Ps 37, Lk 6 & Parsnips

“Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers,” says the psalmist.

Easy to say. Not so easy to do.

“Turn the other cheek,” says Jesus.

I’m not sure the folks of Ukraine fancy turning the other cheek after being thrown under a bus by two wanna-be emperors.

“Love your enemy.”

Yeah, nice idea but how? I’m only human.

I mean, these are great words – they look fab on an inspirational poster – but how do they play out in our real lives, when your ex is behind on child support, when your friends are bitchy about you behind your back, when life’s just handed you the sticky end of the stick and that brown stuff ain’t mud, y’know?

The Bible is full of fine words, but I don’t see no parsnips buttered.

For the uninitiated, the phrase ‘Fine words butter no parsnips’ dates from the 1600s (faire words butter noe parsnips) and means that mere words don’t get the job done. Pity, ‘cos buttered parsnips are YUM!

We need more than fine words in our very broken world. Yes, there are glimmers of goodness if you look for them, but in the news this week, I have seen … well, fill in your own selection of the wicked prospering. It’s hard not to fret.

Mind you, it’s kinda comforting to know that for centuries, for millennia, God’s people have seen the unfairness of the rich getting richer and the poor getting kicked under the table, and bringing that unfairness to God. People then are just like people now.

But it’s hard to not fret over those who seem to get away with anything they like, while I’m plodding along trying to live a good life and all I have to show for it is a bigger heating bill than last year. Again.

Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.

The Bible is full of fine words, but they’re not platitudes from a poster. They’re honest, they’re written by folks who see the injustices that we see, who live in the world that we live in, and who have found some wisdom for living in it well. Their words are practical and workable (note, I didn’t say easy).

Do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. Refrain from anger and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil.

Fretting doesn’t bother the evil-doers. It only harms us. It damages our trust in God and in his justice. God will deal with it.

We see the injustice, we bring it to God and then we leave it there. It’s God’s problem, not ours. Be at peace. (Unless, of course, when we bring it to God he suggests we do something about it …)

Yes, the Bible is full of fine words—and they slather those Pastinaca sativa with the best high-cholesterol pure dairy spread. Yum!

Liturgy Resources for Seventh Sunday after Epiphany

Luke 6:27-38

Confession and Absolution

Let us call to mind our failings as we hear the words of our Lord:
Love your enemies;
do good to those who hate you.
[pause]
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
[pause]
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Be merciful, as your Father is merciful,
and do not judge, lest you be judged.
[pause]
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Lord of all mercy,
forgive our sin, we pray,
not because we are worthy, but because you are kind;
not because we are good, but because Jesus is;
not because we deserve it, but because we need it.
Amen.

God forgive us all our sins,
and set our feet upon the path to heaven.
Amen.