Comments for Linda Other sermons.
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July 7, 2002 |
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Just in case you are expecting something really exceptional today, I just want you to know, that is not going to happen. I cannot speak of course for our musicians John and Pete. But, at least up here I the pulpit, it is not going to happen. I mean, it would definitely not be in keeping with the scriptures read today.
First, let’s look at Abraham. This is not a story about a man who leaves his land, and all he is familiar with, venturing out into the unknown, becoming a nomad in search of God. This is not a story about a woman past childbearing years who gets the news that she will have a child. It is not about the birth of that child. Nor is it about a father who is willing to sacrifice his only son for God. (I sacrificed that story last week to get Sarah in!) Today’s story is about an old man, whose wife has just died, who is trying to discern the will of God with regard to his son’s marriage. It is also a story about a servant, a woman, and an extended family, who try to do the right thing in the everyday routine of their lives.* All are bound by and living with-in the culture and the wedding planning mores of their time. Perhaps the only variable to this is that the parents asked Rebekah if indeed she was willing to go and marry Isaac. I am not sure that was normal in those days, but it helps me like the story more. And I wonder that she said yes until I remember the bounty of gifts the servant brought!
The thread that runs through the whole story is that Abraham and the servant pray their way through this whole event. Rebekah’s family also know this God and seek to do God’s will. And while they are living these unremarkable lives, there is something heroic happening – namely the carrying on of God’s promise to the next generation.* After all, the lineage ends with Isaac if there is no wife and no children. And so, with the well-chosen wife in place, Abraham may depart this world in peace – which he does, in the next chapter.
In the culture I live in, the bane of my existence is the accumulation of paper. It seems to arrive in barrels and boatloads. And I dare not leave it on my desk, because when I return, I am convinced it has reproduced. But every now and then, as I peruse and toss, I find a gem. One such gem was actually a mass mailing to all of the Christian Educators in the United Church of Christ. A friend of mine, who is currently the Chairperson of the Association of United Church Educators, a professional organization, wrote it. She began by saying that most of her time in the ministry had been spent in the basement of various churches. She did not need to explain that to the rest of us. That, of course, is where a good deal of Christian Education happens. And so, she was inviting each of us to share stories of faith, hope and love from the basement! It would be published in some form, she promised. What a wonderful idea, I thought. And it is time. Time we recognized and brought to the fore, all those who pray weekly over the lesson plans and give their best to pass God’s promises on to the next generation. And it is also, all those folks who serve on boards and committees and meet in all the nooks and crannies of the church, praying and trying to discern the will of God for that ministry of the church. And it is all the people who count people and money, and visit and serve, allowing the story to be told and God’s love to be shared with all those to come.
The second non-spectacular story today is the one in Romans. It is not a story about a man having an amazing conversion and becoming an evangelist for Jesus Christ. It is not a story about an imprisoned evangelist who is miraculously released from that prison. It is basically a conversation Paul is having with himself and those in the little Roman Church about how difficult it is to do the right thing and how grateful he is for forgiveness. Nothing spectacular here.
Nothing spectacular, except that for two thousand years People have been gathering at this table, tables like it and unlike it, to remember Jesus, and to seek his love and forgiveness. Like most of us, I try very hard to do the right thing, just like all those people in the Abraham story. But every now and then I look back on something I did and I am devastated by the disaster that came from it. It gives me pause and a great deal of pain. I am reminded again of the existence of evil and how it can catch us up. I am reminded that persons of faith, holding so dearly to their faith have caused great harm in this world. And I am so grateful that there is forgiveness.
The third non- miraculous story or scripture today is the one from Matthew. Jesus is not depicted here feeding multitudes of people, or healing someone from a crippling or disabling disease, or even turning water into wine. He has just given the disciples all the necessary instructions and sent them out into the world. And now he laments the rejection of John the Baptist and the rejection of his own message. Then comes the famous words: "My yoke is easy and my burden is light."
I am not sure that it always is. I think our UCC statement of faith has it right when it refers to the "cost and joy of discipleship." Certainly those who stood up to Hitler when the rest of the Christian Church did not and those who participated in our own struggle for civil rights did not. I think too of Merlene Bagley and John Deckenback who are on mission in Columbia. This of course is true of those who have and are currently serving in the military. None of that is easy or light.
Yet in our daily lives, the ordinariness of our days, the task is basically to pray our way through the days, seek God’s guidance and accept forgiveness when we fall short or go astray. Perhaps a yoke and a burden that is really quite manageable. Particularly when we remember that with each of us doing our small part, some amazing things can happen. After all, it took the whole family and then some to get Isaac married and to get the faith passed on to the next generation.
We have just celebrated the Fourth of July, or Independence Day. It is one of the days that we celebrate this great country. All of us wave our flags, watch fireworks and celebrate our citizenship. I thought it particularly timely, that just a few Sunday’s ago, Sue Bratten was in the lobby after church teaching us how to use the new voting machines. Citizenship in the church hallways!
Maybe, if the truth be told, all the people in the Abraham story have heroic roles, for each of them tries to discern the will of God in their situations. And, it may be here that the best Christian Citizenship is to be found: for we serve the nation best when we struggle with the primary issue of serving God,* and then go on about ordinary tasks like showing up at the right time and the right place and voting.
And as we move forward into a new time in the life of this church, we keep asking our selves, who are we to be now? What is God calling us to do and be? What will be our shape, form and direction? And who will be the heroes? Look around. There is probably one next to you if not in your seat. If the Abraham story is right, with all of us doing our small parts, God will accomplish exceptional and phenomenal things.
*From Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year A, After Pentecost 1Back to
