Thoughts from St. Andrew's Episcopal Church • Birmingham, AL

Friday, March 06, 2020

Old Testament: Ezekiel 18:21–28

Gospel: Matthew 5:20–26

Psalm 130

As I was sitting down to read the scriptures for today, the noise in the background was the impeachment trial of our current president. Themes of truth, judgment, justice and values have been present during the past few months. When I read some Biblical commentaries on this passage from Ezekiel, I was struck by the themes mentioned which are timely. Lamar Eugene Cooper mentioned the sinfulness of humanity, the inevitability of judgment, individual responsibility, hope of restoration. Another commentary from Dr. Douglas Stuart mentioned individual responsibility, and the power of national leadership for good or bad, and God’s transcendence.  

In times of discordance especially of late, how can we focus on those positive aspects of restoration and God’s transcendence? Ezekiel was full of hope. Commentaries point out that this book was written in a dark time of exile for the Israelites and even as Ezekiel was in exile, he remained hopeful. Dr. Thomas Constable (2019) writes: “His perspective is the key to anyone remaining hopeful in the midst of very discouraging circumstances, even us.”    

This one phrase spoke to me in a powerful way. For several years, many of us have been discouraged over all the political turmoil of our nation. Many of us feel that our nation is in a dark place with tensions boiling over, racism and prejudice raging, and a political system that is broken. So, how can we remain hopeful like Ezekiel? 

Constable writes: “understanding God is the very foundation for hope. Where there is hope, there is joy, there is peace, there is love, there is faith, and there is ministry. In the times in which we live, a commitment to ministry by itself will not preserve a Christian from all the pitfalls that surround us. Only ministry grounded in and growing out of our personal understanding and appreciation of the character of God will do that.”

I specifically asked for this date because my husband and I celebrate 38 years of marriage today. Serendipity that understanding is a key word for today. How can we work together as a loving church community to grow our understanding of God with the goal of growing our hope?  Let’s work together to help understand God in our lives, grow our hope and restore our souls. 

Linda Foster