Submitted by Jan on Tue, 05/07/2016 – 11:07
Lectionary Week: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 9th after Pentecost, Proper 10
Year C (2015-2016)
Bible Book: Colossians
Chapter: 1
Verse: 1 – 14
When the Apostle Paul prays for the Christian faith community at Colossians, he prays with a heart filled with thanksgiving. The reason for his thanksgiving is that he has heard certain rumours about the faith community in Colossians. The rumours that he has heard reflects the way in which they live their lives as people of faith. He has heard that the faith community in Colossians lead their lives in such a way that the rumours that have spread speak of people of faith in Christ who have love for all God’s people because of the hope that they have for their future life (verse 4-5).
When people spread rumours about me, I trust that the first thing that they mention about me is that I am a person of deep Faith in a God; a faith that impacts the way in which I lead my life. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul directly links faith to how I live my life in honour of God. It is through “doing good deeds” (verse 10) that people will know that I live my life in honour of God. In turn, I do good deeds, not as a way to show people that I am a good person, but because I lead a life of close journey with God; growing wise through prayer; seeking wisdom in understanding what God asks of me (verse 9). It is only in this close walk with God that I will do anything good in my life; not by my own design.
When people spread rumours about me, I trust that my Love “for all God’s people” (verse 4) will be one of the things that they speak about. Love for all God’s people is not something that comes naturally to me. I am very picky about who I offer love to and I easily withhold love from people that I feel have wronged me or people that I think don’t deserve or earn my love. However, Paul links faith, hope and love as three constants that belong together (he does this in 1 Corinthians 13:13 as well). Faith that stems from a close walk with God through wisdom and understanding cannot be separated from love for all people.
When Paul links faith, hope and love; it brings me a whole different perspective on Hope. It means that my Hope of a future life with God is directly linked to my life here and now. My life of future hope is linked to my close walk with God through prayer as I seek wisdom and understanding. My hope of a future life with God is linked to my love for all God’s people.
I pray that through my journey with God, as I seek better understanding; I may learn to show love indiscriminately.
To think about or discuss: Faith, hope and love are three constants. Reflect on what this means in your daily journey of seeking wisdom and understanding God.
Written by: Rev. Michelle Boonzaaier works as a Churches coordinator in Reformed Churches at Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM),
Author: Boonzaaier M. (Rev.)
Language: English
Compassion for the poor and needy, the vulnerable, in verses 4-6.