What Will You Do With Your Freedom?

Sermon from Reformation Sunday
October 25, 2009

According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, freedom means ““the
quality or state of being free;// the absence of necessity, coercion, or
constraint in choice or action;// liberation from slavery or restraint or from the
power of another.”// But do we really know what it means to be free?//

My friend Jon sat around the refectory table telling us of the horrific tale of
the genocide in Rwanda. He shared with us about fighting for his life and
family, searching for food, and praying for strength in the midst of this
horrible event.// And as he told his story, you couldn’t help but see the pain in
his eyes as he told his story.// But then he looked at each of us and explained
how he was so thankful for his freedom. And as we listened to his story, I
couldn’t help but think of what it truly means to have freedom!// Lutheran
Theology at Gettysburg President Michael Cooper-White once asked a
similar question in a sermon he gave at LTSG, “When, when will we be made
free?”//

The reality is that freedom has been given to us through God’s wonderful act
of love of sending his Son to die for each and every one of us. In today’s
Gospel reading from John, Jesus reminds us that we are ALREADY free.//
We have been set free from our sin by Jesus’ death on the cross.// Well known
theologian Douglas John Hall once wrote, ““The cross, not only,
demonstrates the lengths to which God is ready to go in God’s loving search
for lost, alienated humanity; it also represents the grim extent of our human
capacity to reject love when it is offered us. But it is in this altogether honest
confrontation of God and estranged humanity that real love begins to be
learned.”//

Jesus’ death is a gift of grace that liberates us from sin, death, and the power
of the devil. This gift is a gift that is not earned or even deserved. It is a free
unmerited gift given to us freely by God even though as the book of Romans states “we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”// It is a gift that assures of God’s love for all of humanity.//

Robert Capon in his book Between Noon and Three poses a question for us as we trust in the promise that freedom comes through Christ and God‘s love for us.// He writes, “It is essential that you see this clearly. The Apostle is saying that you, and Paul and I have been sprung. Right now; not next week, or at the end of the world.// And unconditionally, with no probation officer to report to.// But that means that we have finally come face to face with the one questions that we have always thought we were aching to hear but that we now realize we have scrupulously ducked every time it got within a mile of us.// It was the question I raised in the very first chapter, and it has been lurking all along: What would you do with freedom if you had it?// Only now it is posed to you not in the subjunctive but in the indicative: You are free.// What do you plan to do?”//

16th Century Lutheran Reformer Martin Luther saw this freedom and was
willing to take a risk. Over 2000 years ago, Martin Luther showed us what he
planned to do with that freedom when he posted his 95 theses on the castle
doors at Wittenberg calling for debate. He was willing to stand up for his
Freedom and faith and say firmly, “Here I stand! I can do no other!”// By
uttering those words, Luther opened the door to renewal and reformation for
the church….a renewal that was founded on “justification by grace through
faith.”//

Luther’s reformation of the church reminds us that God’s grace is universal.//
We don’t have to do anything to earn that grace. God gives us that gift when
he sends his Son for us and reminds us that freedom comes in his love for all
of humanity.// And as a result, Christ wants us to live, not simply knowing
freedom, but using that freedom to share his love with all humanity.// Again
we are reminded, “You are free! What will you do with that freedom?”//

Many people in our world have seen what it means to live knowing they are
free. Mother Theresa opened her hearts to many children because she knew
they needed God’s love. When once asked why she helped them, she replied
“You see a sick child. I see the face of God in that child.”// My friend Jon and
many of the international students I met while attending Wartburg seminary
were faced with their freedom and now have a deeper understanding of
knowing that freedom and sharing that freedom with others.// But do WE
truly know that we are free?”// What would we do if we were faced with the
freedom given us?//

As we celebrate this Reformation Sunday, let us remember that we have been
given freedom through God’s love and Christ’s death on the cross.// Christ
will come again to judge the living and the dead!// Christ is with us now and
always.// Listen for a moment to these words from Christian band Tenth
Avenue North.// Why are you striving these days?//Why are you trying to earn
grace?// Why are you crying?// Let me lift up my your face; Just don’t turn
away.// Why are you looking for love?// Why are you still searching; As if I’m
not enough?// To where will you go child; Tell me where will you run?// To
where will you run?// I’ll be by your side whenever you fall; In the dead of
night whenever you call; please don’t fight these hands that are holding
you//My hands are holding you.// Look at these hands and my side; they
swallowed the grave on that night.// When I drunk the world’s sin so I could
carry you in and give you life.”// Christ is the One who came
to bring us hope, life, and freedom.//

In all actuality, Christ gave us life when he died on the cross for us.// Christ
says to each of us, “ I have made you free!”// So how will you live knowing
you have been made free through Christ’s death?// What will you do with
the freedom given you? Amen!//

We Love Because Christ First Loved Us!

"We Love because Christ first loved us!" I've been thinking a lot lately about the actions taken at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. I know many people have been hurt by those actions and are contemplating leaving the ELCA. I also know that many others are delighted and are joyful. What I find myself asking and wondering is how can we continue together? I know what the Bible says about homosexuality but I also know what it says about love and grace. Besides, aren't we all sinners? Isn't divorce, greed, envy,etc sins too? The other day I partook in an event with youth from church. We spent the night in cardboard boxes and fasted for 30 hours to raise awareness of the homeless in our communities. One of my youth wrote the verse from above on her box and it has been ringing in my brain ever since. Don't we love because Christ truly did love us first? Doesn't Christ claim all of us as his children? As the CWA 09 unfolded, I found myself trying to find the words I was feeling as I tried to capture what was happening. I find myself returning to the words that my friend Mark was quoted in the NY Times for saying. He basically said, "Let us stop leaving people behind and be the family God has created us to be." I also find myself turning to the words I penned that day as well. They are as follows:

The world watches
as this church
makes a gigantic decision

And as voices are heard
and resolutions debated,
many hearts break
yet at the same time,
many other hearts are hopeful,
so we pray.

We pray
that no matter today's outome
we still can be the church,
not divided,
but rather united in love,
love for one another.

And as we love one another,
despite our differences,
may we move forward
as one bread and one body
rooted in God's love for all God's people

A Mosiac of Thoughts

Sitting at Fair Hills Resort for the rostered leaders theology on ministry conference. Still thinking a lot about life in the ELCA as of late. I understand that people are upset and some are rejoicing over the ELCA CWA actions. I must admit I am growing weary....weary from the conversations, weary from the grief etc. I hope and pray that the church will be able to stay united.

But enough about that....let's move on to another topic! Life has been crazy lately...so many people diagnosed with cancer. It pains me to see them suffer and to see their families suffer. I pray for the doctors and nurses who care for them. I pray for strength and courage. What is it about the "c" word? I must admit I stay uptodate with my physicals etc but there is still fear in my life that someday I will be hit with the C word.

I also worry about mom and those who struggle daily with mental illness. It is definetely something I could go on and on about. Why do people have to be so cruel? Why is it so hard to welcome the other?

And on a happy note...music is such a gift. Ive never felt like Ive been gifted with that gift but I do enjoy listening to music, and hear others use their gifts. As I sit and type, there is a group in the room directly behind me playing blue grass music to hymms. I think also of one of my friends who happens to be an assistant to the bishop who has wonderful gifts for ministry with music. I listen to his cd constantly...it brightens my soul and is such a form of prayer just like when I write poetry. I need to use that gift more!!!

The Greatest or Least Among Us? Sermon for Sept 20, 2009

And the Emmy goes to…. (say twice)// These words will be ringing on
millions of television sets this weekend as the Primetime Emmy Awards are
aired. Millions of people will tune in to see who is the best in television,
movies and the like.// But is that really what is important in our society
today?//Do we really need to strive to be the greatest?// In light of today’s
gospel text, it seems to me that God is calling us, not to be the greatest by
doing great things, but rather by simply being who God created us to be; to
welcome all God‘s people!// So what does it mean for us to be the least and
servant of all?//

In today’s gospel text, Jesus calls us to be like him when he welcomes the
children. Today we often see children as precious and innocent but that is not
the case during Jesus’ time.// However the reality is that in the Hellenistic
world, children were seen as the lowly.// According to Malina and Rohrbaug
in their commentary Social-Science Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels,
children were often seen as the lowly.// They write, “Children had little status
within the community of family. A minor child was on a par with a slave, and
only after reaching maturity was he/she a free person who could inherit the
family estate, the term “child/children” could also be used as a serious insult.”
In other words, children were not seen as the greatest, but rather were seen as
the least in the society.//

In their book Behind the Stained Glass Windows: Money Dynamics in the
Church, John and Sylvia Ronsvalle capture well how we can welcome those
that need welcomed and open our arms to the least and lowly among us.//
They write, “We live in a world where it is estimated that thirty-five thousand
children under the age of five die daily around the globe, most from
preventable conditions and many in areas where no church has been planted
to tell them of Jesus’ love.//We can be confident that such conditions are not
God’s will; Perhaps one idea that would not be debatable in any part of the
church is that Jesus loves the little children of the world.// The financial cost
To end most of these child deaths, it has been proposed, is about $2.5 billion
A year, which is the amount Americans spend on chewing gum. Reflecting on
these facts, it could be fairly stated that we live in an occupied society, one
that is under the sway of Mammon.// Ministers and lay people alike feel the
pressure this conqueror exerts. Even talking about the issues produces
‘anxiety, fear, and ultimately, silence. Under these circumstances, where do
our opportunities for the more equivalent of war live (P.218-219).”//

Being great is about welcoming those who culture doesn’t seem as great and
welcoming the one who needs to be welcomed! We most focus on something
quite other than ourselves and be more like Jesus; associating even with the
least and lowly among us.// Mary Ann Tolbert in her commentary NISB Notes
writes it best when she states; “In the honor-driven society of antiquity, fame
and greatness were often judged by whose company one kept; to welcome
unknown children rather than the rich and famous would normally bring no
honor, but Jesus says that welcoming the powerless actually welcomes the
most powerful, the one who sent him.”// In other words, when we welcome
the powerless we are welcoming God into our lives.//

Who are the lowly and insignificant in our world today?// How can the church
welcome them?// The reality is that it is easier said than done. We often
let fear creep in which cripples us and doesn’t allow us to welcome the lowly
and insignificant among us!// In fact, when we fear, we lose faith. Basically
fear is the absence of faith!// So how can we follow Jesus’ example?//How
can we be like the children who God welcomes with open arms even though
they are seen as the least?//

A colleague recently told me a story about a woman who took in her own
grandchildren even though they are sick and dying of HIV/AIDS. She has no
idea where her grandchildren’s parents are. Yet she took them in despite the
fact that they might infect her too (and she has become infected!)// She went
above and beyond the call of duty. To me and many others, she is one who
understands what it means to be the least and servant of all.//

The reality is that we all can welcome those who are the least among us. And
when we welcome them in, all of us will be blessed.// God wants us to be like
Jesus; welcoming even the poor among us. God calls each of us to his holy
table where all God’s people are welcomed in.// Two weeks ago in one of my
birthday cards, I couldn’t help but smile as I read these words from Albert
Schweitzer. These words can remind us all of what it means to welcome the
least and lowly among us; and to welcome those for whom the door needs to
be opened.// “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know:
The only one among you who will be truly happy are those who will have
sought and found how to serve.”// Amen!

Where does we go next? (Thoughts on Post-CWA Vote

Where do I even begin? ( I cant help but chuckle as this is the third time Ive tried to type something on this issue in the last 20 minutes. Maybe Im not suppose to be these words down yet). The last week has been to say, the least, quite interesting after the vote taken at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly last Friday. I try not to vocalize where I stand (However Im pretty sure that those that know me well know EXACTLY where I stand). However there are many hurting right now while others are rejoicing. Some are proud to be Lutheran at this point in time while others are almost ashamed to be. They think we have lost the Lutheran foundation. However I keep wondering what does that mean and can things change over time and as contexts and society change?

I hurt...I hurt for those that feel they need to leave the ELCA and/or their church. I hurt because this seems to be such a generational gap in how we feel on this issue. I hurt because it is such a devisive issue and because we cannot seem to come to a clear consensus on what is meant here. I hurt simply because it is so uncomfortable for many of us to talk about. I hurt because people wonder if the conversation even should have taken place. I hurt just knowing it probably will cause members to leave and that makes me sad. But, not only, do I hurt, I find myself also tired--weary, drained; physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. How can we move forward? We need to be a united church gathered at the foot of the cross where Christ is present, God is faithful and the Holy Spirit gathers us as one despite our agreements and disagreements!

I know many who rejoice, but rejoice quietly knowing that in order for them to be recognized in the church, others have had to suffer and struggle with this as well. I also find myself asking and wondering about many who seem to me have the gifts for ministry but have never been recognized because they are in a committed relationship. I also find myself reflecting on how sexuality is exploited in society today. People turn to prostitution, others get divorced, others cheat on their spouse. What does that say? I just find myself praying that we can stay a united, not divided church.

I don't know what Jesus would say. I think he would tell us to love everyone but does that mean allowing them to be leaders in the church? And as a Diaconal Minister, I find myself wondering what Jesus would say about washing their feet as well. Doesn't God want us to love all God's people? For those that have a hard time with the decisions made last week, I find myself not knowing what to say to them. For those that are rejoicing, I find myself quietly celebrating with them as we realize their gifts for ministry as well.

I dont have the right answers but what I do know is that GOd loves all of us and calls us into relationship. God wants us to work together. In the words of my dear friend Mark as he was qouted in the New York Times, " Lets stop leaving people behind and be the family God is calling us to be!"

(These are my own thoughts and are in no way the thoughts of the congregation I serve or even the ELCA)

CWA 09 Thoughts

Whats on my mind tonight? I've been thinking about the issue of ordination and same-sex unions as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide assembly meets in Minneapolis this week. I am listening to the webcast online. It is interesting to see where people are at amongst the Lutheran church. I know where I stand amongst the crowd but I understand also where others are coming from. Some thoughts are as a Diaconal Minister if we dont allow these individuals into our churches what does that say to my call to wash the feet of all God's people! Just some thoughts running through my hand. Who are we to say if these people have the gifts for ministry? I know not everyone agrees but its just some thoughts running through my head right now. As I listen to the next generation of youth, it comes as a non-issue; they want to move on and focus on other issues; world hunger, etc, etc. Maybe we should listen to them. Ok just my two cents for now!

The Man in the Mirror

The last week has been crazy with the deah of Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, and Michael Jackson. As my friend Mark said in his blog, it is almost impossible to not know of the death of MJ because of how crazy the media has covered his death. In a lot of ways its really made me think about and evaluate why his death has been covered so much more than others when people die each and every day, when people are mourned by their family and friends each and every day. It's also made me wonder why so many people have felt the loss of this "king of pop."

Now I understand that this man made great music and some pretty sweeet videos, but what is it about those things or even his life that has made so many people flock to be at his memorials? Do they truly feel connected to him through that music? Do they somehow feel like he is living their dream? Are they living vicariously through him and thus are dying vicariously through him? And as I reflect on that, I can't help but wonder what do Michael see in "The Man in the Mirror?" Did he seriously need help?

Over the last week, I've had several conversations with people about this man's death. Many of them don't care and are sickened by the media coverage while others seem to like his music. Some feel that he is weird which yeah he looked strange and did some strange things, but isn't he still a child of God? Now I'm not saying that this child of God should be honored more than other, but what I am saying is the man's dead, can't we move on to something more important so this man can rest in peace while his family grieves? Don't we all owe each other at least that? God loves all God's people regardless of whether we are some big pop star or a farmer or a schoolteacher.