Loving God, renew and strengthen us this day by the power of your Spirit, that all might know your love through us, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

            How do you live wisely?  How do you live wisely in the midst of a global pandemic? How do you live wisely in a hostile Empire where pagan religions and practices are all around you?  How do you live wisely once God has given you a new identity in baptism and has clothed you with Christ?  These are just some of the questions that are floating in the background in today’s reading from Ephesians.

         One of the first pieces of advice that we hear in today’s reading is to make “the most of the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16).  I know a number of people who have died very suddenly and unexpectedly over the past little while, including a colleague in ministry.  None of these people were particularly old, and yet, for whatever reasons, their time on this earth came to a screeching halt.  The truth is that none of us know how long we actually have on this earth, and so, yes! – make the most of the time.

         Do we gather together with loved ones or err on the side of caution?  Do we isolate ourselves for fear of getting sick, or do we find ways to share the love of God with others by whatever means we can, even if it might involve some risk?  These are not easy questions to answer, and we all have many things to weigh in the decisions that we make.  Still, make the most of the time.

         One of the other things that is part of living wisely is understanding “what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17).  This understanding comes from the Holy Spirit, who teaches us to imitate Jesus and to love one another as he has first loved us (Eph. 5:1-2).  In other words, living as members of the body of Christ and children of God is not about following a list of rules and laws.  Rather, it is about discerning and enacting the will of Christ (workingpreacher.org).

         Oddly enough, this is a bit like the approach of the provincial government right now with health regulations.  They are hoping that people will no longer need the list of rules, but will now understand what needs to happen and do what is right.  Of course, we will see over time if this approach actually works – especially when we are talking about human nature rather than the guidance of the Holy Spirit!

         The final tidbit that we are given about living wisely comes in a really long sentence about being filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18-20).  This is given as an alternative to getting “drunk with wine.”  It is important to note that the recipients of Paul’s letter were familiar with the god Dionysus or Bacchus, and the drunken orgies that were part of worshiping this god.  Dionysus was the god of wine, among other things, and thus the specific reference to getting drunk with wine.

         Those who belong to Christ, on the other hand, are to be filled with the Holy Spirit as they sing to God – with others – and give thanks “at all times and for everything.”  In case you’re wondering where this idea of singing with others comes from, the wording in our text is this: “sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves” (Eph. 5:19).

         One of the great tragedies of this pandemic has been the risk associated with singing together.  Singing is one of the best ways to worship God, and is also good for our health and well-being.  Yet, at the same time, one of the best ways to spread Covid-19 is to be indoors, with others, singing.  With just a small number of people, you can maybe get away with it – but the risk is still there.  Outdoors, there is risk if you are sitting too close to other people or singing straight at them, but most aerosols that we produce will be carried away by the wind.

         Thankfully, at least some people have been able to sing at home – by themselves, but “virtually” with others.  And today, some of us can actually sing together outdoors, while others might choose to sing and make melody to the Lord in their hearts – or both (Eph. 5:19)!  In other words, engaging heart and mind and voice in singing to the Lord.

         This brings us to giving thanks at all times and for everything.  Once again, this is a practice that is good for our health and well-being, as well as our relationship with God and with others.  It is all too easy for us to fall into focusing on all that is sad and depressing and distressing both in our own lives and in the world around us.  However, there is always something for which to be thankful – even when you’ve been beaten with rods and thrown into prison – as Paul shows us (Acts 16:16ff.).

         And so, make the most of the time. Imitate Christ by the power of the Spirit.  Be filled with the Holy Spirit, sing, and give thanks.  For these things are part of living wisely as children of God, that we might share the love of Christ with all people.  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Lectionary 20B                                 Ephesians 5:15-20

August 15, 2021

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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