Surprise Irony

This Sunday I get to enjoy a beautiful bit of divine irony. Three summers ago I took a class on the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) from Dr. Kevin Wilson as part of my Doctor of Ministry coursework. It was an amazing class that helped me make better sense of some challenging sections of Scripture, namely, Leviticus and parts of Numbers. Kevin is a gifted teacher and as knowledgeable about the Old Testament as they come. One of my final pieces of coursework was to write a 10-page sermon on Leviticus 19 (or about twice the length of my "normal" sermons).

Well, guess what passage from the Old Testament is appointed for Sunday? And guess who happens to be scheduled to preach at St. Peter's? Yep, Leviticus 19 and Kevin Wilson.

I promise, I had no idea what the readings would be when I invited Kevin to come. But you'd better believe I'll be reviewing my sermon for his class and listening for anything that sounds familiar! (just kidding)

In all seriousness, if you've ever thought the book of Leviticus is antiquated, irrelevant, or just plain crazy, you'll want to read Leviticus 19. It begins with an invitation by God to all of us to holiness in emulation of God's own holiness, and then sets out some descriptions of what that holiness looks like. It includes some seemingly strange presciptions, like not wearing blended fabrics or sowing different seeds in the same field.

But it also includes the direction to treat the alien as an equal, to bear no hate against anyone, and to love your neighbor as yourself.

Believe it or not, the famed Golden Rule, that foundational statement of justice and compassion, wasn't first spoken by Jesus (though it certainly framed his life and ministry). Actually it comes from the book of the Bible most Christians skip over entirely: Leviticus.

On Sunday Kevin will be our guest and I can't wait to hear what he has to share with us. I can't wait to sit in Adult Forum and listen as he speaks about Exodus (our assignment for Good Book Club). And I can't wait to hear how he opens us to the unexpected power and challenge and beauty of Leviticus: that we would all be holy as God is holy, and love our neighbors as ourselves.

See you Sunday.