| Romans 5:1-5 "Into My Heart" |
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| Written by Rev. Don Lee | |
| Saturday, 02 June 2007 | |
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Our reading this morning is from the book of Romans, Chapter 5, verses 1-5. I invite you to listen for Good News: Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Prayer: Loving Spirit, we invoke your presence among us. Speak and we shall listen. Amen. Welcome to Holy Covenant on this Trinity Sunday. It is also “Peace with Justice” Sunday in the life of our Conference, a day we recommit ourselves to seeking peaceful and just relationships with one another and with our world. God’s love has been poured directly into our hearts by action of the Holy Spirit, whom God has given us. Who can argue with that? The author goes on to say: Verse 3, “suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us…” The Spiritual or “Spirit-led life” is about change, or more accurately, it’s a process of becoming… It’s not our ability to dodge suffering or avoid struggle that defines us. Rather, it is how we deal with that suffering that determines who we are becoming. One of my colleagues in ministry, Lisa Greenwood Wolcott was formerly the youth director 1st UMC Denton, when a 16 year old member of the youth group named Matt had a heart attack, coming off football field, off season. EMS rushed him to hospital, where he was cared for all week long. Lisa said she’d never felt more inadequate in her life. “I just told the members of the youth group to come down to the church and we’ll talk and pray. And they did that all week long.” Lisa said, “I didn’t have the words to say to these kids, who were losing their best friend.” Matt died that Friday. Lisa said then it got even worse. “I felt powerless to bring any comfort, to say anything to these parents and these kids, who surrounded Matt and his family at that time.” Lisa did what she could, gave the best of herself. She continued her 50 hour work week and on top of that she gave sacrificially of her time to be with these kids to love them during a very difficult week. Well, one of her former youth, Ned who was Matt’s best friend, is now a Junior at Virginia Tech. He was not directly involved in the shootings that took place there last month, but he knew one of the students who lost his life and has friends who were grieving friends. Well Ned’s mom emailed Lisa following the attack. I want to read you her email. Dear Lisa, I am firmly convinced because of how you guided the kids through the loss of Matt, that Ned knows the importance of community, ceremony, words, and grieving that leads to healing. He’s been able to hold on to his friends, to help with ceremonies that have been held, and to feel. Thank you for the foundation of love that you gave so long ago.” I believe the church exists to nurture this kind of spiritual depth and wholeness. It’s not our ability to avoid suffering or struggle that defines us; it is how we deal with that suffering that determines who we are becoming. There’s a sign at the church around the corner from where I live. For the last several weeks, it has posed the question, “Is your life what you want it to be?” It’s a great question, really, and it gets you thinking, but it’s not the question of the Spirit led life. The Spirit led life asks the question, “God, what do you want my life to be about? Spiritual formation implies that we are in the process of becoming, of being spiritually formed. The question is who are we becoming? Suffering, endurance, character, and hope are evidence, claims the writer of Romans, that God’s Spirit at work in your life. I officiated a memorial service over the weekend for a young mom who tragically died of cancer. Something her husband said of his wife has stayed with me. He described her as someone who made people feel that it was safe to open up to her and still talk about substantive things. I think that’s a very spiritual quality and something we all ought to strive for; for people to feel safe to open up to us and yet still talk about substantive things; things that matter. So here it goes. I’ve avoided discussion of the immigration issue that was recently put to a vote in Farmers Branch, one because I don’t live in Farmers Branch, but two because I know how passionate people are with intense convictions on both sides of the issue. So I have tried to listen carefully to all perspectives. I’ve heard from residents and clergy, on both sides of the issue, and then there’s my dad who thinks we ought to send all immigrants (documented or not) packing. I’m not here to change your opinion. I am, however, working on dad! While there are a lot of sub issues, as I’ve listened two central issues have surfaced. We are in the midst of a clash of values, of two very cherished values. And these two values are about as American as apple pie. Actually I believe apple pie is a Dutch import! (Now Chevy, that’s homegrown!) The first value is our identity as a nation of immigrants. We are a nation that has a heart for the immigrant because we are one. Lets just face it. Our nation was built on the back of immigrants. Some would argue, it still is. There has always been in our history this reaction to immigration, that has incited fear of the stranger; uncertainty about how those coming in will impact our national identity and economy. And yet we all realize if we are truly American, that there is within the American heart and identity, this “melting pot” or “tossed salad” if you prefer, of who we are and who we have always been. We are a nation of immigrants. There is another value, one just as cherished, just as deep and identifying. One that makes us who we are from the very beginning of our nationhood. We are a people who cherish our US constitution and rule of law. It’s very much a part of who we are. And as a nation, it gets us very upset when there are those who defy it, flaunt it, challenge it, or ignore it. So what happens when two incredibly cherished values that we hold dear clash? What does the Biblical witness have to say, if anything about this? I know, to side with either is going to make some people upset. So this morning I might as well make you all upset! There will be those who say, “he’s gone to far…” and others, “He didn’t go far enough.” In 1st century AD there was a clash of values that changed history forever. It was when Jewish piety went up against Roman law in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Do you remember what happened when Jewish piety met up with Roman law on the steps of the city hall in Jerusalem? There was a riot outside wasn’t there? And it led to a crucifixion. That day Jesus of Nazareth died. Which could mean that things will get worse before they get better. But remember what happened next? Resurrection. Hope was reborn. A new day dawned. A new beginning. When Jewish piety clashed with Roman law, Christianity was birthed into existence. Something that neither side had any idea was about to happen, happened. And I believe God’s Spirit is on the move and is making something new even today that probably you and I have no clue about. Why? Because God is a God of resurrection! I don’t know how this vote in Farmers Branch will play out in the future. I don’t know how it will effect our community or nation. All I know is God is counting us to hold it together as a congregation and stick firm to the mission, our very particular mission which is to share the love of Christ with “all” people. That’s the gospel message. That’s who we are in the midst of what’s going on: That we maintain our unity and stand firm in our mission to be Christ to all people regardless of what’s going on around us. Donald Miller writes in his book “Blue like Jazz,” “What I believe is not what I say I believe, but rather what I believe is what I do…” It is how we deal with suffering and our struggles that determines who we are becoming. “God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us….” And there is power in that love. Power to change; power to heal; power to transform. I want to close by reading you I John 3:1-3. 31See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Prayer: Give us courage, O God, to live what we believe, and to love as you love. Amen. *I want to thank Vic Casad, a colleague in ministry for his insights and wisdom in dealing with the immigration debate. Much of what I write about this particular issue has been gleaned from him. |
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