THETWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR C (PROPER 13)

LUKE 12:32-40

AUGUST 7, 2016

ST. AUGUSTINE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

MORROW, GEORGIA

THE REVEREND BARRY GRIFFIN

“TOTIN”, “TUMPIN”, AND “FIXIN’ TO”

Many of you read the daily devotional booklet Forward Day by Day. In last Wednesday’s Forward Day by Dayentry the author wrote: “I am originally from East Tennessee where we use the expression “fixin’ to get ready” to imply that someone is thinking about doing something but not actually doing anything yet. She or he is lollygagging, sitting on the fence, trying to decide whether to “fish or cut bait.” Jesus seems to spend quite a bit of time telling us to get with the program, commit to a course of action, and follow him.

“The writers of the gospels show us over and over that Jesus’ call to action is urgent.”

This author’s East Tennessee expression “fixin’ to get ready” reminds me of a breakfast conversation some years ago. It happened at the Forest Park Farmers’ Market. Back then St. Augustine’s had a Men’s Breakfast Group that met Saturday mornings at the Farmers’ Market restaurant.

Some of you will remember those days. At some point we men decided to invite women, and some joined us. Kate Jones showed up, as did Veronica Ridenhour.

It was a lively group. We had lots of good food and lots of bad cholesterol. Those were the days when I enjoyed country ham. I remember those days very well and with a deep, deep sigh. Loved that country ham.

Anyway, our breakfast group had no particular agenda. We discussed anything and just about everything.

I don’t remember how we got onto it, but one day we began to discuss funny or quirky words we used back when we were kids. I hadn’t thought of those things in years, and they made me smile. For instance, when I was young I would “carry” something if it was light. But if it was heavy, I would “tote” it. Have you ever toted anything? A glass of milk or iced tea could be knocked over. It could also be “tumpted” over. Have you ever tumpted something over?

Growing up, we sometimes said, “I’m going to do” this or that. But we also said, “I’m fixin’ to do” this or that. I’m fixin’ to do it.

I’m fixin’ to go to the store. I’m fixin’ to go to bed. Or as my mother sometimes said, “Barry, I’m fixin’ to wring your neck!”

That always got my attention.

With that, all the Southerners at the table laughed big time. They knew just what I meant. Chuck Dale didn’t laugh. Chuck’s from Wyoming. He said, “You’re right. I never heard “I’m fixin’ to” until I moved to Georgia. What’s that about?”

Before I could answer Veronica jumped right in. She said, “Where I grew up people never said “I’m fixin’ to.” We said, “I’m fittin’ to.” I’m fittin’ to do whatever.

The table roared, and Veronica got a better laugh than I did. She got a better laugh, and I was just about fixin’ to excommunicate her. But I didn’t. ‘Cause if I did that, I knew she just might wring my neck!

Whether it’s going to, fixin’ to, or fittin’ to, it’s not the same as actually doing something. Doing something is different. It’s not about thinking about doing something. It’s doing something. It’s taking action. It’s getting off the fence. It’s getting on with the program.

Today’s gospel is about getting on with the program. It’s about vigilance.

“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; belike those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert… You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

So what’s it mean to be ready and alert? What does it mean to be vigilant?

Here’s what I think it means. I think it means living in the moment, understanding that any moment could be your last. I think it means not taking life for granted; not being careless with the days you are given; not pining for the past nor yearning for tomorrow; being awake, not asleep.

I think it means living a life of mindful awareness and thanksgiving: an awareness of and thanksgiving for all God’s blessings in your life.

I think it means getting more involved with others and less involved with yourself. There are many, many ways to do that. At St. Augustine’s there’s the Path to Shine mentoring program. There’s the Prayer Shawl Ministry. There’s service on the vestry. There’s cutting the grass. There’s teaching our kids. There are many other ways to get involved in this church and beyond these church doors. Look at the world out there. Are the hurts of this world any less than your personal pain or disappointments?

I think it means not feeling sorry for yourself.

I think being ready, alert and vigilant means being generous and forgiving: generous and forgiving toward others and generous and forgiving toward yourself.

I think it means understanding that our days here are numbered and if we intend to do something, now is the time to do it, not tomorrow. Not tomorrow. Not tomorrow. Today.

Blessed are those whom the master finds alert.

Are you alert? Are you paying attention to life? Or are you letting life slip away unappreciated, day by day?

Don’t be careless. Don’t take life for granted. Live in the moment, not the past, and not the future. Be awake in the right now.

Be aware of your blessings and thank God for your blessings. They are many.

Be generous and forgiving. People have been generous to you. People have forgiven you. Do the same for other people.

Understand that your days on this earth are limited. If you intend to do something for God, for others, or for yourself, do it now. Don’t put if off.

And if happiness is one of your goals, be involved with others. Serve others. That’s the best way to serve God.

Blessed are those whom the master finds alert.

Don’t sleepwalk through life. Be awake. Be alert. Be ready. Be vigilant.

Amen.

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