Church,
Near the end of this past Sunday’s sermon, we were encouraged to experiment in ways we can conspire for justice as a response to the good news we heard.
As we have continued along in our Lenten series, Confronting Mammon with Jesus, there has been an abundance of insight and clarity gained about how Mammon defines and animates our society. At times, it can be overwhelming to see the ways our desire and assumptions are shaped by Mammon and to reckon with the ways we are complicit in oppressive systems.
In the gospel passage this week, we saw Jesus proclaiming the forgiveness of sins to a woman of ill-repute. After declaring that her sins were forgiven, Jesus didn’t leave her with heavy handed words meant to crank up her sense of duty to serve him. Instead, Jesus told her to “go in peace.”
There is good news for us in this! As we continue to reckon with the all-consuming, overwhelming call to begin confronting Mammon with Jesus, God is not laying a guilt trip on you to nail this for him. Jesus didn’t come so that he could properly calibrate our guilt and shame so that we would behave better. No, instead he came to declare that our sins have been forgiven and to send us out in peace!
So, as you move through your week, you are free to experiment with how to work as a co-conspirator for justice along with the Holy Spirit.
What are the opportunities for experimenting with confronting Mammon you see around you? Do you see a need you can meet? Do you have a need that feels too small to share? Where do you question what to do but you’re tempted to jump in? Email me back – I’d love to hear from you!
May the peace of Christ envelop you as you move through your week.
Peace,
Fr. Spencer
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