Pep-talks and halftime speeches stand out as a fascinating and sometimes unpredictable variable in the sporting world. Science cannot measure the impact that words have upon the emotions, outlook, and performance of athletes. When I was growing up playing sports and running I found that the most powerful words of-ten calmed me down and focused me rather than exciting me or getting me pumped up to perform. How about the words that Jesus spoke in today’s Gospel lesson? What kind of pep-talk was he giving to his disciples?
When Jesus sent out the seventy he said to them, “See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves” (Luke 10:3). WOW! Even when teams know that they are going to get destroyed on the playing field the coach will find some words to try and motivate her squad. Instead of sugar-coating the impending reality Jesus points to the truth of their forthcoming ministry: you do not have a chance on your own! Remarkably this is fantastically good news! Bear with me for a moment.
In the words Jesus spoke to the pairs of missionaries sent out into the world Jesus bid them to take no provisions, no food, no extra clothes, no smart phone, no maps, no safety net, NOTHING! In this way the Divine coach, so to speak, was preparing his team to practice the sacred sport of vulnerability. Jesus was not only challenging those seventy a couple thousand years ago. No, he speaks through time also to us. We too are called to lay down that which provides us safety and security, so that we may rely instead on the provision of God! What does this look like in modern times? I am so happy you asked!
Today we celebrate the ordination of Florence Li Tim-Oi, the first female priest within the Anglican Communion. She modeled reliance upon God in her persever-ance, her faithfulness, and her humility. If there was ever someone who was sent out like a sheep amidst wolves it was her, but throughout her life Florence found ways to continually bring peace to those whom she met, just like those disciples did long ago.
Li Tim-Oi, which means “beloved daughter” grew up in Hong Kong in the early 20th Century. When she received the Sacrament of Baptism at school she chose another name to be called. As she loved the life and work of Florence Nightingale she decided upon that name. Florence went to Union Theological College in Can-ton, and was later made a deaconess in 1941.
World events got in the way of her ministry as Japanese invaders occupied Hong Kong. Priests were unable to travel to where she lived as a result of the occupation, but the Bishop of Hong Kong the Rt. Rev. Ronald Hall decided that “God’s work would reap better results if [Florence] had the proper title” of being priest (Holy Women, Holy Men, 186). On January 25, 1944 in the midst of World War II as dan-ger lurked around Florence, she was made the first female priest in the Anglican Communion.
After war ceased her ordination drew much criticism. As she discerned what to do Florence humbly suppressed her own calling by not acting as a priest until the whole Anglican Communion recognized her order. She continued ministering in that time nonetheless. When communists came to power in 1949 Florence went to Beijing to further her own education and moved afterward to the Cathedral of Our Savior in Guangzhou. For sixteen years starting in the late 1950s all churches were closed as a Cultural Revolution swept through China. Florence had to work on farms and in factories during that time, but she never ceased her discipleship as she continued to minister to all whom she met through peace-bearing action.
In 1979 the churches reopened and Florence began again her public ministry. Then, two years later she traveled to Canada to visit her family. Then and there the Church finally fully licensed her as a priest in the Anglican Communion. After be-ing suppressed from practicing her rightful ministry for nearly forty years she was finally able to fully express her call! After craftily navigating many wolves this sheep of God finally was able to be who she was made to be!
Florence Li Tim-Oi exemplified for us how to live vulnerably in this world; howev-er, we may look at her life as something too monumental for us to emulate. God calls each of us through the words of Jesus to be sheep among wolves—meaning we must lay down our sense of comfort, convenience, and even security so that we may rely fully on God. This rarely happens all at once, but instead we would do well to practice a spiritual experiment. Take a look at your life, see if there is some-thing that you feel takes you away from loving God and loving your neighbor. Try cutting it out for a day, a week, or a month. Lent is right around the corner, which is the perfect time for becoming more sheep-like.
God calls us to be sheep in the midst of wolves. How will you be like Florence Li Tim-Oi? What will you jettison that keeps you from relying upon God? Where in your life can you become more vulnerable?
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