...But Nobody Wants to Die

 

Have you ever considered the thought – Everyone WANTS to go to heaven, but nobody WANTS to die?

It doesn’t take much reflection to realize that WANTS rule our lives. We want to have, we want to be, we want to achieve, we want … Our wants are messed up – sometimes, like in the starting quote, not compatible. Our wants say much about our view of the world and the way we choose to live our lives.

 

This is Labour Day weekend. Labour Day is the first Monday of September. Traditionally it was marked with parades and picnics organized by trade unions. The day is an occasion to campaign for and celebrate workers’ rights. Origins trace back to 1872 and the Toronto Trades Assembly who publicly demonstrated to release from prison those who went on strike to fight for a 9hr workday. Groups of skilled workers were encouraged to join trade unions who mediated disputes between employers and employees, demanded safe workplaces and regulated job sights, and advocated for proper compensation for employees.

Whether you like or dislike unions- or are somewhere in between- the core of union work, the stand of the employer, and the public’s perception, is wrapped up in naming and negotiating WANTS and NEEDS.

 

This week, CBC Radio One had a segment about back-to-school and how this is an ideal time to teach children financial intelligence. The young people interviewed spoke about first day clothing and how one had to dress to fit in; others spoke of wanting the ‘right’ backpacks and shoes. Parents spoke about the increased cost of everything from school supply lists through lunch box foods. The interviewee stated that a foundation skill of healthy money management is determining and separating NEEDS and WANTS.

 

Two weeks ago, when Habitat Canada presented their proposal to us, it was nice to dream about what could be. Creating something new ----we dream, we want. Slipped into their talk was a question -that we have not yet tackled, (but will) what are our NEEDs in a worship space, as a gathering faith community, and as a community space? What serves us and what doesn’t? Stewardship of God’s gifts begins in articulating and separating our NEEDS and our WANTS.

 

This year, the Gospel of Matthew has been our guide through the stories of Jesus. Matthew’s Gospel has waxed on interpreting the meaning of the Law for everyday life. The Gospel does not shy away from pointing to NEED and WANT. NEED as exemplified in texts like Mt. 6: 11, give us today our daily bread. Later in the same chapter with regards to WANT: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures … where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Mt.6: 19-21

By the end of the same chapter, Matthew directs listeners to a principle that helps sort out the mess we get into with unbalanced WANT - Seek 1^st the kindom of God and his righteousness and all things will be added to you. Mt. 6:33

 

This morning once again Matthew continues – one way, among many, to interpret this morning’s text is in relation to NEEDS and WANTS. We hear: For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? (Mt. 16: 26)

 

There is a story of a happy labourer, who went to work each day whistling merry tunes. The labourer led a simple life and was content. The ruler of the land was annoyed that the labourer should be so happy with so little; the ruler didn’t understand how the labourer could be happy. The ruler’s chief aide said, “that’s because the labourer is not part of the ’99 Club.’” “What is that?” asked the ruler.

The chief aide put together a bag with 99 pieces of gold and in the middle of the night left it on the doorstep of the cottage. The next time the ruler saw the labourer, the labourer looked haggard and was no longer whistling merry tunes. The ruler asked the aide, “what is the meaning of this?” The aide replied, “The labourer is now part of the ’99 Club.’ After receiving 99 gold coins, the labourer couldn’t believe that one wasn’t missing – who has a bag of only 99 coins and not 100? The labourer is seeking out that lost coin – a coin that is not lost because it never existed. This want of one more coin will consume the labourer from now until eternity.”

 

We could say that the labourer gained the world in 99 coins; but, the 99 coins also had the labourer lose – forfeit- the contented and peaceful life that was. In a twinkling of an eye WANT dominated the labourer’s life. Human WANTS are all messed up.

 

Matthew’s gospel has been addressing how the Law applies to everyday life. The Law, as in the commandments, the Covenant, and God’s vision of kindom, are all wrapped up in human ability and inability to balance NEEDS and WANTS.

Today’s reading is one more attempt to appeal to those who knew the Law to faithfully live it – not to gain anything for themselves, to be better than someone else, or more righteous; not to find loopholes that had individuals amassing wealth or authority; not to focus on the rules – the do nots-…

Focus was to be LIFE – kindom life.

A life of faithful covenant living, seeking God and God’s kindom first and all things -relationship, community, shalom, contentment – will be added to you. In this NEEDS are met in the whole community. WANTS are balanced.

 

 

To WANT eternal life means that one NEEDS to die.

To WANT God’s kindom to come here, I wonder what NEEDS to die in us as individuals, and in us as a community of faith to allow for that to happen?

 To WANT to continue as a worshiping and gathering community of faith, to discern what is next on the corner of Windsor and Allan, what NEEDS to die, what NEEDS to be carried forward, what NEEDS to change, what NEEDS to resurrect?

 

You are invited to reflect on NEEDS and WANTS in relation to worship space, in relation to congregation and community gathering space.  In coming weeks, a place will be provided to share your NEEDS and WANTS.

Start your reflection grounded in Matthew 6: pray for our daily bread, seek first the kindom of God, place your heart here and breathe deeply.

What do we NEED?

What do we WANT – what does God WANT? What does God NEED?

 

Holy Wisdom,

It is beyond us to consider your needs and wants, yet in our depths we sense that our purpose is in the essence of your needs and wants; the fulfillment of your kindom and living covenant.

Help us discern the difference between our wants and needs.

Instead of asking for what we want, change our prayers to pray for those who need our prayer.

Beyond our needs and wants, God, be at work in our lives and in the lives of others, that the world’s needs and wants become balanced for the wellbeing of all,

that you be glorified, now and forever. Amen.