May 25, 2008 Sermon
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Proper 3 - A
May 25, 2008 Allan Conkling
These readings provide a wonderful way for us to ease into summer. Far different than the challenging exhortations of Lent or Advent that call us to repent and forswear our sinful affections; or the stark reality of the Easter readings where fearful disciples huddled in the upper room. In contrast, these readings are kinder and gentler. They are hopeful. As inspiring as they are comforting:
I have written your name in the palms of my hands...
You will never be forsaken...
God will bring light the things now hidden in darkness...
God knows the inner places of our heart...
Each one will receive commendation.
And of course for anyone who has been to Cursillo and sung Hymn number 711:
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you.
Allelu, Alleluia."
These are Bible verses to make us feel and know that God is with us. When we find ourselves burdened by worry or anxiety we take comfort in knowing that God's design is so much grander than ours.
This is a good thing because as I read these passages I find just how often I fall short of the "kingdom". Oswald Chambers in his classic devotional "My Utmost for His Highest" likens our daily struggle with the cares and concerns of living like recurring waves of an invasion:
"If the frontline of attack is not about clothes and food, it may be about money or the lack of money; or friends or lack of friends; or the line may be drawn over difficult circumstances. It is one steady invasion, and these things will come in like a flood, unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the banner against it." (1/26)
Who does not have worries about tomorrow? Jesus calls those who strive for earthly things "Gentiles," a term for non-Jewish, Greek pagans. These days we have heard that term used by the FLDS to describe anyone who is not a member of their faith. From the FLDS vantage point, anyone on this side of the fence is hopelessly caught up in material world: We value possessions and power...we care about things more than we do about God. And perhaps in some sense they are right. Every age and culture has its prophets: the Buddha, Mohammad, the Mahatma Gandhi, Jesus, St. Francis, etc. Why? Because we worry about tomorrow! Our nature is to worry and think about material things. And those who don't we worry about! We must take care of our families, and be responsible citizens. We teach our children to think ahead, to plan for the future. God gives us intellect and resources, which to deny would be an example of bad stewardship. Furthermore God prospers the work of our hands, and gives us life to live in abundance. Just last week we heard the story of God giving humankind care of all things:
"Have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth..." (Genesis 1:28)
The point is to have balance and perspective.
In the garden on the evening before his death Jesus cried in anguish,
"I am deeply grieved, even to death...", and He prayed that if
possible the cup of suffering pass from him. (Matt 26:38-39). His
sweat we are told fell as though they were great drops of blood pouring
to the ground. (Luke 22:44). "Now my soul is troubled"
he said in
"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith"
If we allow "the cares of this world" to always enter in and always possess us we forget the "much more" of God's plan for us. If we forever look to material things to satisfy us we will be disappointed.
Are we experiencing the "much more" that God has promised? If not, then perhaps we should ask ourselves whether we have become overly cluttered with the "stuff" of this world, and with those concerns for which we have no control. Jesus finally said in the Garden, "Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done." (Luke 22:42)
So, pray to keep a balance in everything we do...and keep one another honest. In confidence and serenity may we, with joy serve God and glorify God in our living.
Copyright © 2003 Emmanuel Episcopal Church. All rights reserved.
Revised: 06/02/08