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

[Joe Parrish]

Forwarded: 



-----Original Message-----
From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Jan 7, 2017 9:16 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Epiphany 1A



Dear Friends,
 
This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “Who’s Unclean inYour World?” or “Who’s on Your Sheet? “and deals with the Acts lesson (10:34-38).  Here it is: 
 
In today’s gospel, we heard the episode of Jesus’ baptism by his cousinJohn.  This was the start of our Lord’spublic ministry.  Then in the OldTestament lesson from Isaiah (which parallels Jesus’ first sermon- Luke 4:16-21),we heard what this ministry was: Jubilee. You recall how in ancient Israel, every seventh day was a Sabbath- a dayof spiritual refreshment.  Every seventhyear was also a Sabbath year, when the land was to rest.  Seven Sabbath years would be every fiftyyears. (They counted from “one”, not “zero” as we do.)  This Sabbath of Sabbaths was the Jubilee yearas described in Leviticus 25.  Everyonehad a fresh start- slaves were freed, land and belongings reverted back to theoriginal owners, in other words- the basic concept of Jubilee was the greatequalizer.  Isaiah reminds us that themessiah would institute the Jubilee. Finally, in the Bible reading from the book of Acts, we heard a portionof the encounter between Peter and the Roman (Gentile) officer, Cornelius.  It’s this story that points out exactly whatJubilee meant when Peter tried to live it in his life in the first century andwhen we try to live it today.  The modernday saint and hero who best typifies Jubilee was the Rev. Dr. Martin LutherKing, Jr., whose birthday is next Sunday, celebrated nationally next Monday.  If he were still alive, he would be 88 yearsold.  Let’s look at the Acts story.
 
To understand the significance of Peter’s experience, you need torecall how Jews felt about Gentiles.  Doyou remember the extremely cruel childhood game of the so-and-so touch?  It begins by a popular child touching atormented, picked-on child, let’s call her “Judy”- I feel better usingmyself.  The popular child then runs tocatch another child and touches him or her, as in tag.  However, here’s the difference- once you aretagged, you have the “Judy touch.” That’s how Jews felt about Gentiles. If even the shadow of a Gentile fell on a Jew, he or she was unclean andhad to wash to cleanse himself or herself from the defilement of the “Gentiletouch.”  It goes without saying that Jewsnever ate with Gentiles or even considered inviting Gentiles into theirhomes.  That’s the cultural background ofthe story.  You see how their 1stcentury culture brainwashed them?  Wemust be very careful that we don’t allow 21st century culture tobrainwash us today.  Well, the story fromthe book of Acts starts with Peter, who is visiting Simon, the tanner, asleepon the roof.  In his dream- unless youwant to call it a nightmare, Peter is famished. All of a sudden a huge sheet descends from heaven with many kinds ofunclean animals on it.  Peter hears avoice saying, “Arise, Peter, kill and eat.” Peter answers, “Lord, you know that I’ve never eaten anything unclean inmy life.”  The sheet goes back to heaven.  Peter remains hungry.  You know what happens- down comes the sheetagain with the same words: “Arise, Peter, kill and eat.”  Once again, Peter answers, “Lord, you knowthat I’ve never eaten anything unclean in my life.”  Back goes the sheet up to heaven.  Obviously, Peter is still very hungry, when-you know what happened- down comes the sheet again with the same words: “Arise,Peter, kill and eat.”  Again Peter answered,“Lord, you know that I’ve never eaten anything unclean in my life.”  This time, God responds: “Peter, don’t youever call something unclean that I’ve created.” At once, Peter awakens to find two servants and one soldier of theGentile, Cornelius, at his door. Cornelius was sending for Peter.  Peter invited the Gentile guests to spend thenight, then went with them to instruct and subsequently baptize Cornelius.  That’s the substance of the Acts lesson whenPeter proclaimed everyone equal- amazing insight for a first century Jewishman!
 
So, what’s the significance of this story in our own lives today as wetry to live as faithful Christians?  Weare citizens of a Kingdom in which everyone is equal; a Kingdom in which everyday is a fresh start.  Let’s be morespecific.  Who is your Cornelius?  What kind of person is it that you just don’tlike?  Remember the sheet- everybody getsa fresh start- no one is unclean whom God has created.  Here’s another possibility.  To whom are you a Cornelius?  Who treats you as if you aren’t quite as goodas they are?  Maybe it’s your color, maybeit’s your sex, maybe it’s your age, maybe it’s your educational level (too highor too low), maybe it’s how much money you have or don’t have (too rich or toopoor), maybe it’s how you speak (too proper or not proper enough), maybe it’syour weight (too fat or too thin), etc. Remember the sheet- in God’s eyes there aren’t any “too anythings.”  The ground is always level at the foot of thecross.  Believe in your Creator, believein yourself, and speak up.  Maybe youdon’t have any Cornelius’s and maybe you’ve never been a Cornelius to anyoneelse, but you can’t live long in this society without seeing someone treatedlike a Cornelius.  That’s when yourloyalty to Jesus and his mission comes in. No matter the cost, speak up. It’s not just Jesus who was called to institute Jubilee and justice, hedoes it through his followers- us.
 
May God bless us as we attempt to consider no one “unclean” as we liveout this 2017.
 
For anyone who isinterested, this sermon and updated African-American wisdom statements areposted on our parish’s web site under “Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org .
 
Blessed preaching,
Judy Boli
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Saginaw, Michigan

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