Sermon: Losing the Word

          "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.  I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.  I will thank you forever, because of what you have done.  In the presence of the faithful I will wait for your name, for it is good."  (Psalm 52:8-9)

          That portion of the Psalm is both a promise we can make, and a reminder to ourselves.  All of the readings today provide warnings that when we look around ourselves today, we see the same problems, and we're being warned about the consequences, yet again.

          Those at the time with Amos had the Word of God removed from them, as they focused on making money and improving status, leaving off fairness, let alone providing charity.  They're missing the importance in their own busy-ness, sometimes going so far as to cheat others to obtain their own comfort.  In Leviticus 23, God said, "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and for the alien: I am the Lord your God."  In Amos' time, they lost the Word of God for a long time because of their own actions. 

          In today's society, gleaned food may be marginal, just on the threshold of becoming bad, and so many won't eat it, knowing that it will make them ill.  Our stomachs don't have the intestinal flora to keep up with such things.  However, one of the things learned from working within the Renaissance reenactment community was how people of the Renaissance time used spices to make such marginal food digestible.  Those spices that are currently used most often in baking – like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice – and those that spice things up a bit – like cayenne, curry, any of the peppers – will actually help the body digest things that it might not otherwise be willing to.  This works with both meat and vegetables, and can lengthen the shelf life of your food. 

          There are ways to assist those who are homeless, unemployed, down on their luck or abundantly blessed with children, by providing them with transportation to get to gleaning programs, raising their self-esteem as they know they are not only providing for themselves, but also helping others in a time of shared need.

          We are beyond blessed in our town.  There are areas in the wild where a wide variety of wild fruits and vegetables grow.  As we're also often competing with bears and other wildlife, we can organize groups for safety to go and pick, and then parties for canning and preserving.  Willing hands are all that are needed, and those unused to the process will have those experienced to teach them and help them along.  Don't forget to share with your neighbor as we all have the feast provided to us by the Divine.  In some places, not only are people prevented from gathering the bounty of the earth – even to the point of not being allowed to collect rainwater – but people can literally be arrested for such gleaning.  The society around our country is very, very similar to what we see in Amos' time.

          Today, our focus is lost.  We're busy with making enough money to pay the bills, with cleaning the house to be presentable, with ensuring our kids are in the best schools, making the best grades.  And certainly, those are important things.  But Paul writes, "To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. It is He whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ."  (Col. 1:27-28)

          Professor and Episcopal priest Barbara Brown Taylor writes in her book Home By Another Way, suggests that the things that made God angry in Amos’ day are also much in place in our own society.  In her words: “Why is Amos in such a bad mood? Because the rich have used their riches to burden those who will never work their way out of debt. Because the clever have used their cleverness to trick those who cannot think as fast. Because making a profit has become more important than anything else in the land – more important than justice, more important than Sabbath, more important than God.” (p. 182, Home By Another Way, “Famine in the Land,” Barbara Brown Taylor).

          Christ has paid the price for us, but still, we have to choose to turn toward God, to listen, to be still and hear the Word of God.  The fruit is turning bad, rotting in our own souls.  We are literally starving among our possessions and status symbols, ignoring the importance of teaching the next generation and we condemn them because of their own ignorance.

          When we look at the Gospel lesson, we recognize the need and contribution Martha makes, as do so many others within our own society.  These are the people who make things more comfortable for others, who like serving others – but oftentimes, they are also the invisible people.  Not only do we not recognize their contributions and thank these people, but we also forget to live up to our own contributions made possible for us to do through the efforts of those who serve. 

          Christ took the time to remind Martha that the curious nature of Mary is equally valued.  She listens and questions, seeking understanding and helping others find understanding where they might have been too timid to ask.  Each must serve, according to their own nature and inclination, and all bring value in the sight of God.

          Christ also opened Martha's eyes to appreciate Mary and her ways, without needing to chastise her for neglecting their guests or being unseemly in the minds of others, but rather see that she cares for them in a different manner, helping to keep the learning and conversation going, helping others feel more at ease with their questions.

          The lessons today are all asking us to look at our own actions.  Is Christ at the forefront of our thoughts?  Are we helping our neighbors?  Because right now, looking at the actions around the world, we have to wonder if we have stopped listening for the word of God.  Like those that Amos addressed, are we allowing politics to interfere with the commands of God?  We must remember that each one is a child of God, and these days, likely need to help them know the word of God, as many have been kept ignorant of the Word.  The words of Amos must be a warning in our ears.

          In the words of Stephen Mattson, author of a book called The Great Reckoning: Surviving a Christianity That Looks Nothing Like Christ:  " So when we’re confronted with national questions regarding refugees, immigrants, racism, national security, the economy, and social justice issues, we must remind ourselves of the old adage: 'What Would Jesus Do?' because we already know what He did, and it’s our responsibility to do the exact same thing.  God help us."

Thursday Sermon: Need for Comforting Words

          Today's Gospel is one of the words of comfort.  In our lives, all of us need comfort, refreshment, rest.  We're in the midst of summer, and this is the time of year when people hope to get some refreshment. We hope to slow down a little, play a little more, have more time, here in the midsummer.  We take a trip, if we can afford one; relax a little at home, if we can't. We are tired. We need a break. A little refreshment. A little comfort.

          My sister has a small pack of grandchildren who spend a lot of time with them in the summer. Sometimes one of them will hurt themselves slightly -- scrape a knee, bang a funny bone, shut a finger in a drawer. The grandchild will pause, absorbing the shock of a sudden pain, and then, if one of the grandparents are nearby they will look at the hurt child. Sometimes the content of that look will determine whether the child goes on to wail at the top of their lungs and end up on their grandparent's lap for five minutes or else just laughs and says ouch. If someone seems receptive, a small injury becomes a good opportunity to soak up some serious comfort. If not, there are better things to do. Interesting, for a child, crying is not just a private response to grief or pain. It is also a form of communication, and a most effective tool for influencing the behavior of others.

          This is so often true, in fact, that a lot of us who are no longer children come to believe unconsciously -- that the people we care about will know we are crying even if they can't hear us. That the people we love will automatically know when we are sad.  

          There's a story about a woman who remembers crying in school once, in the second grade. Her teacher spoke firmly to her: "Stop right now!" she said, and she did, whispering silently to herself about how mean the teacher was. She called to her later to explain. If she had spoken gently to the child, she would have cried harder and found it harder to stop herself.  The teacher didn't mean to be sharp, but only wanted to help find her own strength. 

          Little as she was, she appreciated that explanation.  The teacher was right: her tone did help her pull herself together in a situation where crying was not appropriate. Comfort and refreshment isn't always a gentle, "There, there." Sometimes it's a sharp "Here, here." Comfort and refreshment doesn't usually fall magically into our laps from the sky. Usually, we must put ourselves in its way. Often, it does not come from someone more powerful than we are. Often, God sends us refreshment through another person who also needs it.

          Our Old Testament reading reminds us of the ups and downs in Moses' life.  Born under threat of death, he was put into a reed basket, rescued by an Egyptian princess, and raised in the palace.  There he learned along with the other royal sons, and became very well educated.  Now according to the movie so many of us are familiar with, he "discovered" that he was born to the Jews, but biblically speaking, there was no dramatic reveal.  He was, however, a very fair man, and when coming across an overseer beating a slave, he killed the overseer, and then fled for his life.  He settled in Midian, married and had children.  About that point, God got his attention through a bush that was on fire, but not burning, and told him to go and free his people from the Egyptians.  Moses was definitely not the most self-confident of people, and had excuse upon reason upon denial for God as to why he should not be the one to fulfill God's command. 

          So in today's lesson, Moses asks, what do I say when I am asked who sent me?  And here, we get the name of God.  Among Jews, it is the unpronounceable name of God, the Tetragrammaton.  But to describe it to others, God is the I AM that I AM – the very essence of existence.  And in today's lesson, Moses essentially hears what his mission is to be – to free all his people from Pharaoh, and speak on behalf of God. 

          We know that after that, Moses continues to argue that he is not eloquent, but for now, think about what Moses thought at the assignment he received from God.  We could suppose that Moses felt himself absolutely unequal to the task, to feel that God provides to him a very heavy burden, indeed. 

          Like Moses, there is no one who will not one day find themselves bearing a load too heavy to carry alone. None of us are self-sufficient, however strong or weak or rich or poor we may be. We are all in need of comfort, in need of refreshment, in need of rest. Blessed are those who know their need of it early; they are the ones who will put themselves in the way of the Comforter.  And they often are the same people who are first to offer comfort to others in need.

Sermon: The Law

          Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.  Blessed be the Name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be in your heart.  And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall speak of them when you sit at home, and when you walk along the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.  And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes.  And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

          Our Old Testament lesson today points out that if the people cannot follow the Sh'ma, finding it too difficult to obey, then God reminds us, "No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe."  It's not an impossible, or even a difficult law, because we remind ourselves, each other, our children that these words are no further away than our own voice and our heart.  Following those words, those laws, will cause us to be blessed abundantly "in the fruit of [our] body, in the fruit of [our] livestock, and in the fruit of [our] soil."  And yet, the Jews of the Old Testament still found it too difficult.  In every instance of guiding prophets, kings, and the gift of the law -  in all of these instances, it is God, not Israel, who makes it possible for Israel to be in relationship with God.

          Let's look here at one word in all of these instances:  shall.  Working in a law firm, I learned to read rather closely the words that are chosen, particularly within the law, and within decisions created by judges.  The law often provides modal, auxiliary verbs, and you'll see the same choices found in the Bible.  Auxiliary verbs include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will and would.  Out of all these, only the word "must" does not provide an option.  All the others provide guidelines, but can lead to ambiguity.  Unfortunately, as with so many arguments created by the choices of words, it's very difficult for absolute, hard and fast rules to be created. 

          But nearly every jurisdiction has held that the word “shall” is confusing because it can also mean “may, will or must.” Legal reference books like the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure no longer use the word “shall.” Even the Supreme Court ruled that when the word “shall” appears in statutes, it means “may.”  And thus, even the Sh'ma, that prayer which should be said at least twice a day, and should be on the hearts and minds of those saying it, is still a choice.  God gave us that free will.  If we want to follow the commandments, the rules and tenets that God has given us, we have to make that choice.  And with our choices, we are provided our consequences.

          So let's look at the Gospel lesson today.  Interestingly enough, it's lawyer asking Christ a question about how do we "inherit eternal life".  And Christ, ever the teacher, asks him, well, "what is written in the law?"  And the lawyer provides him with the Sh'ma, which today is now practiced by Christians as the greatest Commandment.  Same words. 

          Now of course, lawyers can't just accept words without picking apart meanings.  And so of course, this is not the end, neither for the lawyer, nor for us. As is so often the case when the right answer is on the tip of our tongues, we waver. We point out obstacles that would make doing the right thing difficult. Truly, the most demanding journey is the hike from a right answer to a right action.  That's why the lawyer suddenly seems so anxious. "Do this and you will live," says Jesus.  Okay, wait!  Love God and neighbor? You can hear the screech as the lawyer stomps on the brakes. How complex of a case is that going to be?  This could get tricky. It could take over my whole life.  Love God and neighbor? I need a little clarification here, Jesus. Tell me, who counts?  So he asks Christ, "Who is my neighbor?"

          And so now, we heard the story of the Good Samaritan.  What we don't hear are the thoughts going through the minds of the priest and the Levite, as they choose to pass by.  Any first-century attorney would quickly recognize both the priest and the Levite in this parable as people who would also have a deep understanding of the law.  Like the attorney, these clergy knew the law well enough to have the right answers come to mind under pressure. They also knew the law well enough to make it work for them. What does God's law say? What case has precedent here? In this story, a religious man finds a bloodied body lying by the road. What should he do? What does the law dictate?

          Well, there are passages that say love your neighbor. Of course, if you wanted to avoid the messy roadside situation, you might also recall that there are verses that instruct a priest not to approach a dead body.  If he doesn't approach, he can simply assume the body is dead.  They would be ritually unclean and could not perform their service at the temple.  And the Levite? Who can blame him?  What if there were accomplices lurking in the bushes along the road, waiting for just such a “do-gooder” to come along so they could relieve him of his money? They were using common sense in not stopping to help.

          Perhaps Jesus is reminding us that Scripture can be used to justify some pretty ungodly behavior. We are probably not surprised when he portrays the clergy in this parable as the culprits. Are we? Over the course of history, preachers have quoted the Bible to prop up slavery, to support the persecution of the Jews, to justify not providing clean water and soap for children whose parents brought them illegally into our country.  Even today, you don't have to channel-surf for long to find ministers who sprinkle their prescriptions for America with bits of Scripture as if such snippets provided an excuse for the meanness of their message. "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" These questions challenge all of us to give careful thought to the way that we read the texts of our faith. All too often we use verses of Scripture to license whatever benefits us. We appeal to the Bible and find support for our perspectives, our way of living, and, yes, even our prejudices. This parable cautions us. Just because you've got the good book in hand doesn't mean that you've cornered the market on holiness. As Luke points out, even the devil can quote Scripture.

          So here, we have a Samaritan. In other words, he is an outsider. Samaritans were from the wrong side of the tracks. They were also unorthodox. They did not share mainstream Judaism's beliefs about God. So, the next person we see jogging down the road is a foreigner who we know has a strange take on God.  There's no way he'll feel a compulsion, religious or otherwise, to help someone in a ditch. And, yet, Jesus tells us that this man is kind.  Maybe he's not able to quote Deuteronomy at the drop of a hat, but he is hospitable. The stranger makes the trip from right answer to right action. And is it just me or does he seem to go about this act of charity with a lightness of heart. You might even call it joy.

          "Which of these three," Jesus asks the lawyer, "do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" "The one who showed him mercy," said the lawyer. "Right!" responds Jesus. And in extending a hand to pull the attorney free from the bog of selfishness, Jesus says, "Go and do likewise." And the story finally ends.

          Or does it?  We're left wondering.  Has Jesus just placed the burden of endless service on that attorney?  Probably.  But if you stare at the attorney long enough, you may see Jesus blessing him, giving him a chance for meaningful life, maybe even a life steeped in the eternal. "Go and do likewise." I guess it does depend on how you look at it.  How do you at it?

          Let us pray.  Holy God, open our eyes to the stranger before us. Help us to see our neighbor; help us to be the good neighbor lest we pass you by when you are hungry, thirsty, or lonely, and so miss a time to spend with you. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Thursday Sermon: God Prevails - Will You Help?

          Our Old and New Testament readings today provide two different methods of how God accomplishes His own ends.  Sometimes people have been instructed, as Christ instructed his apostles before He sent them out.  And sometimes God needs particular people in certain places, times or with experiences that are needed for future events, as He stepped in and guided Joseph's life.  Even our Psalm today, speaks to God's guidance.  But in all instances, God is always shepherding the world as a whole, even as individuals act as His hands, and even as each of us are provided the free will to do as God asks. 

          The portion of the Psalm that we read begins, " He is the LORD our God; his judgments prevail in all the world."  Prevailing is an interesting word.  When looked at as a verb, it can mean triumphing over, succeeding, overcoming, conquering – and certainly those words can apply to the Divine.  But let's look at God Himself – the Divine Entity who provided only one name for Himself – I Am that I Am.  God names Himself as Existence, how we define the verb to be.  In this instance, prevail can also mean existing, and this verse could be rephrased as "He is the I Am that I Am, our God; His judgments exist in all the world."  Having that one verse from one of David's Psalms literally points out that God is existence, and we live within that existence.  It's rather enough to blow your mind.

          But having that underlying understanding, let's look at the two different methods found in both the Old Testament and New Testament, and see where God's hand is, in guiding humanity.  In the Old Testament, we see the mistakes Jacob made in raising his children, comparing the children of Rachel and finding less worth in the multitude of the children of Leah.  The comparison between how Joseph is cherished and how Leah's children are raised created the resentment that eventually led to Joseph being sold into slavery, and the lies told to his father about Joseph's death.  There's more than enough blame, shame, and guilt for the whole family.  While we know the story of Joseph's rise in Pharaoh's household, we also know that Joseph was aware of God's hand, guiding his life, guiding his choices and gifting him with knowledge of the need to prepare for hard times.  This leadership prepared not just his own country, but the surrounding countries filled with hungry people who otherwise would have starved.  Joseph had the wisdom to see the Hand of God in all of his preparations, actions and determination to save the people who were living through years of famine.  But that wisdom was also seen in his words to his brothers, "God sent me before you to preserve life." 

          We can see God's hands in the lives of those in the Bible, how choices are made, where His guidance protects His people, even as each person involved is provided the opportunity to recognize and accept His guidance.  Each of them, as well as each of us, is provided that same opportunity – to step up and say yes, or to retreat from what can sometimes be very difficult choices and consequences.  God, obviously, won't fail, but if one individual is unwilling – not unable, because God always provides the ability – but if unwilling, God can inspire another to accomplish the aims He has planned. 

          This is an individual choice.  In our individual journeys, if we have accepted God's instruction to go out, "Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons." This is not a comprehensive list, and we ask ourselves today, what can we do?  What I can give that requires no payment on either side? My time? My expertise? My gifts? My forgiveness? I can give others the benefit of the doubt. I can pray that the person who receives from me will pass on the grace of giving, and that whoever I forgive will likewise forgive someone else. We all have these same instructions.  And Christ also tells us, "If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you."  You're providing an opportunity.  You're allowing God to work through you.  You're giving each person you meet the chance to choose God – and it may be that someone is not yet ready to accept God, but you've opened the door.  Their freedom of will, their choices, their consequences – these belong to them.  In accepting Christ, your baptismal vows help you to fulfill God's own ends.

Sermon: God's Peace

          The peace of the Lord be always with you.  Think for a second about that phrase.  How often when we pass the peace are we passing our own peace, rather than the peace of God, which, as we've been told, passes our own understanding.  In today's Gospel, Jesus instructs the 70 as they go out, when they enter a house, they should enter with the blessing, "Peace to this house."  So let's ask this question of every person here:  have you ever blessed a house that you've entered?  For myself, I remember to do it here at church, but I must admit that it is a very rare occasion for me to bless someone else's house.  Why is that?

          When I was researching for the sermon this week, one of the scholars had suggested that, instead of being completely literal with the Gospel lesson, to consider what carrying nothing with you actually means.  Christ told His disciples "Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road."  What if those were words in His vernacular, where today we would say that we need to travel without our own baggage – when you meet someone, leave off your baggage, your past interactions with others, your expectations.  And at the same time, Christ instructed his disciples, "But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’"  What if as we leave the baggage from those towns behind, even so much as the dust, the expectations, the ridicule, defeat or resentment and meet each person brand new, with the Peace of God in your heart and on your lips.  And with the trust that even though our words may not have reached them today, the Holy Spirit will continue that work, through others.

          For most of us, we haven't simply placed down our "possessions."  It's not quite as bad as we find it in Montana, where often times our cell phones don't work, but in many places, people travel with their phones, their chargers, their computers, and they simply bring their stuff with them.  For a second, think about peace.  Close your eyes.

          There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them.

          One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror, for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a big blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.  It often reminds us of lakes here in northwestern Montana.

          The other picture had mountains too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest… perfect peace. 

          Which picture do you think won the prize?  Open your eyes.

          The King chose the second picture. “Because,” explained the King, “peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace.”

          When we look at the Old Testament lesson from 2 Kings, Naaman brought a great deal of baggage with him; not only his own leprosy to see the prophet of God, but his own customs, understanding, expecting to pay a great deal for the magic of the prophet's God to cure him.  Naaman 's anger at Elisha's response wasn't able to even hear the instruction from Elisha at first.  They were not meant to offend a great man, but rather one who followed Elisha's own traditions – washing before entering a holy place.  This is a mikveh in the Hebrew faith, where one immerses oneself to achieve ritual purity.  Once Naaman calmed himself with the help of his own servant, and did as Elisha requested, Naaman was ready to meet the holy man, clean, without his anger, his disease – without his baggage.  At that point, Elisha could certainly meet with him, declare him to be clean, and reminded Naaman that he was but a servant of God.  He didn't want, nor would he accept any payment.  But because of his example, Naaman requested, “If not, please let two mule-loads of earth be given to your servant (meaning himself); for your servant will no longer offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god except the Lord."

          Now this was rather interesting, because Naaman, in his position with the King in Aram, would be required to kneel with the king before the king's god, Rimmon, known in other lands as Ba'al.  His intent is to create his own altar with the earth he takes with him, to worship the God of Elisha, of Abraham, of Isaac, of Jacob.  Naaman asks forgiveness from Elisha, who tells him to "Go in peace."  Here again, we hear the prophet of God sharing the peace of God, even among the everyday chaos of others.

          Peace is and always has been a catchword in our own politics.  Everyone wants peace.  Generally, no one (or, at least, only a small minority) wants conflict.  And yet our world is riddled with conflict.  Wars are waged in the name of peace. Low income homes leveled in gentrified neighborhoods for the sake of prosperity.  Treaties broken and religions demonized for the illusions of security and independence.

          The Pax Romana was a great and glorious time for the elite few. For the rest of the world, it was a time of fear and trial.  There are movements who, without a doubt, benefit elite subsets in each nation. But, as Christians, we are called not to ask whether we will be on the side that benefits from or suffers from this imposed greatness.  Rather, we are called to ask how to serve the only Great One, who sends us “like lambs into the midst of wolves” to bring a different kind of peace.

          God’s peace is a peace founded on life, rather than death.  On relationship, rather than on enmity.  On engaging in and accepting mutual hospitality, rather than building walls of division.

          For, indeed, the Kingdom of God has come—and is coming—near.  And may each of us share the peace of God with every person we meet.  Slow down.  Think about what we, as baptized Christians are sent out by Christ to do.  Set down your baggage. 

          And may the peace of God which passes all understanding  keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you, and remain with you always.