It’s fiction, so none of us fans have a problem accepting that Claire has fallen through time to 18th Century Scotland. Surrounded by Highlanders, and stuck with her clearly British accent, she finds she is branded as a Sassenach, a term used by locals to label outlanders: that is, anyone who is from "away."
She's not one of them and they remind her of it every single day.
Are you an outlander? Do you ever feel like you've been exiled from all that brings you comfort? Do you sometimes find yourself surrounded by folks who seem to all know each other, to have established relationships; to be a tribe, almost ... but not one to which you can belong?
That's so uncomfortable, so filled with rejection it can become unbearable. All of us have had this kind experience, to some degree. At school or on the playground, at work, in the neighborhood, in our towns ... even at church. We don't seem to know the lingo, and, even if we want to assimilate, no one seems interested in helping us. We feel different, and truly, we are different; every aspect of our daily interactions and environment underscores just how different we are.
What are we supposed to do? Keep a stiff upper lip? Remain calm and carry on? Complain about it?
Claire Randall doesn't know if she will ever return to the modern world. Her long-game is to do just that; but until that's possible, she works at finding a way to fit in. As a way to be useful, Claire brings to bear her intelligence and her nursing experience (a "healer" in the parlance of that time). She doesn't ever truly fit in, but she finds ways to actively benefit those who surround her.
God’s guidance to the exiled Israelites in this week's Lectionary, can benefit us, as well. They were outlanders in every sense; language, culture, societal position. God’s message through Jeremiah was about how to act while their exile remained in place. What a treasure! At last they knew what God expected of them while they were being outlanders; true strangers in a strange land.
Get married, have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children. Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat the produce. In other words, settle in. Of most importance, though: “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
When circumstance (or other people) make us sassenachs and outlanders, we must not let that immobilize us. We must keep living as best we can; growing, flourishing ... settle in and bloom where we’re planted.
And most importantly, we must seek the best for those among whom we are the sassenachs and outlanders. Even going so far as to pray to God for their well-being. Their welfare is our welfare.
That's loving your neighbor as yourself.
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PHOTO - https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a12454737/outlander-season-3-episode-3-review/
A different version of this reflection appeared in October 2016 as Sassenachs and Outlanders.
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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 23 (28) (October 13, 2019)
HTTPS://LECTIONARY.LIBRARY.VANDERBILT.EDU//TEXTS.PHP?ID=283
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
Psalm 66:1-12
2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c
Psalm 111
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Luke 17:11-19
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This Friday morning would be a great time for you to join us at Dayspring’s Lectionary Breakfast. We start at 8:00, sharing our mealtime at Our Breakfast Place (formerly the Waco "Egg and I" restauran). We continue with scripture, discussion, and some of the best fellowship anywhere. We're supposed to leave at 9:00, and some do, but some stay longer.
It's that good.
Blessings,
Steve
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