The Anglican tradition always includes three readings that together form a chord of divine insight. Today’s readings consider how to keep God’s laws. Would you say that you have a grasp of God’s law? Let’s check out our understanding through today’s lessons.

The first reading tells of Moses giving the law. Moses says: “keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you….  never let them slip from your mind all the days of your life.” Moses knew what the law was, and that its purpose was to keep the people safe and strong in the land God would give them.

The people were following that law resolutely when Jesus lived. The law ruled the people’s lives in every particular, what they ate and how they ate it, and how they washed their dishes. They were perturbed when Jesus neglected to “observe the traditions of the elders.” So here is a lesson about God’s law. It can change. Jesus told those Pharisees and scribes, “You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition” when you worry about table manners. The law is about loving God and your neighbor.

James is one of my favorite New Testament books. I love this: “You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.” I know James’ advice is sound – be slow to speak, be cautious about anger, especially if anger grows from self righteousness.

“Therefore (James continues) welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.” The “implanted word” – that is God’s law for us, if we prayerfully seek it. The law, says James, “is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” The other thing James says about God’s law is: “Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.

How shall we be doers of the word? James gives a clue. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror….” Hearers are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; they see themselves and not the creation, not the the widows and orphans.

I want to suggest that at this moment, to be doers of the word, we have work in the world. We need to listen to what is going on with healthcare reform. Listen and educate ourselves. Not to join the angry partisan wrangling, not to spout angry words, but as Christians, we are called to participate as instruments of healing and redemption.

Healthcare reform is fundamentally about whether we are a community that values the life of each person – poor, rich, or middle class. The faith community must remind our elected officials that health care is not just about dollars and cents, but is a moral issue of life and death.

There is no religious mandate for a specific, God-ordained system of health care or insurance. But as these policy questions are debated in the White House, in Congress, and in the press, they should also be discussed in churches. With an issue like health -- deeply personal but of great public concern -- the faith community can define and raise the moral issues that lie at the root of the policy debate.

The measure of a society is seen in how it treats the most vulnerable. The current discussion about health-care reform is important for the United States to move toward a more just system of providing care to all people. The faith community the fear that health-care reform means people will lose their current health insurance, be denied the ability to see their own doctor, or have to wait for care.

A non-partisan and expert educational resource is Kaiser Health Reform Gateway: Health Care Reform and Health Insurance Reform Analysis, Data and Information. It gives clear side by side comparisons between health care plans. An easy way to inform congress that we are concerned about health care reform is to sign the Sojourners : Faith in Action health care creed. This is a statement asking Congress to provide lower-income individuals and families with comprehensive benefits that are truly affordable and to create shared responsibility for the cost of reform. Look for these links on St. Paul’s website through this sermon.

Now, to prepare ourselves, please turn to page 821 of the prayer book to pray for sound government:

For Sound Government 
 
O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we 
may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to 
other nations of the earth. 
Lord, keep this nation under your care. 
 
To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors 
of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative 
authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their 
duties. 
Give grace to your servants, O Lord. 

To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our 
laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and 
foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to 
fulfill our obligations in the community of nations. 
Give grace to your servants, O Lord. 
 
To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding 
and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and 
justice served. 
Give grace to your servants, O Lord. 
 
And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to 
accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they 
may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for 
the well-being of our society; that we may serve you 
faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name. 
For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as 
head above all. Amen.