As always in this series, we begin with
a refresher: Paul may or may not have written this letter. This
letter was written to a church or churches that may or may not have
been in Ephesus. And it doesn't appear that there was a particular
issue needing to be addressed as to why it was written. Which leads
me to go back to the idea that the letter may have functioned as a
catechism for early converts to the faith. Looking at it that way,
it has the power to function as a catechism for people even today.
And we need to remember how Ephesians
is structured – like a funnel. It begins with a discussion of the
vast, cosmic God and his eternal plan to gather up all things in
heaven and earth through Christ. It moves through the fulfilling of
the Abrahamic covenant and God working through Christ to bring all
humanity back to himself. It is in Christ that the dividing walls
between Jew and Gentile have been broken down. It is in Christ that
we are rooted and grounded, becoming the Church, the body of Christ.
It reminds us of how we are to live. And it gives us examples of
living together as Christians. Cosmic plan of unity fulfilled by
Christ, reflected and lived by us.
Last week that funnel focused on
specific examples of how we are to live as Christians: put away
falsehood; don't sin in your anger; don't speak evil; be kind;
forgive. I said that here in this place is where we practice what we
preach. This is where we are rooted and grounded in love. This is
where we learn to live lives worthy of our calling.
In this week's part of the funnel, we
begin here in the Church narrowing from life in here to life out
there.
Let no one deceive you with empty
words. In Paul's time this was a warning against other lines of
thought that countered the message of the gospel – Gnosticism being
high on that list. It also was a warning against other . . . lax .
. . ethical standards.
But this is always what Christians have
faced: weak theologies, theologies that have a simplistic nature, or
theologies that try to lure us into thinking we can have it both
ways. It includes ethical behaviors that require strict adherence
from some people while allowing or hiding our own ethical failings
from those around us.
It also includes an admonishment to
avoid those who would use religion as a club to separate, persecute,
demonize, and otherwise marginalize those with whom you disagree.
Know the message of the gospel and be strong in that knowledge. Not
only avoid them, but do not behave as they do.
Remember, before the foundations of the
world were lain, you were called to be holy and blameless. Before
the light of Christ and the gospel found you, you once walked in
darkness. But now that we have been found, like that lost coin or
sheep or son, we are in the light.
Live as children of light. The fruit
of light is all that is good and right and true. Take no part in the
unfruitful works of darkness, but expose them.
Last week I mentioned protecting women
and children from abuse, and said that men should be living examples
of holy lives. This is one way we walk in the light.
I bring this up because this past week
I read the story of the just-released report detailing credible
evidence of sexual abuse by 301 Roman Catholic priests in
Pennsylvania against more than 1000 victims. That report also spoke
of the organized cover-up by the church in that state.
This is as dark as it gets.
Shortly after I got here I put up
several bright yellow posters with information on how to report
abuse. A few people were upset with me for doing that. But what
this report shows, and other recent incidents have shown, is that
abuse can happen to anyone, anywhere. And as long as I'm rector of
this church, I will work to ensure that it doesn't happen here. Walk
in the light. Take no part in the works of darkness.
So be careful how you live, not as
unwise people but as wise.
Here the author is apparently appealing
to ancient wisdom of Judaism as found in Proverbs and Sirach. This
ancient wisdom is based in the theology that knowledge of God can be
gained through the study of creation and humanity. It looks outward,
rather than inward, and sees God active in all manner of places,
times, and thought.
As Episcopalians we might correlate
this to the famous three-legged stool of Scripture, Tradition, and
Reason. Scripture is and should be the basis of all we do.
Tradition is not only how we've always done things, but also refers
to our faith which is handed over and delivered to each succeeding
generation of Christians. It is the accumulated wisdom of the past
which is double-tested: is it in accordance with Scripture, and can
it be justified by right reason. And Reason is the third leg –
that is, we think about Scripture and Tradition and how something may
or may not be applicable for today.
As one example, Scripture upholds the
practice of slavery. Slavery has been a traditional part of human
society for thousands of years. After thinking about this particular
institution, is it now reasonable for us to continue that practice?
Consequently, we need to be wise, working to understand the will of
God.
And then the author delves into other
behaviors that help us with all of the above. Do not get drunk. He
is not condemning the use of alcohol, but he is condemning its
over-use. When you are drunk, you cannot be wise. When you are
drunk, you are foolish. When you are drunk, you do stupid things
that do not reflect the light of Christ; nor are those things good
and right and true.
Instead of being filled with wine, be
filled with the Spirit. Sing psalms, hymns, and make melody to the
Lord. If we work to fill our lives with all that is good and right
and true, if we work to live in the light, if we work to learn sound
doctrine, then we will surely live in the wisdom of God and lead
lives worthy of our calling.
We can't compartmentalize our lives
into “church” behavior and “regular” behavior. This section
of Ephesians is letting us know that there is no separation between
different aspects of our lives. For us to live as children of light,
for us to bear fruit that is good and right and true, we must work to
live that way always. To do that, we need to use our reason to learn
how our traditions can help scripture become relevant to our lives
today. We need to look for wisdom in a variety of places. And,
maybe more than anything, we need to reflect how we behave in here to
the world out there.
Learn the faith. Walk in the light.
Be wise. And maybe most importantly, don't compartmentalize; live
out there like you live in here.
Amen.
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