• Home
  • About
  • Sermons

Words From the Middle

At the intersection of Sacred and Profane

2016/10/23

Payback is . . . not what you think

Ahpentecost-23, payback. “Payback,” or perhaps “karma,” is something we all have experience with. There is even a reasonably familiar saying or proverb that uses a particular vulgarity that prevents me from quoting it here but I’m sure you can fill it in: Payback is a [*****]. But is it always so? As I reflected on two of the Lectionary passages for this Sunday, Joel 2:23-32 and Luke 18:9-14, I was struck by a completely different interpretation for payback; Payback is sometimes wonderful.

There is really only way we can get to this conclusion and it is through re-visiting and re-understanding grace. There is nothing that requires God to pay back what the locusts have eaten. There is nothing that requires God to justify a tax-collector. Nothing, that is, except God’s essential nature of love and grace.

I think these sermons have more of “me” in them than usual. I don’t know if this is simply an outcome of the texts from which the sermons are drawn or if it is a consequence of being gone for the past two weeks. Whichever reason it may be, including any other reason not listed above 🙂 I hope you will find them an encouragement.

Knox Presbyterian Payback is sometimes wonderful

https://wordsfromthemiddle.ca/wp-content/uploads/161023_Knox.mp3

St. Mark’s Presbyterian Payback is sometimes wonderful

https://wordsfromthemiddle.ca/wp-content/uploads/161023_St_Marks.mp3

Blessings,

Barry

Article by Barry / Pentecost, Preaching, Sunday, Year C / grace, Joel 2:23ff, Luke 18:9-14, payback, preaching Leave a Comment

Get the sermons by email

I'd be happy to send you the latest sermons as soon as they are on the site.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

© Copyright 2013–2023 · Site by Holtscomm Agency · Log in