The Rev. Bonnie Matthews, Deacon - sermon
Posted on
Sermon August 09, 2015
The Rev. Bonnie Matthews, Deacon
Proper 14 Year B
2 Samuel 18:5-9, 31-33; Psalm 130; Ephesians 4:25-5:2; John 6:35, 41-51
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Reflecting on the readings appointed for today has been a challenge for me. At first glance of the scripture I was conflicted by the dichotomy of following ethical instructions as presented by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians and the gentle hope and promise of an everlasting life. Am I being called to deliver a fist pounding sermon about following moral law as Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians (but wait a minute that’s not who I am) or present the gentle words of everlasting life through the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John? The more I contemplated and prayed the more I became certain that I was not presented with an either or choice for a sermon. I was presented with an opportunity to speak to the love of God and the hope of everlasting life given to us in Christ Jesus.
Until verse 51 of today’s gospel reading, the gift of bread is not a gift of manna from heaven that is to be received in order to assuage our physical human appetite. I believe that Jesus is referencing the gift of hope and promise in the word of God’s love always being present to us. The meaning of bread changes to a promise of love and everlasting life when we hear verse 51 "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
When we come to the table during our service of Eucharist we are recalling the events of Maundy Thursday from the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke and we are spiritually nurtured through the gifts of bread (body) and wine (blood).
But the writer of the Gospel of John is suggesting that we recall the acts of Jesus’ full life.
At Trinity we remember that when the gifts of bread and wine are elevated and we hear the words “Behold what you are” and we respond “May we become what we receive”. Our prayer is that we become and act as Jesus did in the whole of his life.
For me this is where the clarity of the connection between Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and the Gospel of John begins.
While recalling the Jewish and Greco-Roman instruction, Paul is presenting the reader with early Christian instruction that has ethical implications. This instruction is an example of how Jesus lived and served.
Ephesians: 4:31-5:2 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children and live in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
However early this instruction is, I believe that it holds true for present day religious communities. In particular, the Christian community is called to demonstrate God’s love for the world by serving as Jesus would serve.
As a community of faith we are called to act as one. Following Jesus’ command we are called to love one another. We are not meant to be one in community within these four walls and then act as individuals going in different directions outside of this building. As one, we are called to follow Jesus’ example no matter where we are.
Given accounts of the news in relation to racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, religious and sexual differences this seems like a daunting command. And in many ways it is. It is difficult to hear what we would consider to be outrageous acts of violence being committed by someone without reacting in an unkind way.
How we respond, what we do, and how we act matter. Our Baptismal Covenant calls us to strive for justice and peace among all people. It calls us to be advocates for justice. But how is that done in what seems to be a world where the me comes first?
Being an advocate begins when we step back from a heated issue, thinking first and responding second in a calm fashion. It means looking for ways to solve issues before becoming a part, or a side, of an issue. It means working toward a solution and not just putting a band-aid on. It means speaking out to interpret the concerns of the needy to those who will listen to those who may be able to move the issue at hand toward improvement.
It may mean not just giving to a food bank or soup kitchen, but working at a food bank putting your feet on the ground to assess what is really happening. When people know that someone is listening they may start by telling their story at a ten thousand foot level, but when they understand that someone is hearing and understanding and not judging, their story may gain depth moving closer to the real issue. Those in need are tired and they are frustrated and have too many other issues at hand to navigate systems for change. How can someone think when their thoughts are consumed with where their next meal will come from?
When someone who is not directly affected listens and understands they may better have the ability to collaborate and promote better local and government support with a move toward better pay or more social services to support the neighborhood. It means building relationships with those who care about supporting anyone who may be marginalized in any way.
My example of the food bank/soup kitchen and working poor is just one example where you can help. I choose this example on purpose. At the Hospitality Center for the homeless in New London someone did listen to the plight of the hungry and homeless who are insurance poor. They heard a different story. They heard that homeless or working poor persons who are recovering from a medical condition and who otherwise would have been released from the hospital to their homes have nowhere to go. This hospitality center reacted and they have collaborated with Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, the Visiting Nurse Association of SE CT and the Community Health Center Inc.
As a result they have what is called respite center that has 7 hospital beds for post procedure/treatment care as well as foot care for the homeless.
I imagine that if one were to apply the same techniques one can work to build understanding with many of the issues facing us today.
The act of judging builds sides for and against but listening and understanding one’s plight, finding common ground where you can meet leads to relationships that move forward.
Jesus didn’t look from afar at the unjust in the world. Jesus invited or met the marginalized whether they were poor, ill, of the “wrong” religious sect, diseased or outcasts. Jesus didn’t just meet them. Jesus listened and offered respect and understanding, Jesus offered the love.
Isn’t that what Paul is saying? Isn’t that what the Gospel of John is saying? Acting as Jesus would have us do is opening the world to know the love of God for all of God’s children.
Grant to us Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right that we may be enabled to live according to your will. Amen.