"Almighty God, I thank you that I am not like those who do not know you. I go to church every Sunday, and even during the week sometimes. I never work on Sundays. I fast at least once a week, disciplining myself by staying away from all food on those days. I pray every day and read my Bible. I have not fallen into the traps that other people have, and yet you do not seem to answer my prayers. What's happening here, God? Why are you not listening to me?...

... God? ... Is that you?... No, I don't suppose that anybody else would speak to me out of thin air. ... Yes, Lord. I do want to listen to you.... What do you mean, selective hearing?... I see. Well maybe you can enlighten me here on where I've been going wrong.... Well... Yes, Lord. Quite frankly, I do believe that's what you want.... Don't you want people to worship you and to pray and to discipline themselves?... (slowly) Yes, but not false worship. What exactly does that mean?... You don't like how I treat other people! What does that have to do with worship?... Yes, I do remember reading, "Love your neighbour as yourself."... Why don't I? Well, I'm busy, Lord - busy going to church, busy fasting and praying, busy keeping my life in proper order. Besides, other people just get on my nerves!... Yes, I suppose they do get on your nerves, too.... Yes, Lord. I know that you love us....

I... I guess I never thought of it that way. Loving other people is part of loving you. But what about when they annoy me to no end?... I see. Treat them in a loving and respectful manner. You must know that's not easy to do, Lord!... Yes, I'm sure it's not easy for you to love us, either.... Yes, I have heard of the Holy Spirit.... The Spirit works through us... That sounds kind of freaky.... Yes, Lord. I do believe that you have our best interest at heart.... I don't know, Lord. I guess I like to be in control of things. Being taken over by your Spirit sounds kind of "airy fairy." ... I see. You don't take over anybody.... only if I allow you in.... Well, that's a relief. I was kind of wary of losing my mind.... I understand, Lord. You don't ask anybody to stop thinking.... I see. Keep learning the mind and heart of Christ.... That's where love comes from. I guess I still have a lot to learn....

There's more?... Let me get this straight. You want me to feed the hungry, and give clothes to people who need them, and provide housing for the poor, and look after my own family, too?... I did hear you right! And how exactly am I supposed to do all that?... Well, yes. I could start by doing something. You must know, though, that I'm not independently wealthy.... Yes, Lord. I forgot there for a moment that it all comes from you.... I guess I forgot that, too. I know you have promised to provide for those who seek your kingdom above all else.... I don't have to do it all by myself? Well, that's a relief! The whole church working together - yes - that makes a lot of sense.... Well, yes. I do have lots to eat and some to spare.... Yes. I do have more clothes than I need.... Yes. I could help build housing or contribute to shelters for the homeless.... Okay. I guess it's not as overwhelming as it first sounded.... Your Spirit again? That's a relief, too!...

The Sabbath. What do I need to know about the Sabbath?... I guess I don't know. The only thing I've ever heard about is going to church.... Isn't it for rest and for your family?... I see. It's for your praise and glory. Can you give me some hints here, God?... Okay. I thought so. Worship is an important part of it.... And part of worship is looking after others?... I see. Sharing your love with others is an act of worship.... Okay. Visiting the sick... sharing a meal... talking to somebody who's lonely... This is starting to sound an awful lot like work, Lord!... Okay. A day that's different from all others.... A day to give praise and glory to you.... But what about my family, Lord?... I see. Do these things together.... Look after any family needs, too, because that also gives you glory.

But what happened to the idea of rest, Lord? Isn't that what the Sabbath is for? ... Okay. Cease from regular work.... Ah!... Looking after our health also gives you glory!... Okay. So everybody needs breaks for rest, and that's part of looking after ourselves in order to be able to serve you.... I think I see now what you're getting at. A Sabbath that is focused only on ourselves and on what we want doesn't give any glory to you, but helping others does.... Okay. So that's why you mentioned the Sabbath!

... There's still more?... Well, yes, Lord. I do want to know what true worship involves.... I see. Justice... righteousness... setting free the oppressed... These are things that honour you.... But Lord, how on earth do I ever do that?! I'm not a judge or a president or prime minister or anything like that.... Oh yes. I forgot.... Working together with other Christians.... Doing what is right... Seeking justice whenever I'm aware of injustice... Doing what I can to stop some people from being exploited by others.... Even with your Spirit, Lord, this sounds very difficult.... Yes, Lord. I know that these are people for whom Christ died.... Okay. Sometimes I might help by supporting groups who do work in these areas.... Sometimes I might be directly involved.... Sometimes I might be praying for them.... I'm starting to see, Lord. You want me to be concerned about justice and righteousness and to do whatever I can.... Yes. By the power of your Spirit....

Lord?... All of these things that you've been mentioning... Feeding the hungry... looking after the poor... working for justice... treating others with love and respect... looking after our families... taking care of our health in order to serve you... All of this is part of worshiping you, right?... We...we can't do all this on the Sabbath, can we?... Whew! That's a relief!... Just a minute, though.... That means that we need to worship you... all the time!... With our lives... I see. ... Do most people know that?... Ah, yes. If they pay attention to the Scriptures, they do.... Lord, I've been reading the Bible for years. How did I miss all this?... Well, yes... I only read bits at a time... I didn't study it with others... Maybe I only read the parts that I liked the best.... Which part is that, Lord?... Hmm. The part about your grace.

Yes, Lord. But what does that really mean?... I see.... I don't do these things to earn your favour or to get things from you.... But isn't that how it should work, Lord?... I see. That's human thinking.... Then why would I do these things, Lord?... Out of love and gratitude... Yes... you've already saved me... You saved me as a gift... You saved me out of love... That's amazing, Lord! That's so amazing that Jesus would do that!... Yes, that does deserve a response.... Responding in love because I want to... You know what, Lord?... That certainly takes a lot of pressure off me.... I was always wondering if I had done everything on the list, but if I love you and the people around me, it will just come naturally.... Well, yes -- Not entirely naturally. I sure need your Holy Spirit!... Yes. You give your Spirit as a gift, too.... Thank you, Lord. I'm glad we had this little talk...." Amen.

Proper 16(C) Isaiah 58:9b-14 August 22, 2004 Luke 13:10-17 St. Luke's Zion Lutheran Church Pastor Lynne Hutchison

? 2004 Lynn Hutchison All Rights Reserved