Rich in so many ways…
…and yet, Jesus sees our poverty. Do we?
Photo by Mathieu Stern on Unsplash
The New Testament reading for April 29 is Revelation 2:8-11, which, on the surface, is a message from the risen Christ (“the First and the Last, who was dead and came to life” - Rev. 2:8) to the church in Smyrna.
As part of what’s considered the apocalyptic material in the Bible, there is, of course, much more to it than that. And, there’s much more to it than what you’ll read here!
But I wanted to offer a quick reflection on one line that struck me just now: “I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich.” (Rev. 2:9)
…because it stopped me in my tracks.
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In so many ways, I am rich--rich in material wealth (relatively speaking), rich in relationships, rich in health... I’m rich in opportunities and privilege and choice... Compared to many, I’m rich in so many real ways…
So many of us are so rich in so many ways…
Sooo…is Jesus talking to me? “[Even though you are rich] I know your affliction and your poverty…”
But I’m healthy! And wealthy! What affliction is he seeing? What poverty does he know?
Surely the afflictions that need tending are out there--a fact for which I am most certainly, and appropriately, grateful…
Surely the poverty that needs addressing is experienced by others--a reality for which I most humbly, and regularly, give thanks…
And yet: “I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich.”
How do we who are “wealthy” hear that? Can we who are “healthy” heed that?
…because the truth is, there are absolutely afflictions within us that need tending, and internal poverty that’s crying out to be addressed.
There are afflictions of the heart and poverty of spirit within all of us. There is woundedness in all of us that longs for healing, and secrets and shame that long for light.
Despite our walls of protection, we have all been hurt; and despite our mountains of good intentions, we have all hurt others. Within us all, there are afflictions of the mind and poverty in our souls.
Can we acknowledge that? Can we see it? Can we truly humble ourselves and open our eyes and our ears, our minds and our spirits, and hear the Risen Christ saying to us, with firm tenderness, unwavering love, and open arms, “I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich…”?
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When we can--and when we can also hear him say, “And I still love you. And will never leave you.”--then our true and deep healing begins.
May it be so.
Wow, that’s just beautiful Deb. So freakin’ true.
I greatly appreciate Deb’s title “Rich in So Many Ways” and the accompanying reflection. Thank you, Deb.
I casually pulled up Rev2:8-11, landed on the NIV version and noted the crucial first sentence of verse 9 ends “...your poverty—yet you are rich!”, while in NRSV verse 9 ends “...your poverty, even though you are rich.” A tiny shift in words and adding an exclamation point in the NIV seems to reflect a more positive view of our “richness”. The NIV seems to be affirming “richness” -- the richness of our spiritual wealth manifest in the Risen Christ; of our relationships with God and with each other; and of the opportunity to effect changes that comes with our privilege. The NRSV seems to adopt a slightly less positive view of “richness”. Acknowledged freedom of the translator’s pen, and at the risk of over-analyzing, perhaps there is reason to view our “richness” both in light the positive opportunity it provides each of us to advance the kingdom – and in light of the sometimes heavy responsibility that “richness” brings with it.
Deb, keep writing the substacks!