Fix It!

Greetings, Sisters, Brothers and Friends of the Community,

In today’s lectionary readings, Zephaniah reported 2,600 years ago that there were people during his time who felt that the Lord played little, if any, role in the daily events of society: “Neither good nor evil can the Lord do.” (Zeph. 1:12) It is somewhat surprising that even today we sometimes have to wonder how much power the Lord really has when we look at the troubles we face: a shattered global financial system, declining stock markets, military uprisings, business failures, famine, disease, climate change and on and on.

Perhaps the problem is not that the Lord is without power, but it is because we are keeping him so busy trying to hold everything together. After all, who is creating all these messes? Rocks? Remember that we were given dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:28) With this ‘dominion’ comes responsibility. This is the responsibility to run things according to God’s rules, not ours. As in Zephaniah’s day, whenever we turn from God either as individuals or as a nation, we begin to implode. Scripture is replete with examples of this. The result is always the same – trouble. Then we wonder why ‘God has no power.’

The ‘financial consultant’ on the Saturday Night Live program was asked a while back what should be done about the current financial crisis. His response: “FIX IT!”

Ah, yes, but how? How to fix any of the world’s ills? No one person can fix everything, but together, as the unified body of Christ, with him and through him, we can. Consider the advice found in today’s parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). As the body of Christ, we have all been given different gifts, different talents in varying amounts. All of them are equally important, but only if they are used. Each gift, regardless of what it is, plays some role to further God’s creation. Whether you build roads, sew stitches, fly planes, collect trash, grow peas, heal people, teach people, pray, draw or sing – each piece is needed to make the whole. Each piece is sacred. Each piece is vital.

The power and love of God flows through all of us to each other. Use your gifts, whatever they are, for good every day, every moment, and soon we won’t have to wonder anymore if God has any power in the affairs of people.

Bless you for who you are and what you do. Please keep doing it and encouraging others as well.

Your semi-talented Brother,

Br. Daniel-Joseph, CTG