Jesus gave a new vision of heaven to the people of God. He showed them an active vision of God's reign that set them loose from the bondage of rule-keeping, of trying to follow the rules. Instead of a negative "don't do that" as one faction had come to believe, he taught them a positive message of love - DO this - DO the kingdom. When you pray "thy kingdom come" know that you are part of making it happen - and DO your part.
So - heal on the Sabbath? Who wouldn't? Show some compassion.
Your rules, Pharisees, have to give way - the compassion of God is here, present, at work among you.
Visions of heaven can be funny and naive - this summer we heard a concert that included a child's-view of heaven: a hungry child's view of heaven. In that song which included these lyrics ("Good greens of every sort... and gardeners who allow everything!") paradise is a city with an abundant garden: and you can eat all you want from the garden - asparagus, notably, and green beans.
"Eat your vegetables" never sounded so good. And, you see, there is the secret: it is not a command, it is an invitation - and a proclamation - it is an invitation to life-giving, joyful action - and a celebration of new life in abundance.
When the bent-over woman came to synagogue that day she came to worship - and found the living God present and active. Jesus saw her, sought her out, and assured her of her healing - that day - now.
How is God present and active now?
In subtler ways perhaps but no less certain - in the simple gestures of kindness, of welcome; in the simple deeds of love, of care - for gardeners, for friends, and for strangers.
How can you and I become the active presence of the living God in the lives around us? in this community, nation, and world?
How can we show God's abundance - mercy, love, and compassion - and joy?
Maybe it's not abundant string beans - but maybe sometimes it is! Jesus' time was one where people saw there wasn't much to go around - remember the 5 loaves and 2 fish, enough to feed a poor family for a little while - and how he made it into a celebration and a sign of new life - it's not about relative wealth - it's about an attitude of gratitude, and a change of ways of seeing - of seeing around us the goodness of God that is present with us - and sharing the good news all around.
May we do so. Amen.
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August 22
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 16
RCL
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
Hebrews 12:18-29
Luke 13:10-17
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