to accept the fact that our choices and actions have consequences. Some of those consequences seem fair and logical, some don't. Some we will whine or yell or complain about. But making us feel ashamed is not helpful. Appropriate guilt can motivate us to do better, shame does not. [My working definition is that guilt is about actions and choices, shame is about how we see ourselves/who we are, which is why shame can in fact hamper our efforts to grow and develop.] Luckily there is Good News, there is a cure...
Romans 8:38-39 are among my favourite verses in all of Scripture. In a world where many theologians have wanted to use the Genesis story to proclaim a fallen, depraved humanity hopelessly separated form God (if not for the saving work of Christ) Romans 8 proclaims the exact opposite. The cure to our feelings of shame is not being released from the consequences of our actions and choices. The cure for our shame is to be reminded that we are God's beloved children. Remembering that can, hopefully, help us accept and live with the fair consequences of our actions. It can help us deal with our guilt. It can help (and push) us to rail against unfair consequences, unjust systems, unequal treatment -- against Empire (which shows up wearing many different masks) even when we benefit from those consequences, systems, and treatment.
Actions have consequences. But underlying it all is the unfailing love of God. That is Good News!
--Gord
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