Sermon for November 9th
I know. Amazing. Probably will never happen again! ;-))
Sermon Proper 27 Year A, St. Mark’s Hazard
November 9, 2008
May our work in the world be a vehicle for Your Love; May it shine and light up all darkened places. Be with us, O Lord, Amen. (Adapted from Marianne Williamson’s Illuminata.)
As soon as the results of the presidential race were looking definite last Tuesday evening, comments on blogs, news sites and Facebook came alive with words from both those who were ecstatic and grateful, and those who were bitter and determined to continue the fight. Responses from “Glory Hallelujah” to “He will never be my president,” made it clear that even such a definitive settling of the vote does not begin to unite the two camps that have existed in conflict for so many months. Do you think anyone noticed that we have been so much about the race that we have forgotten what the race is actually supposed to accomplish?
Neither candidate, (arguably more embroiled in the divisiveness than any of the rest of us Americans,) forgot what this was really about. Both men were incredibly graceful in their words to the nation. Senator John McCain began his remarks by reminding his listeners of what the two candidates share. “A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Sen. Barack Obama — to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.” He continued by urging, “Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship...” Most powerfully, he led by example. “I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our goodwill and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.”
For his part, President-Elect Obama echoed this shared dedication to country with equally eloquent words describing his opponent’s sacrificial service to this nation and voicing his eagerness to work with Senator McCain in order to solve the problems America faces. Despite the Herald Leader Headline which hollered “Yes, He Can,” Barack Obama put his victory at the feet of those who had supported him. “This is your victory. I know you didn't do this just to win an election, and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime . . .”
Words, we might say to ourselves.
Expected words.
This is the etiquette of winning and losing the highest office in the land.
Perhaps.
But I think it also speaks volumes for the future of our country, because if we have learned one thing from watching BOTH candidates over this long haul, I believe we have learned of their fierce love of this nation and their track record of bipartisan work. I want to believe that they will continue to lead by this example, both from the Senate and from the White House. I want to believe that Americans will pull together as they witness that example to support the working government, the President and their country.
If these are the words and actions expected of former rivals for the Presidency of the United States, what are the words and actions expected of those of us who put our hopes in a future that is not of this world? Jesus describes in this morning’s Gospel what we may expect from the Kingdom of Heaven, and it is pretty clear how we are expected to speak and act as we respond to that vision.
If we are wise, we will be vigilant and prepared. We will not wait for someone else to fix it and we will not be careless when it comes to something as important as the return of the Bridegroom. This parable works because ancient travel and bridal customs –as well as a lack of internet and satellite communications—meant that it was impossible to really know when the Bridegroom would come. It was the task of the Bridesmaids to be ready to make him welcome. They were not to fall asleep or be caught without light because they had not set aside enough oil. There was no 24 hour Wal-Mart five minutes away. There was no one to take your place if you did slip off to re-stock, and you might miss the whole arrival while you were with the dealer. Borrowing from someone else was not an option because their light might then go out.
This seems a little harsh, I think to myself. In a world where what we share is increasingly more important than what divides us, I want this to work out in a different way. I hear Austen's Elizabeth Bennett in my ear saying, "No Jane. This will not do. Take your choice, but you must be satisfied with only one." What about the loaves and fishes, I fret to myself? There was enough to go around there!! But whether you read that story as a miracle of sharing, or just a plain miracle, the point is that people had brought something to begin with. Jesus had something from the people with which to work.
In the passage we read from the Wisdom of Solomon, the opening words shed some . . . well . . . light on this problem. “Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her and is found by those who seek her.” Breaking News: 'Fed-Ex' will not deliver oil to the door without our asking for it. The passage continues, “One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty.” We must begin our days with the courage and deliberation of meeting God in ourselves and in others.
It is not enough to just get up and go about our lives.
That is what Israel was doing in the time of Amos. Everything had become routine. Amos is harshly criticizing the sacrificial system and the festivals in Israel because they separate God’s people from God instead of bringing them together. Instead of being offered with a right heart, they are offered superficially. In that context, we can better comprehend the unprepared bridesmaids.
Amos begs, “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.” “Truly I tell you, I do not know you,” says Jesus. Jesus cannot know us if we are not even seeking Him.
A seeking heart.
Planning.
Effort.
Personal responsibility.
This presidential election is not the end of anything (except maybe attack advertisements.) It is the beginning. There is much work to be done, and it will require all of us together to change the place in which many Americans now struggle. Likewise, as we set our sights on the world to come, we find that it is only in working individually and together that we can be ready. God is not elusive. God is not fickle or random. But God cannot meet us on the darkened road if we are not waiting with our well fueled lights. And while we perhaps cannot give up our own oil, there is much to be gained in encouraging others, by word and example, to ready their own lamps.
Hope is not a magic wand. Neither is it a distant falling star, streaking across a darkened sky laden with the wishes of all who see it. Hope—real, substantive hope-- requires vigilance, effort and presence. To paraphrase Warren Carter, it requires the light that is our mission and the oil that is our faithful discipleship. I believe it also requires not gloating because we actually brought our oil.
*I* still want to believe that it requires my not excluding those who misread the call to be prepared. That is God’s task and I gratefully leave it there. This is no time to continue the bitter partisan efforts that have marked the last decades. We must embrace the need for unity and move forward together for the future which is marked by uncertainty and strife. William Sloane Coffin has said “the world is too dangerous for anything but the truth and too small for anything but love.”
In the alternate response to Psalm 70, The Wisdom of Solomon tells us that “The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction . . . and love of [wisdom] in keeping with her laws.” The need for our wise and ready lamps has never been more clearly displayed.
The focus of this election has been on the change that we all wish to see in the world, and in some cases on the recognition that the power for that change begins with us.
But change is not enough; we must have a higher goal.
In order for our lamps to be properly fueled and maintained, we must also embody the love we wish to see in the world.
Amen.
Sermon Proper 27 Year A, St. Mark’s Hazard
November 9, 2008
May our work in the world be a vehicle for Your Love; May it shine and light up all darkened places. Be with us, O Lord, Amen. (Adapted from Marianne Williamson’s Illuminata.)
As soon as the results of the presidential race were looking definite last Tuesday evening, comments on blogs, news sites and Facebook came alive with words from both those who were ecstatic and grateful, and those who were bitter and determined to continue the fight. Responses from “Glory Hallelujah” to “He will never be my president,” made it clear that even such a definitive settling of the vote does not begin to unite the two camps that have existed in conflict for so many months. Do you think anyone noticed that we have been so much about the race that we have forgotten what the race is actually supposed to accomplish?
Neither candidate, (arguably more embroiled in the divisiveness than any of the rest of us Americans,) forgot what this was really about. Both men were incredibly graceful in their words to the nation. Senator John McCain began his remarks by reminding his listeners of what the two candidates share. “A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Sen. Barack Obama — to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.” He continued by urging, “Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship...” Most powerfully, he led by example. “I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our goodwill and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.”
For his part, President-Elect Obama echoed this shared dedication to country with equally eloquent words describing his opponent’s sacrificial service to this nation and voicing his eagerness to work with Senator McCain in order to solve the problems America faces. Despite the Herald Leader Headline which hollered “Yes, He Can,” Barack Obama put his victory at the feet of those who had supported him. “This is your victory. I know you didn't do this just to win an election, and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime . . .”
Words, we might say to ourselves.
Expected words.
This is the etiquette of winning and losing the highest office in the land.
Perhaps.
But I think it also speaks volumes for the future of our country, because if we have learned one thing from watching BOTH candidates over this long haul, I believe we have learned of their fierce love of this nation and their track record of bipartisan work. I want to believe that they will continue to lead by this example, both from the Senate and from the White House. I want to believe that Americans will pull together as they witness that example to support the working government, the President and their country.
If these are the words and actions expected of former rivals for the Presidency of the United States, what are the words and actions expected of those of us who put our hopes in a future that is not of this world? Jesus describes in this morning’s Gospel what we may expect from the Kingdom of Heaven, and it is pretty clear how we are expected to speak and act as we respond to that vision.
If we are wise, we will be vigilant and prepared. We will not wait for someone else to fix it and we will not be careless when it comes to something as important as the return of the Bridegroom. This parable works because ancient travel and bridal customs –as well as a lack of internet and satellite communications—meant that it was impossible to really know when the Bridegroom would come. It was the task of the Bridesmaids to be ready to make him welcome. They were not to fall asleep or be caught without light because they had not set aside enough oil. There was no 24 hour Wal-Mart five minutes away. There was no one to take your place if you did slip off to re-stock, and you might miss the whole arrival while you were with the dealer. Borrowing from someone else was not an option because their light might then go out.
This seems a little harsh, I think to myself. In a world where what we share is increasingly more important than what divides us, I want this to work out in a different way. I hear Austen's Elizabeth Bennett in my ear saying, "No Jane. This will not do. Take your choice, but you must be satisfied with only one." What about the loaves and fishes, I fret to myself? There was enough to go around there!! But whether you read that story as a miracle of sharing, or just a plain miracle, the point is that people had brought something to begin with. Jesus had something from the people with which to work.
In the passage we read from the Wisdom of Solomon, the opening words shed some . . . well . . . light on this problem. “Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her and is found by those who seek her.” Breaking News: 'Fed-Ex' will not deliver oil to the door without our asking for it. The passage continues, “One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty.” We must begin our days with the courage and deliberation of meeting God in ourselves and in others.
It is not enough to just get up and go about our lives.
That is what Israel was doing in the time of Amos. Everything had become routine. Amos is harshly criticizing the sacrificial system and the festivals in Israel because they separate God’s people from God instead of bringing them together. Instead of being offered with a right heart, they are offered superficially. In that context, we can better comprehend the unprepared bridesmaids.
Amos begs, “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.” “Truly I tell you, I do not know you,” says Jesus. Jesus cannot know us if we are not even seeking Him.
A seeking heart.
Planning.
Effort.
Personal responsibility.
This presidential election is not the end of anything (except maybe attack advertisements.) It is the beginning. There is much work to be done, and it will require all of us together to change the place in which many Americans now struggle. Likewise, as we set our sights on the world to come, we find that it is only in working individually and together that we can be ready. God is not elusive. God is not fickle or random. But God cannot meet us on the darkened road if we are not waiting with our well fueled lights. And while we perhaps cannot give up our own oil, there is much to be gained in encouraging others, by word and example, to ready their own lamps.
Hope is not a magic wand. Neither is it a distant falling star, streaking across a darkened sky laden with the wishes of all who see it. Hope—real, substantive hope-- requires vigilance, effort and presence. To paraphrase Warren Carter, it requires the light that is our mission and the oil that is our faithful discipleship. I believe it also requires not gloating because we actually brought our oil.
*I* still want to believe that it requires my not excluding those who misread the call to be prepared. That is God’s task and I gratefully leave it there. This is no time to continue the bitter partisan efforts that have marked the last decades. We must embrace the need for unity and move forward together for the future which is marked by uncertainty and strife. William Sloane Coffin has said “the world is too dangerous for anything but the truth and too small for anything but love.”
In the alternate response to Psalm 70, The Wisdom of Solomon tells us that “The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction . . . and love of [wisdom] in keeping with her laws.” The need for our wise and ready lamps has never been more clearly displayed.
The focus of this election has been on the change that we all wish to see in the world, and in some cases on the recognition that the power for that change begins with us.
But change is not enough; we must have a higher goal.
In order for our lamps to be properly fueled and maintained, we must also embody the love we wish to see in the world.
Amen.
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