In all human associations,
whether political, in families, or in religious association
there are generally two types of personalities. (I may have
spoken of them in the past, and I am sure that I shall again
in the future). First, there are “preservers.” Preservers
prefer to keep things the same. They care deeply about the
structures and convictions that have
sustained their lives right to the present time. Some preservers
want no changes at all; some are open to modest changes in
areas with which they
are comfortable. Preservers do not necessarily agree with each
other about what changes are appropriate.
Pioneers, on the other hand, prefer to explore new possibilities. They
experience life as evolving when new discoveries and information arrive.
They care deeply about the ongoing progression of associations and beliefs.
Some pioneers are very cautious about making changes; some are moderate,
and some are extreme. Additionally, some pioneers are ready to dispose
of the past; on the other hand, many pioneers want to hold on to what they
believe is of value from earlier periods.
Very often, preservers, in all human associations, prefer
the many accumulated regulations and procedures. Time-tested
rules and methods provide security
and stability. In their lives, preservers have lots of unwritten “shoulds” and “oughts” for
most experiences. What they should and ought to do is very clear in most circumstances.
While pioneers do not throw out all regulations and procedures, they
are apt to use conventional regulations and procedures as illuminators
of situations as they arise. Open to reexamining, adventuring, and exploring,
pioneers may consider time-tested rules and methods, but they do not feel
bound by them.
Jesus was very much
a pioneer deeply rooted in his heritage. For example, he valued family,
but redefined
family as those who do the will of God.
He respected customs and regulations, but felt free to set
them aside whenever the love of God, neighbor and oneself
would be better served in non-traditional
ways. In his own personal life, he defied convention by remaining
single instead of marrying and serving as a husband and father.
Furthermore, he
associated closely and warmly with all sorts and conditions
of women and men. How he lived and what he taught astounded
his own people. In his own
hometown, most folks trivialized and ignored this upstart.
After all, wasn’t
he just Mary’s carpenter son, the brother of several siblings, the
kid they had seen growing up around town for so many years?
We are told that Jesus was amazed at their unbelief and realized
that he could not
accomplish much there.
In both church and
society today, we have various types of preservers and pioneers. In
religious
associations, pioneers are present, but most
seem to be preservers, very often right-wing extremists. Tonight
we have already heard about loving God, neighbor and oneself
at the very beginning
of this (Rite One) Service; this is called the “Summary of the Law.” Regrettably,
the ancient Collect of the Day omitted reference to loving oneself, but
got part of it right when we prayed “O God, you have taught us to
keep all your commandments BY LOVING YOU AND OUR NEIGHBOR.” It is
by loving God, our neighbor, and ourselves that we fulfill
the moral mandate given by Christ. From this teaching, all
things can be made new, by this
instruction all convictions are to be measured.
Yet, so many preservers
overlook Jesus’ words and rigidly idolize
and incorporate countless convictions, structures and traditions,
and rules and regulations as infallible beliefs and directives.
The evolution and
application of the Gospel would be paralyzed, if extreme preservers
prevail in any period of time.
You and I should examine our own lives: in matters of religious and societal
issues, to what extent are we preservers, and to what extent pioneers?
To what extent do we choose to be genuine disciples of Christ?