Let us pray - May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.
As my wife, Melissa, and I were drifting off to sleep recently and talking about this sermon, we were interrupted when my laptop computer cried out “congratulations, you’re a winner”. Alas, the disembodied voice was not from the Oregon Lottery Commission, so you are still going to get a stewardship sermon. But, if we ignore the disturbing thought of some guy hanging out in my computer, in the dark of night, declaring us victors in some unknown competition, the message was actually quite appropriate for today’s scripture readings.
Since late August, The lectionary has been working through the Book of Exodus. We have heard about the birth of Moses, the burning bush, the institution of Passover and the parting of the Red Sea, allowing Israel to escape the bondage of Egypt. Unfortunately, rather than claiming their victory over slavery, the Israelites simply started to complain and misbehave. God responded to their complaints of hunger with manna from heaven, and to their complaints of thirst with water from a rock, and yet, the people would not be satisfied. So, when Moses was on Mount Sinai with God for forty days, the “chosen people” created an idol in the form of a golden calf, and then celebrated their new god by having an orgy.
Moses was angry when he returned. I can imagine what he might have said once he got his hands on Aaron: I leave for a few weeks and you lose your minds? How many commandments did you break? You shall have no other gods before me- check, you shall not make for yourself an idol- check, you shall not commit adultery – check, you shall not covet thy neighbor’s wife - check; that’s four, and I’m just getting started. We have been terrible stewards of God’s faithfulness; do you know how hard I am going to have to work to fix this?
And work hard Moses did. In last week’s reading, he convinced God not to destroy the entire nation of Israel, and in today’s reading he is still debating with God about punishing the rabble by withholding divine presence and assigning an angel to escort the Israelites to the Promised Land instead of God. God ultimately relented and agreed to continue on with Israel. Moses was so moved by God’s kindness that he asked to see God’s full glory, to which God replied “you cannot see my face, for no one shall see me and live.” Instead, the hand of God shielded and protected Moses, allowing him to see only God’s back – it was the most that Moses, or anyone, could have hoped for at time. Moses had won God’s favor and, in spite, of their whining, complaining and misbehavior, the Israelites by extension had won too.
But the world’s greatest victory came in the form of the incarnate Jesus, in whom the face of God was made visible to the whole world. And, through the Holy Spirit, the face of God is with us everywhere today. Look around you right now; the faces you see staring back at you are the face of God. So are the faces on the bus, the faces in the grocery store, the face of the young woman ensnared by human trafficking and the face of the hungry woman on the corner – all reflect the face of God in our midst.
In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he wrote, “you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia”. Would Paul write the same thing about us? Are we an example to Montavilla and the other neighborhoods in which we live? We here at Saints Peter and Paul have a tradition of answering God’s call, but are we doing everything that we can to be the face of God in a cold and hard world? Occasionally, we get tired and frustrated, bored and disinterested. In our times of greatest distress and disappointment it becomes hard to remember that we live lives of abundance, it’s hard because in this world where a looming sense of scarcity clouds our perception of God’s true abundance, it can be difficult to see the path forward; a path that should bring us into closer communion with Christ. And so, this stewardship season, let’s make a first pledge that involves no money. Rather, let us pledge to spend more one on one time with God. Find a spiritual discipline that works for you, try the Daily Office, or Forward Day by Day, read the upcoming Sunday’s weekly lectionary, perhaps a short prayer in the shower is more your speed. What we do specifically, is not as important as our willingness to open a dialogue with God through prayer and Bible Study. Now, hold-on before you peg me as some wild-eyed fundamentalist, I have not forgotten that I am an Episcopalian and that we are not exactly known for our Bible literacy or deep spirituality. But if we truly want to embrace and reflect God’s love to the world it will pay to consider what Bishop Michael recently shared with me when I complained about not having adequate time for prayer and Bible study. He wrote that “life does get away from us at times! That is what spiritual discipline is about – bringing us back to what is essential and important instead of what seems pressing.” The Bishop is a wise man. In my experience, when I successfully carve out time for prayer every day, I am much better prepared to deal with the rigors of life. Unfortunately, I know firsthand that such discipline can be allusive, but pledging to do better is a great first step.
Next, we should pledge to follow in the steps of the Thessalonians as we strive to be an example to all believers and to start intentionally spreading God’s love in the world. Again, I know who we are as Episcopalians and I am not talking about taking to the streets with Bibles in hand, but I am reminded of the 1960’s song, “They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love”. Regardless of what you think of the song, the title sets a high bar for our behavior as Christians. When we see the faces of God in midst, on the bus, at the grocery store, walking the street or sitting on the corner, our job is to be loving and kind; flash the occasional smile to a stranger, say please and thank you to the gas station attendant, make eye contact with the homeless woman and say hello. Without openly evangelizing a single soul, the world will know that we are Christians by our love – it’s cheesy but true.
So far, I have asked us to make two pledges that have not cost you a penny, but now I ask you to give prayerful consideration to our support of this place, to ensure that this source of hope at the corner of 82nd and Pine remains a healthy and vibrant reflection of Christ’s love in the world. Rahab’s Sisters and Brigit’s Table, the dental van and coffee hour do not happen without the contributions of time, talent and treasure from this congregation. For those who feel called, you can help feed the hungry on Saturday morning, support women in crisis on Friday night or help out with the dental van one afternoon a month. Maybe you feel called to serve as an acolyte or a sub-deacon. Each of these things, and many more, are critical pieces of the ministry of this fine parish, everyone’s volunteer contribution is most welcome here. Of course, your treasure is critical as well and I ask you to spend some committed time in prayer as you consider the words of our offertory: all things come of thee, and of thy own have we give thee.
I am asking much of us this fall, to pledge our time to prayer, our love to our neighbors and our time, talent and treasure to Saints Peter and Paul. Moses proved to be a reliable steward of God’s faithfulness and so was rewarded with a glimpse of God’s passing image. We have been similarly rewarded through the incarnation of Christ and we have won the privilege of seeing God’s face everywhere we look. It is our job to build on the rich history and compassion of this parish, so that when God brings home the faithful with a cry from the dark saying congratulations, you are a winner, we will know that we have followed Moses as reliable stewards of God’s faithfulness.
Amen
Preached by Sean Wall, seminarian, Sunday October 16 2001
archived musings and preachments
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
A letter to the elders
Note: this is a homily preached by Academy student Joshua Kingsley both to the student body and to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church--good stuff for conversation between the generations...kn
Academy homily October 23, 2011
Joshua Kingsley
Has anyone been following the Republican field of presidential contenders lately? Regardless of one’s political leanings, it is entertaining theater to follow what is happening with this group of 8 ambitious people trying to obtain the highest office in the land. Sometimes I imagine Jesus being covered by a 24 hr news media trying to fill their time. I wonder if Jesus would be kind of like Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey, who has repeatedly declined to run for president... so much so that politico.com recently posted a 5:00 montage of all the times he has told the press he will not run. I can see the reports now of reporters asking Jesus, “Are you going to be the King of the Jews?” and Jesus saying no and the pundits talking about how Jess had “left the door open”. I wonder if Jesus would appear on Hard Ball or Meet the Press; Fox News or MSNBC? It would appear that “gotcha journalism” was alive and well in Jesus’ day. “Is it lawful to pay taxes”? This question might be asked by a tea party member or one of those 99%. It is so easy to put everything into two opposing categories, isn’t it? And it’s funny how those two categories aren’t really ever that far apart in the end. Jesus is quite genius in handling his detractors, maybe Sarah Palin could take notes. Jesus doesn’t have talking points, He has no handlers, He isn’t on anyone’s payroll and is not accountable to any voting block or demographic. Because of this, Jesus is able to smash the boxes given to him the “the world”. Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s...genius! What would it sound like if we uttered this idea today? Render unto George Washington what is George Washington’s? Render unto my work place what belongs to my work place. Render unto my family what belongs to my family. Render unto St. Stephen’s what belongs to St. Stephens. Render unto future generations what belongs to us.
I am 28 years old and I tend to work in three areas dominated by people much older than myself: Classical music, education, and the church. These are three institutions that are being shaken to their core by changes in the world. Now, people don’t often as me for my opinion as often as they tell m what should think. I have often thought about writing a letter to baby-boomers, the generation that includes my grandparents and parents. Keep in mind, generational boxes are about as useful as any other artificial categories, but here’s what it would say.
Dear Grandma, grandpa, mom, and dad,
How are things? I hope all is well. Things are going okay with my friends and me. Work is a little hard to find, but friends are easy. I have been thinking about some of the things I have read about you guys, and some of thing things I have experienced.
I was reading the other day that you are the first generation that grew up with TV. That’s kinda cool. It reminds me of being the first generation growing up with the internet. Did your parents feel the same way about TV that you do about the internet, computers, and smart phones? I have also read that your generation is the healthiest and most prosperous generation that has ever lived, generally expecting the world to get better. I feel like I should say thanks. Thanks for the great music, thanks for expanding the helping expand civil rights for all of us. We owe you a lot.
It has been interesting growing up with you. Most of my friends and I grew up in broken homes, that wasn’t too fun but I know sometimes things happen. We also see a world with a rapidly deteriorating ecology and a wrecked economy, a lot of this done by baby boomers. I have read that you grew up in a world dominated by two super-powers, American being one. I am living now in a world where I am a global minority, where I now compete with people from China, India, Europe, and Brazil for jobs that once only belonged to you. While so much in this world is better because of you, there is a lot that is scaring me. So many of the things I grew up with are not working: Church and government to name a few. I’m not in charge, but it seems like the discussions and arguments taking place have no relevance on the world I experience. People keep fighting battles from 30 years ago while my world is crumbling.
I have a favor to ask. You see, many of these changes that are happening in the world whether we like it or not. I don’t want to grow up in a world where these institutions don’t exist. I think they can be saved, but to do so we must recognize they won’t ever be the same again. We must render to the past what is the pasts’. Please help us to guide the world into the future. Thanks for everything,
We are entering a period in “the church” called stewardship season. Many of you probably got a letter this weekend asking you to support the ministry at St. Stephen’s through time, talent, and treasure; over the next month, you will be hearing about ways to support St. Stephen’s from the members of St. Stephens. Stewardship, like the rest of the church, is changing. We are moving from the annual fundraising system to a year round support system that will be a two-way street between the church and her parishioners. In addition to the usual letter and phone call that so many of us remember, you will also be invited to a social function from someone on the stewardship committee. This won’t be a pitch, but an honest-to-goodness construction of the friendship and family that ties us together through the Holy Spirit. This will be a time for us to bond and share our lives together, to connect in a little “us” time. St. Stephens asks for your stewardship, it’s only fair that St. Stephens provides some stewardship as well.
I can’t lie, many of you know that the budget of St. Stephens isn’t pretty and Mic can fill you in on all the details. The short version is that the average monthly pledge is $125 currently and to make our budget we’ll need that to be $170 to maintain our current level of operation. No games, no pleading, that’s the cold, simple math.
We can render to Ceaser what is Ceasar’s. To do so, we must render to God what is God’s. What that is, is something only we can answer on an individual level. From my generation to yours, from me to you: please don’t bail out yet. Please help us see the future and get there.
Academy homily October 23, 2011
Joshua Kingsley
Has anyone been following the Republican field of presidential contenders lately? Regardless of one’s political leanings, it is entertaining theater to follow what is happening with this group of 8 ambitious people trying to obtain the highest office in the land. Sometimes I imagine Jesus being covered by a 24 hr news media trying to fill their time. I wonder if Jesus would be kind of like Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey, who has repeatedly declined to run for president... so much so that politico.com recently posted a 5:00 montage of all the times he has told the press he will not run. I can see the reports now of reporters asking Jesus, “Are you going to be the King of the Jews?” and Jesus saying no and the pundits talking about how Jess had “left the door open”. I wonder if Jesus would appear on Hard Ball or Meet the Press; Fox News or MSNBC? It would appear that “gotcha journalism” was alive and well in Jesus’ day. “Is it lawful to pay taxes”? This question might be asked by a tea party member or one of those 99%. It is so easy to put everything into two opposing categories, isn’t it? And it’s funny how those two categories aren’t really ever that far apart in the end. Jesus is quite genius in handling his detractors, maybe Sarah Palin could take notes. Jesus doesn’t have talking points, He has no handlers, He isn’t on anyone’s payroll and is not accountable to any voting block or demographic. Because of this, Jesus is able to smash the boxes given to him the “the world”. Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s...genius! What would it sound like if we uttered this idea today? Render unto George Washington what is George Washington’s? Render unto my work place what belongs to my work place. Render unto my family what belongs to my family. Render unto St. Stephen’s what belongs to St. Stephens. Render unto future generations what belongs to us.
I am 28 years old and I tend to work in three areas dominated by people much older than myself: Classical music, education, and the church. These are three institutions that are being shaken to their core by changes in the world. Now, people don’t often as me for my opinion as often as they tell m what should think. I have often thought about writing a letter to baby-boomers, the generation that includes my grandparents and parents. Keep in mind, generational boxes are about as useful as any other artificial categories, but here’s what it would say.
Dear Grandma, grandpa, mom, and dad,
How are things? I hope all is well. Things are going okay with my friends and me. Work is a little hard to find, but friends are easy. I have been thinking about some of the things I have read about you guys, and some of thing things I have experienced.
I was reading the other day that you are the first generation that grew up with TV. That’s kinda cool. It reminds me of being the first generation growing up with the internet. Did your parents feel the same way about TV that you do about the internet, computers, and smart phones? I have also read that your generation is the healthiest and most prosperous generation that has ever lived, generally expecting the world to get better. I feel like I should say thanks. Thanks for the great music, thanks for expanding the helping expand civil rights for all of us. We owe you a lot.
It has been interesting growing up with you. Most of my friends and I grew up in broken homes, that wasn’t too fun but I know sometimes things happen. We also see a world with a rapidly deteriorating ecology and a wrecked economy, a lot of this done by baby boomers. I have read that you grew up in a world dominated by two super-powers, American being one. I am living now in a world where I am a global minority, where I now compete with people from China, India, Europe, and Brazil for jobs that once only belonged to you. While so much in this world is better because of you, there is a lot that is scaring me. So many of the things I grew up with are not working: Church and government to name a few. I’m not in charge, but it seems like the discussions and arguments taking place have no relevance on the world I experience. People keep fighting battles from 30 years ago while my world is crumbling.
I have a favor to ask. You see, many of these changes that are happening in the world whether we like it or not. I don’t want to grow up in a world where these institutions don’t exist. I think they can be saved, but to do so we must recognize they won’t ever be the same again. We must render to the past what is the pasts’. Please help us to guide the world into the future. Thanks for everything,
We are entering a period in “the church” called stewardship season. Many of you probably got a letter this weekend asking you to support the ministry at St. Stephen’s through time, talent, and treasure; over the next month, you will be hearing about ways to support St. Stephen’s from the members of St. Stephens. Stewardship, like the rest of the church, is changing. We are moving from the annual fundraising system to a year round support system that will be a two-way street between the church and her parishioners. In addition to the usual letter and phone call that so many of us remember, you will also be invited to a social function from someone on the stewardship committee. This won’t be a pitch, but an honest-to-goodness construction of the friendship and family that ties us together through the Holy Spirit. This will be a time for us to bond and share our lives together, to connect in a little “us” time. St. Stephens asks for your stewardship, it’s only fair that St. Stephens provides some stewardship as well.
I can’t lie, many of you know that the budget of St. Stephens isn’t pretty and Mic can fill you in on all the details. The short version is that the average monthly pledge is $125 currently and to make our budget we’ll need that to be $170 to maintain our current level of operation. No games, no pleading, that’s the cold, simple math.
We can render to Ceaser what is Ceasar’s. To do so, we must render to God what is God’s. What that is, is something only we can answer on an individual level. From my generation to yours, from me to you: please don’t bail out yet. Please help us see the future and get there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)