Living Together with Wisdom – 8 November, 2020

Matthew 25:1-13

This Sunday, the whole world knows the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, and everyone who cares about the well-being of neighbors and planet will either be rejoicing or in despair. The Gospel reading for this day calls out for us all to be prepared for ultimate things and, in the meantime, for what it is that we must do day after day. Either you trim your lamp or you don’t. Either you keep your eyes on the bridegroom who is coming at a time you do not know or you get distracted. Either the door opens for you or it is shut in your face.

Jesus draws some stark lines all throughout the Gospel stories about him, but this one means to add to the seriousness of the coming Reign of Christ. His presence with us as Emmanu-el is just over the horizon. We are already waiting for the one who will redeem us, knowing that in just a month, John the Baptist will be crying out for us to repent and to tear down the obstacles that hinder our pathway.

Preachers can take this stern word in any direction the assembly requires on this most tender day. Every gathering this year –– whether meeting electronically or in person –– will likely include people who fit every political description. The meaning of the gospel must be available to them all.

Lest the gospel is lost, preachers must beware on this day not to either 1) scream and holler for justice in the conviction that the election was wrong (whatever its outcome) or 2) gloat about a win (whatever its outcome). The gospel is bigger, deeper, harder, more profound, and more important than that. It contains both admonition for failings and forgiveness that leads to healing wounds.

To heed Jesus’ command to “keep awake” is to measure everything we do on the only one who can bring our people together again. Keeping awake is attending to love of God and love of neighbor, whether or not on this day any of us really knows how to do that. –– Melinda Quivik

Amos 5:18-24

Amos says: God wants you to pay attention to the needs around you. If you are not taking care of those who have no justice, your festivals are meaningless.

God is mad at the Israelites because God wants for them the goodness that comes from caring for others. Just think: God’s presence is as dangerous as running away from a lion, smack into a bear! –– Melinda Quivik

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The Epistle reading can always be interpreted as a window into the church’s task. The preacher can, thus, ask what the church is called to do, given the fundamental theme or image that has emerged from the Gospel and the Old Testament.

Here, the final words are the most direct and simple exhortation we can imagine: “encourage one another.” Perhaps those words are the way into the preaching on this day. For whatever the assembly needs, in all its diversity, to be inspire the people to reassure their neighbors is a worthy move. –– Melinda Quivik

Melinda Quivik, an ordained ELCA pastor who served churches in Montana, Michigan, and Minnesota, and taught worship and preaching in an ELCA seminary, writes commentaries, teaches occasional courses, is the Editor-in-Chief of Liturgy, and a preaching mentor with backstory-preaching.mn.co.