Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Shining a light to dispel the darkness

Sermon for Epiphany 3A – RCL



When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
have seen a great light,light has dawned.”


the people who sat in darkness 
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death 
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

For such a short passage from the Gospel of Matthew there is a lot going on!  Jesus has heard about his cousin’s arrest and leaves the population center of Nazareth and heads to the Sea of Galilee – where a whole lot of ministry will be going on.  Jesus picks up John’s call for all to “Repent, for the reign of heaven has come near”.   Followed by the calling of his first disciples.  Two sets of brothers. 

The geography in the story is important.  Matthew says Jesus is going to the land of Zebulun and Naphtali – places that do not exist now and did not really exist in Jesus time.  Jesus is going to the Promised Land.  Jesus is going to where two of the tribes of Israel settled and that has been the site of multiple occupations.  In Jesus’ time it was the Roman’s occupying the land.  Before that the Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks – and many more have occupied this land.  So into this land of multiple occupations Jesus declares that the Reign of God is come close.  That in the most unlikely of places God’s love is trying to break through the darkness.  Matthew makes it clear that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of the prophet Isaiah.  Matthew makes it clear that God is doing great things in the most unlikely places.  In a backwater of the Roman Empire Jesus is lighting a fire that will dispel the darkness.  And that light is still working to dispel the darkness.

This week saw the inauguration of Donald Trump as president.  Looking at the popular vote one can see that the nations is deeply divided with about half the voting population voting for each of the two candidates.  So for some Friday was a time of rejoicing.  But for others the rhetoric of deportation, walls, and reversals strikes fear. 

There was also much debate in social media on how a church that claims she wants to be prophetic and show the light of Jesus in this land, and affirm the dignity of all people as children of God, should behave.  One thread I followed asked if we should pray for the President by name or just the office.  I for one land on the side of praying for the president by name – whether I agree with the current holder of the office or not.  My prayer – for all those in authority – is that the Holy Spirit will open their eyes to the suffering around them and lead them to take actions that will affirm the dignity of all of God’s children.  That is my prayer for both democratic and republican leaders alike. 

Yesterday many people in many locations gathered for the Women’s march.  A march to affirm the dignity of all people.  I know many who marched – in many locations – including my husband and many clergy.  Actions that affirm the dignity of people are subversive.  And I believe that we as a church are called to take action to affirm the dignity of all people.  I – partially because I needed the time to write this sermon – choose to go to St. Paul’s, which is only several blocks from the capitol, and open her up for anyone who wanted to stop in for prayer and meditation.  Because for some marching might be too much and for some marching could induce a need for prayer.  

Jesus’s call that the reign of God is drawing near is a call that we are called to practice.  We – each and every one of us are called.  Called to shine a light.  Jesus called two sets of brothers to shine lights into the hearts of people.  Jesus calls his disciples away from fishing for fish to be fishers of people.  Jesus called ordinary people – and dare I say fairly low on the socioeconomic ladder, to be his disciples.  Fishing was a major activity but it was controlled by the ruling elite.  Perhaps that is why the brothers where so quick to respond and leave the trade!   And Jesus is calling us.

Perhaps all to often the church uses the word “called” as it relates to people who are ordained.  Ordained folk are called to a church.  Ordained folk talk about our call to ordained ministry.  So sometimes it seems that being called mean going into ordained ministry.  Which cannot be further from the truth.  All of us are called by God.  And all of us are called to ministry.  And that ministry is to live out our baptismal promises.  To help shine the light and dispel the darkness.  To continue in the apostles fellowship – in the breaking of the bread and in the prayers.  To respect the dignity of all of God’s people.

And everyone’s call is different.  Some are called to provide hospitality.  Some are called to remind the church that we are to operate differently than empire – whether it be the Roman empire or any Government.  We are called to turn a world where respect is suspect into a world where all are treated as called and as beloved children of God.  All are called and recognized by God as important. 

Jesus called Simon, Andrew, Zebedee and John to a ministry that called into question societal norms.  A ministry called to provide healing to a people who where under occupation.  A call to subversion in an unlikely way.  Not with force but with love.  Not with name-calling but with respect.  A ministry that opens eyes to God’s loving reign trying to break in.  Jesus called the people to turnaround – repent – to see that things can and should be different. 

Jesus calls the church and calls each one of us to subversive action.  A subversion that does not call for walls to be built but for walls to be torn down.  A subversion that calls for ministry not just in the city centers but in the out of the way areas.  A subversion that feeds people who are hungry.  A subversion that clothes people who are naked.  A subversion that calls us to act differently!  A subversion that calls us to see all people as beloved children of God and worthy of respect.  And yes even those we don’t like and even those we feel are doing damage to our society we are called to treat as children of God. 

We are called – each and every one of us – here on this corner and in every place to continue Jesus’ ministry.  A ministry summed up in our Gospel reading as  “teaching …and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.”


Amen

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