November 12, 2019
Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from the Old Testament reading for Sunday, which is Malachi 4:1-2a: 1See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2aBut for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. (NRSV)
Sunday will be the next to last in this church year, and we will hear Jesus tell his disciples that there will be wars, famine, betrayal, and more, before the end comes. These can be frightening words. Honestly, this reading from Malachi doesn’t sound much rosier. For some, it seems, only stubble will remain. Yet, there will be the rise of righteousness, with healing. There is hope.
At the pastor’s study, this idea of hope rising from ashes made me think of the quilts that will be placed on the pews Sunday for blessing (along with School Kits, Personal Care Kits, and school pantry food items) before being shipped around the neighborhood and the world. The quilts are a thing of beauty, lovingly put together by folks who take the discards or scraps from other items and tease out of that warm and durable quilts. The trash of some becomes beauty for others. Even a “home.” At the very least a piece of security - an assurance of not being forgotten or put out as trash themselves.
With God there is always hope and assurance. What looks like the end can be just a beginning. What looks like defeat can mean resurrection. And, with God, healing takes place.
Blessings.
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