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The Rev. Len Evans
First Sunday in Lent 2013 

One Sunday the Preachers started by saying that he knew that some folks in the congregation smoked, and don't they know that it is bad for them, since their bodies are the temple of God. And over in the Amen Corner, a little old lady said, "Amen!"

The Preacher suggested that he was aware that some members of the congregation were engaging socially with others in ways that were inappropriate, you understand what I mean.And the lady in the Amen Corner, said (a bit louder) "Amen!"

The Preacher then talked about certain intoxicating beverages being used by some others. And there was again the same response from the Amen Corner.

Then the Preacher suggested that some people in the congregation were engaged in loose talk, spreading rumors and the like. And from the Amen Corner, the whole congregation heard, "Now he's stopped preachin' and started meddlin'."

Last Tuesday was Marti Gras, French for "fat Tuesday" or (for us) Shrove Tuesday. Traditionally this is the time to rid the house of all the fats and sweets. In preparation for the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. From these sweets and fats they made pancakes and pancakes became the customary delicacy on Shrove Tuesday.

The word 'shrove' is a form of the word 'to shrive' which means to strip away, a 'deep cleaning.' I want to suggest that Lent is about a deep cleaning of the soul.

Jesus said that it is enough that the servant be like the master. What does that mean for us to be like Jesus? What does that require? Jesus faced temptations and overcame them, so that he could establish his rule of life. We face our temptations and overcome them to further that rule of life. Is facing and overcoming our temptations too high a price to pay to be like him?

About temptation, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is: You cannot be tempted to do something that is impossible for you. That is bad news because in the midst of temptations, we cannot say, "Oh, I could never do that! That is impossible for me!" If we are really tempted to do it, it is possible for us. We cannot escape, or rationalize our way out of it, we must deal with temptation directly, head on!

The good news is: first that Temptation is not sin. Secondly, sin is part of being human, so that, when we stop being tempted, we also stop being human. (This idea came from Fr. Andrew Dangerfield, rector of Yokohama Christ Church, after I had delivered my sermon. I think it is a good idea to pass along.)vb What gave Jesus his strength was the fact that he withstood the temptation. His example can give us strength to face our temptations.

Jesus told Pilate that his Rule was not of this world. What is the difference between Jesus rule and the world's rule? Both want peace. The world's peace begins with an adversarial relationship. The world defines peace as "my way!" and "when you agree that I am right, we will have peace." The problem is that I must continue to defend my righteousness in order for me to have peace. I am always afraid and insecure, because my peace can always be broken by someone else.

Jesus' peace is described by a sense of community: we are all in the same life, the similar situations, and we need and want very similar things. We want tranquility, which is peace and security. In Jesus rule this is achieved through justice, which means that everyone has what they need, including the sense of tranquility.

In Jesus and Pilate's day, the word 'idiot" meant: a private person; a person who had no sense of community, or a person who believed that his actions had no public consequence. Jesus knew the truth that there is no such thing as a private thought, word or action, all of them have community consequences. There is no such thing as 'private prayer.'

On the other hand, the world's rule is based on a competition. This guarantees that it cannot deliver tranquility. People will always want to be the chosen ones who have the right answers, and everyone else is (at least somewhat) wrong!

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus comments on the Ten Commandments. The last five commandments are about for the survival of society: you cannot kill each other, cannot cheat on your spouse, steal from each other, lie about each other, and you cannot covet what belongs to your neighbor. Jesus's commentary deepens the meaning of each of these commandments.

He says, "You have heard it said do not murder, but I say do not even be angry, or call each other names, or insult each other." Again, "you have heard it said that you shall not commit adultery, but I say that if you look at each other lustful, you have committed sin."

Violence is everybody's business. Are we not all tempted, are we all not motivated, at some points in our days, to be violent? Is there no time when we are not motivated to call someone a fool? To shake our fist? To give someone the 'evil eye'?

A bit of personal history. When I was a second year college student, a friend since grade school shot and killed himself. The mystery of evil and violence has since then challenged me. Along the way I have conversed with former mafia hit man; lost several drug abuse clients and a colleague, and ministered in the communities with high homicide and suicide rates. My second parish was in Danbury, Connecticut, close to New Town, where Sandy Hook School is. Like many of you, the tragedy there struck me deeply. It re-raised the questions about why we are so violent.

That tragedy has rekindled the debate over guns. I assume that both sides of this debate want less violence. Those who own guns are afraid that their guns will be taken away. Those who want gun control are afraid that the proliferation of guns will lead to more violence.

Has the debate led to less violence and more tranquility? The first clue that something is wrong is that it is based on fear. The world's way of peace is often based on fear: gun owners are afraid that someone will take away their guns. Those who want gun control are afraid of more guns on the streets.

The debate has led to the opposite of what everyone says they want: it has led to more violence; angry people shouting at each other, and accusing each other of the most outrageous things. The debate has led to much less tranquility: less peace and less security.

The world's way of dealing with this issue does not work.

Let us look from another angle. In identifying a suspect the legal folks look for: Means, Motive and Opportunity. Let's apply these criteria to the violence in our community. First, the opportunity for violence is all around us.

Secondly, there are many means, besides guns. Every part of the human body can be used as a weapon. The debate is focused basically on only one means of violence. This gives the "gun lobby" a great advantage. The debate is unfairly skewed against their peaceful use of the gun. They say, "Guns do not kill people, people kill people." To which the only logical answer is: "Guns do not make peace and security, people make peace and security."

World rule cannot address motivation, at the heart of the problem. The focus is wrong in this debate. The positive change that both sides say they want is to focus on motivation, and away from obvious criminals and the obviously mentally ill.

The focus on obvious criminals and the mentally ill leads the rest of us think that we are not part of the problem. The focus needs to be on all of us. Unfortunately, we are all part of the problem!

There is good news in Jesus rule. Jesus obviously believed in the goodness of people. Otherwise he would not have made the sacrifices that he did.

Consider this: I have seen at least two examples of society moving in a more humane, peaceful and tranquil direction, because people realized that the current situation was harmful; attitudes, motivations, thoughts and behaviors changed.

Caveat: I make no claim that the humane goals have been reached; being a straight, male, White, Anglo-Saxon Protestant, it would be arrogant of me to suggest that the goals have been reached. I only claim that some progress has been made, because the problems are recognized as problems, there is hope for more progress.

The first of these is in the area of race. Once in our culture racial or ethnic jokes were told openly.nThe dominant (White, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant) culture thought nothing of it. It was insensitive, and hurtful, and because we were unconscious of it, it was more hurtful. Until people of color and ethnic minority made it clear that these attitudes are destructive.

Notice that it was not just the behavior that is destructive, but the thoughts, words, attitudes, and motivations, which destroyed the tranquility and the community, that we all want.

The other area, with similar problems and consequences is sex and gender issues. As the male and straight world has come to realize how unjust its thoughts and attitudes have been, it has changed. And everyone's life is better for it.

I wonder what might happen if we all understood that violence hurts. What would happen if we all took responsibility for our portion of the violence that is in the world?What could happen if we recognized that we are all tempted, motivated, to do some kind of violence, and that every act of violence hurts us all.

I know that it can be done. I have lived in more than one community where people chose tranquility over violence. Of course, it will take a whole community to live in tranquility. But changing communities starts with one person. Every person's thoughts, words and actions have an effect on the whole community.

Change can start with one person. Is there any reason why you cannot be that person? In the words of the popular tune: "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."

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Epiphany 4C 2013

When I Was a Child

There was once a woman who attended her 20th high school reunion. Soon after she arrives, a man comes up to her and says, "Susan, so good to see you. Remember me? It's me, Bob. My goodness; I hardly recognized you." The woman begins to speak, "Well, you know, Bob... " But the man interrupts, "My, my, Susan, you look so different than I remember: you're taller, you're so much thinner." The woman said, "Well, Bob, you see..." But Bob breaks in again and continues, "Your voice is lower, and even your hair is different, Susan. I remember that you always used to be a blonde." Finally, the woman blurted out, "Now, listen to me, Bob. My name is Nancy." The man hesitated for a second and then said, "Holy cow, Susan. You even changed your name."

Sometimes we have a hard time seeing what is right in front of us. We can become so blind, and our vision can be so narrow and small, that we can't see someone for who they truly are. The scriptures are full of such stories, when people don't see who someone else is, who they themselves are, or who God is calling them to be. The nation of Egypt saw Israel as slaves, mere property to do with as they pleased, when, in truth, these outcasts were the chosen people of God. On the day of battle, everyone saw David as only a young boy, when, he was the one person in all of Israel courageous enough to go out and do battle with the might Goliath. In the book of Genesis, a group of brothers saw the youngest son, Joseph, as their annoying, little brother, and they plot to get rid of him and sell him into slavery. As it turns out, this unlikely one, Joseph, turns out to be the deliverance for the entire family when the famine comes years later.

Each of us can have a difficult time seeing who someone truly is. Even if that someone is a person close to us. Even if that person is us – you, or me.

In the first scripture reading this morning, we heard the story of the calling of Jeremiah. Jeremiah declares, "The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you, I appointed you a prophet to the nations. '" And I, Jeremiah replied, "Ah, Lord God! I don't know how to speak. I cannot be a prophet. I am only a boy." But the Lord said, "Do not say, I am only a boy. I know you - truly, and I am calling you. You are already chosen. You are already set apart for God's purpose."

Then the Lord touched Jeremiah's mouth and said, I have put words in your mouth, and you shall speak. I appoint you over nations and kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.

Jeremiah didn't see in himself what God was seeing. God said to him, "You are a prophet, I am sending you to do my work, to proclaim my healing word." Jeremiah looked at himself, the way all of the prophets did – Moses (I don't speak very well), Amos (I am just a person who takes care of trees), Isaiah (you don't know who I am – I can't do your work, O Lord). So Jeremiah responds, "Lord, I can't, I'm only a boy, it's only me, I wouldn't know what to say." When God calls us, this is often our response. "You know, God, I think you've got the wrong person. I am nothing special. I don't have the training. I'm not ordained. I'm too young, or I'm too old. I wouldn't know how to do this. You've made a mistake, God; go chose someone better, someone with more experience, some one more spiritual."

But God reminded Jeremiah the truth about who he was: that he was known, and called by God. That truth is a truth that already exists. It existed before Jeremiah was even born. In the womb, in his very being. Jeremiah just needed to recognize that truth. He needed to see what God was seeing, and trust that, and live into that.

We also heard this beautiful passage from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. Now Paul is writing about the spiritual gifts that everyone is given. He writes that some have the gift to teach, others to prophesy, some to heal, some to speak, and finally, he writes this beautiful passage on the greatest gift of all that is given by God, the gift of love.

Love is the greatest gift, love is the truest gift we have from God. It is the deepest gift. It is there at the very foundation of who we are. Because love shows us how God sees us. Love allows to hear who God says we are – who we are down deep, before we were even born. It is there first, and then the other gifts – teaching, healing, and others – can follow. In concluding this message, Paul writes that the truth is, we don't see as God sees. We don't even see ourselves as God sees. We see in a glass, dimly, but there will come a time when we will see clearly, face to face. And in that day when I see the fullness of God's love, then I will know fully, just as I am fully known by God.

Paul writes, when I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I was a child, I said, "O Lord God, don't call me, I am only a boy, I am only a girl. I am only Jeremiah, or Sarah, or Bob, or Susan." And that works when you're a child. It is OK when you're a child. You don't know that much yet. You are still learning, still trusting, still finding our who you are. When I was a child, I lived as a child. But then, Paul says, when I came to know God's love, when I became an adult - in my faith, in my heart, then I put an end to childish ways. Now I'm an adult, I live as an adult. Now you're a man, you live as a man. Now, you're a woman, you live as a woman. Mature in the faith. Knowing more and more fully who you are - a child yes, but a child of God, who knows you - completely, and loves you - completely, and is calling you.

In this season of Epiphany, we always hear about the baptism of Jesus. And baptism says the same thing to each person being baptized: that they are loved by God. The person may be just a baby – who hasn't done anything yet – or a young child, a teenager, or someone older - I myself was baptized when I was 28.

And the person being baptized is not to say, "Oh, Lord, it's really only me, a child, an adult, an unlikely person, nobody extraordinary," because God says to the one being baptized, "You are known, and you are loved, and forgiven, and you are being given the promise of new life in Christ." Baptism doesn't make God love a person more than God did before they were baptized. Baptism doesn't make a person holy. It helps us to recognize it. Baptism isn't telling us if we work hard, or study enough, then God will love us; it reminds us that God already does love us. And when we begin to see this, and trust that, then we are free to work, and service God, and be "usable" for God's purpose, because we know, down deep who we are, and whose we are. Baptism tells us what God is telling us – that we are known by God, fully, and loved by God, fully, and yes, here and now, in this day, you are being called by God.

We see this reach fulfillment in the person of Jesus. The gospel story we heard this morning is a continuation of a larger story from Luke, the story that was read in church last week. So, if you go back a few verses, or if you remember from church last week, this is what you find: Jesus was in the synagogue and they handed him the scroll, and he read from the prophet Isaiah. These were the words, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. The Lord has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then Jesus sat down, and said, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Powerful words. Spoken by one who knows that he is loved and called by God. Jesus did not say, "Oh, God, I really don't think I can, I am only a boy. I am just a kid from an average family, from Nazareth." No, Jesus had heard the words at his own baptism when the heavens were opened and God declared, "You are my child, my beloved. With you I am well-pleased." Jesus saw himself as God saw him. Now I am an adult, Paul would say, I live as an adult. Jesus knew fully, just as he was fully known. And so, by God's power and spirit within him, Jesus declares, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. The Lord has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Today, here and now, this scripture has been fulfilled in what you see and hear before you.'

And everyone spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. But then they said, "Wait a minute, isn't this Joseph's son?" Aren't you only a boy. Not only that, aren't you just a local boy. Isn't this Jesus, the kid we knew from around our own neighborhood? How can this guy be the messenger of God. Who is he to tell us this scripture is being fulfilled here and now?

Jesus recognized this, and he replied, "You will want me to do great things here, just like I did in Capernaum, but let me tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet's own hometown." It is sad, but it is true, and it has been this way for a long time. In the days of Elijah, the prophet was sent to a widow in Sidon, a foreigner, and it was she who saw and believed. It was in that household that the miracle of the grain and oil took place. And in the days of the prophet Elisha, there were many lepers in Israel, Jesus said, but again, it was a foreigner, an outsider, who believed and was healed. They outsiders get it, Jesus said. They see. They didn't say, "oh, it's only Elijah," or "it's only Elisha" and we have heard them before. Or , oh, it's only Joseph's kid." You don't see, Jesus said. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim the good news. Listen to this. Believe in this. This day.

And the people were so locked in to their narrow way of seeing things, and they were so offended that Jesus was pointing out their blindness and their sin, that they became furious. They were so filled with rage, that they got up, and drove Jesus out - not only out of the synagogue, but out of the whole darn town. And they led him to the edge of a hill, where they wanted to throw him off the cliff! As if to say, we'll teach this local boy a thing or two.

Luke ends this story by writing that there in the middle of all this rage and blindness, Jesus simply passed through the midst of them and went on his way. Just as the Spirit gave Jesus the words to speak, the Spirit led Jesus through their midst, and he went about on his way, to teach, and heal, and share the good news of the Reign of God.

God has called us, to be the Church here in this place, to be the Body of Christ in the world. That means we are being asked to see ourselves, and the see the people around us, as God sees us. The Spirit of the Lord is upon us. Upon me, upon you. God has anointed us to bring good news to the poor. To proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. Amen.

Trace Browning

Epiphany 4C – Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

Jeremiah 1:4-10  Psalm 71:1-6  1 Corinthians 13:1-13  Luke 4:21-30

Preached at St. Paul's Church – Salt Lake City, Utah

3 February 2013

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2 Advent (RCL Year C)
St. Paul’s, SLC (December 8/9, 2012)
The Rev. Christine Marie Contestable 2012

 

It’s a new year.

And here it is,

the practical wisdom we've been waiting for.

Did you catch it? How shall we prepare a way

for the coming of the source of ALL LIFE?

— for the coming of LOVE?

Take down the mountains. Fill in the valleys.

Smooth out the bumpy road. Straighten the twisted path.

God wants you to change your life,

and not because you're doomed if you don't.

You know that things need changing.

If you really want things to be different this year prepare a way:

Repent. Turn around. Be reconciled.

Who have you hurt?

Who do you keep hurting? How are you dishonest? When are you unkind?

In what ways do you participate in oppression? When have you been less than generous?

How do you cling to resentment, anger, hurt?

 

God wants you to change your life

and not because you're doomed if you don't.

You know that things need changing.

 

God wants you to change your life, because God wants you to be free.

You know you can't be free 

when you’re bound up in all those things that hold you in their grasp like a fist.

Things that only you can name.

Who have you hurt?

Who do you keep hurting? How are you dishonest? When are you unkind?

In what ways do you participate in oppression? When have you been less than generous?

How do you cling to resentment, anger, hurt? I'm not standing here with any special knowledge of you.

I'm not pretending to know anything about you.

What I know is this: 

It’s hard to receive Love

when there's a mountain range in the way. And Love is coming.

And I do know a little something about my own spiritual topography. 

And I'm running with this hunch, you see, 

that I'm not alone in needing to take down a mountain range. Don't get me wrong.

I'm not talking about crawling on your knees for a hundred miles or beating your breast, because you're doomed if you don't.

I'm talking about being free to welcome Love

with open hands not tight fists.

I'm talking about being free.

Merciful God, who sent your messengers, the prophets,

To preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation

(Our freedom!):

Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins... (Give them up! Let go...)

that we may greet with joy the coming of our Redeemer.

How can there be joy if our hearts are clouded with regret and sadness

for the things that hold us in their grasp?

God wants us to change our lives,

and not because you're doomed if you don't. If we don't, Love will still come.

It’s the nature of Love, Source of ALL LIFE and fullness, to come and keep coming...

but we may hardly notice in a few weeks as we sweep up the dried needles

and pack away the colored lights. Change your life.

Start with something small or start with something vast.

Change your life.

You know what needs changing.

I invite to take up the stone you chose upon your arrival here today.

 

Hold it in your hand. 

Feel it.

            Look at it. See it. 

Breathe on it.

Allow the stone to carry for you

something that needs changing in your life.

Take a moment and do these things. My friends,

we present these stones to God as we present our lives:

 

Almighty and compassionate God, you live among us,

and we know for you nothing is impossible.

Your light breaks upon us.

You guide our feet into the way of peace. You bring life out of death.

Make these stones live.

Make them alive with the desire for change.

Help each of us to make the daily choices for change represented by these stones.

Help us persist and find the support we need, that our regret and sadness may turn into joy. All this we ask in the name of Love,

our brother, Jesus Christ. AMEN!

 

I invite you to keep the stone near—

in your purse, your pocket, your car, on a window sill, at your desk.

Let it be a reminder of how you are working toward change.

And when you notice it,