I was recently reading a blog by Libby Spears, who told a story about a conversation with her daughter, Trinity. Libby said that once when Trinity was ten years old, she said something that to her mom ears that sounded deeply unkind. Libby said, “Trinity, you are being disrespectful.” Trinity responded, “Mom, if you want respect, you have to give respect.” Libby said she resisted the inner temptation to overreact, and said, “Excuse me?” Trinity explained, “We get in trouble for being sassy and loud, but you are sassy and loud all the time. It’s not fair.”
This little snippet exposed a generationally different view of “justice”. The parent believed that respect came with age and status. The younger thought it must be earned. This is but one example of relational tension between “the generations.” Since August Comte, social scientists have been working on the puzzle of generational difference. In the ‘western world’, those who write about generations tend to speak of six or seven distinct ones. What seems constant is that each of these generations develop their own ways of acting, speaking and understanding. When we fail to learn and value the patterns of the other, communities can go quickly off the rails.
In the Scriptures, there are many stories of generational relationships and transition. One is the story of Elijah and Elisha, found in II Kings. Elijah was a powerful and charismatic prophet in Israel, but the time had come for him to “depart”. But there was work to do, and he went about the process of recruiting a successor, namely, Elisha. Before Elijah leaves in a fiery chariot, Elisha asks Elijah for a double portion of his spirit. Viewed from a standpoint of generational tension, this could have seemed presumptuous. “Give to me by immediate decree what you have earned over decades.” However, from a standpoint of generational abundance, we see this as a blessing that an older prophet lovingly and prayerfully offers a younger and gifted one who will have many great tasks to accomplish.
We’ll crack open this can of worms on Sunday in worship at St. Mark’s, as the sermon is titled, “Double Portions of Spirit: the Power of Generational Abundance.” The sermon flows from II Kings 2: 1-14, which will be read by Stephanie Conklin. The Chancel Choir, accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs and directed by Gerry Sousa, will lead us musically. We will have a moment for children, offer prayers and sing hymns.
If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream.