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Jesus' Soundbite Mark 12:38 – 44; Psalm 127 “A young man came upon an elder one day – sitting among a group of praying, working and meditating people. ‘I have the capacity to walk on water’ the young man said to the elder…’so, let’s you and I go out onto that small lake and sit down and carry on a spiritual conversation.’ The elder/teacher answered, ‘If what you are trying to do is get away from all these people, why do you not come with me and fly into the air and drift along in the quiet, open sky and talk there?’ The young man replied, ‘I can’t do that because the power you mention is not one I possess.’ The teacher explained, ‘just so. Your power of remaining still on top of the water is one that is possessed by fish. My capacity of floating through the air can be done by any fly. These abilities have nothing to do with real truth and, in fact, may simply become the basis of arrogance and competition, not spirituality. If we are going to talk about spiritual things, we should really be talking here among thee people.” (Adapted from J. Chittister, Wisdom Distilled from the Daily. San Francisco: Harper. 1990.) The midterm elections are over. Many people are joyous; many worried and concerned. But the vast majority of Americans are grateful that the bombardment of the public with phone calls, mailings, and vicious advertisements has ceased. Truth is generally stretched, hidden, camouflaged in any political campaign. Whether one candidate is able (or purports) to walk on water, or fly in the sky, often has nothing to do with truth and reality. The real work of living together in a just society happens on a day-to-day basis, communicating with every level of constituent, and bringing commitment of resources to the table with the intention of adequate distribution. This is true for every level of organizational/community life: international, national, state, city, neighborhood political life; We do not have record that Jesus spent much time or concern about governmental politics, or business life. His main teaching and preaching thrust was about faith communities — but it can be translated to other areas. Our passage today, which fits nicely into our weeks of stewardship emphases, is really about leadership and stewardship. When we study Jesus’ words, we soon come to realize that he does not separate the two. If we were to categorize all of Jesus’ teachings, it becomes clear that his major focus is stewardship. He talks about money a great deal He talks about money more than he talks about anything else! What would his soundbite be if we listened carefully and used him in 21st century communications? It would have to include money; more precisely, the appropriate use of money — because we are first of all stewards…stewards of all God’s treasures. Jesus knew that money can get in the way of everything good in life. He also taught his listeners (including us) how money can be an extension of our deepest values. But this portion of the Gospel today, first of all, hits hard on leadership. Jesus was inflamed about religious leaders flaunting their power and privilege. The respect and honor given to clergy of the day were used and abused to the dishonor of God and the Jewish faith and the exploitation of those in need. That kind of meddling (on Jesus’ part), accusing religious leaders of abuse and privilege seeking, is what ultimately brought down Jesus. Those leaders did have power and were unwilling to be reformed in their use of it. Religious leaders still have power, and still abuse that power. In a congregation, after a relationship between congregation and pastor is solidified, there is a trust that grows. There is power in trust. But more importantly, even though we teach (as those who believe that all are equal in the sight and beckoning of God) that a clergy person is not closer to God than a layperson there is still the perception that clergy know more about the ways of God. That perception provides power for the minister. When the minister speaks, then, there is an authority and power associated with her office. The pulpit is a powerful place from which to speak. You – as listeners – are easily and legitimately confused about whether I am speaking God’s truth or the truth of Suzanne. In a congregation like Union Avenue — filled with discerning, highly intelligent people who are used to weighing ideas and thoughts against each other — the danger of a bully pulpit is reduced. Nevertheless, it is always a threat. And Jesus’ admonition about clergy abuse should never be taken lightly. In this country today, we have ample supply of the mis-use of this power. And it doesn’t just happen in congregations, with people who have chosen to be a part of congregational life. A clergy person who speaks to any public using their title, their collar, their office walks a very fine line and is liable to be judged (by God!) about the possible abuse of their power and privilege. Taking seriously the fear of God cannot be minimized. Yet it is not just clergy who flaunt the power of God. Too many, many people use the name of God to push their own agendas somehow believing that God would take a side of any given issue. All who take on responsibilities within a faith community — all leaders in the congregation are regarded as people who are intentional about their relationship with God. I don’t say this to frighten leaders, but, rather, to remind us all of the responsibility we have assumed and how others perceive us. It is important to live into the calling we have as those trying to be faithful without abusing the privilege that can come with the calling. All of us stand under the possibility of Jesus Christ’s concern and disappointment in our leadership. But he didn’t stop with his warning just about how we easily flaunt our power and privilege. He linked it to the care of our resources. Four weeks ago when we began our Stewardship campaigns — both for the budget and the capital campaign — we invited our congregational leaders to make the first responses. Ten Board members responded, pledging $61,000 of our $180,000 pledge goal for the general budget. That’s one-third of the goal! At the same time, those working with Richard Jones on the committee developing the Capital Campaign pledged an incredibly generous amount toward the $220,000 campaign goal — before they asked anyone for a gift. Those results, I believe, are based on the understanding that leadership and stewardship are interwoven intentionally. Now, before we claim victory and rest on our successes, hear what else comes from the Gospel teaching today. Jesus watched what people put into the offering plates. “Many rich people put in large sums.” Well, that wouldn’t be us, now, would it? Who, among us, considers himself or herself rich? Wealthy? Recently I heard a definition of wealthy as one who has ‘anything – anything – more than is needed.’ My dear friends, there are certainly levels of wealth and richness – but we all fit into that definition. Having recently moved from one home to another, I am very conscious about all that I have — the abundance of stuff I have. Most of it not necessary. Almost all of it luxurious; some sentimental and much to make me comfortable. But truly very little of it is essential to live. I have shared with a few of you that the poignancy of this occurred during my move — when I realized that I had five extension cords. Big deal; lots of people have many more than five extension cords. And what’s the consumerist concern about having five extension cords? When we consider how many millions of people live in this world without electricity, without electric sockets in their walls, without walls in their homes, without stable places to even call home, the simple abundance of five extension cords is cause for the realization of my wealthy status. Jesus didn’t condemn those giving out of their abundance; he (in this teaching) wasn’t chastising the rich. He was raising a warning. By comparing the woman who gave everything she had with those who merely gave some portion of their wealth – the woman put in more. ‘More’ is calculated NOT by a dollar amount. ‘More’ is calculated by the extent the contribution asks of your life. The woman wasn’t worried about how she would live or eat. Evidently, she trusted in the care God provided in the past and believed that would extend into the future. Jesus didn’t tell his disciples they had to be like the woman — although that certainly was his standard. Jesus didn’t demand that the religious leaders turn in their vestments — although he surely thought that would be appropriate. He was helping us all — people of faith — to identify truth — the truth of relationships with God: The truth of a fulfilling life; the truth of touching the core of our own spirit — none of which come with a show of words or flaunting power, eoesn’t even come with gifts out of our wealthiness, but, rather, it comes when we truly give our life UP to the possibilities that God will not only use us but also provide for us. Our journey together in this congregation — this community of faith — is to help each other identify ways — places along he way of life — that will move us closer to the possibility of resting in the peace and assurance of the woman who was able to give all that she had and know that God would care for her very being. SW |
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