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16 Pentecost C, Proper 18, September 8, 2013
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14:25-33
The Very Rev. David R. Wilt
We cannot ignore that fact that we have a world yet once again teetering on armed aggression among nations. We cannot ignore the fact that little we say or do may have much influence on those who will make those decisions which will once again effect children and other innocent people. We could spend the whole day discussing what we should or should not do only to find ourselves ready for bed, exhausted, frustrated, perhaps a little more scared than we may be right now and have no clearer vision of what would be the best course to take.
I would not be doing my job if I were today to completely ignore what is happening in the world around us and express to you my distain for the atrocities that have already occurred, but also my reticence at the prospect of American resources once again being diverted from taking care of the social needs of our hungry and homeless, our displaced and our health and well being. Unfortunately no one from the White House or Congress has called to solicit my opinion or advice.
And so, I am left with what I have been called to do and that is to worry about the spiritual strength of this body of Christ that we so lovingly call Holy Trinity. I am left with working with you to answer the question of how do people choose discipleship and what does it look like when they choose it?
And so that brings us to this special Sunday here at Holy Trinity where we not only begin our yearly program of Christian education for both children and adults but we also pause to ask ourselves the question, “What our discipleship looks like?”
As you survey the many ministry opportunities showcased in the Parish hall after this service, and I surely hope you do whether you have been here for 60 years or if this is your first 60 minutes, because I think you will find a beautiful presentation of the diversity of ministry and people within this Body of Christ.
Some (even some Christians) would be delighted and comforted if I or someone else could tell them unequivocally that this specific way, the “David Way”, if you can imagine such a thing, will bring them into a deeper relationship with Christ. That would eliminate a lot of time searching. It would be something we would never have to reassess, to make sure it was having the proper impact upon us. It would be so simple that even the smallest child would know that it would be ridiculous to think it would work.
Discipleship, serving Christ, the means by which we are drawn closer to Christ are as diverse and varied as the colors in Joseph’s coat. The only thread of commonality among these many ministries are that they are all done in community.
Ministries as diverse as yoga, Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies, Music, Ushers, Altar Guild, Stewardship, Feeding the hungry either at St George’s or making peanut butter sandwiches, Outreach, intercessory prayer, acolytes and servers, book clubs, to name just some of those listed in the green booklet in your bulletin.
While the foundation of our community is indeed worship the richness of our relationships in community are in actively participating in ministry. Which one is right for you will be determined by what your discipleship looks like once you have chosen your ministry.
The cross with its vertical pole reaching upward, joining our humanity with the sacred, intercepted by the horizontal beam joining our humanity in concert with all other creations of God looks like a very simple concept. So simple, in fact, that the reality is that nothing can be that simple or easy.
On any given day we are not always right on that vertical pole. Our vibes with the almighty ebb and flo. There are mountain tops and there are deep valleys which pull us away from the vertical relationship with God.
Likewise, we are not always from day to day or hour to hour perfectly balanced on that horizontal beam connecting us to our fellow human beings. As much as we might like to think we are coexisting on that beam there are those whom we would be happy to push off or at least not believe they belong there.
So in reality, instead of the neat and tidy and efficient design of the cross, living into the gift and life of the one who died on it for us is not nearly as neat and tidy and efficient. Some days we may be clinging to the vertical post but far from the horizontal bar. Other days we may be right on the horizontal but far from the vertical. Most days we will be floating somewhere out in the region near the vertical and horizontal but not touching either
So likewise, the real church is not a neat tidy and efficient mirror of the cross. It is like an amoeba shaped around the cross moving in close and some days pulling out away.
The purpose of any ministry Whether it be one of study or reflection to deepen our awareness of God and people, or one of service to those less fortunate, is to bring us always closer to that point on the cross where humanity meets the divine, that is holiness. The purpose of any ministry is to make us effective disciples and better understand what that looks like. And, on those days when we are functioning as children of God we can draw others in—not to look or act the same but embracing the difference.
For each person it will be different.
There is often discussion in the church as to which is the “right “ way, the most effective way to pray, hands folded, hands up in the air, etc.
In fact an Episcopal priest, a Baptist minister, and a guru were having lunch one day discussing the best position for prayer, they were oblivious to a telephone repair man sitting at the next table, (who must have forgotten to put his orange cone by his table).
The priest said, “Well of course kneeling with your hands neatly folded like a little church is the best way.”
The minister said, “oh no, no, you must be standing with your arms stretched out to heaven”
“Your both wrong,” the guru said, “the most effective prayer position is lieing face down on the floor.”
With this the telephone repairman leaned over and said, “Excuse me but I don’t think any of you are right. The best prayin I ever did was when I was hanging upside down from a telephone pole.”
The same is true for ministries. Whatever is effective for you is the right ministry. But, like prayer, some form is necessary.
This is a morning of celebration here at Holy Trinity. As we seek to serve God it also prepares us for what is going on in the world about us. And, as we effectively participate in ministry there grows a sense of freedom that even as we continue to live in this world we are not captives of this world. And then our voice take on meaning, importance and have effect. Our voices draw others into that amorphous body we lovingly refer to as the Body of Christ.