Daily Lectionary for December 1, 2010
Psalm 50
Isaiah 2:1-4
1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
Luke 20:19-26
1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
"We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul tried again and again, but Satan prevented us."(v.18)
Who talks like this? "Satan prevented us." Really? I don't think you hear this sort of statement much in 2010. I know I don't say things like this very often. As I think about it, maybe it would be helpful to talk this way a little more. While I don't think it's helpful to think of Satan as a red version of the Duke mascot with a little pitchfork and pointy tail, I do think there is something to be gained by speaking about evil in a way that recognizes that it isn't random, but rather the product of intent. Paul senses the call to return to visit the people of Thessalonica and tries multiple times, but each time the plans don't work out. What could be simply viewed as the frustrating way things fall together (or apart) he instead views as meeting intentional opposition from Satan. Which, rather than making him loopy, makes him highly sensible. If he believes he is acting in a way that is in accord with God's will and if he believes that way is being blocked it makes sense that what stands in the way of God's will is evil. Not to push this too far - it is certainly worthy of examination when we think we are doing God's will to be sure that it's not our will we are trying to carry out - but Jesus wasn't shy about talking about evil, Paul doesn't seem to step back from it and perhaps there is something for us to gain in calling that which thwarts God's will by its name. What do you think?
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