Title: Ordinary People

2/7/07 Epiphany 5, Year C

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-13, Luke 5:1-11

Rev. Joy R. Haertig

I have never been out on a fishing boat but I imagine it must be very hard and dirty work.

The fishing industry was very important in the communities where Jesus spent most of his time. But like many other jobs, it was highly taxed and run by strict rules. Even if you owned your own boat you did not own the right to fish, somebody higher on the totem pole held the strings to that right and a fisher would have to lease fishing rites from them.

And though the Romans enjoyed their fish, they thought it was a shameful way to make a living, even worse than being a shepherd.

Keeping these things in mind you can see Jesus, once again, spending his days among the common folk. People with little power or prestige in the traditional sense.

Yet Jesus obviously believed that these were the people that God would use to bring hope and light into the world. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

On Wednesday we held a memorial service here for someone that had spent the last 9 ½ years at the Richmond Beach Rehab facility just a few blocks away. His name was Bob. I did not know him prior to his death but his family contacted me to do the service since our church was so near the rehab. Right from the beginning I had a strong sense that it was important for us to hold that service – not just for the family but for the sake of the broader community.

It was a remarkable service for a number of reasons, but a few things in particular stood out for me.

He was no doubt a delightful and kind man. No one was a stranger whether a fellow resident at the rehab, a social worker, a visitor, or a caretaker. At least two men talked about how Bob had helped them through their recovery from alcohol addiction, having been an addict himself.

I have done many services in this sanctuary but never before have I seen so many people here in wheelchairs that came over from the rehab facility. It was a beautiful site to see, particularly knowing that many of those folk never have the opportunity to leave the facility except to go to a doctors appointment. Not only did they get to get out into the fresh air and come in honor of a good friend, the Gospel Band that had been in worship with us the Sunday before was asked to do the music! It was quite a celebration.

And never before have I seen so many employees come to a memorial service on behalf of one of their patients either. In fact ½ way through the service another 8 or more came in, I am sure they had just arrived to work and were given permission to come over to remember Bob.

The Memorial surfaced the people we might easily forget who are bringing light into our world and I found myself extremely thankful for this man named Bob who clearly valued the undervalued in a way that was deeply spiritual. An ordinary person living an extraordinary life.

Those who live in nursing home and rehab centers, adult family homes or assisted living, AND those who work there, are easily unnoticed and un(der)appreciated. I found myself deeply grateful to the people who live and work in these important places.

People in wheelchairs that are unable to live at home any longer, elderly who do not remember who they are. People who give baths and change bed pans. Therapists who work so patiently with tired or handicapped arms and legs or who teach us to talk again after a stroke. Nurses and social workers that help an individual or a family find their way through the maze of paper work and meeting special needs.

I know that we have many people in this congregation who do this kind of ministry in the world. Would you please stand so we can acknowledge and thank you?

And those that have care for loved ones that are ill or dying in their homes or gone to be with them on a regular basis – those who have given their love during extremely difficult and challenging times. Would you also stand?

Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

As I was overwhelmed with gratitude for all of this I then found myself overwhelmed with gratitude for the presence of this church and our willingness to open our doors to celebrate the life of a man named Bob, someone we never knew.

And the people in our church that take time out of their own lives to host the reception after the memorial or run the sound system, coming early to make sure everything is set up and running properly.

They all deal graciously with people they have never met who are sometimes bossy or worried with grief. These are the behind the scene folk in our church that worry about punch or turn on the heat so our guests are comfortable.

I am a firm believer that Memorial Services are one of the most important rituals we have in our society. Offering people a safe place to laugh, cry and celebrate the life of a loved one is one of the gifts a church can give to the world.

These are all amazing things that make the world a kinder place.

Mother Teresa once said,

“There is a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter. We sometimes lose sight of this force when there is suffering, too much pain. Then suddenly, the spirit will emerge through the lives of ordinary people who hear a call and answer in extraordinary ways.”

Jesus always ate, slept, taught and healed among ordinary people – people like Peter the fisherman because he knew that ordinary people were the ones that could and would bear the light in the darkness.

This week I am particularly thankful for ordinary people that do extraordinary things. Amen.