Title: What to do?
7/2/06 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr. B
Mark 5:21-43
Rev. Joy R. Haertig
Last week I shared my anger and anguish at how we so often use God's name to justify our use of violence to settle differences. My words seemed to hit a chord for many of you as we struggle with so many current issues in our national and international politics. Many of us are angry and we wonder what we can do to help turn things around so today is a kind of Part II to last weeks message.
Today's Gospel reading from Mark might give us some important clues on what we can as people of faith. We learn by watching Jesus' behavior with the woman who was considered unclean and the child that was near death.
What do we see in these stories?
To follow the way of Jesus we are to remain open and available to those on the edges of society.
We are to be willing to voice our opinions in working towards a more just society.
We cannot stand on the sidelines while another person suffers.
We can be God's hands and heart in the world today.
The purpose and fulfillment of life is not just found in looking out for number one.
Jesus was a great one for sticking his neck out and being willing to touch the untouchables whether it was about people or issues.
He didn't appear to care how others judged his perspectives or his actions because he had turned his heart over to God and God's ways.
He didn't give up and he didn't give in.
BUT -
He did seek a balance in his life between outward action and inward prayer and meditation. He went on walks to be alone and he broke bread and drank wine with people he loved and as a way of making friends of strangers.
Though Jesus would sometimes speak to a crowd on a hilltop he most often ministered to one person at a time knowing full well that one person's healing and inclusion could ultimately impact many others. He sought to serve as a vessel of God's love and compassion in the particular situations he found himself in and that tugged at his God-driven vision of the Kingdom.
Another spiritual master once said that “love does not come to those who seek it but to those that give it away.”
As we wonder what in the world we can do in the midst of our discouragement and anger at the current state of affairs - that is what we can learn from Jesus - give love. Not mushy passive love but a love that works for justice and builds community.
Give love. Beware of getting stuck in negativity and hopelessness. Give love.
Love might take the shape of calling up your Senators and Representatives or knocking on their doors. Be the squeaky wheel! Write letters to the editor.
Sometimes love takes the shape of being a part of a care-team for someone with AIDS. I was delighted when 8 people volunteered from our congregation to be on a team - we need only two more to make it a complete team.
Sometimes love takes the shape of trying to own up to your own racist attitudes and behavior and being intentional about spending time with people of color or volunteering to help new immigrants learn to read English while you learn about their culture of origin. There was a wonderful article in the paper this morning about a Caucasian farmer in the Nisqually area who has gone into partnership with a Hispanic immigrant who began as a foreman on his farm many years ago. The foreman did not speak English and the owner did not speak Spanish - now they speak both and the single Caucasian farmer has found a family to love.
Sometimes love takes the shape of helping you parent find their way through the maze of Medicare and advocating for them when they visit their doctors.
For U.S. Army First Lieutenant Ehren K. Watada, love took the shape of refusing to report to duty in order to prepare to fly to Iraq. He is joining a number of high-ranking military officers and current and former members of the armed services who are expressing their opposition to the actions of the United States in Iraq. Sometimes love means saying “no”.
Sometimes love takes the shape of financial giving.
This week I read about Alice Cunningham in the PI. Alice was always involved in caring for the environment and social justice issues but she didn't really consider philanthropy until she hit her 40's and 50's when she began to see the world differently and she had the paycheck to make a difference. The journalist quotes her as saying: “You get to a certain age when you're no longer a guest, but a host on the planet. You're not just 'OK, what's in it for me'.”
For Alice, love is taking the shape of both time and money.
We had a recent report from the crew that is walking across America with the Progressive Christian organization called “CrossWalkAmerica”. Their love is taking the shape of walking across the country to talk with others about an emerging Christianity that is not exclusive. They are finding a great deal of interest and hospitality as they walk and often from the least suspecting people. Love opens doors.
I told you about the writer Anne Lamott a few weeks ago, she is the one who prayers to Jesus and hears him answer, “Hi hon”. She is a delightful writer and I want to share with you one of the stories in her recent book called Plan B, Further Thoughts on Faith (Riverhead Books, New York, 2006). It is her birthday and she has started the day feeling quite down about the state of the country and she is having a hard time even getting out of bed when she calls her priest friend Tom on the phone. I'll begin the story with that phone call: (Pg. 7 forward)
Closing:
Sometimes the best thing we can do in response to our anger and discouragement is to open our hearts and lives to the possibility that each day brings to be vessels of God's abundant love instead of closing ourselves off in fear or negativity. Being open to love rather than living in fear can be an act of incredible civil disobedience!
Amen.