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Pentecost VIII Richard Holmer
First Reading: Genesis 18:1-10a Second Reading: Colossians 1:15-28 Gospel: Luke 10:38-42
Being and Doing There’s an old one-line joke about Christ’s second coming: “Jesus is coming – look busy.” It surely wouldn’t do to be found napping or slacking when Jesus returned! Prudent individuals definitely would want to present the appearance of active and faithful discipleship. The notion that faithfulness is demonstrated by “busy-ness” has a long history. In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees and other devout persons kept very busy observing all the dictates of the law, down to the most minute details. In more than one parable, Jesus commends those servants whom their master finds hard at work upon his return. In our own time we tend to define busy congregations as faithful congregations. A congregation where there’s a lot going on – a full calendar of activities and programs – is generally seen as more faithful than one without so much going on. When asked to describe their own congregation, most people tend to talk about all the things they are doing. Every congregation values its members who are “doers” – the ones who are always willing to roll up their sleeves and do whatever it is that needs to be done. Pastors tend to validate their ministry by describing how busy they are. Martha was by all measures a “doer”. When Jesus comes to the home she shares with her sister for dinner, Martha zooms into action. She practices some heavy-duty hospitality, doing her utmost to make sure everything is just right for their dinner guest. We can picture Martha, whipping up a tasty meal, setting the table, offering Jesus something to drink and perhaps an appetizer. Meanwhile, her sister Mary doesn’t lift a finger. Mary simply sits at the feet of Jesus, hanging on his every word. Martha is finally overcome with exasperation and says to Jesus: “Lord, don’t you care?” “Are you paying attention?” “Two of us live here, but one of us is doing all the work!” “Why don’t you tell my sister to get up and lend a hand?!” But instead of commending Martha for all her ambitious efforts, and chastising Mary for her lazy negligence, Jesus says this: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken from her.” It would be interesting to know how the rest of that evening went – and who did the dishes after Jesus departed. But the story ends with these words Jesus speaks to Martha. What are we meant to learn from this story? One lesson is that busy-ness should not always be equated with faithfulness. Martha is described as “distracted by her many tasks.” Jesus says to her, “You are worried and distracted by many things.” It doesn’t matter how fast you are pedaling if you have lost your sense of direction. A faithful person should be neither worried nor distracted. Busy-ness for its own sake is not necessarily fruitful. As a church, our mission is not to have lots of programs and to keep everybody busy. We can be very busy doing things that have little or nothing to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our busy-ness can distract us from what is of first importance. The urgent becomes the enemy of the important. But let’s be careful not to be too hard on Martha. Sometimes this story gets interpreted as a choice between being like Mary or like Martha, between contemplation and action, between being and doing. If you read the whole gospel of Luke, it is readily apparent that Jesus is not presenting an either/or choice, but rather a both/and. Just last Sunday we heard the parable of the Good Samaritan, which comes right before today’s gospel in the 10th chapter of Luke. In that parable, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of active, compassionate care on behalf of our neighbors. Jesus is by no means undercutting the value of genuine hospitality or dedicated service. Instead he is giving equal value to the place of contemplation in a faithful life. The pattern of his own life demonstrates the importance Christ placed on both action and contemplation. He worked tirelessly in ministry to those in need. Jesus also took time to withdraw to a quiet place to meditate and pray. There is a kind of rhythm and balance to a faithful life. Last week, the emphasis was on action – today it is contemplation. Mary is commended for giving Jesus her complete and undivided attention. This is harder to do than it seems. Many people would rather be busy doing something – anything – than sitting still in rapt contemplation. It takes no small amount of concentration and discipline to focus entirely on Jesus. People get uneasy at worship with extended silence. Yet who is more worthy of our contemplation than Jesus? Our 2nd reading from Colossians reminds us of exactly who it is who is sitting in Mary and Martha’s living room. * “Jesus is the image of the invisible God.” Consider this awesome reality. The Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, the One who is, who was, and who will forever be – is embodied in the modest frame of this Jesus from Nazareth. Jesus is the best picture God ever took! * “All things have been created through him and for him.” Jesus is no Johnny – come – lately. He was present at the Creation. He is the Word God spoke which called all things into being. He is that word now made flesh. * “In Him all things hold together.” The grace of God in Jesus Christ is the force that holds everything together. He is the essential, irreplaceable glue of existence. Without Jesus, everything falls apart, nothing makes sense, there is no lasting hope. With Jesus, things come into focus, there is a living center to the universe, it is possible to make sense. Which is why Jesus gives a peace that this world cannot give. * “In him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” There’s the mystery in all its majestic complexity: Jesus is both a flesh and blood Palestinian Jew and the Son of the Living God. Not half man/half God, not God disguised as a man, not a man with many godly qualities – but true God and true man. It can’t be explained – it can only be believed and contemplated. What might this mean for you and for me? * “Through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things.” Did Mary have some deep intuitive sense of this? That Jesus had in himself the divine power to make right all that had gone wrong in this world, to overcome the yawning gap between sinful humanity and a just and righteous God? To transform enemies into friends and bring hope to a despairing world? If Mary had any inkling of this, is it any wonder she couldn’t be bothered with setting the table or making the salad? * * * * Before we get busy with our action plans and our to-do lists, you and I would do well to contemplate who it is who has come among us in Jesus. ® Job one is to receive the Living Word of God into our hearts and minds. ® Before concerning ourselves with “What” and “When” and “How”, we need to take time to contemplate the “Who”, the One is also the “Why” behind all our activities. Time spent in prayer and worship and study and meditation – all aspects of contemplation – makes the time we spend in serving and loving and teaching and witnessing truly vibrant and fruitful and worthwhile. Amen
Pentecost VII Richard Holmer
First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:9-14 Second Reading: Colossians 1:1-14 Gospel: Luke 10:25-37
Doing Likewise
A moral that could be drawn from the story of the Good Samaritan is this: “Avoid getting in a position where you must depend on the kindness of strangers—or even the kindness of people you know. The fact is people are notoriously undependable!” It was common knowledge that the road from Jerusalem to Jericho was a dangerous place to travel. Muggings and robberies occurred there on a regular basis. A sensible person would not travel that way alone. Some better planning might well have prevented this calamity. Many of us have taken this lesson to heart. We practice self reliance: Don’t expect anyone else to pull your chestnuts out of the fire! We learned in Boy Scouts: BE PREPARED! Learn the necessary skills. Have the necessary resources readily available. We learned in Driver’s Education to “drive defensively”--anticipate what other drivers may or may not do, don’t assume everyone else will obey the rules of the road, always have a safe escape route in mind. In the same way we learn to “live defensively:” think ahead, have a back-up plan, avoid unnecessary risks, have good insurance. There are great advantages to being self-sufficient. It protects you from a lot of vulnerabilities and dependencies. There’s an insurance company that promotes itself as the solution to “the ‘ifs’ in life.” It’s a clever campaign—life is full of ifs (and not just the word). So most of us place a high priority on achieving security and self sufficiency. We’ll do a lot to avoid being helpless or in dire need. Isn’t that the main purpose of accumulating wealth: to become increasingly self-sufficient, dependent on no one else? * The robbers who mugged the man on the road to Jericho had learned a way to be self sufficient. They preyed on the weak and defenseless. They picked off the easy targets. They helped themselves to the goods and money of those foolish enough to wander into their ambushes. * Likewise, the priest and the Levite had attained a level of self-sufficiency. Their religious standing conferred permanent status in that society, and a comfortable standard of living. They were secure in their knowledge of the law-and confident in their track record of adhering to it. They were well-practiced at living defensively. * For all we know, the man lying bleeding in the ditch may have been quite self sufficient himself—up until this unfortunate incident. And yet that’s exactly the point, isn’t it? Sooner or later, despite all our best efforts and well laid plans, each of us ends up being in need. * Your new car breaks down unexpectedly. * You find out you have cancer. * Your position is terminated, and you are suddenly unemployed. * Someone you love dies. * A trusted friend betrays you. * Your house burns down. * The stock market dives, wiping out most of your assets. * Someone steals your identity and plunders your accounts. * You lose your eyesight. * You get mugged. * A drunk driver plows into you. * You get old and feeble. At some point, each of us has been or will be that guy lying by the side of the road: caught off guard and in serious need of help. In that moment of uncertainty and vulnerability, who will come to your aid? Who do you hope will come along to help you out in your time of need? What if the person who shows up to help is not your pastor, or a police officer, or a doctor, or a family member, or a good friend? What if your rescuer turned out to be - an illegal immigrant? - a Hell’s Angel on a Harley? - Sarah Palin/Nancy Pelosi? (choose your poison) - a skinhead in black leather? - someone you’ve always ridiculed? Could you accept a helping hand from someone like that—someone you would otherwise ignore or even despise? That’s what Samaritans were to the Jews. They were loathsome, contemptible creatures. The term “good Samaritan” would be an absolute contradiction to any self respecting Jew—like “kindly terrorist” or “beautiful ogre.” The twist in this parable is that it turns out to be a most unlikely person who acts as a true neighbor. The hated outsider, the Samaritan, is the one who is moved to show compassion. The one who had every reason to pass on by and go his own way is the one who provides generous assistance. * * * * Now the victim in this story never utters a single word. Nevertheless, we can safely assume that his perception of “Samaritans” was forever altered. Perhaps from then on, even a Samaritan could be considered a neighbor—one whom God’s people are called by God to love. What’s more, it is the experience of being shown mercy in a time of great need that can be life-changing. When someone else saves your life, it can occur to you that your life is not entirely your own—that your ongoing existence is not the result of your own tenacity and ingenuity, but rather of another person’s kindness and mercy—a mercy you may have done nothing to deserve. The Good Samaritan is probably the most familiar of all the parables of Jesus. We have heard it so many times, that we are not at all surprised by the story. If we take it as a moral fable, the message is clear: be a good neighbor. In our day, legislatures have actually passed so-called “good samaritan laws” that require individuals to help others in an emergency. We all know what it is that we are supposed to do. “BE LOVING!!” OK, I get it! Yet Christian faith isn’t a matter of knowing what we are supposed to do. It’s a matter of what we are able to do (and are moved to do) because of what Jesus Christ has done for us. Like the man in the ditch, you and I have experienced great mercy from one who was despised and rejected by all. We nailed him to a cross. Yet Christ is the one who meets us in all our brokenness and neediness. It is Christ who binds our wounds (self-inflicted and otherwise) and restores us to life. Jesus doesn’t just tell us to love our neighbor; he shows us the love and mercy that he requires. Having experienced such great mercy, you and I are now free to go and do likewise. Amen
Pentecost V Richard Kaeske First Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14 Second Reading: Galatians 6:1-16 Gospel: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Today on our nation's birthday, Pastor Richard Kaeske delivered the sermon. All were blessed by his wit and wisdom.
Pentecost V Richard Holmer First Reading: 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 Second Reading: Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Gospel: Luke 9:51-62
To Follow Christ Last Monday night we welcomed the newly elected members to the church council. By way of team-building, we took time for an exercise at getting better acquainted. We paired off, and each person responded to a series of questions. The partners then introduced each other to the rest of the group. One of the questions was: “What is the first thing you would tell someone about our congregation?” A number of persons answered in similar fashion. The said the first thing they would share is that we are a “friendly congregation.” There was consensus around the table that this is true about St. James—that we are a warm-hearted community. Personally, I find this to be the case—and I certainly hope newcomers have this experience when they visit. It’s good to be friendly and welcoming. I thought more about this conversation as I read today’s gospel and started working on this sermon. It surely is a positive thing to be friendly—yet this is true not only for the church. It’s true for just about any organization or enterprise. Every club or business is improved by an atmosphere of warmth and friendliness. Reading this story from Luke, it struck me that Christians are called to be more than friendly. Friendly is good—as far as it goes. Jesus was a friend to all—yet he was also more than a friend. Remember: Jesus didn’t get in trouble for being overly friendly (even though some thought he befriended some rather questionable types.) Jesus generated major opposition because he said and did things that were troubling, because he challenged and confronted people, because he made ultimate claims about himself and upon people’s lives. Consider today’s gospel. Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, on his way to be arrested and crucified, and he invites a man, saying, “Follow me.” The guy is willing, and he makes what seems like a reasonable request; “First let me go and bury my father.” Jesus says to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead.” How friendly is that? Jesus invites another to come with him, and this one replies: “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” (He just wants to say goodbye and let his family know where he’s going.) Jesus says: “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God.” Not what you’d call a warm welcome! * * * * This gospel text underscores that the ministry of Jesus isn’t just about making friends, it’s about making disciples. Jesus didn’t invite people to be his buddies, but to be his followers. If “friendliness” means keeping things light and convivial, never making anyone uncomfortable, not challenging anyone—then friendliness will have trumped faithfulness. Actually, true friends do: challenge us, hold us accountable, speak the truth to us, expect the best of us. Jesus is a true friend—and in addition he is both Lord and Savior. As such, Jesus commands more from us than any friend ever could. He has authority to command our undivided attention, loyalty and commitment. We should never mistake the graciousness of Christ for low expectations. Jesus is loving and compassionate—he’s not casual or easy-going, certainly not laissez-faire! The gospel message that Jesus brings is straight forward—even simple—but it’s not easy. It’s not that it’s hard to understand what Jesus asks of us. What’s hard is actually doing it. I find it a whole lot easier to talk about the gospel than I do actually living it. “Follow me,” Jesus says. When we pay attention, we can see the path pretty clearly. Walking that path is something else. What is it, then, to truly follow Christ? You know the answer: * It’s to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength—and your neighbor as yourself. * It’s to seek first the Kingdom of God. * It’s to deny yourself, take up a cross, and go where Jesus goes. * It’s to practice downward mobility, to become a servant to all. * It’s to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. Again, this is much easier said than done. And in the church, when all is said and done, usually a lot more is said than done. “Following Christ” is the first charge in our mission statement. How is that going for you? We would all agree that a person can’t follow Christ by standing still or staying the same. So how are you changing and growing as a follower of Jesus? What are you leaving behind? What have you had to relinquish in order to follow? What is the real cost to you to be a disciple? That’s the paradox, isn’t it? It costs nothing to be a Christian—because Christ paid the price in full on the cross. And at the same time it costs everything: Jesus said: “Those who lose their life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel will find it.” A Christian life is known by the fruit it bears, and Paul lists some of these fruits in our reading from Galatians: love patience faithfulness joy kindness gentleness peace generosity self-control All these are the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives—they are gifts of grace. Yet these gifts also require much of us. Consider, what does it cost in terms of energy, devotion, concentration, sacrifice and discipline: to love another person to stay patient to show kindness to be generous to remain faithful to maintain self-control? Paul announces the wonderful news that Christ has set us free—and then he adds: “only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.” SLAVES!! Too often we Americans have presumed that freedom means self-indulgence. Paul says we are free to become slaves to one another. This tension between the freedom of the gospel and the demands of the gospel led Soren Kierkegaard to observe: “It is hard to believe because it is so hard to obey.” So what’s your excuse? When Christ calls to come and follow, what do you have to say? First let me bury my father? Let me go and say goodbye to my spouse? I have children to raise? I have a mortgage to pay? I just got accepted to college? The real question is: Are we trying to fit following Christ into our lifestyle—or are we trying to let following Christ become our lifestyle? I repeat: Are we trying to fit following Christ into our lifestyle—or are we trying to let following Christ become our lifestyle? Or another way to put it: Are you willing to live without excuses? Forgiveness is another gospel paradox: It’s a great blessing because it forever removes the burden of guilt and recrimination. Forgiveness is also a challenge because it removes all our old excuses. We can no longer say, “I’m not good enough to follow Christ,” because Christ’s forgiveness now makes us new and fresh and good enough. We have no valid excuse! Frederick Buechner gets to the heart of this matter of following Jesus Christ: Jesus didn’t say that any particular ethic, doctrine or religion was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He said that he was. He didn’t say that it was by believing or doing anything in particular that you could ‘come to the Father.’ He said that it was only by him—by living, participating in, being caught up by the way of life that he embodied, that was his way...A Christian is one who is on the way.” So I ask you: Are you “on the way?” Are you “caught up by the way of life Christ embodied?” I hope we will always be seen as a friendly church. How we answer such questions will determine if we are also a faithful church. Amen
Pentecost IV Richard Holmer First Reading: Isaiah 65:1-9 Second Reading: Galatians 3:23-29 Gospel: Luke 8:26-39
All of Us It’s easy to get intimidated by some of the big words in the bible. The person assigned to be the reader on Pentecost Sunday can break into a sweat in anticipation of the challenges contained in Acts 2: Mesopotamia, Cappadocia, Phrygia, Pamphylia. Some words are hard to pronounce, others are hard to understand, big, theological terms like: justification, sanctification, resurrection, apocalypse. And yet sometimes it’s not the big, many-syllable words that challenge us, but little, simple, single-syllable words – like the word “all.” Listen again to these verses from our second reading today, from Paul’s letter to the Galatians: “. . . you are all children of God through faith . . .” “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” So much for all the distinctions and boundaries we have learned to draw! So much for the way we have grown accustomed to seeing other people! It’s time to open our eyes and start seeing the way God sees. God doesn’t see Gentile or Jew, male or female, Lutheran or Catholic, Republican or Democrat, rich or poor, white or Hispanic, American or Iranian. God sees persons he created in his own image. God sees people he sent his Son to save. Paul urges the Galatians (and all of us) to see all people with new eyes. His aim is not some form of political correctness, but rather a change of heart. As Paul’s heart was changed to see Gentiles as equal members of the covenant, so he calls for a change in our hearts and minds. The good news is not just for some of the people but for all the people. And in order to fully participate in this good news- to live the gospel – you and I need to see with new eyes. When we look at other people, instead of focusing on differences and distinctions, we need to see what we have in common, our shared condition. That little word “all” shows up in lots of places in the bible. “All go to one place; all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again.” Ecclesiastes 3:20 We are all mortal. We all breathe the same air, and one day we all will breathe it no more. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 Sin is a universal human condition All of us know what it is to do what we should not do, and to fail to do what we should. Any talk of “bad people” and “good people” blatantly ignores the reality that no one is truly good but God. All are sinners. “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.” Psalm 145:12 We are all dependent. None of us created our lives and none of us can sustain our lives. All God’s creatures depend on their Creator. So the simple truth is, we’re all in the same boat. And we’re all in steerage. There’s no first or second class on this cruise. No one has any special claim to privilege or status. As has been said, at the foot of the cross the ground is very level – we all share an equal footing. Seeing that we all share a common condition, it’s important to see that the grace of God is for all of us. God doesn’t play favorites. God’s mercy isn’t just for some of us. We need to see each and every person as one for whom Christ died. * “For as all die in Adam, so will all be made alive in Christ.” I Corinthians 15:22 * “The death he died, he died to sin, once for all.” Romans 6:10 * God has made all people prisoners of disobedience, so that he might show mercy to them all.” Romans 11:32 You see, God doesn’t love some of us all the time, or all of us some of the time. God loves all of us, all the time. God began with his chosen people, the children of Abraham and Sarah. But from the very start, God’s plan was to bless all people. Genesis 12:3 “through you I will bless all the nations.” Seeing with new eyes, seeing as God sees, seeing all people as mortal, dependent sinners, seeing all people as loved by God – changes the way we behave. * “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.” I Corinthians 12:26. It’s no longer every man for himself. Instead, there is an organic connectedness. We’re all part of one body. We share both joys and sorrows. If anyone is enslaved, then none of us is truly free. * “So far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18. Jesus bluntly tells us there’s no gain in loving only those who love us in return. We are to love all people, even our enemies. This doesn’t mean approving or condoning the hurtful things that others may do. It means loving them despite those hurtful things. * “He died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.” 2 Corinthians 5:15. This is the transforming insight. Once we see that Christ died for all of us, we see everyone in a new light. Recognizing that all are made worthy by the love of God in Christ, we can no longer see ourselves or others the same way. And we can no longer live for ourselves only. * It’s for this reason that Lutheran Social Services serves all people – not just Lutherans. * Lutheran World Relief provides care for all kinds of people – different nationalities and different religions. * Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services settles refugees from all backgrounds. (Mr. Pejman was a Kurdish Muslim). That little word “all” compels us to widen our vision, and to open wide our arms in compassionate care. * * * * Now, it must also be said: seeing as God sees doesn’t mean overlooking or in any way condoning human sinfulness, cruelty and depravity. Not at all. God’s love is not blind. To see with God’s eyes is to see people as they are. Seeing that God’s grace is for all people doesn’t mean “anything goes.” What it means is seeing that no one is beyond the reach of God. No one is ineligible for love and mercy. Seeing with new eyes doesn’t mean that differences no longer exist. It does mean that God’s grace transcends all differences, overcomes all barriers. * * * * Paul knew as well as anyone that, this side of heaven, our vision will always be imperfect. We aim to see as God sees, to love all people, all the time. But we fall short of this ideal. For now we see “as in a mirror, dimly,” “as through a glass, darkly.” I Corinthians 13:12. For now, we keep encouraging and reminding one another to see with the eyes of Christ – and to live our lives for his sake. * * * * A rabbi once put a question to his students: “How can you recognize the time when night ends and day begins?” “Is it when, from a great distance, you can tell a dog from a sheep?” one student proposed. “No,” said the rabbi. “Is it when, from a distance, you can tell a date palm from a fig tree?” another suggested. “No,” said the rabbi. “Then when is it?” they asked. “It is when you look into the face of any human creature and you see your brother or sister. Until then, it is still night.” Let us pray. Gracious God and Father of us all, you are above all and through all and in all. Give us eyes to see as you see, so we recognize all people as fellow sinners for whom Christ died. Change our hearts, so that instead of seeking to draw boundaries that exclude, we become instruments of your transforming grace. We ask this in the name of the one in whom all things hold together, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Pentecost 3
First Reading: 2 Samuel 11:26--12:10, 13-15 Second Reading: Galatians 2:15-21 Gospel: Luke 7:36--8:3
Today was our annual Youth Service. High School Youth filled our servant positions: acolyte, greeters, ushers, communion assistants and lectors. Amanda Beacham delivered an insightful Children's Sermon on forgiveness. Recent high school grads, Allison Beacham, Rachel Cotey and Megan Moore, delivered faith stories at the sermon time. They touched our hearts with their honesty and sincerity. During the offering, Rachel Cotey moved all with her rendition of "Draw Me Close to You." It was a blessed morning!
Pentecost 2 Richard Holmer
First Reading: 1 Kings 17:17-24 Second Reading: Galatians 1:11-24 Gospel: Luke 7:11-17
Life Meets Death
Back in 1965 I was a freshman in high school. That was the time when the war in Vietnam began to escalate. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were sent into combat. And, inevitably, hundreds – and then thousands- of them came home in flag-draped coffins. The televised coverage of that war made the violence and devastation especially vivid. I was well aware that the soldiers who were dying were just a few years older than I was. Their lives were cut short when they were really just beginning. It was all very sad- and also intimidating because back then there was a military draft system. In my freshman English class that year we did a unit on poetry. A poem, by Carl Sandburg, who was born in Illinois, made a lasting impression on me. The poem’s simple title belies its potent message: Grass Pile the bodies high at Austerlitz and Waterloo. Shovel them under and let me work— I am the grass; I cover all.
And pile them high at Gettysburg And pile them high at Ypres and Verdun. Shovel them under and let me work. Two years, ten years, and the passengers ask the conductor: What place is this? Where are we now?
I am the grass. Let me work.
These days soldiers are fighting and dying in another war. There always seems to be another war. Of course, war is not the only cause of death. Death is as relentless in peacetime as in war. Just about all of us have experienced the death of someone very close to us- someone who shaped our days, someone who once exuded goodness and vitality. Just yesterday we had a memorial service here for Sven Jorgensen, who lived a rich and full life for 75 years. Our readings today tell the sad stories of two widows: the widow of Zarepath and the widow of Nain. The burden of each of these widows was compounded by the death of her only son. Imagine the grief and pain of losing first a husband, and then your only child. Death is heartless and cruel. Death is also relentless. The mortality rate is the same today as it ever was: 100%. We know all too well that death doesn’t happen to some of us – it happens to all of us. Yet this is not all we know. We also know that in Christ, God, who creates life, redeems and restores life. Jesus did many things in his time here on earth. He was a generous friend, a wonderful teacher, a powerful preacher. Yet his central focus, his prime purpose is to bring life. John 3:16 has been called the gospel in miniature, the whole mission in a single verse: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” Jesus said quite explicitly: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10. The Easter season is over, but as followers of Christ we never get too far away from the resurrection. We worship on the first day of the week because this is the day Christ rose victorious from the grave. We are an Easter people – every Sunday is a celebration of life and victory over death. * * * * Today’s gospel is the story of an encounter that took place before Christ’s resurrection – yet it is an Easter story because it tells of an encounter between the powers of death and the power of Christ. It’s a story of two processions – try to picture this scene. Jesus and his disciples are headed for the town of Nain. A large crowd followed along behind them. As they approached the city gate, this large and lively procession was met by a funeral procession, heading out of the city for a burial. The procession of life runs smack into the procession of death. Jesus sees the grieving widow, on her way to bury her only son next to her husband, and he has compassion for her. He says to her, “Do not weep.” (Which also has the spirit of Easter about it.) Then Jesus does something extraordinary. Jewish ritual laws forbade touching a corpse or even the funeral bier. To do so would make a person unclean. Their understanding was that death would contaminate and diminish any living thing that came in contact with it. Actually, we have this same instinctive reaction to dead things, whether animals or humans. We are reluctant to touch them. So what does Jesus do? He reaches out and touches the funeral bier! He defies the ritual conventions and turns the prevailing wisdom on its head! Jesus says: “Young man, I say to you, rise!” - as if it was the most natural thing a person could say or do. Instead of being defiled by the contagion of death, life flows from Christ to the dead son, and he restores the life that had been lost. That day, Jesus saved not only the son, but also the mother, because in that culture without a living male relative, she would have been doomed to poverty and destitution. Life meets death – and life is triumphant. We hear such stories, and something within us says, “Yes, but...” Yes, but what about my son, my mother, my husband, my friend??? * We know that Jesus did not raise all who died in his time. Nor did he heal all who were sick. Full disclosure is that even those whom Jesus did heal and did raise would all eventually die. * In our own time, we know very well that God does not intervene to rescue all who are in peril. * You and I are living in the between time – the time between Christ’s rising and his second coming, when all will be raised to life. We experience Christ’s promise of abundant life as an “already” and a “not yet.” We are already alive in Christ, touched by his grace, filled with the Spirit. At the same time, we are not yet free from the reality of death, not yet resurrected. The reaction of the crowd in this gospel story is instructive. They are at first scared by what happens (who wouldn’t be?), but ultimately they are thankful. We don’t hear any one saying to Jesus: “Why her son and not mine?” “Why not my wife or my father?” Instead what they say is: “God has looked favorably on his people.” (Note: not “this widow” but “his people”) The crowd sees this miracle not as a particular, individual blessing, but a shared blessing – a gift to all the people, a sign of god’s grace which will finally encompass us all. * * * * So it is for us. We trust the promise that in Christ, all will be made alive. Our resurrection to eternal life is still to come, but meanwhile we experience renewed and redeemed life as God’s faithful people, living together in peace and joy. The compassion of Christ that gives life and hope is evident in this congregation – especially in the face of death. Christ was alive here yesterday at the service for Sven and the luncheon that followed. I’m not being sentimental. The powers of death are met squarely by the powers of life in Christ. The love, the peace, the compassion, the hope that are shared here are more than mere wishful thinking. They are the expression of vibrant, abundant life. I have seen this time and again in this congregation, in the aftermath of devastating and tragic deaths. There’s more to it than nice people being polite. It is the resounding “nevertheless” of the life we share in Jesus Christ. * * * * You and I live together by faith, encouraged and supported by the life of Christ. We don’t hide from death or deny its presence. But we also refuse to be intimidated or overwhelmed by death. Yes, we are all mortal creatures. We know we are dust and to dust we shall all return. Yet we are also children of God – and so we are heirs of eternal life. We learned to sing this truth as children: “We are weak, but he is strong.” Death says: Shovel them under. I am the grass. Let me work. Jesus says: I am the Lord of Life. Let me work. The day will come when Jesus will speak to us as he did to the widow’s son: “I say to you, rise.” And we shall. Thanks be to God!
Holy Trinity Richard Holmer
First Reading: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 Second Reading: Romans 5:1-5 Gospel: John 16:12-15
Goodness That Endures This world never lacks for troubles. Crude oil continues to gush into the Gulf of Mexico – an environmental catastrophe on a frightening scale. On this Memorial Day weekend, soldiers and civilians continue to die in Iran and Afghanistan, in wars that have no end in sight. Hundreds of thousands are still homeless in Haiti in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. The global economy is still on a shaky footing, still coping with the fallout of a major recession. The State of Illinois is billions of dollars in debt – unable to meet obligations to social service agencies and universities. Of course we have personal struggles as well: illness, grief, unemployment, stress, disappointment. Despite any outward appearances, nobody lives a life totally free of burdens and pain. In order that troubles do not overwhelm us – and our disappointments devolve into despair – we need to remember the good news. And today, St. Paul is the man with an encouraging word. In the opening verses of Romans 5, Paul reminds us that amid all the things going wrong in our world and in our lives, there are some things that are both very right and very good. Can you stand some good news? For starters, “we are justified by faith.” - not might be / could be / will be – we are justified. That is, we are right with God. The burden of sin and guilt is lifted from us. We have been transformed from enemies of God into friends of God. We have been declared “not guilty,” “fully pardoned.” There is no long “to do list”, no make up work, no hoops to jump through for any of us. We are not obliged to find excuses for our shortcomings, or to rationalize our mistakes, or to somehow justify our existence. There is nothing that you and I have to do or accomplish to be deemed worthy of being loved by God. The wonderful news is that we are loved by God – right now. And his love covers a multitude of sins. God has shown his love for us, emphatically and unequivocally, in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our faith in Jesus, our trust in his love and forgiveness, opens our lives to this blessing of justification. What a relief to realize we are blessed not because of who we are – but because of who God is. And there’s more . . . “We have peace with God.” People will often say, “I just want to be happy.” This longing for happiness is quite natural. No one has to teach you to like ice cream, or compel you to enjoy a beautiful summer day. Yet we know happiness can be fleeting – because happiness depends on pleasant circumstances (money for ice cream, good weather). Peace isn’t quite like happiness. Peace may not be as exciting as happiness – yet what peace lacks in ecstasy it more than makes up for by its endurance. Peace abides through all the peaks and valleys, all the triumphs and tragedies that come our way. Happiness can be fickle – peace is constant. Ultimately, is not peace what our spirits crave? God gives us a peace this world cannot give – a peace that is ours to enjoy, and also a peace we can share (as we do here at worship). Furthermore, we stand in the grace of God. Grace is our solid foundation. What we could never expect to earn or deserve is God’s free and gracious gift: life itself, and all that makes life worth living. None of us made the sun come up this morning, or kept our hearts beating while we slept, or caused a single flower to bloom. Grace is the sheer giftedness – not only of salvation – but of life itself. This is the truth that sets us free – free from guilt and fear, yes – and also free from the need to impress anyone or prove our worth. We’re free, instead, to enjoy the goodness of creation, to love others as we are loved, to be a blessing. And, we have hope. Where would we be without it? We hope for many things in the near term: to get home safely, to get over an illness, to get a job or a promotion. Yet the great hope we have in common, the hope that sustains us over the long term, is the hope Paul speaks of as “our hope of sharing the glory of God.” What exactly is that all about? Certainly the hope of sharing the glory of God is an anticipation of being at home in heaven forever with God. This is the resurrection promise of ultimate victory over sin and pain and death. It is this hope that upholds us in times of suffering and grief. This hope was like life-giving water to me during my mother’s decline and death. At the same time, our hope is not only for the life to come. Way back in the second century, Irenaeus observed: “The glory of God is a human being fully alive.” The hope that invigorates us is this hope of being fully alive – as alive as Jesus was here on earth: vibrant in body, mind and spirit – alive to the goodness of God around us and within us. We don’t have to wait until we die to share the glory of God. What makes our Christian faith credible to me is the way it blends the joyful promise of the Gospel with a consistent realism. Christianity is not merely a religion of optimism and positive thinking. Consistent with what we find in the Bible, Christians are honest about the realities of suffering and sin and death. Faith is not and invitation to pretend that I’m OK, you’re OK, everything’s OK. Yet faith is that assurance, that confidence, that because God is good, suffering does not have the final word – or the power to quench God’s spirit in our lives. Instead, as Paul tells it, suffering produces endurance. It’s been said, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” That’s not exactly Paul’s point, but he does assure us that running the race, persevering, builds stamina. Seeing our suffering in light of what Christ suffered gives reason to carry on. Paul continues: “endurance produces character.” I appreciate a phrase Pastor Eugene Peterson uses to describe the life of discipleship: “a long obedience in the same direction.” Christian character is formed and deepened over the long haul. Paul concludes: “and character produces hope.” Elsewhere, Paul describes hope as a spiritual gift, bestowed by God. Yet here he reminds us that hope also has the quality of a virtue – a human capacity that’s developed over time. It’s as though you and I need to learn to make room in our lives for the blessing of hope. Hope is an essential quality of mature, Christian character. And, as Paul emphasizes: this “hope does not disappoint us.” All our human wishes and dreams don’t come true, but our hope in Christ is not like that. We aren’t being set up for a big let-down! Christ is already risen! He has overcome the world and its injustice, corruption and contradiction. You and I have already received the Holy Spirit, the Spirit Paul once described as God’s down payment on all his promises. “God’s love has been poured into our hearts” – this is not a possibility, but a reality. You and I have been given the greatest of gifts: faith, hope and love – blessings that will endure when everything else turns to dust. This trio of blessings is brought to us by the God who is so great he comes to us in Three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit – the living Holy Trinity. On this Trinity Sunday, I remind you that the Trinity is not an abstract doctrine to be explained – it is a holy mystery to be embraced and celebrated. The wondrous mystery is that this great and glorious God loves us – and is determined to have us as his own. Therefore, let us be at peace be hopeful be joyful be grateful. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.
Pentecost Richard Holmer
First Reading: Acts 2:1-24 Second Reading: Romans 8:14-17 Gospel: John 15:8-17
To Speak for God The events of Pentecost are a powerful reminder that God will not be silent. A vital aspect of our faith is that we believe in a God who speaks. The bible begins with the story of how God spoke the whole creation into being. “God said, ‘Let there be light.’, and there was light.” God spoke words of judgment and justice, as well as words of compassion and mercy through his prophets: “Thus says the Lord...” Then God spoke most clearly and powerfully through his Son, Jesus Christ – the Word made flesh. Some presumed that God’s Word could be silenced by nailing him to a cross. But God raised Jesus from the dead, and he came to his own, speaking the blessing of “Peace.” Even as Jesus was about to return to his Father in heaven, he assured his disciples that the Holy Spirit would come to them, the Spirit that would “teach them everything and remind them of all that he had said to them.” Ten days after the Ascension, God sent the promised Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. On that day God spoke loudly and clearly, not through a single voice, not even in a single language – but through many voices and many languages. All the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, and what did they do? They began to speak! They began to speak, not about themselves, but about God. What they began to tell the crowd, in many languages, so all could understand, was: “God’s deeds of power” “the great things God has done” “the mighty acts of God.” They announced to all who would listen the love of God made known in Jesus Christ, the gospel of repentance and forgiveness, the truth that sets us free. The words God gave them to speak were compelling and persuasive. That very day of Pentecost 3,000 people became baptized believers. On this anniversary of Pentecost, I remind you that God still calls and empowers us to speak. The speaking that’s called for has nothing to do with our personal views, preferences or opinions. This world is filled to overflowing with things people have to say about themselves. Consider the tidal wave of verbiage that is unleashed on a daily basis through endless blogs, tweets, texts, emails and voice messages. Today people have so many ways to say something – and apparently very little worth saying. This world doesn’t need to hear more about us (or about Paris Hilton or Donald Trump or Lady Gaga). But the world surely needs to hear more of God: - more truly good news - more unvarnished truth - more reason to hope What people need to hear from you and me is not: - “Our God is better than your God.” - “I have something you don’t have.” - “Believe like I do – or else.” Nor do people need to hear anything like: - “One god is as good as another.” - “Believe whatever works for you.” Instead what needs to be said is things like: * There is a God above all the pretenders, above all the false gods (including yours and mine). * There is a God who is the Creator of heaven and earth, the author and giver of life. * This God is awesome and powerful – not to be trifled with – and this God demonstrates his power chiefly in showing mercy, in his infinite patience, his steadfast faithfulness. * Let us speak of a God who knows us intimately, because he has lived on earth as one of us. * A God who cares for each of us personally, who is acquainted with our joys and sorrows. * Let us tell others of a God who has high hopes for us – and who, therefore, also has high expectations of us. * A God who thinks more highly of us than we think of ourselves (as hard as that may be to imagine). * A God whose ways are higher than our ways, who does not embrace our selfish priorities – yet encourages us to share his. * A God who can be trusted – who insists on being trusted above all else (because to trust anything or anyone more than God is a sure path to disappointment and despair). * Let us learn to speak humbly: as God’s ambassadors, not as self-appointed authorities. Yet let us be sure to speak unapologetically on behalf of God’s genuine wisdom and authority. Let us never be ashamed of the Gospel. Let us not be embarrassed to bear the name of Jesus Christ. * * * * Pentecost is a moving story about power – God’s power. It’s not our power. St. Paul describes it this way: “We have this treasure in earthen vessels to show that the transcendent power belongs to God, and not to us.” It’s God’s power – yet it is shared with us that we might be instruments of God’s grace and peace – and power. The Pentecost story teaches us not to over-estimate our own capabilities, and to never under-estimate the power of God. God intends to speak – to make his will known. And God wants to speak through us, his people. Because of Pentecost, speaking for God is no longer the vocation of a chosen few. God has now poured out his Spirit on all believers, through Holy Baptism: on men and women, young and old, rich and poor, the privileged and the oppressed. Now, it’s not that everyone should start preaching sermons. Yet every Christian has something to tell about God. If you believe in God, if you know the story of Jesus, if you have experienced the wonder of forgiveness, if grace has touched your life, if hope is alive in your heart – you certainly have something to say, good news to share. Every committed Christian has a faith story. Pentecost is our commissioning to tell those stories. Over the past two years, about 20 of our fellow members have shared some of their faith stories. These stories have been very different in both form and content – yet each one has been a powerful and moving testimony. The “Speaking of Faith” series is one of the best things we are doing as a congregation. Each offering is a blessing to those who do the telling – and to us who get to listen in. Our hope when we began this series was that, bit by bit, members would (A) get comfortable with the notion that they have a faith story of their own and (B) find an opportunity to share it (not necessarily here at church, but perhaps with friends or family – or even with someone who doesn’t know the goodness of God.) God has a lot to say that people need to hear – yet how will God be heard unless you and I open our mouths? This is serious business! The world is flooded with information – yet what people are thirsty for is news of a God who cares, who heals, who forgives, who won’t forsake us. We can’t duck this responsibility because we’re shy or because we’re Lutheran, or because we’re not good with words. When Old Testament prophets like Moses or Amos or Jonah tried to get out of speaking for God, they soon learned God wouldn’t take no for an answer. Jesus assures us that when the time comes to speak, the Holy Spirit will give us the right words to say. Just as the Spirit of God opens our minds to understand what we read in the pages of the bible, and opens our hearts to believe and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior – so that same Holy Spirit has power to open our mouths to speak of what God has done and what God is continuing to do in our lives and in this world. The wonderful promise at Pentecost is that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Isn’t that good news! But how can someone call on a God whom they do not know, with whom they are unacquainted, a God they’ve never heard of or heard from? And how will they know God is for real, how will they hear of God – unless you and I are willing to speak? Faith comes through hearing, so we better start speaking of God. Amen
Easter 7
First Reading: Acts 16:16-34 Second Reading: 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 Gospel: John 17:20-26
Rev. Paul Hanson, Director of the Fund for Leaders in Mission of the ELCA, was our guest pastor today. He shared how we are all forgiven and freed sinners.
Easter 6 Richard Holmer
First Reading: Acts 16:9-15 Second Reading: Rev. 21:10, 22-22:5 Gospel: John 14:23-29
As a way of summarizing what they learned over the past year, I asked our confirmation students to reflect on a series of questions. One of the questions was: “What difference does it make in your life to be a Christian?” There were a number of interesting responses, including these three: * “I’m never alone – I always have God to back me up.” * “It makes me always feel comfortable in any situation.” * “The difference is Christianity gives me peace – peace of mind.” None of these is earth shaking news – yet they all point to a significant blessing. They all describe a peace that this world cannot give. Today’s gospel reading comes from that long section in John’s gospel called the farewell discourses. The scene is the last supper Jesus shares with his disciples – where he tells them he is going away and tries to prepare them for the days to come. Needless to say, the disciples are very distressed at the thought of being on their own, without Jesus. They had been together almost constantly for three years, and now they feel they are about to be abandoned. Who will look after them? Who will be their strength, their leader, their teacher, their guide? Jesus senses their growing sense of panic, so he goes to great lengths to reassure them. Several times he says to his friends: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” “Do not let them be afraid.” He promises the blessing peace. Even as he is leaving, Jesus tells of the Holy Spirit’s coming – the Spirit which gives the peace the world cannot give. As Jesus demonstrated in his own life, God doesn’t remove all the troubles of the world – God doesn’t provide an escape from stress and turmoil. Instead, God provides peace in the presence of troubles. God’s grace enables us to keep our balance in this topsy – turvy world. God strengthens us to stand when things are falling down and falling apart around us. God gives a peace that is beyond human understanding. German pastor and theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, experienced the peace of God – even as he suffered in a Nazi prison during World War II. Bonhoeffer was one of a group of German conspirators who attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler – in hope of ending the horrors brought about by his regime. When the plot failed, Bonhoeffer was arrested and imprisoned. During his time in prison, Bonhoeffer continued to write, and functioned as a kind of unofficial chaplain to his fellow inmates. Toward the end of 1943, he wrote a prayer/poem that has the quality of a psalm. He prays on his own behalf, and for fellow prisoners. He thanks God for the gift of peace, and asks God to keep giving this gift to sustain them all. “O God, early in the morning I cry to you. Help me to pray And to concentrate my thoughts on you; I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness, But with you there is light; I am lonely, but you do not leave me; I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help; I am restless, but with you there is peace; In me there is bitterness, but with your there is patience; I do not understand your ways, But you know the way for me.
O heavenly Father, I praise and thank you For the peace of the night; I praise and thank you for this new day; I praise and thank you for all your goodness and faithfulness throughout my life.
You have granted me many blessings; Now let me also accept what is hard from your hand. You will lay on me no more than I can bear. You make all things work together for good for your children.
Lord Jesus Christ, You were poor and in distress, a captive and forsaken as I am. You know all man’s troubles; You abide with me when all men fail me; You remember and seek me; It is your will that I should know you and turn to you. Lord, I hear you call and follow; Help me.
O Holy Spirit, Give me faith that will protect me from despair, from passions, and from vice; Give me such love for God and men as will blot out all hatred and bitterness; Give me the hope that will deliver me from fear and faint-heartedness.
O holy and merciful God, my Creator and Redeemer, my Judge and Saviour, You know me and all that I do. You hate and punish evil without respect of persons in this world and the next; You forgive the sins of those who sincerely pray for forgiveness; You love goodness, and reward it on this earth with a clear conscience, and, in the world to come, with a crown of righteousness.
I remember in your presence all my loved ones, my fellow-prisoners, and all who in this house perform their hard service; Lord, have mercy. Restore me to liberty, and enable me so to live now that I may answer before you and before men. Lord, whatever this day may bring, Your name be praised. Amen.
Surely, if a person can experience peace even as a captive of the cruel and inhuman Nazis, you and I can know peace in whatever challenging circumstances we may face. Peace is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, along with love, joy, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. God sent the Holy Spirit to comfort the disciples in the absence of Jesus. God sent his Spirit to sustain Bonhoeffer in that Nazi prison. God sends the same Spirit to be our strength and our peace. Here is something intriguing to ponder: The Spirit that brings peace and blessed assurance is also the Spirit that disturbs us and stirs us from apathy – the Spirit that makes us hungry for justice and empowers us to act on behalf of those in need. You could fairly say that it was the Holy Spirit that landed Bonhoeffer in jail in the first place. When the Second World War was looming on the horizon, Bonhoeffer was safe and out of harm’s way – teaching at Union Seminary in New Your City. He could have safely stayed there until the war was over – as several friends encouraged him to do. Instead, he felt the Spirit calling him to return to his homeland in its dark hour – and to try to be a light in the darkness. When so many were intimidated into going along with Hitler and his evil schemes, Bonhoeffer was led by the Holy Spirit to resist. His resistance finally cost him his life. To be a Christian, to have the Holy Spirit, is to know a kind of peace and serenity that this world cannot give. It is also to have a passion for justice and goodness that will not allow you to sit idly by while others are abused, oppressed, neglected. The Spirit that gives peace to our souls is the same Spirit that speaks in our conscience and causes us to move beyond our comfort zone to do works of justice and mercy. It is the very Spirit that we have come to know and love in Jesus. Jesus was always very grounded, confident, unintimidated and at peace –and at the same time passionately involved in defying evil and showing mercy to those who were oppressed. He was at once calm and passionate- serene and zealous. By giving us the Holy Spirit, God provides what you and I need to live as disciples. Through his spirit, Jesus gives us a peace like his own – peace to enter into the troubles and difficulties of the world, and yet remain balanced, calm, and focused. Jesus once told his friends not to worry about what to say when they faced times of trial, when they were put to the test. He assured them that when the time came, the Spirit would provide the words they needed. You and I need to learn what those first disciples finally came to understand: That following Christ is not so much a matter of will power as it is TRUST: Trusting the Holy Spirit to provide what is needed to do what we are called to do. In other words, the strength for the journey isn’t given before taking the first step, but as we actually start taking those steps. St. Paul calls it walking by faith, not by sight. You will recall, the Hebrews had no idea how they were going to cross the Red Sea when they were fleeing from Pharaoh’s army. There was no bridge. They had no boats. God provided a way. Likewise, they didn’t have nearly enough provisions to make it through the wilderness all the way to the Promised Land. They had to learn to trust God to provide. Fred Craddock observes: “The Holy Spirit does for us what Jesus did for the disciples.” The Spirit gives us peace to endure in a troubled and unpredictable world. And the Spirit gives us faith and courage to work for peace and justice for all God’s people in this world. Amen
Easter 5 Richard Holmer First Reading: Acts 11:1-18 Second Reading: Revelation 21:1-6 Gospel: John 13:31-35
Known for Loving What’s the public image of Christians these days? What impressions does the average man in the street have of those who follow Jesus? The results of a recent poll are not encouraging. A majority of those polled describe Christians as: intolerant narrow minded judgmental self righteous self serving Of course public opinion can be inaccurate, but that’s the perception that’s out there. Religion is viewed by many not as an asset, but as the cause of many problems. Critics point to the hostilities between Catholics & Protestants in Northern Ireland. The suspicion & violent antagonism between Christians & Muslims. Jonathan Swift, who wrote Gulliver’s Travels, once observed: “We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love.” History provides plenty of supporting evidence. We Christians have an image problem. It’s not just the Pope or some disgraced televangelist. Many are dubious about Christians in general. Now our mission is not to get favorable reviews and accolades. We don’t need some sort of high-powered public relations campaign to restore our image. We can dismiss the perceptions of outsiders as prejudiced or uninformed. Nevertheless, it is Jesus who says: “By this everyone will know you are my followers, if you have love for one another.” Jesus makes love the standard by which you and I are to be measured. The Beatles once sang: “All You Need Is Love.” Love may not be all we need, but it is at the top of the list of essentials. Love is not abstract. We know love when we see it, when we experience it. We also know when it is lacking – when we or others are unloved. In the news recently there was a sad story of a Good Samaritan who became a victim. Surveillance cameras recorded how a man attempted to rescue a woman who was being mugged on the street. The assailant turned on this man and severely wounded him with a knife. Subsequently, numerous individuals came upon this man, bleeding on the sidewalk. They stopped to look & hurried on. No one helped. No one even called 911. The man bled to death. We learn from the story Jesus tells of a Samaritan that love is a verb – an action word, love is an activity – something we do. Too often, we turn love into an inactive, inert noun by idealizing or romanticizing it. Just about everyone is in favor of the idea of love: love as the gold standard, love as something worthy & good, something to which we aspire. Poet Ursula LeGuin reminds us of the true nature of love: “Love just doesn’t sit there like a stone; it has to be made, like bread, remade all the time, made now.” Ponder that image: love as home-baked bread. You can’t just buy it at the store. You have to plan to make it. You need the basic ingredients & the time. You put in the effort that results in a shared blessing. Both those who give and receive, those who bake and those who eat are blessed. Is it any wonder Jesus said: “I am the Bread of Life?” For us as Christians, it’s not enough to “believe in love,” to advocate love “as the best policy.” No one is going to argue with that – or be very impressed by such belief. To be worthy of the name Christian, you and I need to be actively engaged in the serious, difficult, joyful, risky, ongoing business of loving. Loving is not the same as “being nice.” Nothing wrong with being nice, yet with Jesus as our model for loving, it’s apparent that there’s more to it than being nice. The story from our First Reading tells how Peter’s heart and mind were stretched to include Gentiles in the Kingdom of God. Peter had to go beyond what was comfortable and familiar to welcome those who had always been viewed as unclean outsiders as brothers and sisters in Christ. On Friday we saw the production of “Les Miserables” at Lake Forest High School. (great show) There’s a vivid tale of what love is and what love costs – reminding us that to truly love someone is to see the face of God. * * * As the poet says, love needs to be remade all the time – made new. Fresh loaves need to be kneaded and baked. We all need daily bread. It is the nature and power of love to make things new – to transform lives. The Lord says in our reading today from Revelation: “See, I am making all things new.” The Book of Revelation anticipates that time when love will finally rule in all hearts – it will be the norm. All those thirsty for love will have it in abundance. You and I are meant to be heralds & signs of this promised blessing. We are not supposed to just wait for God’s Kingdom to come – we are called to do God’s will here on earth as it is in heaven--by loving. Why do we love? Because of Jesus. Jesus commands us to love – but even more we love because he first loved us. We love because we have experienced his goodness and grace. We have been blessed. If this is not true for you – we need to talk! You can’t give what you have not received. Being commanded to love without being loved is like being told to make bread without flour. How do we love? Like Jesus: love as I have loved you.” Let’s be clear about what it means to say we are called to be like Jesus. You and I are to be like Jesus: * not in saving the world (that’s his job) * not in working miracles * not by knowing all the answers But by doing what we can do: by faithfully loving in ordinary, everyday circumstances. Showing mercy, extending compassion and forgiveness, walking the extra mile, paying attention, taking the time to listen. We are capable of great things – but that’s not all we should look to accomplish. As Mother Teresa showed us, we can also do small things with great love: * spending one afternoon a week with the kids at A J Katzenmaier * being patient with your son our daughter – or with an aging parent * driving a child to visit a mother who is in prison * reassuring your spouse of your love and support * visiting a fellow member in the hospital * making a phone call to let someone know you are thinking of them. * * * Being a disciple, becoming like Jesus, is all about: getting over yourself and all your issues and wishes and pet peeves, and getting on with being a blessing to others--being a sign that God really is good and God’s love is for real. Here’s the truth: That which keeps us from our neighbor keeps us from God. Are you feeling far from God? Out of touch? Can’t seem to pray? Can’t feel the love? Try loving your neighbor. Dorothy Day spoke the truth about us all: “I really only love God as much as the person I love the least.” This weekend I have the privilege of dog-sitting for the Clemens golden retriever, Cooper. If you’ve met Cooper, you know what a wonderful house guest he is. Hanging out with Cooper brought to mind what a Christian monk said way back in the 4th century: “a dog is better than I am, for he has love and does not judge.” Friends, if we can’t always be as good as Jesus – can we be as good as a dog? We will be known as Christ’s disciples by this: if we have love for one another. Amen
Easter IV Richard Holmer First Reading: Acts 9:36-43 Second Reading: Rev. 7:9-17 Gospel: John 10:22-30
The sermon for this day was in pieces throughout the worship service. Pastor Holmer explained parts of the liturgy, which enrich our weekly Lutheran worship.
Easter III Richard Holmer First Reading: Acts 9:1-6 Second Reading: Rev. 5:11-14 Gospel: John 21:1-19
Show Me Each week our worship service ends with a commissioning. The parting directive is: “Go in peace. Serve the Lord.” Sometimes this directive is more specific: “Go in peace to follow Christ, make disciples and live the gospel.” Yet the essential message is unchanged: “Go in peace and serve.” Now in response, we certainly do “go” – everybody leaves. I’m often the last one out of here on Sundays, so trust me – everyone goes somewhere. And I suspect that many, if not all, go in peace. We go in peace: our sins forgiven, having heard God’s word, having been fed at His table. We go, reassured of God’s grace, reminded that Christ is alive and with us, supported by the fellowship of believers, our friends in Christ. If we have been paying attention, we can go in peace. Do we go to serve the Lord? That is, upon leaving this place, this blessed and gracious time of peace – do we actually manage to: follow Christ? make disciples? live the gospel? We’d have to say: “Not exactly.” “Not completely.” Not as we ought.” If we managed to serve the Lord faithfully and completely, we might never need to come back. Yet we know we will be here next Sunday, admitting our shortcomings and failures: not loving God with our whole heart, not loving our neighbors as ourselves. We know going out the door that we will fall short. We realize we won’t get it right 100% of the time. The question is, knowing this to be so, do we even bother to try? At the start of his ministry, Jesus commissioned four fishermen to be his disciples. The orders were brief and concise: “Follow me.” And they did. Not perfectly. Sometimes reluctantly. Sometimes at a distance. Sometimes rather awkwardly. But they did it. They followed Jesus. After three years of following, they came to the whirlwind of that final week in Jerusalem. At the Last Supper Jesus gave them a number of final instruction. He washed their feet and told them to do likewise. Then in a span of less than 24 hours, Jesus was arrested, abused, crucified and buried. The disciples were left dazed and confused and grieving. Then on Sunday they were stunned again by news of Christ’s resurrection. Their heads were spinning! * * * * * After all this emotional commotion, Peter decides to get out of town. He decides to go fishing. He wanted to do something familiar, something ordinary, something he knew how to do, something he was doing before Jesus first came and said, “Follow me.” Peter had followed Jesus through many ups and downs. That last week had been a serious “downer.” At the last supper, Peter had sworn his allegiance to Jesus, saying, “I will never forsake you.” Yet before the sun came up the next day, Peter denied three times that he even knew who Jesus was. He failed miserably in the clutch. By the end of that fateful week Peter had to be tired, both physically and emotionally, confused and guilty. Is it any wonder that he wanted to get away, to be left alone? So he went fishing back home in Galilee. The fishing wasn’t great. In fact, after trying all night, they had caught nothing. After getting skunked all night, who could that be in early morning light standing on shore and calling out to them? It was the Lord. Once again, Jesus had come to the lake shore, seeking them out. He shows them where the fish are. He fixes breakfast for the whole crew. You know, we’re all familiar with the “Last Supper” – I wonder why we never speak of the “First Breakfast?” That’s what this was. This was the first day of the rest of their lives. Jesus fixes breakfast, letting them know that the great adventure isn’t over – it’s just getting started. After breakfast, Jesus has a on-on-one with Peter. Peter may want to be left alone, but Jesus has something else in mind. Three times Jesus asks, “Do you love me?” And each time Peter affirms that he does, Jesus tells him: “Feed my lambs – tend my sheep – take care of my flock.” He calls Peter to serve. And he goes on to explain to Peter what it will cost: “You will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go . . .” The price of faithfulness will be the same for Peter as it was for Jesus. It will cost everything. And then Jesus repeats the first words he ever spoke to Peter: “Follow me.” – those simple and compelling words. For us, Peter is the sure reminder that God uses ordinary, imperfect people. It seems that is who God prefers to use! We can see ourselves in Peter’s mood swings, his failure to follow through, his guilt and inadequacy, his desire to be left alone, to be done with it all. Yet just as he came looking for Peter, Jesus seeks us out: - He meets us as we are. - He prepares a meal for us. - He forgives us and gives us his peace. - He cares for us – and he commissions us to care for others. - He calls us to serve, by following him, making disciples, and living the gospel. And so we do. I’ve seen the many ways you answer the call to serve: - Visiting the sick. - Parenting your sons and daughters. - Giving generously. - Serving on council and committees. - Teaching the children here and at A.J. Katzenmeier. - Feeding the hungry. - Sharing peace and forgiveness. - Making this a community where people can see Christ is alive. The challenge, of course, is to keep on serving: - even when we get tired. - even when we get it wrong. - even when we are criticized. - even when no one seems to notice - even when we have done more than our share. - even when we wonder if it makes a difference. - even when others don’t pitch in . - even when we’d prefer to just be left alone. Truth is, you and I will never be done serving, because there will always be: sheep that need feeding, young lambs that need tending, lost sheep that need reclaiming, wounded sheep that need healing, lazy sheep that need prodding, frightened sheep that need encouraging, straying sheep that need guiding. Jesus asks a simple, straightforward question: “Do you love me?” When we answer, “Of course we love you, Jesus.” He says to us, firmly and lovingly: “Show me.” Amen
Easter 2 Richard Holmer
First Reading: Acts 5:27-32 Second Reading: Revelation 1:4-8 Gospel: John 20:19-31
Believing
As Christians we don’t believe in the Apostle’s Creed or the Nicene Creed. Likewise, we don’t believe in the bible. Instead, we believe in God. We believe in the God who speaks to us and is made known to us through the scriptures. We believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as we say each week in the creeds. The creeds express our faith – they are not the focus of our faith. Christians have been described as Easter people. There is a Christian Church because of what happened on Easter – because of the resurrection. Easter faith, however, is not faith in the doctrine of resurrection – it is faith in a person: the person of Jesus Christ. Now please don’t misunderstand or misquote me! The scriptures and doctrines and creeds are valuable and needed – but ultimately, our faith is in a person with a story, not in an idea or a theology or a set of rules. (There will be no bibles or creeds in heaven – no need) This is why the apostle Thomas wanted to see Jesus in person – just as all the others had seen him in person on that first Easter evening. His faith depended on Jesus – not on what others said about Jesus. And so when Thomas came face to face with the risen Lord, his immediate response was not: “These propositions of resurrection must be true.” No, he responds in worship and adoration, saying: “My Lord and my God!” His faith is personal and passionate – not abstract or conceptual. Our faith is also personal. We don’t believe in a set of doctrines about Jesus, we believe in Jesus. We believe even without benefit of seeing Jesus with our own eyes. In a way we are like the blind man whom Jesus heals in chapter 9 of John’s Gospel. Before ever laying eyes on Jesus, that man comes to believe he is God’s son. Jesus commends such faith in the words he speaks to Thomas: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” This is the whole purpose of John’s gospel, the entire aim of telling the Christ story: not to share information, but to stimulate faith formation. John puts his cards on the table quite openly: “these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” John doesn’t say: “so that you have to believe”, but “so that you may come to believe”, so you have the opportunity to believe. The gospels are the window through which we can see and hear Jesus, we can experience the reality of Jesus. They are not biographies that tell us about Jesus. They are the good news of Jesus, providing direct access to the person Jesus. You and I are afforded the opportunity to believe, not in a system or a philosophy, but in this person, who is Lord and Savior, God’s own Son come down to earth. And the direct consequence of believing is a new kind of life – life in his name, abundant life full of goodness and mercy. All the same, believing in Jesus is no easy thing. Thomas is hardly the only one who had a hard time believing. It was difficult for all the disciples. Recall our gospel story from last Sunday. The women came running from the empty tomb with exciting news of Christ’s resurrection – but those disciples could not believe it, not at first. They dismissed this report as an idle tale. Even with the benefit of 20 centuries of hindsight, it can be hard for us to believe today. We live in an age of science and technology, where facts need to be tested and proven. We struggle to believe what we can’t see. Faith is challenged by all the pain and suffering and injustice that are ever present in this world. In our time there is a surge of Atheism. A number of prominent authors have published books aggressively determined to deny the reality of God and Jesus Christ. These cultured despisers are quick to mock anyone who would believe in a living, loving God. Actually, for those of us who claim the name “Christian”, atheism is not a great threat. Few are tempted to stop believing altogether. The real challenge is: Can I believe the whole thing? Can I depend on all God’s promises? It’s tempting to hedge our bets a bit – to hang back a little – to go part way- to wait and see. Which is why I want to return to a statement I quoted last Sunday. Peter Vardy lays out the alternatives: “Either Christianity is true or it’s false. What it cannot be is a little bit true.” That’s a path some would like to follow: “I believe some of this Christian stuff – just not all of it.” That option isn’t available to us. Christ isn’t partially raised from the dead. There isn’t a vague and fussy middle ground where we can abide. It’s true or false. And Vardy continues: “If it is true, then it demands that everything take second place to living our relationship with God.” This is the truly hard part about believing: believing in God, believing Christ is alive has consequences! John says that through believing we have life in Christ’s name – which is a rich and tremendous blessing, a life full of grace. Yet to live in Christ’s name is also a tremendous challenge. * Consider those first disciples. As they came to believe, they were transformed. They took on the awesome responsibility of continuing Christ’s mission: going into all the world to make disciples. Our First Reading from Acts tells how Peter and John defied the authorities – the same authorities who had Jesus crucified. Peter and John say: “We must obey God rather than any human authority.” Ultimately, such defiant faith cost most of the apostle’s their lives. Christian history is filled with stories of those who were willing to die for their faith. * You and I may not face any threats on our lives for believing, but believing still means living against the flow. Believing means going against the usual ways of this world. Consider two instances from today’s gospel. A. The risen Jesus comes speaking Peace. Over and over Jesus seeks to assure his followers that he comes not to reprimand them, but to bring peace. You and I are called to believe in this peace that the world can’t give. And believing means living our lives in that peace. It means keeping our heads when everyone around us is losing theirs. It means refusing to operate with the anxiety this world generates. It means being willing to keep Sabbath – trusting that it all doesn’t depend on what we are able to do, trusting God to provide. It means refusing to buy into all the frivolous appetites that this world proposes. It involves living as active instruments of God’s peace, bringing light and joy where there is darkness and despair. B. The other thing the Risen Jesus speaks of is forgiveness. “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.” Getting forgiveness is great – yet in order to truly receive it, we must acknowledge that we need it: admitting our failures, in- completeness, and self-centeredness. And we can only be blessed by forgiveness when we are willing to extend it to others. Forgiving is risky and costly business. It includes loving enemies, blessing those who persecute us, setting aside all notions of getting even. It is an absolute contradiction to say something like: “Oh I believe in Jesus – I just don’t believe in forgiving everyone.” (We may not ever say such a thing – we might just think it.) Dietrich Bonhoeffer reminds us of the responsibility that comes with believing: “Only the one who believes obeys, and only the one who obeys believes.” It’s hard alright! Which brings to mind one of Martin Luther’s crucial insights: That we can’t believe by our own strength. That believing is not a matter of intellectual assent or rational choice. “I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him.” Faith is the working of the Holy Spirit. Which is why Jesus gives the gift of the Holy Spirit as his parting gift: “Receive the Holy Spirit.” You and I can’t believe without it! Believing is a blessed and tenuous endeavor. Authentic faith can be a fragile thing – just like love. It’s strong, yet vulnerable (like a finely spun spider web). To love is always to expose yourself to disappointment. To believe is to step into the unknown, to break new ground. Fortunately, our faith is not in our faith or in ourselves. We are saved not by our beliefs, but by the One on whom our faith depends: Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
April 4, 2010 Richard Holmer
First Reading: Acts 10:34-43 Second Reading: I Corinthians 15:19-26 Gospel: Luke 24:1-12
Ifs and Buts “If Christ is risen, then nothing else matters. If Christ is not risen, then nothing else matters.” So wrote theologian and church historian Jaroslov Pelikan. Resurrection from the dead is an iffy proposition. It is certainly an appealing notion. (It beats the alternative.) Yet science, experience and close observation lend no real support to it. Most of us have attended many funerals – but none of us has witnessed anything like resurrection. St. Paul understood the “iffiness” that arises when it comes to life after death. He addresses this topic at great length in chapter 15 of 1st Corinthians. In those verses Paul raises many “ifs”, including: - “if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised” (15:13) - “if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain” (15:14) - “if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (15:17) - “if the dead are not raised, ‘let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.’” (15:32) Quite simply, if Christ has not been raised from the dead, then death is the last word for us all. Our life then does begin to resemble “a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” We keep busy killing time before time finally kills us. At best, we look for ways to distract our minds from the depressing truth that we are food for worms. If there is no resurrection, then all those saints out there in the memorial garden will never be more than ashes. And our prospects aren’t any better. St. Paul draws out the implications of the proposition “if Christ is not raised” through the first 19 verses of chapter 15, where we pick it up today in our second reading. “if for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (15:19) But then Paul can’t bear this mood of skepticism, this existential angst and futility any longer. So he shifts gears abruptly at verse 20. From being “of all people most to be pitied,” Paul leaps to: “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead; the first fruits of those who have died.” Gone is any wavering, uncertain “iffiness”, replaced by the unshakable conviction that Christ truly is risen and alive – it’s a fact. It’s the whole truth – the essential truth. What’s more, Paul refers to the risen Christ as the “first fruits” – indicating that resurrection is in store for us as well. This is just the beginning. Now, the dead being raised, life after death, the prospect of eternal life, all may seem to rational minds unlikely, unnatural, improbable – even impossible. But this changes everything! We may wonder how – but in fact Christ has been raised! This is the good news that is the solid foundation for our faith – our sure and certain hope. The resurrection of Jesus changes the whole ballgame, it changes everything. Just when it seemed that all was lost, that the devil finally had his way, that sin and death had prevailed – God turned the tables in a definitive and lasting way. After the crucifixion, it was all over – our fate was sealed, BUT FOR GOD…. Paul recognizes the decisiveness of this shift, and so he contradicts all the doubtful and desolate speculations with a resounding: “But in fact Christ has been raised…” Luke makes the same sharp turn in his gospel narrative. Chapter 23 in Luke ends with Jesus dead and buried, laid to rest in a borrowed tomb, courtesy of Joseph of Arimathea. That could have been the final chapter, the end of the story. However, there is a chapter 24 that follows; and it begins with that significant word “but.” “But on the first day of the week…” “Hold on, we aren’t finished yet…” “Wait a minute, there’s more to tell…” That little three letter word “but” announces a change – and that word appears six times in the opening twelve verses of chapter 24. All the usual expectations keep getting confounded by God’s great and surprising victory over death: * “ but when they went in , they did not find the body…” What in the world? What now?? What’s going on here? * Luke tells us the women were terrified and perplexed, “…but the two men in the dazzling clothes said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead?’” Good question! Of course, those women had no idea that Jesus was alive. * The heavenly messengers continue: “He is not here, but has risen.” He’s not dead, but alive. There’s the first Christian sermon ever preached. The first telling of the good news in all its fullness. It’s short, to the point, and full of promise. “He’s not here, but has risen.” * This is news that must be shared. So the women rush to tell the grieving apostles the amazing news – certain that they will be overjoyed. “But their words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.” Isn’t that just about right? Those thick-headed and slow of heart apostles dismiss the news the women bring. The news of resurrection is too wonderful, too implausible, too good to possibly be true. * “But, (wait a minute), Peter got up and ran to the tomb…” He had to see for himself. And he finds that the women weren’t making it up. Jesus really isn’t in the tomb! Just as they said. Karl Barth said: “The gospel is not a natural ‘therefore’ but a miraculous ‘nevertheless.’” That is, Christ’s resurrection is not the expected, logical conclusion to this story – but a dramatic reversal, a confounding contradiction to all we would expect. It’s no surprise those apostles didn’t believe what the women had to share. Who would?
Christ’s resurrection is not like daffodils and tulips bursting into bloom after a long, hard winter. Lovely as they are, they are not unexpected. Even though Jesus had told his followers more than once that this would happen, it simply did not compute. - It was inconceivable. - It was more unlikely than pigs flying, or a man breathing under water, or a virgin giving birth. But it happened. If Christ is not raised, then nothing really matters. Then we’re all doomed – it’s only a matter of time. In fact, we’d be wasting our time here this morning. BUT IF CHRIST IS RAISED, but then nothing else matters nearly as much! Nothing compares to this life changing blessing. Peter Vardy writes: “Either Christianity is true or it is false. What it cannot be is a little bit true. If it is true, then it demands that everything else take second place to living out our relationship with God. If it is not true, then it is irrelevant. On this Easter Day, this Resurrection Day, we are filled with hope and joy. The church is full, the flowers are gorgeous, the weather is great, the music is glorious. On such a day it’s possible for us to actually believe the good news. Yet, let’s be honest. Not all days are like this. We all know days that are much harder – more like Good Friday. There are days when being a Christian can feel kind of like being a Cub fan. You know what that’s about. Time and again, your hopes are raised, only to be cruelly crushed. The recurring refrain is “wait till next year.” The hoped for triumph never comes. Bart Giamatti: “Baseball is a game designed to break your heart.” But not so our faith! Yes, Christ died a cruel death – it was awful. If that were the end, then we truly should all be pitied. But Christ has been raised – he is alive! We serve a living Savior. And in Christ we shall all be made alive! Thanks be to God!
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