Liturgy: “Love ’em like a plumber”

What is the King’s Liturgy? King’s Liturgy defines our experience together as a Christian community. It outlines the rhythms we celebrate with the Church at large: Scripture readings, Sabbath habits, and celebration of Holy Days and historical events.

This Week’s Lectionary Readings
Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28

This week’s liturgy is contributed by Dr. Dru Johnson, associate professor of biblical and theological studies: 

Hello from St Andrews, Scotland!

Last week I encouraged the house associates to spend time just listening to the Scriptures. Read them aloud and together as a house, get out of the way and let them do their work on us. This is truer for some biblical texts than others. The New Testament epistles were essentially sermons, written to be heard in community, not read while alone (though we now have the luxury of having our own private copies that we can study alone). So I offer this week’s genuinely INSANE teaching about our personal lives in community from Paul’s epistle. I’ve added flaming arrows in red to aim Paul’s instruction directly at The King’s College community:

Let love be genuine [unlike the obnoxious detritus that passes for love in TV shows]; hate what is evil [Actually do hate it!], cling to what is good [As in, unite yourself to it!]; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord [Get off your duffs and be impassioned about loving others!]. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you [Not sure how much this applies to any of us in the USA.]; bless and do not curse them [This does! Paul doesn’t suffer Christians dogging people.]. Rejoice with those who rejoice [be happy for others who got what you wanted], weep with those who weep [Emotionally connect yourself with people who lost what you haven’t].  Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty [Ahem! TKC faculty and students.], but associate with the lowly [Seriously, how many of us think it’s beneath us to be associated with someone “below our league.”]; do not claim to be wiser than you are [Ahem! TKC faculty and students.]. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all [Bring the idea of human flourishing to all situations, like a wise plumber who serves God, her aging parents, and her community without stirring up gossip and trouble (plumbers know the worst gossip)]. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” [Instead of seeking vengeance when you’ve been wronged, know that Jesus is the actual judge.] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good [We do not hold the scales or weights in personal justice, we only have the ability to do good in response.]. (Romans 12:9–21)

We cannot do what Paul says here. It’s impossible, and if you keep reading in Romans, he only gets more unfeasible. in his description of Christian love. Unless, the Holy Spirit can transform our whole bodies in to the types of servants we were meant to be, it is impossible. If Paul’s easy teaching above doesn’t drive us to prayer, reflection, and embodied action, then we must check our pulse because we are dead women and men walking.

Let love be genuine indeed.