Monday’s thoughts
Sermon for March 18th
“Getting Even Never Adds Up”
One of the most important lessons of Lent is the discovery of a truth that is basic to our tradition. It is the conviction that we are best served living our lives forward not backward. We can lament what happens to us but we may not be able to change it.
Especially it is true when it comes to getting even. People, who are looking out for themselves, often cause us pain and inconvenience. Sometimes what people do to us to hurt us is intentional. They mean to be mean. They try to hurt us. The natural thing to do is to try to get even with them; to hurt them as they have hurt us. It is my belief that this never works. Getting even never does; it never adds up.
In the final days of Jesus life it appears that he went to his death willingly and without complaint. He submitted to the authority, he tolerated a trial that was a farce, and he picked up his cross and went to his death. He was a witness to his faith, but he was also wise in what he did, and his example is wisdom for us.
In the sermon next Sunday I want to expose some of the options we are apt to take and to push those option to their logical conclusions. I can’t say that I practice what I will be preaching but I do think it is right to acknowledge “getting even never adds up”.
I expect all of us can point out those times in our lives when we have been “wronged” and have tried to “pay them back”. Even if we are able to accomplish a measure of revenge it will not be satisfying.
I would love to hear from you on this important subject.
What have you learned about “getting even”?
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net
If you are willing to have the congregation read your responses click on the “comments” box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
