Rev. George Miller
Sept 24, 2023
Genesis 32:9-21
Last week we discussed how Latin culture is very family focused,
such being in Walmart and seeing the grandmother, parents, kids, and cousins all
shopping together.
Other aspects of Latin culture can be cleaning the house
on Saturday or how fresh scents, like laundry washed with Sauvitel is a way of
saying to family- I love you.
Another part of Latin culture is “chisme”, which means gossip. But not just any kind of gossip- lively,
detailed stories about family, friends, neighbors.
Chisme is knowing that your friend’s Aunt Gina did not invite
her mother-in-law Helena to the baby shower,
because Helana refused to watch Gina’s cat during her
second cousin’s wedding, and the cat’s name is Chispita.
Chisme is an intricate art form of storytelling, a way
for busy families divided by space and time to stay connected.
We could say that the Bible is full of “chisme.”
Chisme about Eve being seen talking with that sneaky serpent.
Chisme about Abraham having a child with Sarah’s
servant-girl Hagar.
The Gospels are chisme about what Jesus said and
did. Paul’s letters are chisme,
passionately expressing where he went and who he was currently upset with.
If the Bible is “chisme”, think of how these stories of
family melodrama were used to pass the time while slaving away in Egypt or wandering
in the wilderness.
Think of how these tales let multi-generations of
believers to stay connected, even if we never met.
Today’s reading is pure chisme about our cousins Jacob
and Esau.
The chisme goes like this- Uncle Isaac and Aunt Rachel
had twins who were always in competition.
Esau was trusting; Jacob was a trickster. Over the years Jacob tricked Esau out of his birthright
and stole his blessing.
This made Esau so mad that he swore to kill Jacob. Jacob ran away to a land in which he became
very, very rich.
Eventually Jacob realizes it is time to go back home and
face Esau, not knowing if his brother will forgive him or seek revenge.
Jacob sets out with his wives, children, livestock, and servants. He hears that Esau is coming with a militia
of 400 men. Jacob is fearful for his
entire family’s life.
It’s like a soap opera, the chisme is ripe with rich details-
We know who is there, how much there is.
We know Jacob is afraid, so he prays, honors his ancestors,
asks God for deliverance, admits his fear, spends the night deep in thought,
sends his brother an abundant gift of nearly 600 goats, camels, and cows,
valued around $360,000 in today’s currency.
Then he waits, at night, alone. He waits.
Sooo much chisme and we might ask ourselves- Why all this
minute detail of the gift he gives? What
are we to learn? What is this story’s point?
And maybe there is no point.
Maybe the story is the point- a remembrance of an
event in the life of our multi-generational faith family that for some reason we
still talking about 3,000 years later.
Maybe the minute detail is meant to draw our attention to
the guilt Jacob has felt and carried around for decades- the guilt of tricking
his brother, the guilt of deceiving their father, the guilt of taking from Esau
what was rightfully his.
To give one goat or camel may have been enough for a
simple mistake, but Jacob must feel that what he’s done is sooo wrong that he
gives 600.
Maybe his desire to be forgiven is so powerful that he thinks
a $360,000 gift will take care of his emotional debt.
Maybe this chisme-filled story is a means for us to stop
and think-
Who have I wronged?
Who have I hurt? What have I done
that was not a reflection of my very best?
How can I make it right?
Is it too late? Is it ever too
late?
What if even after saying “I am sorry”, even after giving
such a generous gift, we are not forgiven?
What is forgiveness worth? Who benefits from being forgiven?
Today we hear a tale rich with chisme, focusing on one of
the most foundational, and controversial things Jesus taught-
Forgiveness.
Of ourselves. Of another. Forgiveness of our sins, our tragic mistakes,
actions we cannot undo.
And because our aunts and uncles, abuelas and abuelos
chose to tell this story, passing it down for 3,000 years, it is a story for us
to listen to, think about, and share with those who come after.
Today we are reminded that in God it is never too late,
the distance is never too long to admit when we are wrong, and to try to make
relationships right.
Cousin Jacob shows that seeking forgiveness is not easy, rarely
happens quickly, and asking to be forgiven comes with no guarantee.
And even though we may find ourselves in a night or two
alone, to seek forgiveness, to own up to our mistakes, can be a beautiful, life
affirming thing.
Amen and amen.
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