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Our Place at the Table Luke 17:5– 10; Psalm 137 Last Sunday’s Post-Dispatch (September 26, 2004) carried an editorial by Leonard Pitts – taken from the Miami Herald. Pitts wrote of an alarming event in Mississippi. Prior to naming the event, however, he wrote: “Sometimes, we act as if it just dissipated long ago, all the heat, all the hate, gone one milestone day. Like everybody got religion simultaneously, repented their sins and went forth to sin no more. We consider ourselves enlightened now, beyond it now, so much so that some of us resent you even bringing it up. Indeed, the very word we use to describe it feels 20th century, like rotary dials and vinyl records. Racism, the word is. Racism.” He goes on then to share the opportunity that Mississippi State Fair goers will have – to shake hands with, or get an autograph of Edgar Ray Killen. Killen is the alleged ringleader of the Ku Klux Klan’s murders of Andrew Goodman, James Chaney and Michael Schwerner – three men who were killed registering black voters in Mississippi in 1964. Seven men were convicted of the crimes – but the trial of their leader turned into a jury deadlock – 11 to 1 for conviction. The one juror admitted she could not convict Killen because he was a preacher. And so 40 years later – this man – has a booth at a State Fair – and he will be teaching his white supremist views and being lifted up as a hero. This is one not-so-small sign that we have a great deal of work to do. Forty-four years ago mainline churches in America responded to a sermon of a Presbyterian leader preaching in an Episcopal cathedral in California. Eugene Carson Blake called those two denominations to find ways to break down denominational lines and begin working together as one church. Seven other denominations were invited to join that table of conversation…and for over 40 years the Consultation on Church Union brought us together in joint endeavors through education, service and development of liturgy. There were high points and low points of that Consultation. Two years ago when COCU re-imaged itself from a Consultation to a movement of ministry engagement of those same 9 denominations, we realized there was one issue in American society – over-riding issue – that we needed to meet together … as the church. The unity of the church – which is a God-given gift…but which we break, shatter, and compromise…. The unity of the church is hurt because of racism. The social fabric of God’s creation is torn and ripped apart because of racism. Several years ago the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) moved from having one program unit concerned with the reconciliation of blacks and whites to claiming that we – Disciples – would work toward the dismantling of systemic racism that pervades our society …and that we would strive to be a pro-reconciling, anti-racist church. We have a long way to go. As members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) we are proud of our ecumenical heritage. We can validly claim that the Table of Jesus Christ is always – and has always been open – to all who would come. Disciple’s leaders have spent two hundred years working to make sure that the world knows that no one is favored at the table…that we are all called by the same voice…and that we will all receive the same blessing when we respond. World Communion Sunday – today – has always held a special place in the hearts of Disciples because its inception came out of a dream of a Disciples leader…and is now celebrated throughout the world…the one Sunday when all Christians around the globe go to the table and remember that the Table is feeding the entire world. So, do you think we may have a special place at the table – a place to sit – a place to be served … because we have worked so hard …because our vision has been so clear … because our intentions coincide with what appears to be God’s hope and will? According to our Gospel passage from Luke today, there are no special places – there will be no sitting down! First of all, let’s make sure we know about whom Jesus is referring in this parable. We…all of us…are the servants. God is the one to be served. This little passage is not a reprimand, but an affirmation and encouragement from Jesus that our work is never done. Even after obedient service – there is no ground for boasting. We will never do…can never do…more than is expected from God. Being here today – worshiping God, I believe pleases God…but God does NOT thank US for our presence! God expects us to be here. Following God’s intention for living well, working for justice, loving each other…is not going to bring a reward. There are no merit raises with God. There is no getting in front of anyone else in the procession toward God. Jesus says: When we finish in the field, God expects us to come inside the house and serve dinner. And for good reason – there is work to be done…always. Mothers, young and old – we can all remember wondering IF we would ever get to sleep the night through – after our babies were born. Christians … we don’t get slack time. We don’t get naptime! God expects us always to be working. God expects us always to be serving the good of God’s world and all God’s children. We do not have the privilege of choosing a seat at the table …until every created child of God would also be seated at that table. Unfortunately, we do not live in that world today. We may think we have come a long way … but we have a long way to go. We may think that since people are not being killed registering voters today – as they were 40 years ago – that our work is done. But the fact that a Klan member and alleged killer is presented as a hero at a State fair, means we are in serious trouble. The open support for this man’s heroism is under girded by an even greater secreted support. We dare not scoff or look the other way at the power of this hate movement! I know that my skin color gives me privilege in this country. I do not worry that when I go into a store – even if I am dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt – that clerks will be watching me to make sure I do not shoplift. I know that even if I feel bankers and insurance agents and car dealers treat me impersonally or even rudely, that they do not dismiss me or create extra hoops through which I must pass as a customer because of my skin pigment. I know even though I may not have enough money to buy a house in the most affluent neighborhood of this city, that the color of my skin would not be an impediment to a sale. I know I am privileged because of my whiteness…. And there is no such thing as privilege among the servants of God, according to Jesus Christ. And so we have to keep plowing those fields…and then serving those meals …and working and working and working …until all God’s children are equal on this earth. For we ARE equal in God’s eyes. The Church of Jesus Christ must be awake to the growing bigotry and resurfacing of blatant racism in America today. It will not go away on its own. It will not go away without the church taking it on as the enemy of Christ. It will not go away if we think we might have a special place at the table of Jesus Christ. Servants – we are. Servants – we are called to be. Servants of God. There is work to be done for which there is no thanks from God – but pure expectation. That’s who we are – if we respond to God’s call. Servants…together. • SW |
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