Sermon for September 27, 2020 - The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost - Proper 21A - The Ven Pat Zifcak
We are in the time of the prophets. Each one called to carry God’s specific message to a particular people. Each one so distinctive, so responsive, if not always willing at first. Jeremiah cried to God to save him from persecution, Jonah ran, and today we meet Ezekiel. It is likely that he was among Jerusalem’s aristocracy deeply steeped in Israel’s legal tradition and well equipped to argue with his audience of exiles that they have not been cursed by the actions of their ancestors to live without hope. Often the prophets are sent to those who have forgotten that all lives belong to God and God will judge them by their actions. The message we know best is “turn from your wickedness and live.” The Judeans are a people who believe they have no power in themselves to save themselves. It is not that they have forgotten whose they are; they have forgotten that God will judge them on their own merits, not on the sins of their ancestors, that a change of heart is always possible, and most importantly, God does not desire the death of anyone. Repent and return to God.
In these days of pandemic, political unrest, isolation, and great uncertainty, some are asking if God has sent these plagues to test us, to punish us, to remind us, to teach us that our lack of care for one another, our short-sightedness, our self-interest have consequences.
In the gospel this morning, I am reminded of the tradition of debate among rabbis. They argued and still argue their texts from conservative and liberal points of view to open them to greater understanding, not just among the rabbis but among all who listened. There is an openness to their texts and traditions that I wish were more a part of our own. We seem to leave debate in the hands of scientists and politicians. If we were more accustomed to studying our texts and more open to argument, it might be our practice to live them in our daily lives.
The question that the chief priests asked Jesus was not inappropriate. They were responsible for the faith, morals, and institutional lives of the people. Jesus arrived in the city drawing large crowds curious about him and already asserting quiet authority. Of course the question and concern about who he is has to be addressed. Their question, though, was about credentials, about position and power. Such a debate requires integrity and instead it was prompted by self interest and Jesus answered their question with a question. The elders then were faced with the real question of their response to God’s invitation to repent and live their lives according to God’s desire for them. It is humility that makes life in God’s kingdom possible. It is humility that makes life in community possible.
Humility was a defining characteristic of Jesus. “Not my will but thine,” “Let it be according to thy will”, yet Jesus understood his authority, his worth as an exemplar, an enabler. Humility doesn’t require that we negate our self-worth, disown our talents and abilities, or falsely deny them when they are acknowledged. All of that would be an affront to the God who created us. It is not the common definition of humility as lowness that we are meant to understand. It is humility as a source of wisdom, as a response to our smallness in relation to the vastness of the universe, as an acceptance of our limitations in the company of others, and as an acknowledgement of one greater than we. The power of humility is in the relationships it makes possible. Humility makes room for love and love builds community.
The Philippians are a well established community and by their constant support of Paul have endeared themselves to him. Even with that strong relationship, Paul’s long absence has eroded their unity and solidarity. In his letter, Paul calls them once more to a common purpose and a common mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit. In humility, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Remember that God is at work in you.
Remember! No matter where we begin, no matter how deep our understanding of scripture, no matter our skills of interpretation, what we are called to do is remember. Remember that we are not bound by the sins of our ancestors, we are not bound by the mistakes of yesterday, we are not bound by self-interest, pride, fear, anxiety or any other limitation that prevents us from living our lives as God intends.
Remember that all lives are God’s and we always have the freedom to begin again. Remember, too, that in this community of St. Paul’s we have all that we need to strengthen our capacity to respond in humility and love to one another and to the stranger. Live the life God has given us by the example of Jesus, a life of humility, affection, compassion, mutual encouragement, and above all these, love. We have the tools to build the beloved community if we have the desire to do it. Let us pray that God will make it so. Amen.