Pentecost V

By The Rev. Martha Frances+
Year C, Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 8
1 July 2007 

Text: Luke 9: 51-62  Other Readings:  2 Kings 2: 1-2, 6-14; Ps. 77: 1-2, 11-20; Galatians 5: 1, 13-25 

      "Life is difficult."  So began Scott Peck in his best-selling self-help book of the '80s The Road Less Traveled.  Most of us didn't have to be convinced of that verity as we first opened the book.  In looking at the scriptures we read today, I was reminded that throughout the history of the Judeo-Christian faith, life has been difficult.  The psalmist said, "In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. . . ."  Last week Elijah was on the lam from Jezabel's wrath & whined to God that he was the only one who had been faithful, and this week, Elijah passes on his mantle and a double share of his spirit to Elisha as he is taken up into heaven in a chariot of fire.  The prophets of Israel did not have easy lives.

      With memories of the story of Elijah, Luke begins his narrative of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem where he will be "taken up" by saying that, despite the difficulty & hardship, Jesus sets his face to go to Jerusalem & his death.  As Jesus redoubles his efforts to teach the basics of discipleship to his followers before he leaves them, he encounters rejection in a Samaritan village & a clear misunderstanding of his message of love & forgiveness as James & John, 2 of his closest disciples want to zap the Samaritans with well-directed bolts of fire.  Even some who decide to follow him still have mixed loyalties as they want to attend to their elders until they die or at least say goodbye to all the relatives before taking off.  Jesus' followers shared neither his pacifistic tendencies nor his urgency to spread the good news.

      St. Paul had similar difficulties in helping the first Christian communities grow in the faith & learn to live together.  The Galatians were having a hard time staying joined together in unity of spirit as we prayed for in the Collect for the Day this morning, especially since some of the Jewish Christians were still convinced the Gentiles had to convert to Judaism & be circumcised in order to be Christian.  We don't know the exact issue the Galatians were tearing their community apart over, but whatever it was, Paul reminded them that the most important commandment for their development was "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  It doesn't sound like a pretty sight he describes:  biting & devouring one another, consuming each other.

Even when we live in the freedom of the Spirit rather than the rigors of the Torah, the Mosaic Law, we have a tough time living responsibly.  Paul has to continuously remind the churches he has founded that in Christ they have freedom TO act responsibly in the love of Christ, not just freedom FROM the law.  I remember as a child looking forward to being a grownup when I would be free of the dumb rules adults imposed upon us kids—things like bedtimes & curfews, finishing homework & showing respect to elders.  Little did I realize how much responsibility came with the freedom of adulthood!  The Galatians & the other young churches were certainly in their adolescence if we read between the lines of Paul's epistles.  Paul's list of "works of the flesh" didn't come out of nowhere.  Why would he have had to warn them numerous times that those who practiced the whole list of atrocities from carousing to drunkenness to quarrels to licentiousness would not inherit the kingdom of God unless these abuses of their freedom were present in the community? 

      Regardless of what label put on most "works of the flesh," they can usually be summed up in the word idolatry:  making something else into a god & worshipping it as their god.  When we know better than God does how to manage our lives, we make our own good judgment into an idol.  Even laudable behavior such as maintaining a good name in the community, making a respectable living for our families, & tithing to the church can become an idol when it becomes a god to us.

      Notice that Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit, not fruits.  They are not individual deeds which make the difference in a Christian who is free from the law & living in the Spirit.  These are attitudes & orientations of our lives which are given as grace to us by the Spirit.  The overarching quality of the Spirit is love, not just one of the 9 virtues but the one which informs & makes possible the other 8.  Out of the love of our neighbors as ourselves, we can be graced with joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control.  Yes, they are gifts—graces—and they are not given in order to make us super-Christians but rather that our community may grow in unity & faith so we can spread the glory of God to others. 

      Here at Hope, life is difficult.  Many of us have physical or emotional challenges we deal with daily, either personally or with someone dear to us.  While our own or our elders' bodies are falling apart, our children simply insist on doing their own things regardless of the fact that we know what's best for them!  Some can't find adequate work & others are trying to stretch their fixed income.  We're already struggling to keep up with the summer bills, finding folks to work in Vacation Bible School & to chaperone the youth group, and lead certain events & groups at the church.  Then we have things all fixed up nice for the Bishop's visit, & the air conditioning breaks down the night before.  Kerry told me on the phone last Saturday evening that it wouldn't do any good to cry about the heat, but I can tell you I felt a lot better after a good cry!  Sometimes, life is especially difficult!

      Yet the psalmist cries out, "You are the God who works wonders & have declared your power among the peoples."  Archbishop William Temple reminds us that we are only part of the whole of God's creation:  "While we deliberate, God reigns;  when we decide wisely, God reigns; when we decide foolishly, God reigns; when we serve God in humble loyalty, God reigns; when we serve God self-assertively, God reigns; when we rebel & seek to withhold our service, God reigns—the Alpha & the Omega, which is, & which was, & which is to come, the Almighty."

      A little over 2 years ago, we came together as one parish, "servants of Jesus Christ, an inclusive community called to spread God's transforming love to all people."  Our community is becoming transformed as we are offering opportunities to the larger neighborhood.  Last weekend, we presented 6 people to the Bishop for confirmation, reception, & reaffirmation since we are a growing Christian community.  An impressive group of youth have been baptized recently.  Several other individuals & families have united with Hope in the past year or so, & our average Sunday attendance grows a bit each year.  Elizabeth, our new youth minister, is meeting faithfully with our youth three times a week.  Two book study groups—one men's & another women's—are meeting weekly this summer.  The Brotherhood of St. Andrew has joined the Daughters of the King as both organizations combine prayer, study, & service for the spread of God's reign.  Counting our blessings & listing those things for which we are grateful help keep life in perspective & remind us that God truly is in charge.

      We have much farther to go in our journey of faith as Hope parish, my friends.  The Diocese will help us make a new air conditioning unit possible, but we must solidify our financial base so that we can be healthy enough to do the transforming work God is calling us to do in this place & beyond.  The Vacation Bible School looms ahead & will require a cadre of adults to make it happen.  Every time Elizabeth meets with our youth, she is required to have another adult with her.  Those of you who are NOT parents stood up at the baptism of many of these very youth & agreed to support them in their Christian lives to fulfill those baptismal promises.  Ok, folks, now's your chance!  They need you 3 times a week.  All of us need ongoing Christian formation such as Bible study &/or small group development.  Don't see something that fits your schedule or interest?  Start a group!  I'll be glad to help you get started. 

      Opportunities beyond the parish abound also.  The Black Middle School tutoring program can make a marked difference to the health of our neighborhood.  We can influence the decisions made in our city & beyond by becoming politically active.  The proposed garbage fee was removed from the city budget after Theresa & several others involved with TMO spoke before City Council last week.  Before long, our cabin at Boys' Country will need school supplies & clothing. 

      My friends, we have come a long way on this adventure we call Hope.  God continues to do good things for us, & we have the opportunity to continue to be co-creators with God.  St. Paul says "If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit."  Jesus himself says, "No one who puts a hand to the plow & looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."  Let us pray for guidance on what Hope can be & do, & let us act on God's response.