America: the proof is in the pudding!
Proper 9, Year A
Jesus criticized people in his day, saying
To what can I compare this generation? They are like spoil sport children. ‘We played hid and seek, but they refuse to hide or seek. We played kickball while they sit on the sidelines pouting and glaring.’
John came neither eating nor drinking, and you said, ‘he has a demon’; the Messiah came eating and drinking, and you said ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But God’s wisdom is vindicated by her deeds. Matthew 11: 16-19
Jesus told people in his day, that ‘the proof is in the pudding’ because Divine truth or wisdom is evident in Her deeds.
People criticized John and Jesus based on their manner of speech, people they associated with, and their fathers’ professions; ignoring the substance and results of their words and deeds. The people who criticized John and Jesus worshipped, paid tithes to the temple or local synagogue, and observed religious laws. As far as they were concerned, they were living upright and righteous lives. Pride lead them to assume they did not need to change. Arrogance convinced them they need not consider others’ view points. These people were afflicted with spiritual perversity. They believed in God and, at the same time. dismissed God’s directions. God sent them prophets. God allowed or caused them to experience incidents, accidents, disasters, and conflicts. No matter what signs, signals, or messengers God sent, the people found reasons to reject them. This is why Jesus likened them to children who are spoil sports. Jesus warned them “wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” The value of words and deeds are evident in the results produced. If a pudding is good you will know it when you taste it.
The clergy in Sag Harbor and Bridgehampton gathered this week. During the meeting, one of them asked how we planned to observe Independence Day in our congregations. I listened as my colleagues wrestled with whether to celebrate the accomplishments or bemoan the struggles in America. A few planned to acknowledge Independence Day with just a prayer and hymn to in avoid commending and criticizing the country and fomenting conflict in the congregation. If Jesus were preaching to this generation of Americans, I suspect he would find both spoil sports and team players. He would see spiritual perversity and spiritual integrity. Americans and America is a mixed bag. There are red, blue, and purple voting districts; conservative, liberal, and independent thinkers; undecided, unaffiliated, disinterested, and disgusted people; religious, agnostic, and atheists. As I look at the times were are living in and at our history, I see an America and Americans who believe in God and who strive to hear and heed God’s directions . I also see our failures to believe and serve. America and Americans were and are a mixed bag.
The absence of checks and balances between the branches of government is real, but so too are the law suits holding elected officials accountable. The concentration of wealth among a small number of people is real, but so too are the opportunities for advancement afforded by technology, education, training, and association. American democracy, by God’s grace, will continue to strive for a more perfect union. That said, America has never been and never will perfect because Americans are human beings and humans are not perfect. America and Americans are a gloriously mixed bag. In this country, Phillip Jacob Weiser, whose mother was born in the Buchenwald concentration camp 3 days before it’s liberation, became a lawyer, served as the attorney general of Colorado, and is running to be the governor of Colorado. In America George Takei, who was interned with his family other Japanese-Americans during World War II, performed in the Star Track TV and movies series, became a world famous actor, and was an activist who loved and criticized his country. Frederick Douglass, who was born a slave in 1818 and escaped in 1838. Frederick Douglas is among the great intellectuals and orators in America. In his speech “What, to the American slave, is 4th of July?” Douglass praised the vision and wisdom of our founders while faulting them for betraying those values by maintaining the institution of slavery. America and Americans were and are a mixed bag. Some people are spoil sports and others are team players. Some are both spoil sports and team players. Like people in every generation and nation, Americans possess the capacity for spiritual perversity and spiritual integrity so we must be vigilant.
After bemoaning the spoil sports of his day, Jesus prayed
I thank you, God, Creator of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Matthew 11:25
Jesus was not rejecting intellectuals, he was issuing a warning. Self-assured, sophisticated, or intellectual folks, ‘know it alls’ tend to reject or deny simple truths. People who, like infants, are humble, receptive, and teachable tend see and accept truth. During my years of ministry I have noticed that people who know their need for God, find and our found by God. We must be vigilant lest pride or arrogance prevent us from seeing God’s grace and being open to change, correction, and transformation.
American democracy needs and will continue to need strengthening. The rising tide of the America’s economy must lift all boats. Everyone residing in America needs access to housing, education, and health care. So beware of prideful thinking that exonerates you and blames others. Manage arrogance in yourself and others that assumes there is no need for change or presumes American democracy is beyond repair. Jesus said, “God’s Wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
Because the quality of a pudding can only be known in the tasting, I urge you to sample the full breathe of American history (our successes and failures). God’s Wisdom is evident in both accomplishments and mistakes. On behalf of Jesus who called us to take up our cross and follow him, I urge you to be vigilant and ‘roll up your sleeves.’ Engage both the challenges and opportunities present in America today so that proof of God’s love, justice and mercy are made evident in your words and deeds.
