Find and Follow the Light...

SERMON

Christ Church, St. Michael’s Parish

Advent I – 2015

Today, I celebrate my one-year anniversary as a member of the Christ Church family. I wish that I could say that it has been a wonderful year, filled with nothing but joy and harmony. But, unfortunately that is not the case. 

That is not to say that there have not been joyful moments – there certainly have been many joyful moments, and many fascinating, spiritually uplifting and important conversations in our Bible Challenge, History of Christianity and lectio divina classes. Nor, would it be fair to say that all is in discord – that certainly is not the case. Many important ministries here at Christ Church are carried out by dedicated, fun-loving, faithful and hardworking parishioners.  

However, overall, this year has been difficult – bumpy – challenging - not just for me but for many of us.

Personal and family illnesses and deaths; congregational challenges, including the upcoming period of transition as we seek a new rector; a non-stop and heartbreaking escalation of civil and world-wide violence that has resulted in tragic and senseless murders and massacres; a refugee crisis that surpasses that of World War II, and has now been called “the emptying of Syria”; and, a series of natural disasters that have left many homeless, bereft of possessions and memories collected over a lifetime of work and play.

I cannot help but think that all of us have been touched by one or more of these events. I cannot help but think that at least one if not several of these events has prompted many of us to reconsider our way of looking at the world and our way of considering our personal theology – our way of thinking about God – our way of living out our spiritual commitment to follow Jesus by living a life that has as its focus the Kingdom of God – not the kingdom of terrorism, not the kingdom of politics, not the kingdom of power and control – but, the Kingdom of God.

In Matthew 6:33 Jesus says boldly, “Strive first for the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” All of “these things” of course refers to the worldly needs such as money, food and clothing. Worldly things that all too frequently take possession of the lenses through which we see and live our life.

Staying on the path – keeping our eye focused on Jesus as we strive to belong to, and through belonging, bring to the world the Kingdom of God – is not easy. In fact, we would not be human if we did not question, did not falter in faith, did not have what I like to call theological crises from time to time – did not fall off the Kingdom of God path.

And, I believe that we all have a point at which we reach that says, “Enough.” A point at which we feel overwhelmed by inner turmoil and sadness that causes a profound pain. A pain that hangs on our heart and lingers there throughout the day and night. A pain that is associated with loss. A deep, inconsolable grief that takes one’s breath away and leaves you numb, tearful, confused and wondering – wondering. Just wondering…Where do I go from here? Where is God in this?

It is a times like this, times of profound pain and confusion that we are at risk of falling off the path – the path to the Kingdom of God.

For me, that penultimate event – that “enough,” was the November 13 massacre in Paris. Paris a city that I have visited many times – a city with a complex and tumultuous history – a city which is known and loved by many - and, of course, a city no more or no less important than any other city in the world. 

The massacre in Paris was, for me, one straw too many. Somehow the images beaming through the various media reports brought a penetrating sadness into my heart and soul – a sadness that has not only to do with Paris, but a sadness that comes from watching and reading about murders and massacres on a regular basis – a sadness that grows daily as I watch the pain and desolation of millions of refugees who no longer have a home – no longer  have a place to lay their head. A sadness that is ever emerging as daily our political system becomes increasingly polarized and fragmented. A sadness that for many the church has become irrelevant. That the God I love and who loves me and the rest of the world is not loved by so very many - anymore.

So, today when we read in Luke, “Jesus said: ‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken,’ I cannot help but wonder if we should not be listening to his words of warning closely, very closely, for they sound quite like what is happening in our world today.

But then, Jesus, always the wise and passionate teacher, followed this challenge with a powerful command, “Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 

He commanded his disciples to pay attention. He assured them that if they did pay attention to his teachings the possibility of salvation from all of these potential disasters was very real. He stated boldly that rescue, deliverance, and salvation in the face of disaster are always a possibility -  if  - if we “stay alert” to the reality that “The kingdom of God is near.” 

The Kingdom of God is always right there for us. But, we have to seek it – open our hearts to it –commit to a life that is centered on following Jesus and traveling the road to the Kingdom of God.

Jesus’ teaching continues, “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day (the day of foreboding of what is coming upon the world) catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

For me, the salient phrase here is, “Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place…”

Be Alert - What better words to snap us back from periods of fear, sadness and confusion that have the power to distract us, to deter us, to muffle our ears, blind our eyes, and seal our heart against hearing Jesus and seeking God as we face our life challenges.

Be alert, be involved in the world, experience your feelings of sadness and grief, but don’t take your eyes off the road – don’t let your emotions drive your ears, your eyes, and your heart into a place of hiding and false comfort. Don’t get bogged down in your anger and despair.

In his “Letters and Papers from Prison” “Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, “This is what I mean by worldliness– taking life in one’s stride, with all its duties and problems…It is in such a life that we throw ourselves utterly into the arms of God and participate in his sufferings in the world…The place where worldliness and spirituality meet is the place where the Christian faces life empowered with the grace and love of God.”

The combination of Jesus’ warning us to be alert, and Bonhoeffer’s teaching that effective disciples of Christ must throw themselves into the world and all of its challenges, while at the same time opening their minds and their hearts to the presence of God within them and in the world  - that is essence of the work that must be done on this our Advent journey in 2015.

Reflecting on today’s gospel and Bonhoeffer’s wisdom, and having spent the past week in deep reflection and prayer, I am prepared to begin this year’s Advent journey and my second year at Christ Church with renewed energy. 

The pain of my sadness has eased and made way for the God within me to shine once again. Free of my several weeks of self-absorbed sadness, I am empowered to get back on the road to the Kingdom of God despite the challenges of the world around me. I am ready to experience the joyful anticipation of the birth of Jesus and the thrilling energy that this incarnation – this incredible gift from God – will bring into our hearts and into our lives. 

I am prepared to, like that shepherds of Luke’s gospel, follow the command to journey to the  manger in Bethlehem where I know that I will find Jesus, the infant, whose light and life will lead me as I travel that rocky road to the Kingdom of God.

I pray that you all will join me - “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2:15)

It Is Better To Give...

Sermon

Christ Church, St. Michaels Parish

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Mark 12:38-44

Hearing the story of the poor widow reminds me of the stewardship campaign that we conducted at St. Paul’s, Delray Beach several years ago. The campaign was called Consecration Sunday.  The focus of the campaign was – “What is God calling me to give.”

Consecration Sunday worked a bit differently than many other stewardship campaigns. Appeal Letters and Pledge Cards were not used. Nor were charts indicating, based on income, who might consider giving what. There was no discussion of how much the church electricity or the church staff salaries, or various church programs cost. In fact, there were absolutely no Stewardship Campaign materials at all.

Instead, on each of the three Sundays that preceded Consecration Sunday, a congregation member got up and gave witness to how St. Paul’s had brought God into their lives. How their faith had been enriched by the Church. How much closer they felt to God as a result of their involvement in the St. Paul’s community. How important St. Paul’s was to their lives. 

On all three Sundays we heard eloquent testimonials - one moved us all to tears, another brought laughter, and the third quiet awe. The stories were compelling and ended in an invitation for congregation members to consider growing in faith through considering what God was calling them to contribute to the church on Consecration Sunday.

The fourth Sunday, Consecration Sunday, featured a guest speaker who delivered a sermon/personal story that, once again, gave witness to the power of God’s presence in their lives and to the essential role that church – the participation in a church community - played in making that presence come alive.  

We were reminded that the church is our way of being with God; strengthening our faith through corporate worship; and being supported by the love and fellowship of our congregation family. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians, “…so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice.” 

In church we are living out the very first vow of our Baptismal Covenant, “Will you continue in the apostle’s teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers.”

At the conclusion of the guest speaker’s presentation the rector stepped forward and asked the ushers to distribute pledge cards and pencils. He asked the congregation members to be in prayer and to discern what it was that God was calling them to contribute. He was specific in giving us the directive that we were not to think of how much money the church needed to pay its bills. No mention was made of budget numbers, or of the church’s financial needs.

The focus of giving was our acknowledgement of God’s unconditional love and our desire to make a faith commitment by giving a percentage of our income to God’s household, our Church. 

The congregation was given 10 minutes to complete their pledge cards. They were then asked to bring the cards forward and to place them in baskets on the altar. I would say that about 95% of the congregation came forward within the next ten minutes –quietly, reverently, and with very peaceful faces. Once the baskets were filled, they were blessed by the rector and remained on the altar throughout the Eucharistic meal.

The church service was followed by a wonderful luncheon in the parish hall. Towards the end of the luncheon, as everyone was finding room for one last miniature French pastry the rector stepped to the center of the room, with microphone in hand, and announced that the ingathering had netted a little over $197,000. Gasps, great clapping, and whoops of joy followed. We were just $50,000 short of our annual goal.

Without question, St. Paul’s is a parish that has its fair share of families who are financially quite comfortable. However, it also a parish that has its fair share of young families, single people, and people in recovery. People who by the end of each paycheck period, very possibly do not have excess funds. It seemed clear to all of us - the St. Paul’s staff - that in order to reach the rather staggering amount of $197,000 that Consecration Sunday morning, many people had dipped deep into their pocket in order to make their faith statement and to show their commitment to and investment in the St. Paul’s church community.

In today’s gospel reading from Mark Jesus teaches his disciples a dramatic lesson in giving with love and in faith. Jesus is clear in his message - love doesn't calculate. It doesn’t concern itself with appearances. But, it does spend lavishly when it comes to ensuring that God’s Kingdom will reign! 

Jesus drives this point home to his disciples while he sits in the Temple courtyard observing all that is going on around him. Jesus dismisses as questionable the donations offered by the well to do Pharisees who have accumulated their wealth by taxing the less fortunate and placing them at risk of losing their homes and a way to feed their families. The amount of their donations may be significantly large, but are they given from the heart or from a need to give witness to their wealth and prestige?

Then, as the Pharisees pass by, they eventually give room to an old widow in tattered clothing. The widow steps forward and places two small coins in the donation basket. Mark leads us to assume that these two coins are the sum total of her wealth. Her donation may mean that she has nothing left for food or shelter. 

Watching all that is going on closely Jesus praises the poor widow who has given these small coins in contrast with the rich pharisees who gave greater sums. Jesus implies that the widow’s two small coins given in faith and in love have more value than the larger donations of the Pharisees given out of habit - a routine gift expected of someone in their position.

A gift that is given with a grudge or for display loses most of its value. But a gift given out of faith and with love, with a spirit of generosity and sacrifice, is invaluable. The amount or size of the gift doesn't matter as much as the attitude of the giver.

This coming week is a week for all of us to spend time in prayerful discernment that centers on the many ways in which our faith has been nurtured and deepened by our life in community at Christ Church. It is a week in which we are called, all of us, to remember and to savor the many ways in which Christ has tapped us on the shoulder prompting us to volunteer for various ministries, accompanied us on difficult journeys, and watched over us in both good times and bad times these many years.

It is a week to remember the many good and generous works of service that this church, and each of its parishioners, has offered and continues to offer to each other, the community, the nation and the world over these many years.

It is a week to set aside issues and conversations that lead us away from Jesus and his commandment to follow him and to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is a week to burn into our heart the word “love” and our baptismal vow to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to love our neighbors as ourselves. 

It is a week to focus on our myriad blessings and to act out of love. It is a week to be in peace as we discern the gift that we will place in the basket next week as our pledges are collected and blessed. It is a week to love God with all our heart, all of our mind, and all our soul.

What we have to offer may look to some, or many, of us very small and not worth much. But if we put all we have - our time, our talent, and our treasure - at Christ’s disposal, no matter how insignificant it may seem, then God can do with it and with us what is beyond our reckoning. 

Do you know the joy and freedom of giving liberally to God and to neighbor with gratitude and love? Let us pray…

Generous and loving God, You call us to be disciples

of your son Jesus and good stewards of all your many gifts.

Open our minds and hearts to a greater awareness

and deeper appreciation of your countless blessings.

Transform us through the power of your Spirit to nurture

a stewardship way of life marked by faith-filled prayer,

service to our neighbor and generous sharing.

Teach us to be faithful servants of your gifts. With your help, 

may we return ten-fold the gifts entrusted to us.

Bless our Parish with a deepening 

devotion to prayer, a growing commitment for service, 

and increasing levels of generosity as we work to 

advance the mission of both our parish and diocese.

We pray through Christ, our Lord.   AMEN