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Dealing with What's Not Fair

9/27/2023

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Matthew 20: 1-16

 
One of my favorite columns in the New York Times Magazine is the “Ethicist”.  People write in to tell about what ethical and moral quandries they are experiencing and ask the Ethicist, philosopher and writer Kwame Anthony Appiah, what is the best action they should take.  In today’s column, Jessie writes in about her concerns about her twin daughters I and J.  J has become a professional actor and earns money – much of which gets put in a college savings account.  Daughter I is on the autism spectrum.  The parents wonder how to be fair to both kids – should they give more to I’s college fund to offset J.’s earnings?  Or is this favoring one child over another?   How do they avoid potential jealousy – J having more opportunities, parents giving more resources to I?  How do they keep things fair?

But it just isn’t fair, is it? 

      I wish I had a dollar for every time one of my kids said: “No fair!” You love him more than me.  You gave her the bigger slice of cake, you like brother better.  I’d be a millionaire many times over if I counted how many squabbles between my two kids I’ve had to moderate over the years.  Anyone with me on this?  Think of how many families get torn apart over contested wills – where one child seems to get more than the rest of his or her siblings.  Bill Gates tells the high school students he talks to, “Life isn’t fair.  Get used to it!” 

    The Landowner in the parable Jesus tells us this morning faces the same predicament.  The Landowner needs workers for his vineyard.  So, he goes out at 6:00 am to the village square, where the day laborers congregate, and employs them on an agreed-on upon daily wage. Then the Landowner does something unusual.  He returns to the village square at 9an, then at noon, then at 3pm and then again at 5 pm.

        When it was time to pay the wages, the 6:00 am folks were in for a rude awakening.  The 5 o’clockers, the 3 o’clockers, the nooners, the 9 am-ers, all got the same daily wage.

        It’s not fair! The 6:00 am-ers protest.  And they got a point, you know.  They toiled in the hot sun for 12 long hours. They got up extra early. They were hard at work while the others were still in bed or loafing around. They were responsible. They were reliable.  They were on time.  And they get paid the same wage as those good-for-nothing’s who worked an hour and barely broke a sweat?  Why should those late-comers be rewarded for their bad work habits?  It’s just not fair!

    However, we know what’s really not fair.  That 25,000 people die from hunger, hunger-related diseases, each day. That’s not fair. 

        We know what’s not fair – during the COVID pandemic – the 10 richest persons in the world more than doubled their fortunes while over 160 million people were forced into poverty. They now have six times more wealth than 3.1 billion people.

      A new report from the Institute for Policy Studies says that the C.E.O. of Live Nation Entertainment, a concert company, earned $139 million in 2022 — while its workers earned a median of $25,673. And that’s common in American business. On average, CEOs received about 398.8 times the annual average salary of production and nonsupervisory workers – the highest discrepancy in the world. That’s just not fair!

      The unfairness of life in even our wealthy country, the US is keenly felt.  How many of you are familiar with Anthony Oliver?  He wrote and sang one of the most popular songs from this summer, “Rich Men North of Richmond.” This guy, out of nowhere, with no training, wrote and home produced a song about the working class being left behind, being jerked around by the powerful elites of the country.  The song has its share of harshness, of mean stereotypes of obese people using their food stamps to buy pastries at the hand of the taxpayer.  What is astonishing, however, is that over the summer Oliver was the first artist to chart at Billboard number 1 with absolutely no prior chart history.  Oliver struck a chord deep in America.  So much is just not fair.  While Republicans have been quick to claim this song as a rallying cry for their cause, Oliver insists the song is not partisan; it addresses all the powerful and their treatment of those down and out.

       There is so much that is not fair in life. It’s enough to make us angry. Bitter. Envious. It’s enough to drive us crazy!!  Each of us could probably point to something that feels unfair in our lives.  I wonder, why did two dear friends die of brain cancer in their thirties and I’m still alive?  We wonder, w hy do my efforts go unrecognized at work?  Why does my child have to live with illness?  Why do we have food to eat, and others go hungry?  Jonah in our first reading is mad with God because he showed mercy to his enemies, the Ninevites.  God loves our enemies? The people who hurt us? Who malign us?  How is that right, God?

       The truth of the matter is Jesus teaches us another way. A way out of the madness of it all. It isn’t about life being fair or not. At the core, that’s really not the issue. Even the New York times Ethicist says that treating people equitably doesn’t mean they should be treated identically.   The fundamental issue Jesus wants us to see is that it is  about the encounter with grace. To be touched by grace, until it pours over our hearts and seeps into the world around us. Grace that helps us let go of the anger at the unfairness of it all, the bitterness, the envy.  Grace proclaimed by Jesus, who embodies divine generosity. Grace that gives us what we need, which may differ from person to person. Jesus shows us an outrageously generous God -- a God who toils so that all get what they need -- even us -- a God who pays everyone a living wage to all no matter what time we show up.  No questions asked. 

      Just imagine what our lives would be like if we lived by values of grace and generosity instead of worrying about what was fair or not – or comparing ourselves to others -- or judging others.  Jesus teaches us that God’s generosity embraces all people, rich and poor, sinner and saint—for what does Jesus say? -- “God causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45) All are equal in the sight of God. All of us fall short, at one time or another. All of us need God’s mercy. And thanks be to God -- all of us are recipients of God’s generosity and grace. 

​ No matter if we a 6amer, or a 6pmer. We are all loved by God.  The grace poured out in Jesus is available to all, in whatever degree is needed.  Can we stop looking at what others are getting and look at all the blessings God pours out in our own lives?  Jesus tells us to stop comparing, because we simply don’t know what is going on in the hearts of others. Have we walked in each other’s shoes, and really know what others have gone through?  Only God know that.  So, let us rejoice that we have a God that sees all, cares for us all, and pours out grace indiscriminately on us all. A God that is kind and generous.  Let us leave the judging to God and be thankful for the grace we have received, through the mercy of God.  Amen
 

 


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Something to Live By

9/15/2023

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​Matthew 18:15-20            
 
        Welcome to Rally Day! Today we celebrate our life together as church.  We celebrate each other. We celebrate a new season that lies before us.  Most of all - we celebrate Jesus and the life of love we are called to share together in his name.  So, let’s look at basics today. What holds us together in good times and bad? What creed, what motto, what sayings do we live by? What life saying grounds and guides our life?

       Are you a Parrot Head? Then you might be inspired by Jimmy Buffett, the singer-songwriter advocate of “island escapism” -- who died recently encourages us with this motto: ‘Take it all in… it’s as big as it seems. Count all your blessings. Remember your dreams.”


Are you a swiftie? Then you might be encouraged by mega artist Taylor Swift, one of the top selling musicians and most streamed artist on Spotify, who says, “No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.”


      Perhaps you’re inspired by the GOAT, Greatest of all time, most decorated gymnast Simone Biles, her motto is: “I’d rather regret the risks that didn't work out than the chances I didn't take at all."


      What about this insightful message from Coco Gauf, the 19-year-old who just won the US World Cup: “I don’t pray for results. I just ask for the strength to give it my all.”


     Canadian rapper Drake offer this insight: “Strength isn’t always shown in what you can hold on to, sometimes it’s shown in what you can let go of.”


      And finally, fans of Barbie land: we got you covered here - Weird Barbie counsels: “You have to go to the real world. You can go back to your regular life and forget any of this ever happened. Or you can know the truth about the universe.”  Don’t know weird Barbie?  You’ll have to see the movie!


      Did you like any of those sayings?  Which one? So, what has life taught you?  What rules, sayings, beliefs - guide your life?


      You see, whether we are aware of it or not, our lives are guided by principles and beliefs.  Rules, we might call them. Even this worshiping community at Freeport has guidelines that shape us.   Can you name a few?  How about: we agree to start at 10:30 a.m. more or less. We agree to follow the Presbyterian Reformed order of worship. We agree to a certain number of hymns, and other music as an integral part of worship.  We agree to include children. We agree to take requests for prayer.  These rules, guidelines, make Freeport unique. Basically, we could not grow or thrive without rules guiding us.


     With rules and guidelines being so important to our lives, it’s not surprising that the Bible is full of them. There are 613 rules in the Torah- the first five books of the Old Testament - alone.  We call the Bible the “guidebook for life.” Some say, however, the Bible is too full of rules, especially rules that have little bearing to modern life. But we cannot deny the power these rules hold over those who have followed them. 

 
       Our gospel lesson from Matthew gives an interesting set of rules and guidelines.  How should the Christian community handle conflict that arises within community?  It seems like a strange sort of thing to lift up on Rally Day – conflict resolution –on a day when we celebrate our togetherness.  But the reality is, every community, every person – at one time or another - experiences conflict. Conflict affects even the healthiest of relationships. It’s normal and natural to have disagreements – even big ones. So, what’s the healthy way to handle it?  If we don’t follow sensible guidelines to work through conflict, we can end up destroying ourselves, hurting those we love and care for or harming the community we have built in the process.  


       Jesus knew this, and felt it was important enough to lay down some very explicit steps for us. Talk one on one first, don’t avoid conflict -- but don’t gossip and don’t slander. Meet with the intention to reconcile or resolve, not to return hurt for hurt.  If conflict continues, then bring in leadership to work on the problem.  Remember, says Jesus, where two or more are gathered, I am in the midst of them. I am there to help you.  Ultimately, such guidelines are grounded in Paul’s great motto that we also heard today: “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another.” 


       The Rule of Christ – to do unto others as you would have them do unto you – to love one another as Christ has loved us – is our ultimate rule book -- our guidelines for being church and being Christians in the world.  Except for perhaps extreme situations – situations that involve sexual abuse or physical abuse - violence– these guidelines work as long as we are willing to give them a chance.


        Matthew lifts up peace-making and reconciliation as fundamental values in the Christian community. It’s at the core of our identity.  We are called to be peace makers. Matthew points out that when conflicts happen – in church, in families – in society at large – they must be handled with love.  Resolving conflict is not about winning. It’s not about feeling vindicated. Coming out on top. Being the person in the right.  Resolving conflict is about reaching reconciliation or a peaceful resolution.  Not all relationships can be restored – but they can find a respectful and caring resolution -following Jesus’ guidelines.


      Frankly, it’s not comfortable to be called aside if we have hurt someone. It is not easy to talk directly to someone who has hurt us.  We’d rather forget it or ignore it.  But hurts do not go away on their own.  They usually fester. Wounds that fester usually end up poisoning relationships.  Battle lines are drawn. Tragically – conflict – not handled with care - can turn into an ingrained fight -- where there are only losers, no matter who seems to be the victor.


.   Less we think this only happens in churches – let’s not forget – these dynamics are common in families.  In businesses.  It’s the dynamic that runs our country and has us bound in such an entrenched polarized state. Why?  Because we refuse the guidelines of fair play, of real dialogue, of honesty, of creating a web of care that Matthew gives us today.    


        There are lots of rules in the Bible, but we need only remember one.  Jesus.  Jesus is God’s rule to us.  Jesus teaches us how to live, how to respond to our world.  How to live with each other. Jesus forgave us. Jesus reached out to sinners and outcasts. And Jesus reaches out to us.  Jesus shows us that we don’t have to stew in our anger and hurt. There is a way out of the madness if we are willing to listen and follow him.
   We need rules, guidelines, core beliefs, to live well. So, what rules, what guidelines do we live by?


It is a new season in the church so it’s good to review to be clear we need something to live by.  What guidelines do you like?


        “Count your blessings”, says Jimmy Buffett, “Be good to people” says Taylor Swift.  “Sometimes strength is what you let go of,” says Drake. “Go and be in the real world” advises weird Barbie. “The only debt we owe is a debt of love” says the apostle, Paul. All make sense, right?


        Bottom line though: Only one rule is necessary. One rule covers it all. Jesus.  Jesus, the guide of forgiving. Jesus, the example of peace making.   Jesus, the rule of compassion.  For where two or more are gathered, he is there. With us. To show us how to live, how to care for each other – how to love—the best we can. We can learn to say, “I forgive you.” We can learn to say, “I’m sorry.”  Whenever we find ourselves in situations of disagreement or conflict, let the advice of Jesus guide us to act in compassion and peace. Now isn’t that that something we can all agree to live by? Amen.
 

http://peace.mennolink.org/articles/leorecon.html
http://www.torontoconference.ca/Social%20Justice%20Pages/Decade%20to%20overcome%20violence.htm
http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/series_a_the_church.htm
 


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The Labor of Saying Goodbye

9/6/2023

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Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28

 
     It’s Labor Day weekend!  For many, this is primarily a time of family gatherings, cook-outs, the last day of fun before school starts up again.  It is the unofficial end of summer.   There are Labor Day parades, editorials and blogs that remind us how much has changed in the work world – especially since COVID – like working from home, arranging flex hours and the increasing influence that Artificial Intelligence is having on the workforce and so forth.  In church, we start to see people coming back from summer activities. Typically, at about this time, churches start to gear up for the new fall season.


        For Our Saviour Lutheran Church, this fall signals two important events – the first is the Church’s 100-year anniversary celebration on October 28.  We will celebrate all the people who have been a part of the Our Saviour family, along with all the ministries to the community this church has carried out throughout the years.  Think of all the challenges this church has faced as the neighborhood has changed over time.  Immigrants have come and gone and made this corner of Jamaica their home.  We all have memories of the people and the programs, all the ministries that have flourished here and served the community.   So, it is appropriate on this Labor Day weekend - when we do thank God for the gift of work - that we acknowledge and celebrate the work of building up the kingdom of God - here at this corner of 175 Street and 90 Avenue.


   This is also bittersweet time, for as we celebrate the church’s 100-year anniversary, we are also preparing for another big event: saying goodbye to Pastor Bob and his wife Cindy- who have faithfully tended this portion of God’s vineyard for thirty-two years. Pastor Bob is retiring on November 19 after a long and productive ministry. His ministry has guided Our Saviour through some perilous times - from almost closing its doors - to becoming a thriving church. Our Saviour is now a church solidly anchored in the community and beloved by many.  Yay church!  This work. It has been accomplished with a lot of prayer, a lot of hard and dedicated work. It has been tough work at times.  It has been joyous work.  It has been work carried out with love and devotion, integrity and grit.  And Pastor Bob and Cindy have been at the center of this transformation these past three decades.


      In our scriptures today, Jesus states plainly that such discipleship – the kind that Pastor Bob and Cindy have modeled - is the epitome of love rooted in the cross.   Jesus lays down the code of love to us: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”  This verse reminds us of the sacrifices that Pastor Bob, Cindy, and countless people of this church have made over the years. Today our scriptures call us to this same cross. Today we hear of the same code of love that must lead us during the next two and ½ months. Today we have been given a guide- a map -for how we are to be church as we celebrate 100 years of Our Saviour and we celebrate 32 years of Pastor Bob’s and Cindy’s devoted service.


Our lesson from Romans describes beautifully, powerfully, the code of love – rooted in the cross of Christ– that will guide us as we enter a new chapter of life at Our Saviour.  How will we get through this?  The apostle Paul writes about the expressions of love that will help us face the changes: a love that is patient, hopeful, joyful, hospitable, a love that shares, mourns, prays, lives peacefully, is not conceited, blesses, is humble, not vengeful, and that takes the high road. It’s good for us to review this code of love as we prepare ourselves to say goodbye to Pastor Bob and Cindy. And as we prepare to welcome an interim pastor- and ultimately- a new called pastor, into our midst. 


So - what are the tasks we face with all these challenges coming at us? Well, part of the cross we must bear is saying goodbye to Pastor Bob and Cindy.  They have been here 32 years. That’s 32 years of worship, fellowship, baptisms, funerals, weddings, prayer services.  Of laughter and tears. This cross we must carry—a cross rooted in love -- encourages us to accept that now is the time to let them know what they mean to you. It is so important that we reach out to them – and tell them how you feel about them going. Share a special memory or two.  Cry if you need to.  Get mad if you have to.  Saying goodbye is a messy process. It is natural, in this season of goodbye, for thoughts and feelings to be all over the map.  If you can’t take out an ad out in the tribute journal, then send them a written note or card. Call them up. Send a text. The point is -don’t let the opportunity to share your love or whatever you are feeling pass you by.   As  Paul encourages, let your love be genuine. Do what is right. Show them honor and affection.  Pray for them as you pray for the church and its future.


      What makes saying goodbye so difficult is that it’s hard to imagine who can take Pastor Bob’s and Cindy’s place. And to be truthful, no one can. The next pastor will bring their own unique gifts and vision. As a result, many of us will be tempted to sit back and wait to see what evolves. Many of us might just withdraw. Even drop out.  Let’s be honest about this. We’re all tempted this way.  But Paul tells us that love demands exactly the opposite response from us. Now is the time to get involved. Now is the time to participate in the process.  


        As Paul puts it, now is the time to contribute to the needs of the saints.  The needs are many. So now is the time for everyone to chip in. To help carry the load that changing pastors entails.  Get involved in the tasks of this transitional time –which calls us to make peace with the past, to embrace a new identity, to help the church move forward.  The church needs your voice - now. It needs your participation -now - to transition well. Frankly, this is not a job not just for a handful of the same volunteers we see every week.  It is not just the church council’s job. It’s an all-hands-on deck situation here. And above all, it’s a call to trust God, and as Pastor Bob often says, to trust the process.


      Because of how much this church loves Pastor Bob and Cindy, we will be tempted to make comparisons and to judge the next pastor.  We must resist these temptations.  The cross requires that we don’t measure the next pastor according to Pastor Bob’s achievements or what he might have failed to do. Paul reminds us that the code of love insists that we take noble path. God is in charge, and we must trust God will bring someone not to fill pastor Bob’s shoes - but a new pastor who will love and serve this congregation in his or her unique way. In a new way, appropriate to a new day. Love calls us to risk- to be open and supportive no matter how scary or unknown it all feels.  Trust God. Trust the process.


     Now there will be temptations, out of a sense of love, to stay in contact with Pastor Bob after he retires. We will want to call him, text him, invite him to do the next family funeral or wedding or prayer service.  But this cannot be done. The noble and humble path the code of love Paul puts forth to us is that once Pastor Bob retires - once an interim is in place - a new senior pastor is called - we must let go. We must shift our allegiance to the next pastor.  This is a very hard part of carrying this cross. It doesn’t mean you stop loving pastor Bob and Cindy.  But the the code of love, says we must resist calling up Pastor Bob – for his sake, and for the sake of the new pastor.   The cross call us to move forward and be gracious to the next pastor. To let him or her stand on their own feet. To get to know you. To learn with you where God is leading in the next chapter of Our Saviour’s life.  God can’t move us forward if we keep looking back.  So trust God. Trust the process.  


      So, the labor we are called to this Labor Day weekend is to pick up the cross Jesus has prepared for us in this new season. We are called to love well – so well - we can even let go of those we dearly love. Together we must embark on this journey – and in this time we must reconnect with each other. We must step up and fill the opportunities to volunteer and serve. 


      You see, the bottom line is - the greatest gift you and I can give to Pastor Bob and Cindy is the sure commitment that we will carry on faithful ministry here at Our Saviour – we will not give up – we will be open to where the spirit guides – we will warmly embrace whomever God sends to be the next shepherd of this flock. Because God is already preparing the way. He is already preparing the next pastor.   The cross Jesus places on our shoulders today is nothing less than to trust God, to trust the process.   Because that’s what love does.


    So, hear it again, and etch it upon your hearts what love wants us to do the next two and ½ months.  To be joyful. To rejoice. To weep. To be patient in affliction. Faithful in prayer.  Help those in need and be hospitable. To contribute to the needs of the saints. Be noble, act in harmony. Above all, carry this cross Jesus has placed on our shoulders - with all the love we can muster. This love assures us that God has a plan for Pastor Bob and Cindy -- and God definitely has a plan for Our Saviour.  So with love- let us trust the process and above all else - trust God – in whose loving hands contains our future. Amen
 


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Be the Miracle!

8/30/2023

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Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20

 
 
        Once upon a time, an ancient story goes, “a seeker went from land to land to discover the most renowned religion with the best spiritual practices.  Finally, the seeker found a group of extraordinary fame.  They were known for the goodness of their lives and for the singleness of their hearts and for the sincerity of their service.
        “I see everything you do,” the seeker said, “and I’m impressed by it.  But, before I become your disciple, I have a question to ask:  Does your God work miracles?”
        “Well,” the disciples said to the seeker, “it all depends on what you mean by a miracle.  Some people call it a miracle when God does the will of people.  But we call it a miracle when people do the will of God.”
Think about it. Ordinarily we think of a miracle as something God does on our behalf. An illness healed. A job secured. A relationship restored. A need is met.  A disaster averted. A prize won. Yes, these are miracles.  But the most profound miracles are those where people’s hearts are changed and molded to do the will of God. Someone forgives. Someone cares for a neighbor or stranger in need.  Someone takes time out of a busy schedule to visit a lonely person. Someone sacrifices, gives up fame or fortune  or even their very life to benefit others – or places their resources in the service of those in need  with no thought of getting something in return. These are miracles of people doing of the will of God.
        Like the character in the ancient story, each of us is a seeker. Deep down we want to live lives full of meaning and purpose.  We search for the divine in our world. We wouldn’t mind a miracle or two along the way.
Today in our gospel lesson we find Jesus with his disciples in Gentile territory.  They were in a region known for its grand pagan temples, including one to Caesar himself.  Against this bastion of pagan power and idolatry; Jesus turns to his disciples and asks a question: “Who do people say that I am?”  What are people seeking in Jesus? Quickly they respond. “John the Baptist.” “Elijah”.  “One of the prophets.”  Jesus presses further and makes it personal. “Who do you say that I am?” Peter takes the risk and says what all the disciples want to be true. “You are the messiah.”  The disciples have been seeking the Messiah and found him in Jesus. It’s a miracle!
        However, Jesus immediately begins to teach them what Messiah means and what having a Messiah will mean for them. There will be suffering, rejection, death but ultimately resurrection.  So the miracle the disciples are seeking starts to unravel before their eyes. They wanted the “traditional” kind of Jewish messiah.  They expected the Messiah-Warrior-King who would vanquish the Romans and reestablish the kingdom of Israel.  Messiahs do not suffer. Messiahs are not killed and have no cause to rise to life. The followers of Messiahs become aristocrats and men of power.  They do not carry crosses of any kind. What was this new teaching of Jesus?  It was shocking. It was confusing. It was repugnant. This isn’t the miracle they were seeking. And it would take a miracle for them to believe and follow the messiah Jesus proposes.
        We too are seekers.  We too, seek a messiah – if we are honest with ourselves that messiah--savior we want is one who picks us out of our pain and makes life cozy and comfortable.  But that’s not the messiah of the Christian scriptures. As Paul tells us today – the messiah who seeks us out longs for the transformation that comes through the renewing of our minds. The messiah of the bible wants us to embrace the cross, to be a seeker  whose identity is is rooted in the love of God.  
        It would have been very tempting for Jesus to go along with the roles that people were ready to heist on him. “We’ll call you out as a big-name prophet, maybe John the Baptist or Elijah?  Not so shabby, these are the heavy hitters of the day. Couldn’t Jesus just give them what they want and make them happy?  A miracle like that wouldn’t hurt, right?
        Well, Jesus knew that wasn’t who he was.  Jesus knew his path was different.  And Jesus knew that anyone who followed his path, his true path, would be met with rejection, resistance and ultimately death.  And Jesus knew he had to stay true to his calling in spite of the resistance from his own disciples.  Jesus had to be blunt with them, plain and direct: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  Jesus was a seeker after God’s heart.
        To be a seeker after Jesus, is to commit first and foremost, to know who you are in God’s eyes. To be seeker of Jesus is to understand our lives and in relationship with the cross.  Jesus teaches us that to pave the way for the miraculous in our lives, we need to carry the cross. The cross shakes us out of the roles and ruts we have fallen into.  The cross demands that we die to self and live for God and others.  The cross renews and transforms our mind according to God’s loe. The cross teaches us to stop praying for God to do things our way and guides us to do things God’s way. And when we do things God’s way, the miracle happens.
        The famous Seattle-based talk show host Delilah is a seeker.  Have you ever listened to Delilah’s show in the evening? She’s the most listened to woman on talk radio in the US. You can here on 106.7 lite FM, Monday through Friday, 8pm to 1 am.  She encourages people to seek out their purpose and the place of love in our lives.  In her own testimony, Delilah shares how she found her purpose.
On day she was at her computer reviewing an email that looked like an overseas solicitation.  She was about to delete it.  It claimed to be a woman caring for three small children in a Buduburam refugee camp in Ghana.  However, Delilah changed her mind and replied to the email.  She couldn’t put it out of her head that night.  Before she knew it, she had made connections with World Vision that confirmed that Winifred and her three siblings escaped the civil war in Liberia and were starving.  Delilah agreed to make a grant. But World Vision staff challenged her.  What about the other forty-two thousand?  Not my problem, was Delilah’s initial response.  But God wouldn’t let her rest.  She couldn’t get it out of her head.  God wanted more of her.
        The next thing Delilah found herself in Africa, in the Buduburam refugee camp.  She found grinding poverty, no clean water, no toilets, widespread disease and people surviving on one meal a day. When Delilah returned to Seattle, she had discovered her cross.  She discovered what God was leading her to do.  She knew she had to use the blessings she had been given, living in this country, to help others.  At that point the miracle began.
Delilah began a ministry called Point Hope to bring water and more the people at Buduburam.  Because of Point Hope, 35,000 people have fresh drinking water. 
Approximately 125 teen girls in foster care receive mentoring, acceptance, relaxation and pampering. 
Over 250 people have receive Skills Training in areas of sewing, farming, soap making, beading and hair design.
Every day 24 families have sustainable incomes and hope in the future  
 foster parents and case workers receive the practical necessities to care for chidren 
Every year,  over 450 caregivers received nutritional counseling and 462 mothers received counseling on exclusive breastfeeding.  
For over 10 years, vulnerable adults with chronic health issues and children with special needs and disabilities have received hot meals daily, healthcare assistance as needed.
Deliliah allowed herself to be the miracle God wanted But wait. There is more.
        Delilah has been back many times to Ghana.  On a visit she looked into the eyes of a little girl named Willette and knew immediately that this child was to be her daughter. That same day she had a similar encounter with another girl named Mercy. Delilah adopted both girls, adding to her already large family which eventually numbered 15.
        Not many of us are called to travel to Ghana, or have the connections with foundations, or can afford to adopt extra children.  But the Cross still speaks to us.  We are called to the transforming power of God’s love in our minds and hearts.  That we can be God’s miracle in the world. We find the miraculous when we go out of our way to help our neighbor.  We can be the miracle when we give up an afternoon to volunteer at a food pantry, or visit a sick or lonely acquaintance or go out of our way give someone a lift.  Miracles happen when we carry the cross – because we are following God’s will, a will that seeks a world filled with true love. That is Religion – faith - at its best. 
        To follow Christ, to take up our cross is to discover and embrace the person that God created US to be.
So Freeport, the Gospel calls as you begin a new season, know that God calls you to be the miracle.  What miracle is God calling you to seek?
·      Be a people known for the goodness of their lives.
·      Be a people known for the singleness of their hearts.
·      Be a people known for the sincerity of their service.
·      Be a people whose identity is rooted in the cross, the transforming power and renewal of our minds.
Be the miracle.  And let the miracles of God be seen in all you say and do.  Amen.



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Excuses, Excuses!

8/9/2023

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​Matthew 14:13-21

 
Excuses, Excuses.  So, what’s your favorite excuse?

The dog ate my homework.
I swear, the check is in the mail. 
The alarm didn’t go off, so I overslept.
I’m coming down with a migraine… stomachache…maybe it’s food poisoning…  fill in the blank with the ailment of the day.  So, what’s your go-to favorite excuse to get out of some obligation? 


     Let’s face it -- we all have an excuse in the back-pocket to get out of something we don’t want to do- an event we don’t want to attend- to skip out on work-or some other dreaded appointment-or to avoid someone we don’t want to see.  


Excuses give us the easy way out. Excuses keep us safe and secure.  Excuses keep us in our comfort zone. Excuses help us in a pinch - but in the long run - excuses keep us from succeeding or fulfilling a purpose God has for our lives.  It has been said “we can make excuses or we can make a difference, but we cannot do both.”   Many of the excuses we buy into about ourselves - about the church - about our faith keeps us from the vision – the dream – the miracle God wants for us.  Excuses over the long run keep us stuck.


        Our gospel lesson today tells us of one of Jesus’ most famous miracles – the feeding of the 5,000-  also called the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.  It’s the only miracle recorded in all four gospels – so it’s an important one for us to take heed of.  But it was a miracle that almost didn’t happen because of the excuse -making of the disciples.  It’s a miracle that only took place because Jesus saw a need: and in the face of that need, didn’t make excuses and he refused to give into them.


     Our reading opens with Jesus just learning that his cousin and dear friend, John the Baptizer  had just been beheaded by King Herod.  In the face of this devastating news, Jesus withdraws to a deserted place - perhaps to grieve the terrible tragedy of John’s death.  Jesus loved John and had once declared more or less that no greater man had ever been born. John was also a fellow prophet and had been a teacher to some of Jesus’ disciples. No sooner had Jesus shoved off in his boat to get some down time, then the crowds get wind of Jesus’ whereabouts and they begin to appear on the shoreline – waiting for him.


      It would have been more than easy, and understandable, for Jesus to make excuses. "Just keep rowing guys, I need to get away.  My buddy John has just been killed. I need to take a break from work while I get all this sorted out in my head." He could have even looked over to the crowds and said, "I'm sorry friends, not today. My cousin and dearest friend has just been killed, and I need some alone time.”


      But Jesus didn't make excuses.  He saw the crowd and immediately “had compassion on them." Though he was in no doubt grieving, Jesus went upon the shore and healed the sick. It seems that Jesus worked all day, through the afternoon, and into the evening healing the people. And before you knew it, it was dinnertime.  The disciples started to get restless.  They foresaw a huge problem.  They were surrounded by a mass of hungry people.  So, the disciples try to head this off by going to Jesus.  Hey Jesus, have you noticed it’s a deserted place?  No grocery stores around.  It’s getting late.  Don’t you think you should dismiss these people so they can go get food for themselves?   Frankly, we’re tired, Jesus, and we want to go home to bed.  Let’s call it a day. It seems like a reasonable request, doesn’t it?


      Then Jesus says something absolutely remarkable

. Jesus tells his disciples: They need not go away. You give them something to eat.  Clearly an impossible task by human standards. But Jesus, they sputter.  We only have five loaves and two fish.  Not even enough for the disciples, let alone this enormous crowd.  Jesus ignores their protests. Their excuses. Jesus commands them to bring the loaves and fishes to him.  He orders the crowds to sit on the grass.  Jesus looks to heaven, breaks, then blesses the bread, gives them to the disciples, who then passes the bread out to crowds.  And there was enough.  There was enough for every man, woman and child, and there were leftovers -12 baskets full. It was a miracle.

        Because Jesus loved so much, he overcome his tiredness and his grief.  Because Jesus loved so much, he forced his disciples out of their comfort zones -out of their fear - to stop making excuses - to trust God would provide.   Jesus’ love – and the blessing of heaven - achieved this.  Jesus loves our world so much    - he loves us so much – that he doesn’t allow excuses to get in the way of the miracles he wants to give us.


        Faith is hard.  And faith gets scary.  God demands the impossible of us. God wants us to stretch our hearts almost to their breaking points.  God wants to expand our minds beyond the horizons we can see.  God seeks the miraculous – acts of love and compassion on a scale we can’t comprehend – if only we stop making excuses.


      Thirty-one years ago, Our Saviour Lutheran Church was on the cusp of dying. There were only about twelve people, and Pastor Bob was sent to close up shop.  But God had something else in mind and a miracle happened. Instead of closing - a thriving church emerged – because somehow the church got over the excuses. Now that Pastor Bob is retiring, excuses are tempting us again.


  1. I’m too old. Or I’m too young.
  2. I'm too busy.
  3.  I have never learned how.
  4.  It's too hard.
  1. I’m too sad and afraid.
  2.  What’s the use? We’re just going to fall apart without Pastor Bob
    7. I'm not good with change.
    8. I've never done it before.
    9. There are too many obstacles.
    10. There's not enough to go around.
 
        The big question is: are we ready for another miracle?  The thing is, however, miracles can’t thrive in an atmosphere of excuses and doubts.  There is only one time in the gospels that it is recorded Jesus couldn’t perform a miracle.  Do you remember? Jesus was in his hometown of Nazareth. He was teaching and the crowds found excuses not to believe in him. They were even to offense at the local boy who seemed to be putting on airs.  And the scriptures go on to say Jesus could do no miracles there, except heal a few people, because of their lack of faith. They had no trust in him.  So, we need to be careful that our excuses -- Our lack of faith – our inability to trust -doesn’t stop the next great miracle God wants to reveal in our midst.


        Yes, there is loss looming. Yes, there is a need to process grief. There is a need to step aside and take some quiet time.  But the ministry goes on. The needs are great. The work is long and hard. Yes, the resources seem inadequate for the task at hand.  And yes, we are tempted to make excuses like the disciples. Lord, it’s late.  It’s a deserted place, Lord. Send the people away.  Let them get help somewhere else.
Today Jesus says: You need not go away. They need not go away. Bring the dreams - the hopes - the visions for the next 100 years to me.  Place it in my hands.  I will bless them.  Then you go start sharing.   And there will be more than enough. 


So, over the next few months, as we prepare to say goodbye to Pastor Bob and Cindy and enter an unknown time of transition - let us remember this story. How Jesus performed a miracle.  Jesus’ miracle was not only feeding the 5,000 and then some.  That was amazing enough. Let us remember Jesus’ other miracle in this story – how he challenged his disciples to trust him. And they did.  And that’s the miracle Jesus wants to accomplish here at Our Saviour.  The miracle that we too will trust. That Jesus will take our humble offerings, and in his hands will continue a ministry that will continue to touch the multitudes.


We can make excuses, or we can make a difference, but we can’t do both.  Let’s continue to make a difference.  Let’s be a part of the next miracle - and believe there will be enough for all -- all will be filled – and then some. Amen.




. https://pairedlife.com/friendship/35-Funny-Excuses-To-Get-Out-Of-Doing-Something
https://medium.com/@bkyler2000/no-more-excuses-e8a07a7386df
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/7-excuses-that-will-hold-you-back-from-success_b_7099562
https://www.mindmovies.com/blogroll/13-excuses-that-hold-you-back-from-living-your-best-life
 


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One Small Seed

8/2/2023

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Matthew 13:31-33; 44-52 
 
Our Gospel lesson today tells us what the kingdom of God is like – a mustard seed, a hidden treasure, yeast, a pearl, a net.  All these things start out small, hidden, ordinary and wind up big.  Today we’re going to focus on one of the most recognizable of the items Jesus’ talks about – the lowly mustard seed.

Look at that little mustard seed taped in your bulletin   There was once a time when you were no bigger than this one little seed.   In those cells no bigger than this seed, were contained all the genetic instructions necessary to direct the development of organs and tissues, bones and nerves, glands and blood, limbs and hair. When you were still this tiny, it was already determined whether you’d be male or female, what the color of your skin and eyes and hair would be.  Can you imagine that you were once this small?    Think of this: at some point, we were all small enough that taken together, we would all fit easily in the palm of a small child’s hand.   I bet the whole world could probably fit in this sanctuary!

I am not a biologist, I don’t know the exceptions to the rule, but from what little I know, we are not unique in this way. All living things and creatures we see around us also began their lives as a seed-- one little cell.    We could draw a parallel with non-living creation: great masterpieces of literature, art, architecture, music, inventions, the ways of thinking that direct our lives   -- all first began as fragments of ideas and were carefully worked upon, edited and redone many times before achieving their final form.  So much that can come from one little seed.

Jesus asked, what shall we compare the kingdom of God?   Jesus didn’t talk about fancy stuff – the Roman Coliseum the great Temple of Jerusalem. Jesus chose little things, ordinary things, that in the hands of God become great.

  The Kingdom of heaven it is like a mustard seed, Jesus said.  Like the one taped to your bulletin.   To fulfill our calling as a people of faith means understanding that there is nothing more important than the mustard seed. The mustard seed is not only small, it can also grow in just about any soil, and just about anywhere in the world.  Once it gets started it is persistent, it grows and grows.  So, to have a mustard seed faith means seeing as God sees. It means to have that ability to look past all that on the outside and look upon the heart. To see within the seed the dominion of God – where the ordinary, small acts we do can be powerful and significant. Yet we despair at the magnitude of problems we see around us.  We throw up our hands and wonder “What difference can my little contribution make?” 

We think this way because growth and change aren’t easy.  Sometimes we want to speed it up, like we’ve learned to do when we inject hormones into chickens, or by force feeding pigs or cows. We add all kinds of fertilizer to speed up the maturing process of fruits and vegetables.  People are not like cheese:   we cannot put people into casings and let them sit on a shelf, inject a few chemicals and expect a perfectly ripe product in four months. We cannot force growth.  We cannot determine its outcome. We can only faithfully tend to it, doing what is needed everyday. 

When a friend of mine, Chris, was a teenager, he was once in an accident.  He had been hit by a car, thrown out of his shoes. His parents did not know where he was, because Chris had talked a friend into deceiving their parents so they could go to the movies.  They missed their bus home and had to walk.  Then the car hit him. Chris was bleeding profusely, and in shock.  He thought he was going to die.    As a crowd of strangers gathered. Then one woman, brought a blanket and covered him. She held him and talked to him, not knowing if he were going to die in her arms. Chris was taken to the hospital and recovered completely.  But he never could find that woman again to thank her. He never learned her name.  But Chris will always remember her. Chris credits this woman with leaving an indelible mark of grace on his soul -- with shaping the course of his life, toward faith and toward service.  Chris is now the executive director of a prominent program for working with the homeless in Virginia, called Homestretch, Inc.  I had the honor of developing with Chris a NYC Church program for homeless addicts for ten years.  That unnamed woman planted a seed in Chris’ life which has reached out and touched countless of lives over the years.

Now, you may wonder, like me, this act weren’t so small.  It was pretty significant.  Or you may think, “I’ve never been called to save or change  someone’s life like that.”   But, how do you know?   How do you know? God doesn’t always let us see the long-term results of our acts toward others.  Every act of goodness, every act of mercy, every little seed, matters to God.  

Hilde Back’s was a schoolteacher in Sweden, when she decided to sponsor one child’s education in Kenya. Hilde’s sponsorship of Chris Mburu cost about $15 per month. Thanks to Hilde’s generosity, Chris wound up graduating high school, going to University of Nairobi and then attending Harvard Law School. He became a U.N. Human Rights Advocate, and he started a charity. He petitioned the Swedish embassy to find the name of his anonymous sponsor. Then he named his nonprofit the Hilde Back Education Fund (HBEF) after the benefactor he never met.

The Fund pays tuition for deserving poor students in Kenya. Since the charity’s start, 934 children have been supported . . . so far. That doesn’t even include the impact on their families. And who knows how many of these students will be inspired, as Chris was, to give back?

      It’s interesting that the only reason Hilde Back was even alive to support Chris was because of a stranger’s kindness. Hilde was a Jewish child living in Germany during the Nazis’ reign. Both of her parents were killed in concentration camps, but a stranger helped her escape to Sweden. Hilde said that as a Jew, she wasn’t allowed to go to school in Germany. It seemed natural for her to sponsor schooling for someone who couldn’t otherwise attend.

Little acts, that we take for granted, can and do have a significant, life- changing impact on people. A compliment. A hug. A task done well. An act of trust.  Getting involved. In the hands of God, they become powerful.  The woman with the blanket never knew how she changed the course of one life. How was her life changed by an act of kindness? How were those bystanders changed?   How many lives here have been touched by Chris, thus indirectly by this woman?   And what small acts of kindness shaped THAT woman that put her on the path to respond out of love and concern for Chris.

Is a tiny, mustard seed significant?  Is a little leaven important.  Is one singular pearl beautiful?  Is a hidden treasure worth the work?  Can one net make a difference?  Do the little things we do have any impact?   Does our life have importance in the large scheme of things?   To our God who is all powerful, omnipotent, and omnipresent, who knows the number of hairs on our hand and the grains of sand on the beach, every seed of love planted, tended, watered, pruned, is a branch in the realm of God.

Look at your seed again.   Remember what is important. Remember from where you came. A little seed. And countless seeds, sown by countless,  unknown  people, over countless years. Over centuries.  Only God could orchestrate such a living tree, with roots and branches that stretch out over millennium, scattering seeds in every new generation.    One seed, one act at a time, over time. 
God places an inexhaustible supply of seeds in our hands every day.   A whole generation, in our hands.   Seeds to be sown everyday.  Tended  everyday.  Until the Kingdom of God is realized in our midst.   Amen

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The Power of the Seed

7/19/2023

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Genesis 25:19-34 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

A man walked into a flower shop and asked for some potted red geraniums. "I’m sorry," said the clerk in flower shop, "we are completely sold out of all of our potted geraniums. But I’d be more than happy to give you a deal on something else. Could you use African violets instead?" Replied the customer sadly, "No, it was geraniums my wife told me to water while she was gone."

You’d think that a simple task like watering the plants wouldn’t be too hard. But speaking from experience, I can sympathize with this man. I realize there are people here that really like gardening, but I don’t. Watering and cultivating plants just is not my forte. If I want some vegetables, I’ll go down to the grocery store and get some.
Back in the days of Jesus, agriculture was front and center to the life of the people.  Most people had a little plot of land to grow vegetables to supplement their meager diet. In our parable of the Sower and the seed in Matthew today, we have a picture of a common farmer. He doesn’t have the tools to properly fit the ground and prepare for seed, so he simply reaches into his bag, takes out handful after handful of seed and flings it across the ground.  It’s a rather haphazard way to farm, isn’t it?  Sounds like a sure way to end up with a dead geranium!


       Now, because of the unorganized way the Sower is throwing the seeds some of it falls on a hard-packed pathway.   Some fall amongst the rocks.  Some fall on weedy ground.  But then, some of it falls on fertile ground and the seed takes root and gives a bountiful crop.   Jesus is telling this story to illustrate how God intends to spread love and the good news in the world. What is important for us to grasp is that the parable seems to give the impression that God isn’t all that concerned about which soil he allows his seed to take root in.

     A modern, intelligent farmer would be careful with his seed.  He would want to get the best bang for his buck.  So, a modern farmer would select only the best soil, and prepare it well.  Forget the poor soil. The weedy soil.  The rocky soil or hard ground.  Anything but the best is just out of luck.   But that’s not the case in our parable today.  The seed, which represents the love and the good news of God, are scattered indiscriminately across all sorts of ground.

The story is clear: the footpath and the rocky soil and weedy soil… they all get a shot at this seed.    That’s the power of God’s seed- the Word of God – the love of God.   God scatters it all over the earth, because it has power to take root in the harshest ground. And once it takes root, it can bear fruit.  God just doesn’t care about the condition of the soil. God just wants the seed of life to be shared, planted, no matter the condition of the soil. Of course, the harsher the soil, the harder it becomes to get a crop… but you can still get a crop.

Remember this verse from Isaiah 53:   "For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him." Isa.53:2

The scriptures describe Jesus as the root that came out of dry ground!  The soil shouldn’t have yielded a harvest - but it did. It gave us Jesus.

 So, God doesn’t care about which soil His seed falls. All the land in the parable belonged to the farmer. All the land, despite its composition, has an equal shot at the seed. The farmer does not place his confidence in the soil, but in the power of the seed. The soil doesn’t matter.  The harvest doesn’t matter.  It’s the indiscriminate scattering of the seed with wild abandon – that’s what matters. 

  So, the parable is a lesson on discipleship for us.  Sometimes we act like a modern farmer who has limited amounts of seed, and therefore we only choose the best soil to plant in – in order to get the best yield for our money and efforts.  Jesus is asking us to be like the farmer in the parable.  Jesus will give us an unlimited supply of seed -- each of our hearts has an inexhaustible supply of love.  Each of us has been given the good news in abundance. Think about it: can we ever run out of love?  Can the message of the good news of Jesus Christ ever dry up in us?  No.  Jesus says: Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38).  The Psalm describes an overflowing cup.  We are called to be like the farmer in the parable, to love extravagantly, to share, without counting the cost.   

What Jesus is asking of us is more difficult than it seems. Think about it: how often do we judge or place conditions on whom we will love?  How often do we turn away from some people, because they are not like us?  There are people who are hardened because of life circumstances, and they place barriers in front of us.  They reject us – they are mean and downright nasty to us.  There are people with rocks and thorns it makes us uncomfortable to be near them – they are loud or obnoxious. 

Face it - there are always folks looking for ways to scam us.  They always have a sob story to tell – to get us to give, give and give them more.  There are people so unlike us – they steal, they do drugs, they drink excessively, they’re judgmental – maybe they are too right wing or left wing for our tasks.  Maybe they are too liberal or conservative for our tastes.  There are just people who grate on our nerves. They are too loud, or too secretive, too petty or too greedy or too needy.  There are people who are mentally ill and suffer from the symptoms.  There are people who don’t look like us. Their customs are strange – maybe offensive to us. They speak different languages.  They break the rules. They rub their wealth into our faces.  Criminals and hotheads, who are filled with rage when they drive, belligerent and loud.  The list can go on and on, can’t it? 

These people stress our ability to cope.  Yet what does Jesus say in our parable? Cast the seed on them anyway. Love them anyway.  Give them the good news anyway.  No matter how hard it is, what a long stretch it is, we are to love and care for them, showing them the mercy and tenderness of God in Jesus Christ.  Jesus came forth from the hardened soil – didn’t he?   So who knows what the hard soil around us can eventually produce, as long as we persevere in scattering, with abandon, our love and the gospel?  God gives the growth, not us, the bible says.  We are not to give up on anyone.  We are called to remain confident that God loves endlessly through us, and that his eternal, inexhaustible word is to be cast out without giving a second thought.

Has anyone here ever work with a someone who was always negative, critical? A pain in the neck?  A friend of mine, Emily, described how she worked closely with someone whom she dreaded to be around. Let’s call her Joyce. Everything Emily said was met with sarcasm and meanness by Joyce.  It got to the point where Emily desperately sought to avoid this person.  She had written her off.  In our prayer group, Emily talked about her trials and tribulations with Joyce.   A mutual friend of ours said simply, pray for her. So that’s what Emily did.  It didn’t seem to change Joyce, but it certainly changed Emily. Subtly Emily found God guiding her.  Emily became present to this miserable, mean-spirited person, determined to meet kindness with anger.  Eventually one day, Emily asked Joyce, at an opportune moment, what was wrong.  Surprisingly, Joyce burst into tears.  She described her husband’s unexpected death to cancer.  Her children being out of control.  Her father with dementia, her mother disabled, so when Joyce finished work, she would go and take care of them.  She was simply burnt out and had nowhere to go.  Have you ever encountered someone like this?  We all have.  Imagine if we saw ourselves as Sowers of the seed, showering care and loving patience, leaving the outcomes to God.  Obviously, it doesn’t always work out like this.  But we will never know unless we learn to sow the seed indiscriminately, without judging what’s right or wrong.

It is said that St. Teresa of Calcutta keep the following inspirational message on the wall of her room:

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you. Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight. Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.


Be sowers of the seed. Even when we will never know if the seed will take hold. Let us scatter love with scandalous abandon.  Let us listen to Jesus who calls us to act like our heavenly father “Who makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong : (Matt.5:45).  Let us not forget that Jesus came forth from hard soil, so just imagine what God can do through us reaching all kinds of soil, in the name of Jesus, Amen.


https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/scattering-the-seed-jeff-strite-sermon-on-sharing-your-faith-124560
http://www.feedingamerica.org/our-work/our-approach/reduce-foodwaste.html?gclid=CIe5zd3Ci9UCFQ5XDQodImoI2w
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture_in_the_United_States

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Yoked to Jesus

7/13/2023

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Matthew 11:25-30

 
There’s a legend about Jesus’ life before he began his public ministry. The story goes that Jesus was a master carpenter, and his specialty was making yokes.  Jesus made such good yokes that people would come from all over to him to have him make yokes for their oxen.  

      Jesus lived in an agricultural society where most people made their living by farming and livestock. For the heavy work of plowing --a team of oxen was used. For the oxen to work well together - they needed a yoke.  A yoke is a long wooden beam that fits over the necks of the animals – the yoke harnesses their collective strength in order to pull that plow, a cart, or some other heavy load. Good yokes that fit well- were in high demand.

In order for a yoke to work just right, the farmer would actually bring his oxen to the carpenter- who would measure the animals. Then, when he had roughed out the yoke- the farmer would bring back the oxen for a final fitting. The carpenter would line the yoke with cloth or leather -so that the yoke would not chafe against the necks of the animals and hurt them. It was a tricky business- because the wood had to be crafted just right. If the yoke was too tight- it would dig into the animals’ necks- choking them. If the yoke was too loose –well - the oxen couldn’t work well together. The legend has it that the yokes Jesus made were always perfect--they fit easily--making the burden seem light.  It was said that the sign over Jesus’ shop read: “My Yokes Fit Well.”   How appropriate it is then - that today we hear the words from the master yoke maker - Jesus – who invites us to take up his yoke upon us to give us rest for our weary souls.  To make our burdens light.

In Jewish tradition, it is said- to be in a right relationship with God - is to accept the yoke of heaven.  God created human beings to be yoked.  As the saying goes, “We are better together.” Think about it – throughout life we find ourselves needing help.  From the time we are helpless infants in our parents’ arms – until we are aged – dependent on care givers and canes -- and every age we pass in between- we will always need guidance, support, encouragement along the way.  We need to be yoked to something or someone stronger--greater -than ourselves - to reach our goals. We need family, friends, teachers, mentors – guides.  We especially need a yoke when we have really tough loads to carry – like an illness – or when we struggle to pay the bills – or when there is friction in our family.   We all carry heavy burdens throughout our lives.  Life is hard and throws curve balls at us – often when we least expect it. When that happens - we need the yoke of heaven to see us through.

      Today in our gospel lesson --Jesus uses the image of a yoke to explain what it means to be in relationship to God through him.   Being yoked to Jesus means we live out our lives with Jesus as our main support – our one true guide.  We don’t go through life alone – Jesus is there -- alongside us- many times he actually carries us.  Jesus wants to encourage us – – his yoke is easy – because he is gentle and humble of heart.  His gentleness and humility line the yoke – making it the key reason in why Jesus’s yoke fits us so well.

I love the description of gentleness from Isaiah 43:3 Isaiah says: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” Isn’t that a beautiful way to describe how gentle God is with us?  God doesn’t force a damaged reed to be bend any further – so it doesn’t break in half.  A flickering candle will not be touched – so the weak flame can stay lit. Jesus knows exactly where we are bruised by life – Jesus knows where our light is dim and needs help to stay lit. Remember how Jesus dealt with sinners and those on the down and out? He wasn’t harsh. He was kind. He drew near to them.  He ate and drank with them.  And they loved him for it.  

Jesus treats us the same way.  Jesus understands our struggles. So, Jesus seeks to build us up.  Jesus is patient with us. He understands life can get tough.  So, he lines his yoke with gentleness to help us bear the burdens we must carry.

Humility is the other ingredient that makes Jesus’s yoke fit us well.  Humility is often misunderstood. Many think of humility as poor self-esteem or being timid. Jesus was far from timid.  Remember how he drove out the money changers in the temple?  Remember how he constantly confronted religious leaders who were hypocrites?  Jesus is strong but humble. Think also about Moses - the great and powerful leader and liberator of the Israelites. The Old Testament scriptures call Moses the humblest man on the face of the earth (Num. 12:3).  Yet Moses confronted Pharaoh – he confronted the Israelites when they sinned.   The Christian author- C. S. Lewis - gives - what I think is a great definition of humility -- “Humility is not thinking less of yourself --  but thinking of yourself less.”   “Let that sink in!  Jesus -our Lord and Savior - doesn’t lord over us.   Jesus does not act high and mighty with us.  Jesus instead walks alongside us – as a trusted companion. Jesus’s humility lines his yoke -to help us manage the burdens of life. 

The yoke of our humble and gentle Jesus is a perfect fit.  With Jesus we can carry the burdens the world places on us.  More importantly, we find rest for our souls.  The word for rest here means more than just getting a break or some peace and quiet.  It means to renew – to rejuvenate – to revitalize.   Jesus’s yoke restores our energy and increases our sense of purpose!

At the New York City Marathon in 2021 – Jamel Melville of Queens had two hundred meters to go to get the finished line – but then suddenly-- he collapsed.  Other runners stopped - putting aside their own races– they picked him up and supported him across that finish line.  That’s what the yoke of Jesus looks like – Jesus picks us up when we fall – and Jesus support us and helps us to cross the finish line.   Jesus renews our life.
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The bottom line is -- We all struggle. Life bruises us. From time to time our light goes weak. We need help, support and encouragement all along the way.

 So today, if you are faced with a burden that seems to heavy, a load that is overwhelming - turn to Jesus.  If you are feeling burnt out and without a sense of purpose, turn to Jesus. Take his light and easy yoke upon you. This yoke lined with gentleness and humility- it will fit you perfectly.  So, choose him today – and you will find rest – rejuvenation – reinvigoration - for your soul.  He will pick you up and support you- and you will be able to cross whatever finish line lies ahead. Amen 

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God's Love Provides

7/5/2023

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Gen. 22:1-18; Matt. 10:37- 42  

Love. Isn’t love at the heart of human experience?    Wouldn’t you agree? Doesn’t love give meaning and purpose to our lives? Doesn’t Love bind us to those who are dear, open our hearts to those in need?  Love changes our lives – in the giving love and receiving of love. And today the word “Love” appears for the first time in the Bible - in our Hebrew lesson.  In this story from Genesis- we hear God’s command to Abraham to offer up Isaac up as a burnt offering on Mt. Moriah. This story is often called the binding of Isaac – because Isaac is tied up like a burnt offering. But we ask ourselves; how on earth could this be a story about love?!

Our story today of the near-sacrifice of Isaac is a difficult passage to comprehend.  What just and loving God would demand such a test – to sacrifice one’s own child?  It calls to my mind the trials and tribulations of Job.  Remember how God allows Satan to test Job--  Job loses his children- his cattle-  his home-all his wealth--  and had his body covered with boils.  But not even Job was asked to actually sacrifice his children.

God’s request to Abraham is very striking:  Take your son --  your only son Isaac --  whom you love --  God spells it out. Your only son now, Abraham.  Whom, by the way, you love.  Is this a story of an abusive God - a misguided Abraham - religious zealousness at its worst?  Or is it a story of faith and obedience? Is this about the height of love and devotion?  No doubt about it – this is a complicated story.  But then, love can get very complicated. Right?
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        Our gospel lesson sounds as outrageous as our Genesis lesson.  Listen again to Jesus’ word: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” How difficult it is for us to understand the implications contained in our text.  It is small comfort that perhaps this is just an exaggeration of speech used in ancient cultures to get a point across—love God more than anyone else dear to us – but it still doesn’t translate well to us modern listeners.   It leaves us uncomfortable. Jesus has laid down the gauntlet.  Who do we love more – God or our family?


        The bottom line of our lessons today is that God wants to be number one in our lives.  Of course - we can love our parents.  Of course - we can love our children. We are told in the ten commandments to honor our father and mother.  Jesus loved his mother so much that while dying on the cross one of his last acts was to make sure she was looked after.   How do we love God more?  As we prepare for Independence Day in two days, we can also tell ourselves, yes, we can love our country.  But do we love God even more than we love our country? 

        But there’s even more.  Our texts teach us that true love – and welcoming others like God does - can be challenging – and even hurt. Love and welcoming forces us to make choices.  I’m always shocked when I remember that St. Teresa of Calcutta said - we must love until it hurts – and then it won’t hurt anymore.  Love until it hurts?  Sounds a bit sadistic doesn’t it? 

But when we stop and think about it, that’s what real love does.  Love suffers for us.  Or what the apostle Paul says, “Love endures all things.”  So, love endures the stings of teenagers barbed comments - Love endures sitting next to our partner’s treatment with chemotherapy – Love endures sitting in the waiting room waiting for the operation to end.  Love looks on with pain as we watch our children fall down – as they make their mistakes and struggles through life – knowing that sometimes the most loving response is letting them figure things out on their own. Love looks on knowing that it can’t always make things all right.  Love suffers with the oppressed of the world.  Love opens our hearts to the ultimate vulnerability – to loss.  Because of love many of us feel deep pain at the sudden death of our brother and friend, Keith Poss. Love makes us vulnerable to the great losses in life – death, divorce, estrangement. Who wouldn’t exchange places with our suffering child- our suffering parent- our suffering companion in a heartbeat?   This powerful love and our acts of welcome -- are a reflection of the profound, unconditional love and welcome God has for us.  And God says love me first and foremost. 

        We can only love God more by opening our hearts to God  - each and every day. Spend time with God. Pray – read the bible – serve and welcome others - in doing these things – we experience how much God loves us. I’ve been reading a beautiful series of books by Fr. Greg Doyle – “Tattoos on the Heart” – “Barking at the Choir” Forgive Everyone Everything” “The Whole Language”  - For over 30 years Fr. Greg – or “G Dog” – has worked with the gangs and with gang violence of Los Angeles. He founded Homeboy Industries – among other programs – the largest gang reentry and rehabilitation program in the work.  He and his staff have brought love and welcome to young people who have done horrible violence – who were raised in horrible violence. Theirs is a love that suffers in witnessing and welcoming young adults who have been thrown away by society.  They have joined the pain of former gang members – and in doing so – they have brought love to them – a transforming love – that brings healing and hope to young adults seeking to leave gangs.   Fr. Greg says: The desire of God's heart is immeasurably larger than our imaginations can conjure.” “Here is what we seek: a compassion that can stand in awe at what the poor have to carry rather than stand in judgment at how they carry it.” “Alone, they didn't have much, but together, they had a potful of plenty.”

  We learn to truly love by being open to God’s love. The amazing secret is this:  we love even better when our love relationship with God is first in our lives.  We welcome each other better when we have first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to be welcomed by God.  God’s love provides us with the tools - the vision – the energy - the endurance power – to engage life at its fulness.  Love turns us into wonderful welcomers – for that is what we are called to do – our mission is – to love and welcome.

       An interesting aside: Mt. Moriah, the site where Isaac was almost sacrificed, is thought to be the site of the Temple in Jerusalem. The site where all the animal sacrifices occurred.   Scholars considered it the site of the Garden of Eden. This was also considered to be in the area near the site where Jesus was crucified. Early Christian believers looked at our Hebrew text and declared – God love did provide.  Because Jesus became that lamb. Jesus carried that wood – the cross. It took three days for Abraham and Isaac to reach the site – it took three days for Jesus to rise from the dead.  So, our passage prepares us to know – how much God loves us.   That God’s love provides for us.

When we experience how God’s love provides -- we can climb any mountain - carry any load for a dear one- and say -here I am, Lord, send me. Here I am Lord -- thank you for your love that will make us be a blessing – that sends us as your ambassadors of love and welcome in the world.  God’s love provides always. When we rest in this awesome - sacrificial love of God – we know that love is truly the heart of our human experience – this love is the purpose and mission of our lives.  May we know the radical love and welcome of God – and radically welcome and love all who come into our lives. Amen.
 
 

       


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Compassion to Action

6/21/2023

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Matthew 9:35-10:8 

 
 When was the last time you were in a crowd of people?  At a concert or parade, or some protest perhaps? A recent graduation?   Caught in bumper-to bumper- traffic on the Southern State or Meadowbrook, as people flee the City for the week ends out East – or on their way home?  Some people love the thrill and energy of crowds. I don’t – I’m too claustrophobic.  But there’s another crowd we are called to be aware of today.  The people we pass by every day. The people we wait with on grocery lines. The people we stand next to like sardines within elevators. Little crowds. Big crowds. Nameless, anonymous people who swirl around us. Crowds of people – each person with a story to tell – each carrying pains and problems like our own. 

In our gospel lesson, we encounter the crowds that flocked to Jesus.  Matthew tells us very distinct things about these crowds. They were hapless and helpless.  The original Greek makes it sound even more vivid: it was like rapacious, unfeeling people plundered them or laid them prostrate.  These are people who have been knocked down by life. The countless, nameless, forgotten—those who have been ground down by heel of the oppressor.  People who have been so beaten down that they are filled with shame, swallowed up by despair, void of hope, They came from all over.   It reminds me of the moving words of Emma Lazarus’ famous sonnet on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.” These are the masses, the crowds that flocked to Jesus.


Now Matthew is very clear what made these crowds appear: Jesus went about all the cities and villages, healing every disease and sickness among the people. Jesus’ ministry was thorough and widespread. Jesus reached into every nook and cranny –healing with abandon people in body mind and spirit. Suddenly these teeming masses experience a flicker of hope.  Someone cares for them.  Someone recognizes them.  They matter.  They come out of the woodwork.  It’s like what the prophet Isaiah foretold (9:2): The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned.  Jesus sees the wretchedness and misery, people lost and hopeless, like sheep without a shepherd we are told.  Jesus doesn’t judge them. He doesn’t give them constructive criticism or tell them what they’re doing wrong.  Jesus’ reaction is basic. He has compassion on them.  And his compassion leads him to action.


Compassion isn’t pity. It isn’t feeling sorry for others. It isn’t hoping things get better. Compassion is a body response – a kick in the gut – like a sucker-punch – only it’s a visceral reaction of care for the needs of someone else.   Compassion is an innate response to suffering that is hard-wired into us to do something to alleviate the pain or problems of others. Compassion is a holy response, a Godly reaction – it’s a gutsy heart response we experience just before the head gets in the way to talk us out of responding, before fear makes us judge, or we make excuses for nonaction. Compassion, Jesus teaches us – leads to action.


Compassion is stirred in Jesus as he tells the crowds about the Good News:  he describes a God who cares for them, who loves them, who forgives them, who showers them with kindness and mercy.  A God who rejoices in their presence who has a plan for their lives, who gives them purpose and meaning.  No wonder the multitudes responded with such desperation and devotion.  They were people spiritually famished to the brink of death, thirsty with parched throats. Jesus fills them up and satisfies their hungry hearts and quenches their thirst.  Jesus sees the crowds desperate for a new life and he doesn’t send them away.  Jesus tells his disciples what he sees: not people who are an inconvenience. Not a bunch of nobodies. Jesus sees a rich harvest of souls: a plentiful harvest – but unfortunately the laborers are few. The needs are great. Pray for more laborers! Not for more priests. Not for more gifted preachers.  Not for rich people, professionals.  Just for ordinary laborers.  And then Jesus does something remarkable.  He turns his prayer into action. He turns to his disciples and appoints the 12 to be the laborers that the harvest needs.  Jesus chooses ordinary people to continue the work.  Not people with fancy degrees or titles.  Simple folk.  Because the only prerequisite to working in God’s vineyard is compassion.


Think of the initial people Jesus called.  Not one of them was a synagogue leader, or a distinguished elder.  They were ordinary, fallible people. Laborers. Peter who denied Jesus three times. Andrew, Peter’s brother (4:18) also a fisherman. (John 1:40-41).  James and John are the sons of Zebedee (4:21), fishermen and are also known as the Sons of Thunder (Mark 3:17), perhaps because of their fiery temperament.  Philip (John 1:43). Probably a fisherman. Thomas is famous for doubting Jesus (John 20:24-29).  Simon the Cananaean is identified elsewhere in Luke 6:15 as Simon the Zealot. It is often thought that he was a revolutionary, committed to driving the Romans out of Israel, Judas, of course, is the one who will betray Jesus (26:47-50).  We know nothing of the others Philip, Bartholomew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus. They were all ordinary people.  People like us, right?  People of no worldly importance.  But that doesn’t matter. Because they have the raw material needed to make a difference.  That raw material is compassion.


Jesus awakens compassion in them. He gives them “authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness” (v. 1b).  Compassion responds first to basic fundamental needs: the aches and pains people are carrying.
Jesus tells his disciples how to act from compassion. Disciples of Jesus need to be on the go – not resting on their laurels at home.  We are called to meet and greet new people. We are called to go outside our comfort zone – meeting people different from ourselves – because that’s what compassion does.   Jesus is clear: don’t take purse or a bag.  Jesus wants us to be humble, unhindered by worldly objects. Because that’s what compassion does.  We shouldn’t even wear sandals – since the poor of Jesus’ day didn’t have them -- and that would set us apart-make us seem greater than them. We need to come to their level.  Because that’s what compassion does. We’re not to engage in lengthy salutations and conversations as were custom of the preachers of the day.  Once in the village they were to offer peace. To eat as others eat. Live where others live. We are to work to cure the ills around them. We meet the needs of the people. Then, and only then are we are to speak – the kingdom of God is at hand. Because that’s what compassion does.  The physical needs are just as important as the spiritual.  That’s what compassion says.


        Jesus goes to such great lengths to teach us how to act, how to respond because it is easy to allow compassion to get disconnected.  Our head takes over. We make excuses about why we can’t help.  The need is too great. Our gifts are miniscule. The harvest is vast and we workers are few.


Jesus wants to reconnect us to compassion. So he sends us out of the church -- out of the building, out into the world around us -- to engage the crowds,  to go meet the immigrants, the poor, the needy.  Eat with them. Spend time with them. Alleviate their ills. And tell them, God loves them. The God that Jesus reveals is a God who of fundamental, unadulterated compassion – who desires justice and mercy, and love for our neighbor. Who declares there’s a place at the table for all.  It is a message of grace. It invites belonging and connection. And it is rooted in compassion – compassion that lives right here in our hearts, right here in our guts.


        Matthew’s passage today is a little handbook of compassionate discipleship for us that is still relevant to us.  For the harvest continues to be great – and the true laborers few.  Jesus isn’t calling people with fancy degrees and intensive training.   God calls each of us – by name.  Only one thing is required.  That we have compassion.  That we open our hearts to all who are suffering: illness, poverty, affliction of all sorts, lonely lost needy. We are called to go in the midst of those around us.  We are to let compassion guide us – like it guided Jesus. 


Compassion has many faces.  Maybe compassion is providing a meal for a hungry person.  Maybe compassion is sitting at a bedside holding a hand not saying a word.   Maybe compassion is forgiving someone a faux pas.  Maybe compassion is supporting with our monies disaster relief or helping a family in crisis.  Compassion is creative and endless.  What does compassion look like to you?  How is compassion guiding us as a church family?


Every day we ask ourselves:  Where is the holy spirit stirring up compassion in me?  What can I do about it?  Because we can all do something. Together we are better – we can do more.  So today we receive our marching orders.  To go forth. So let compassion to action be stirred in us by the wants and needs of the crowds the people around us.  May the good news of the kingdom of God – the tender love and mercy of God, be made visible through our the deeds and touch of our hands, the encouragement of our words and the dedication of our hearts to be laborers of Jesus – laborers of the rich and vast harvest that is there in our midst.
Amen

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    Moirajo is a minister, social worker, wife, mother, writer and animal lover. That's just for starters. Join the story, there's so much we can share together! 

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