June 21, 2009 Sermon
This page is offered for those unable to attend the service or who would like more time to study the message.
Proper 7 - B 2009
June 21, 2009 Allan Conkling
This morning, we have two great Bible stories that I remember as a kid from my days in vacation Bible school, maybe you do too.
David and Goliath! Do they still teach kids that story any more? I will have to ask Jane. Reading it with adult eyes it seems so violent, to say nothing about it doing little to improve Jewish-Palestinian relationships. But oh, I loved hearing about David and Goliath! Growing up has always been difficult. It is even more so these days. Hence the popularity of action adventures, when the good wins out over evil. That is why we love to hear the "Cinderella stories" of a team coming from behind to win the playoffs, or a shepherd boy slaying the giant. It gives us a sense that all is not lost. There is a chance to come out ahead. For most of us though, life is not charmed. When problems arise, we simply have to do our best to endure them.
And yet we know that as we go through life we do not travel alone. God is our protector. As David said,
"You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord."
The story of Jesus stilling the storm is another example of hope and protection for believers. One early depiction of the church in Christian art was as a boat, having a mast in the shape of a cross. Some churches are built in the shape of a boat. The word "nave" comes from the word for "navy" or "navigate".
Today, all around us, many feel they are being buffeted by the fury of winds and waves. The storms of life cause many to feel tempest-tossed, threatening to capsize and break apart. Even in our churches, depending upon your point of view, we are either sailing toward the future, or we are going down for the third time. Where do we turn for help and guidance?
Each of our scripture readings this morning point us to a Creator and sustainer God, who is, at once, beyond all measure yet immanently involved and as close to us as our next breath. This God is in the business of restoring order to chaos, bringing health and reconciliation to the storm ravaged, and bringing peace to the troubled soul. What Good News, to know that there is a God who loves us and cares for us!
In this life things happen, sometimes for no reason that we can ever understand. Paul gives that comprehensive list in 2 Corinthians:
"Afflictions, hardships calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger..."
To which we can add:
Illness, death of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job, a failing stock market, loneliness, depression, addiction, and on and on.
We can ask why. We can become angry or embittered. We can shrink back in fear. But it is precisely in these moments, in the midst of turmoil, that Christ rebukes the wind and waves, saying, "Peace! Be still!"
Yet as always, along with words of comfort for the Christian come words of challenge. For the story does not stop with the calming of the storm. Seeing the frightened disciples huddled in the vessel, what does Jesus do but turn and rebuke them: "Why are you afraid?" "Don't you have any faith at all?" The Lord shatters the notion that faith is about solace only, and not renewal.
We are human, so anxiety, fear, worry are part of our natural emotions. To deny them would not be healthy. But for the Christian they are never the last word. God, the ruler over the entire universe is also Lord over the things in our life as well. Christ who calms the storms speaks peace to the hurts, the fears, the dark nights of our souls, bringing comfort and consolation. He then calls us to grow--to live by faith, love for his sake, and proclaim his goodness to the world around us. In our church as in our life, our family, our work, our home, it is here that true peace, comfort will be found.
Copyright © 2003 Emmanuel Episcopal Church. All rights reserved.
Revised: 07/07/09