SERMON
March 7, 2021
"Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength
and my redeemer." (Psalm
19, v 14)
As I began to write this sermon,
I thought it would be interesting to have a quick look back to March 7, 2020.
Just a short twelve months ago. A time that, at least in my mind, is a complete
blur. Back then, what were we doing? What were the headlines of the day? What
pre-occupied America?
On that day in 2020, the New York
Times led with an article titled, "Spiraling Virus Fears Are Causing
Financial Carnage." The Washington Post reported "Coronavirus
continues its rapid spread, confounding efforts by global leaders." The
Posts reporters went on to write, "Efforts to contain the coronavirus
outbreak showed signs of faltering during the weekend, as Washington, D. C.
confirmed its first case Saturday, and Italian leaders announced a plan early
Sunday to lock down an entire region including Venice and Milan after reporting
1,000 new cases in 24 hours. The virus's exact reach remains unknown."
The virus's exact reach remains
unknown… That I am sure you will agree was, and still is, a vast
understatement. In the twelve months since that article appeared the deadly power
of the coronavirus has proved catastrophic in the United States and throughout
the globe. The impact of this still very present pandemic will not be known for
many years – perhaps never. But, one thing cannot be disputed, its bewildering
symptoms; its propensity to cause the rapid onset of life-threatening and far
too frequently deadly symptoms; and its lingering and sometimes debilitating
aftereffects have caused millions of lives to take dramatic turns in every
direction. Dramatic turns in order to, quite literally, stay alive.
The church, not unlike all other
institutions, has been deeply affected by the coronavirus. On Palm Sunday,
April 5, 2020, just four weeks after the Washington Post reporters wrote "the
virus's exact reach remains unknown" St. Simon's doors were closed for
worship. Throughout Holy Week St. Simon's doors were closed. On Easter Sunday
St. Simon's doors were closed. In fact, St. Simon's doors remained closed until,
five months later, when on Saturday, September 5th both indoor and
outdoor worship resumed.
During this time, Fr. David,
Jennifer, and a host of others scrambled to learn alternative ways of offering
worship. Initially, Facebook was our primary platform for live streaming
Morning Prayer and a modified Sunday service. Then we added YouTube as a second
platform. As the weeks passed our technological skills increased.
Initially, those of us who serve
at the altar were brought to you as we sat at our kitchen tables or enjoyed the
comfort of our outdoor patios. Slowly, we migrated back to the church – just
the clergy and altar guild at first. Then, a little music was added; and then,
one lector. Finally, on September 5th St. Simon's doors were opened. Our congregation
resumed worship in the pews.
Throughout all of this, Fr. David,
and I, along with clergy throughout the country spent many hours wondering how
best to keep people engaged. How best to keep them in touch with God. How best
to bring the Holy Spirit and the comfort of community into the midst of this
tragic, terrifying, and isolating time.
As the blanket of fog imposed by the
trauma of Covid 19 lifts and we slowly emerge into the world once again, many,
if not all, of us are experiencing our lives and the world in ways never
imagined. These new ways are the seeds of our future together. Seeds that
require acknowledgement and attention.
In some cases, these seeds are
new and amazing ways of experiencing God in the world and in our lives. These particular
seeds I believe, if given the proper attention and care, can grow into what our
Presiding Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, calls a true Jesus Movement. They
can flourish and develop into refreshingly new and energized ways of discipleship
- of bringing the light of Christ into the world.
So, what are these seeds you may
ask. What are these new ways that people are experiencing God in the world?
Well, here are a few direct quotes from folk at St. Simon’s:
“I now
see so clearly that church is not about a building. It’s about being out in the
world and bringing love to those who are alone and isolated.”
“I never
understood the importance of our community, it’s about more than coffee hour
gathering – it’s about worshipping together. In community. Praying together as
a community is so important.”
I never
heard the words of Scripture – not like I do now. Scripture has taken on a
whole new meaning for me.”
These are but a few of the
comments that I have heard, time and again, from so many of you. And each time
I hear you express such a thought - express it with passion, with conviction - my
heart takes a little leap of joy. “Yes,” I say to myself. “Yes,” the church is
still alive and like a branch in the springtime, it is growing new buds and
shoots. Buds and shoots that with attention and care will grow into healthy and
most thrilling ways of being Christians in the world.
Today’s psalm reflects my thoughts
on our coronavirus journey so beautifully. It is a celebratory psalm that is
written in three distinctive sections. It begins by celebrating the universe
that God has created. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the
firmament shows its handiwork…In the deep he has set a pavilion for the sun; it
come forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber; it rejoices like a champion to
run its course.”
So many of us, in this
coronavirus isolation time have developed new ways of connecting with the magnificence
of God’s creation. Walks in wooded areas and leisurely strolls on the beach; evenings
spent on the porch or patio gazing at the sunset, the rising of the moon, the
glimmering of the stars; participating in the St. Simon’s outdoor service along
with the wildlife that comes and goes over the calm bay waters. In one way or
another we have seen God reflected in the work of his glorious creation in new and
life-giving ways. Through his Creation God has remained with us in our time of isolation.
The second portion of the psalm celebrates
God’s law. “The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart; the
commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes.”
Many, if not most, of us are now
listening to Scripture and prayers through ears newly attuned to hearing God’s
love for the world and his desire for us to love the world as he loves us. God’s
law – his commandments – heard anew, give light to the path that he has set for
us. A path that leads to coming together in new ways not only in the building,
but perhaps more importantly in the world. Through his Word God has remained
with us in our time of isolation.
In the final section, the psalm
moves its focus from God to us. It prompts us to enter into inward reflection
and the admission that we are far from achieving the perfection that God has envisioned
for us. We are far from having the strength or the courage to remain steadfast
in our commitment to God and his way. “Above all, keep your servant from
presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion over me; then shall I be whole and
sound, and innocent of a great offense.”
This final section is an
important reminder that our work at rebuilding a church community now and in
the coming months will not be easy. The challenges are not for the feint at
heart. The future, as has always been the case, is unknown; and, because we are
human, we will make errors in judgement and action as we imagine and plan.
It is our very humanness that
makes it so important to listen carefully to the last section of this psalm.
“Above all keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion
over me…,” says the psalmist. He warns us that without a self-reflective
honesty that acknowledges and explores our vulnerability– our tendency to fall
away from God’s path - without this honesty with self, we are at peril of failing
to stay on God’s path.
Finally, the closing verse of our
psalm says it all. It is an expression of our intent. It is our commitment to
God to do our best as we go into the world following the light of his way and
tending to the seeds that he has cast upon us to grow and to harvest.
"Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength
and my redeemer." (Psalm 19, v 14)
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