[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Epiphany 1C

[Joe Parrish]

Forwarded:



-----Original Message-----
From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Jan 9, 2016 9:29 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Epiphany 1C



DearFriends,
 
ThisSunday’s sermon is entitled “The Ground Is Always Level at the Foot of theCross” or “Sic ‘em, Spike!” and deals with the gospel (Acts 10:34-38).  Here it is:
 
HappyEpiphany!  As you recall, in the firsthalf of the church year we walk with Jesus through his earthly life.  So far we’ve celebrated Advent (his time inthe womb with Mary and Joseph waiting and wondering); ChristMass (his birth);and now we start the longer season of Epiphany, when we think through hismission and ministry, including what it means to us.  Since today is the first Sunday of this newseason of Epiphany, we hear how Jesus’ mission started with his baptism by Johnin the Jordan River.  We also hear God’svoice saying “You are my own dear son; and I am pleased with you.”  On one other occasion we heard God speak outloud to Jesus.  Do you remember when itwas?  Sure, at the transfiguration Godsaid, “This is my own dear Son.”  Thistime God added, “Listen to him!” Listening and obeying are so hard for us.  Did you hear the story of the woman whoneeded her washing machine fixed?  Shecalled a repairman and made arrangements for him to come the next day.  Since she had to go to work that day, shetold him, “I'll leave the key under the mat. Fix the washing machine, leave thebill on the counter, and I'll mail you the check.  By the way, don't worry about my Doberman. Hewon't bother you. But, whatever you do, do NOT under ANY circumstances talk tomy parrot!”  When the repairman arrivedat the lady’s apartment the next day, he discovered the biggest and meanestlooking Doberman he had ever seen. But just as she had said, the dog just laythere on the carpet, watching the repairman go about his business. However, theparrot drove him nuts the whole time with his incessant yelling, cursing, andname-calling.  Finally the repairmancouldn't contain himself any longer and yelled, “Shut up, you stupid ugly bird!”  To which the parrot replied, “Sic ‘em,Spike!” 
We’renot the only ones who have trouble listening and then obeying.  Peter did too.  In our epistle today, we heard the last partof the episode when Peter was finally explaining how the ground is always levelat the foot of the cross.  It took him along time to hear God’s voice and obey this Gospel imperative.  Remember, Peter was raised as every littleJewish boy was in those days.  When hesaid his prayers at his mother’s knee, he prayed: “Dear God, I thank you that Iwas not born a Gentile, a dog, or a woman.” As you recall, the early church had a terrible time accepting Gentilesinto their fellowship as equal members- basically because of this prejudicedattitude, and the two worst offenders (at least the ones we hear most about inthe Bible) were Peter and the Lord’s brother- James.  The episode starts with Peter asleep on theroof.  In his dream (or nightmare), hewas really hungry.  Suddenly a largesheet descended from the heavens filled with all kinds of animals that Jews hadbeen taught were unclean and not fit to eat. A voice from heaven ordered, “Arise Peter.  Kill and eat.”  Peter answered, “Oh no, Lord.  I’ve never eaten anything unclean in mylife.”  Then, as you recall, the sheetwent back up to heaven.  The samesequence occurred two more times, with God and Peter giving the samestatements, except the last time- God responds: “Peter, never declare anythingunclean that I have created clean!”  Atthat instant, Peter awoke to the sound of someone at his door.  Gentiles were there asking Peter to accompanythem to the house of a well-known Gentile- a Roman soldier namedCornelius.  Thank God Peter understoodthe meaning of the dream, went, spent some time there, and baptized theCornelius and his family.  That’s thestory.  What’s it to us?
Whatit means to us is our values about other people must be very different fromthose of our culture.  We, like Peter,have been taught to label people as “my kind” and “not my kind.”  And just like that repairman, and just likePeter, we sometimes have trouble listening to God’s values and followingthem.  Listen to me Church, if you areserious, if I am serious, if we are serious about following Jesus, you/I/weCANNOT participate in judging people by their color or sexuality or age oreconomic status or educational level or job. Accept people for who they are. Dr. King’s birthday is coming up this week.  Remember how he said he dreamed of the daywhen his children would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by thecontent of their character?  No matterwhat kind of pressure we’re under, we must live that dream if we intend to callourselves Christians.  This means- speakup when someone says something racist or sexist or any kind of “ist.”  Don’t make excuses by saying something like,“They’ll never change anyway, so why should I put my neck out!”  Remember how Ezekiel reminded us that if thewatchman saw the enemy coming and said nothing, the blood of those killed inthe city he was guarding would be on his head. If, however, the watchman saw the enemy coming and warned the city, butno one listened; their blood would be on their own heads.  Christians, sound the alarm.  Speak up. If no one listens, at least you have spoken up for Gospel values andwill not be held accountable for their sins. This teaching extends to jokes also.
Inthe story, the repairman had trouble listening and obeying the owner of thehouse.  Sometimes we have the oppositeproblem- we listen and obey the wrong voice. We listen and believe the negative voices of our culture.  In our deepest selves, we believe that if weare too fat or too old or too young or too dark or too light or too anything-you name it- we really aren’t as good as other people.  That kind of poisonous prejudice spreads likewildfire and destroys anyone who believes it (or even listens to itseriously).  My friends, beliefs likethis are sins!  God created us in hisimage!  How dare we give other people theprivilege of negating our worth.  We mustlove ourselves AS WE ARE!  If there arecharacter flaws we need to work on- fine; keep improving and walking evencloser to the Lord.  When you look in themirror every morning, say “Thank you God for creating me in your image.”  Then mean it. You know the old song, “Just as I Am”- that’s how we are loved, that’show we are redeemed, that’s how we are valued. In closing, let’s sing just the first verse, and let’s give thanks thatGod created us as we are in his image. “Just as I am, without one plea; but that thy blood was shed for me; andthat Thou bidds’t me- come to Thee; O Lamb of God, I come; I come.” 
 
For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updatedAfrican-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish’s web site under“Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org.
 
Blessedpreaching,
JudyBoli
St.Paul's Episcopal Church
Saginaw,Michigan

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