Chance to Give Thanks Together

All of Paul’s letters are written to communities, even those written to ‘individuals’ (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon). I know this because all of his letters address the reality that we live in communities, and we have to acknowledge that everyone is different. It’s the ancient version of the adage, ‘the problem with people is people; everywhere I go, I have to deal with people.’ Yet, together we have the opportunities to experience of working together, compromising, giving and yielding to our own way. Why? Because in our diversity we experience God’s love, grace, and embrace.

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I love when Paul is finishing up his letter to the Colossians as he calls this mixed community of believers to their greater shared community in Christ rooted in their baptismal identity and worship:

            “12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness

, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

            (As I highlight points, I invite you to take a pencil, marker, highlighter, or crayon and notice what Paul is teaching) In this passage Paul starts with what unites them, their baptismal identity; chosen, holy, and beloved. In Christ God chose us, makes us holy and loves us. It’s actually the reverse order of my own list of what God shows to us: love (beloved), grace (holy), and embrace (chosen). Paul starts here because that’s what’s most important: what God says.
 

Next, Paul describes that working together is tough. It takes intention, like getting dressed practically. Then Paul talks about how our shared lives as ‘bearing with one another.’ What Paul means by this are the actions he describes after: forgiveness. Which is hard. That’s why Paul brings the clothing ourselves image in again! But this time, instead of qualities like kindness and humility; Paul invites us to clothe ourselves in the greatest thing: love, or rather agape which is God’s selfless love.

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It is in that to which we then become a community! In the second half of this passage notice Paul’s use of unifying words like harmony and oneness. All of that unity is for what purpose? Just to live together? No, though it will help our community function better. Paul’s stated purpose for our baptismal identity and our shared lives together is Worship; “And be thankful… and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Everything we do, in our shared lives, is an act of worship. It doesn’t mean we have to agree with everyone on everything; rather, it is a reminder of what does unite us: God!

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This coming Tuesday, we have the opportunity to gather with our siblings in faith from other churches for that which Paul describes is our purpose: worship. Join each other and members of Red Bank United Methodist, St. Alban’s Episcopal, Shiloh United Methodist (Gilbert), and Bethany Lutheran as we give thanks and praise to God at our shared Community Thanksgiving Service. Offerings will benefit the St. James Food Pantry; to which it can be either by a shelf stable item (canned/boxed goods) or a financial offering. We hope to see you at 6pm on Tuesday the 25th.