The scripture texts assigned for this week seem to contain a
lot of lists. Some describe what is good, and some note what
is not good. If you are a list person, you might be tempted to
turn any one of these passages into a sort of holy checklist of
“to-do” items. Commentators warn us against doing this. Rather
than lists, these are a series of descriptions pointing to how the
beloved community acts. They are not lists of qualifications for
belonging. As today’s reading points out—the work of God in
Christ Jesus is what qualifies those who are being saved.

That being said, it is tempting to read these as a list. I have
a love-hate relationship with lists. I make them to help me
remember various things; sometimes I even follow them. When
I check over a list, I gain a sense of accomplishment from what
I’ve completed and I may be prompted to act on some remaining
items. So far, so good. However if a list (or in this case, a
description) turns into an indictment for the uncompleted work
and stops me from pressing on, it is not helpful. At all.

This week we will be looking for descriptions of who we
are becoming in Christ, as faithful followers and as a community.
We will find some things that need attention, and we will
find some areas in which we can see and claim God’s work.
As we study and reflect let us keep in mind that it is God who
invites us on the journey and it is God who qualifies us, not our
wisdom or our own efforts.

Paul lists the criteria God has used for this qualification:
“God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God
chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose
what is low and despised in the world . . . so that no one might
boast in the presence of God.”