Step Out of the Shadow

This sermon was preached on the transferred Feast Day of Saint Andrew, Apostle of Jesus. The readings which inspired the sermon were the following:
Romans 10:8b-18
Matthew 4:18-22
Psalm 19 or 19:1-6
Here in Decatur there are a couple of pertinent questions that people ask someone whom they’ve never met. “Where are you from?” “What church do you go to?” and “Who are you kin to?” It took me some time when I moved here to get accustomed to such questions. While all three of these inquiries are helpful, today I want to zoom in on the third.

Understanding family connections is crucial. As a parishioner once told me, “Make sure you who someone is related to in the church before you say anything about anyone else.” While I would take it further to challenge myself and us all to speak with kindness about everyone, I get that parishioner’s sentiment. Family connection is crucial, especially here in the South. This lesson emerged in my own childhood going to camp.

When I first went to Camp Winnataska I loved it. I wanted to go back any chance I had. However, I wasn’t the only one in my family who had a great love for camp. My great grandmother was one of the first campers there. My grandmother and mother had gone there. And, my sister, who is eight years older than me, was an older camper, then a leader, and a staff member there. So, even though I had my own relationship with camp, I was almost always introduced as Elin’s younger brother.

Over the years though, that introduction changed. When my sister stopped being on staff and served as a director (only one week of the summer) the connection shifted. My elder sibling was introduced as Seth’s older sister. While this may not seem like much, that shift made a huge impact on me. I had stepped out of the shadow of my sister and had my own identity. Similarly I believe we must take the saint whom we celebrate today out of the shadow of his brother to celebrate him for who he truly was.

Today we remember Saint Andrew, an Apostle of Jesus. Often we recall first and foremost that Andrew was Simon Peter’s brother. However, as soon as we do this, we overlook almost every aspect of Andrew’s life and ministry. In doing this we miss the example that today’s saint gives us for living a life dedicated to living out of Christ’s grace and love.

Andrew, according to Saint John’s telling of the story—and we like Saint John here—was a disciple of John the Baptist. One day the Baptizer pointed out Jesus to Andrew and another disciple, saying “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). Instead of hanging back, and perhaps waiting on his brother, Andrew began following Jesus around, spending time with Him, and even believing Him to be the Messiah. Andrew so quickly believed that he went to his brother Simon to share this good news with him. Without Andrew, we would have no Simon Peter.

Saint Andrew was the first disciple, an evangelist to the disciples, and one who stayed right outside of the spotlight. However, if we simply forget his ministry, then we may forget our own calling to bring others to Christ. When many were hungry and had nothing to eat, Andrew found a little boy with fish and loaves. When in Matthew’s Gospel account Jesus called Andrew he immediately responded by leaving his fishing nets to follow Our Lord. When in his latter ministry he faced persecution and eventually martyrdom Andrew did not shy away from living into his calling.

We sometimes make it out to say that Andrew lived in the shadow of Simon Peter. We might sometimes introduce Andrew as Peter’s brother. However Andrew’s pioneering belief in Jesus, his ability to bring others to Christ, and his lasting faith even in persecution makes him stand alone. Saint Peter? Yes, that’s Saint Andrew’s brother!

Pure Gold

“King Jesus Is All” is one of my favorite songs from the camp where I grew up spending my summers (Camp Winnataska). The male staff members would “sing” it, or rather scream it on Saturday mornings right before the campers were sent home. While serving on staff I loved the song because it was so energizing, but now I love the lyrics for another reason.

“King Jesus is all (King Jesus is all)!

My all in all (My all in all)!

I know he’ll answer (I know he’ll answer)!

Me when I call (Me when I call)

Walking by my side (Walking by my side)!

I’m satis-fiiii-ied (I’m satisfied)!

King Jesus is all (King Jesus is all)!

My all in all (My all in all)!”

 “Weeellllllllll!

“I went out to meet the Lord (Oh yeah)!

I got down on my knees (Oh yeah)!

I prayed my best prayer,

And the Holy Ghost met me there!

I stepped on the Rock,

The Rock was sound,

And the Love of Lord Jesus came tumbling down

The reason I know

HE SAVED MY SOUL

I dug down deep and I found pure gold

And He’s all

King Jesus is all…”

Repeat

(Music and lyrics unverified in public domain)

These words describe enthusiastically a moment of conversion. Of course, not all times when our beings shift look like this, or happen like this. We might not even want to call it conversion, we might call it when we remember meeting God for the first time or the time when we really meant what we prayed. Still we do not all meet Jesus when we break down and fall on our knees—yes, that is a great place to find him. We might happen upon God when we are out in Creation, when we hear a tear-wrenching song, after we struggle through a period of faithlessness, or a million other moments that change the course of our lives. And yet, I think the best line in this song about conversion is one of its last. “I dug down deep and I found pure gold.” But, we’ll come back to that line in a moment. For now, let’s look at the moment of conversion in our Gospel lesson.

In today’s Gospel lesson we hear John the Baptist describing the Baptism of Jesus—an affirming moment of conviction for John—but, then the story goes on to depict Andrew and another one of John’s disciples being curious about who this Jesus person was. When Jesus noticed these men following him he asked them, “What are you looking for?” The first word out of their mouths gave away their deep desire, as they said, “Rabbi,” which of course, means teacher. They were looking for someone to awaken them, to help them learn about God, and maybe even to help them know that God knows them and loves them fully.

Strangely enough they followed up their acknowledgment that Jesus was a teacher with an odd question. “Where are you staying?” they asked. I find this question puzzling. Maybe it would be better if it were translated more existentially, “Teacher, where are you being?” as in show us how to be like you. While that is probably what they meant Jesus responded in the most gracious way imaginable, “Come and see!” How perfect! Jesus’ first disciples were received not by confessing a lengthy creed, not by adhering to a list of dogmas, nor by being asked to complete any sort of cultic rituals. Rather, the Word made flesh called his first disciples by an invitation to be curious!

Jesus modeled for us the way to draw in others into the life of Christ in this simple phrase. Evangelism used to be a scary word in the Episcopal Church. For some, it still is. However, now that we have a Presiding Bishop in Michael Curry who yearns for us to take hold of our identity as a distinct part of the Jesus Movement the E-word is no longer a dirty one. Still we are getting our bearings as to how we do this, like baby deer taking their first awkward steps we are learning our way. The head of our movement, that is Christ Jesus, made evangelism simple: “Come and see!”

Come and see what is going on in Jesus’ ministry in this part of the world. Come and see what God has in store for us. Come and see that God’s work is being done here and now. When people are skeptical about what we do as Episcopalians and members of St. John’s, we can very easily say, “Come and see!” This can be what we share with others when they want to know more about life in Christ. Come and see! Come and see what is happening in my life. Come and see what God is doing in this ministry that I love. Come and see the Church living, breathing, and thriving at the Burning of the Greens! Come and see the great work of the Outreach Grants Committee! Come and see a church that is growing in number, in generosity, in faith, and in action!

And yet, this invitation from Jesus is not just one about the external works that we do here at St. John’s or in the Church Universal. To return to that song lyric, “The reason I know that he saved my soul/Is I dug down deep and I found pure gold,” the journey to which Jesus invites us is not simply about building onto our beautiful church. Yes, that is very much part of it, but it’s more than that. Throughout our Capital Campaign we challenged each other to see this as an opportunity to grow spiritually. And if we did not grow in this way the campaign would be a failure. We may be shifting into a different phase post-campaign, but the invitation remains.

Today, tomorrow, and always Jesus invites us to come and see. Come and see the pure gold shining within your own soul. Spend some time dwelling inside yourself digging deep down to reveal the relationship with Christ that already is! We have difficulty in our culture doing any sort of interior work. We would rather be active, going, and doing, but part of our journey with Jesus calls us to meet God within our own souls. Sabbath, Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, the Daily Office, Solitude, Retreats, Walking/Hiking/Running, and so many others are vehicles to help us find that inner gold. There is no one-size-fits-all spirituality, but there are countless ways to meet Jesus within. This is the place where we may very well be converted into a more mature disciple.

Jesus says, “Come and see.” We are invited not just to be evangelists who call others to come and see what we are doing here, but we are also called to plumb the depths within ourselves. How will you dig down deep and find the pure gold that already exists within you? How will you heed Jesus’ call to come and see even within your own heart? Dig down deep and find pure gold, because he’s all, King Jesus is all, our all in all and he invites each of us to come and see!

Road Trip!

Photo courtesy of http://bit.ly/1wSwpFQ

Audio for this sermon can be found here.

Have you ever been on a road trip… with someone that you just met? Not someone you have been friends with for a year or two, or even a couple of months. I mean, have you ever been on a road trip with someone that you JUST met? I have not even come close to this, and what is worse, I cannot even imagine doing this, as I am the type of person who brings with me everything and the kitchen sink when I travel. Although I was not a boy scout, I live by their motto: “Be prepared.”

The gospel lesson for today seems to fly in the face of this motto, as it is in essence the beginning of a spontaneous road trip. Last week we heard the story of Jesus calling Simon, Andrew, James, and John, and this week’s tale follows immediately after the fishers becoming fishers of men. I like to think about how four fishermen would have gotten along traveling with the Son of God. Talk about a great reality TV show! Did James and John get into some sibling rivalries, like later when they would fight over who gets to sit at Jesus’ right hand? Did Andrew ever get tired of Simon seeking to be Jesus’ pet? What did Jesus make of these dirty, smelly fishermen? If there were any fireworks early on during the journey we do not get a whiff of them. Instead, we hear that this group of men made their first stop on the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee at a synagogue meeting. What happens there indicates to us that this will be unlike any journey that these fishermen (or anyone else for that matter) have ever been on before.

At the synagogue meeting Jesus begins teaching, but his words strike directly to the heart of those who are listening. The religious leaders who typically gave teachings at the synagogue, the scribes, seemed lacking in light of Jesus. Those who heard Jesus were astounded at his teaching. The one attribute that stands out about Jesus’ teaching Mark highlights writing, “For he taught them as one having authority.”

All of a sudden a man comes into the synagogue meeting, a man who was possessed by demonic forces. The gang of demons within cannot keep quiet immediately yelling at Jesus, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?” What must the disciples have been thinking? “I left my job for this? A religious meeting with this crazy guy bursting onto the scene!” Yet it is here that the demon correctly identifies Jesus, “I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” The disciples were not present at Jesus’ baptism, so they did not hear God’s voice from on high, they just left everything and followed Jesus.

At the beginning of Mark’s gospel we did hear God’s words at to Jesus, “You are my Son, the beloved, with you I am well pleased." Remembering Christ's baptism illuminates the irony of this encounter with the unclean spirit. The Son of God consumed by the Spirit of God comes face-to-face with a man occupied by a spirit of Demons. Jesus wasted no time in arguing with the demons, as he rebuked the unclean spirit. Yet, the word for rebuke might come off too weak. This was not a verbal slap on the wrist, but was all encompassing and thorough conquering. Like elsewhere in the Old Testament where God defeated the forces of Satan, Jesus again puts down an enemy of God. Certainly we can feel good for this man possessed by demons, he’s been saved, but in this moment Jesus’ healing is not just about getting better. Something new happened when the man filled with God’s Spirit came in contact with the man full of demons.

We can be so focused on the exorcism in this scene that we completely missed the words that the demon possessed man uttered. “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?” Maybe this is the demons fighting for their place, but I believe something else is going on when Jesus says, “Be silent and come out of him!” To teach with authority would have certainly “astounded” the disciples, but the convulsing man and the spirits crying as they fled would have shown the disciples that they were not just following an inspiring teacher.

Something brand new happened in the middle of this synagogue meeting. Jesus calls out the status quo. All that was stale or old or counter to God’s work consumed that demon possessed man. In the course of one profound statement Jesus calls out this tendency to just hang onto the status quo: Be silent and come out of him. This was the roadmap that this spiritual road trip was to follow: Inspiring teaching was to be proclaimed, healing was to happen, and the forces that ran contrary to God’s blossoming Kingdom were to be defeated! And the good news for us is that the journey that Jesus began with the disciples he continues with us.

All of us can be bound up by something that runs against God’s grain. We can all be possessed. Perhaps not by demons like this man, but we can be consumed by material possessions (the things we own, own us too!), addictions, obsessions, lies, guilt, shame, and all of those things that deny the will of God.

The words Jesus spoke to cast out the demons cut to our core as well: “Be silent and come out!” The consuming forces were no longer to speak. How many times do we make excuses for those things that keep us from a deepening relationship with God? I will stop and help the stranger in need some other day, I will pray with God next week, I will read my Bible when I have time, I will give more to God’s work in the world when I have more to give… Our demons may not look like stumbling into a church shouting at the preacher, but that does not mean they do not exist.

Christ began a journey with a ragtag group of fishers long ago, but He yearns to walk with us too. Jesus wants to unbind us from all that consumes us. Our Savior silences all our distractions, so that He can cast down all those obstacles, and show us clearly that we are no longer bound by any enemies of God. Instead we are called not just to be part of a church but to follow Christ on this expedition that brings fully to life God’s life-giving, world-transforming, love-filled Kingdom. Drop everything because Jesus wants to go on a road trip with you!

Respect My Authority!

Eric Cartman from South Park impersonating a police officer

What is wrong with this picture? I am starting off this post about this coming Sunday's gospel lesson with a picture of Eric Cartman dressed as a police officer from the Comedy Central TV show South Park. Why, oh why, would I do something like this? 

Early on in Mark's Gospel account Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John (we actually heard that story last Sunday), inviting them to follow him. Right after this Jesus begins teaching at the synagogue, which was probably not a building so much as a gathering of religious people. From Mark's telling of the story the religious authority of the day, the scribes, were not too impressive. They were without power. Jesus, on the other hand, commanded respect. Not only did he teach with might, he also healed with convincing results.

During the middle of Jesus' instruction a man with an unclean spirit stumbles upon the religious gathering. This distracting figure even calls out Jesus saying, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." I will save speculating on what the meaning of the unclean spirit is for another day, but regardless this would have been a critical and potentially deflating moment for Jesus' message and ministry. If he does not respond to the man with the unclean spirit, then all of his teaching with authority will be deflated like a pin popping the balloon that is Jesus' ministry. Yet, Jesus responds by rebuking the spirit saying, "Be silent and come out of him!" The man convulses, the spirit screams, and healing happens. So what does any of this have to do with Cartman?

In the episode in which Eric Cartman impersonates a police officer, the school boy usurps a sense of power behind the make believe badge. He uses one of his most readily available skills, that is being a bully, to coerce others into doing what he wants them to do. While it is funny to hear him say, "RESPECT MY AUTHORITAY!" This is not a commanding moment so much as it is a desperate demand. For no one in a position of power actually gave Cartman the right to police others, his farcical actions bring to the surface a legitimate question about power and authority: Is power something that is given to us or is it something that is earned?

Specifically this question makes me think of politicians, military officers, and police personnel, but also CEOs, other business executives, and even ministers. Do those in positions of power hide behind the authority vested in them or is it possible to earn a sense of respect from others without any favorable position? To me the person of Jesus, who came from a humble background, never asked to receive others' respect. His behavior, his words, and his actions all fell in line with one another, and they all commanded devotion from almost everyone he met. Cartman, and many of us who fear that we truthfully do not have power on our own, must say something like, "RESPECT MY AUTHORITY!"

Of course, we may not always notice when someone is worthy of respect, worthy of honor, and worthy of praise. We are all capable of mistakenly overlooking the power vested in others being who they were meant to be; however, the person of Jesus leaves little doubt in my mind that we respect his authority. In Mark's Gospel God says to Jesus, "This is my Son, the beloved. With him I am well pleased." The author of this text did not make clear if anyone else other than Jesus heard these words. Certainly if they had they would respected him. Yet, Jesus' life seems to fulfill the words from on high. Through calling followers and revealing to the synagogue not only power-filled teaching, but also authoritative healing Jesus never had to say "RESPECT MY AUTHORITAY!" His entire life and ministry said it (and still says it) for him!