Homily, 11/19/10
Deaconess Diane Marten
From John 4: 39-40. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed
in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I
ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to
stay with them, and he stayed two days.
Sisters and brothers in Christ:
You might remember the story of how Jesus met the woman at the
well. She was there alone in the middle of the day. Usually, this was
a group activity. So I wonder whether she might have been avoiding
company, hoping not to run into anybody. Maybe she hiding her true
self. And even with her sixth boyfriend, maybe she was lonely just the
same.
So it must have meant a lot to her when he sat down, and struck up a
conversation. They even talked theology. And here’s the really good
news for her. Jesus knew everything she ever did, and he wanted to sit
by her anyway. Who knew, in that brief interaction, they would begin
a new sort of community. He didn’t say, “Go and sin no more.” He
asked her for a drink of water, she gave him one. Who knew, in that
one small act of kindness, the woman would become an evangelist.
She goes back home, with a story to tell about how she was loved and
accepted. She was made all new again. Based on her testimony, the
whole town begs Jesus to stay with them, too. And he does. And
that’s how it starts, how we get restored to each other.
Community happens when we have a close encounter with God’s love.
It happens at random times, but you can practice it wherever you are.
Living together isn’t easy. And yet, God, who is not a “he,” but is a
community, plops us into life with each other all the time.
I’m offering four thoughts from this story that might help us practice
living our life together.
1. Sit with Jesus. Have some quiet time, to let God’s love wash
over you.
2. Time alone and time together. Jesus found that woman when
she was alone. We don’t have to be with people all the time.
Sometimes relationships get better when we have time apart.
3. Knowing and being known. Jesus and the woman just talked.
Community grows in listening to the other, and when it’s your
turn, you can share your truer self.
4. Serving and being served. Nothing builds community like
serving together. It’s as simple as offering a glass of water.
But a community just won’t work if one person is doing all the
serving. Take turns.
Here are some places I can practice being in a Christian community.
Maybe you have similar places.
My daughter Emily and I share a house. We each have a private space
and we have some shared space. We have tackled some big problems:
Who gets control of the TV? Who’s cooking tonight? When are you
cleaning up your mess?
I like my private space and I really need alone-time. But I give up
some of that in order to make room for her. Our best conversations
happen in our “car talks,” though sometimes we light candles and tell
stories about our day. She is my “beloved community,” and it’s a gift.
We practice: time alone and time together, serving and being served,
and sitting with Jesus.
I belong to a group of women whose practice of faith and service
forms us into a new community. Lutheran deaconesses started about
150 years ago, and the women lived together in a “motherhouse,” in
which they also took care of the sick or poor. Most deaconesses don’t
live together anymore, and though some say it would be wonderful if
we did, it’s really better if we don’t. Believe me.
Instead, we are a “scattered” community. It takes some effort to stay
connected, and it takes time. We work at it. We listen to each other’s
stories, and share our frustrations and joys. As we learn to tolerate our
differences in here, we know how to build community out there. And
when we gather, particularly for worship, a “One-ness” descends.
Together, we practice sitting with Jesus.
On Monday night, I was at the men’s shelter at the old St. Paul’s
Church, where 21 men had been welcomed with a meal and a bed.
Each night, they stay at a different church. Some will be in this
traveling community all winter long. Others will find a job or a place
to live, or simply move on. But on Monday night, I sat in the hallway
to keep vigil in the dark for their safety, for the good of this
community that I’m now part of.
I can’t imagine a group more different from myself. And yet, this is a
blessing -- a place where I can serve and be served, and sit with Jesus
disguised as a homeless man.
I’m part of many communities on campus. But my favorite ones are
those where we simply meet together in God’s presence. I guess you
could call it prayer time. Or worship. Sitting with Jesus.
I like when we talk about things that matter. Both happy and sad
things. These are my “peeps.” These are beloved communities.
By now, I hope you have found your own beloved communities -- all
those places that make life at the University both bearable and
beautiful. Because we sit by each other here. We open ourselves to
each other, to grand new ideas, and to the One who calls us each
“beloved.”
As you scatter and gather in the coming week, spend time with people
you love, and take some time just for yourself. Tell somebody what
you have been doing – ask what they’ve been up to. Find a way to
help, and don’t let your mom do all the work. And, finally, invite
Jesus to sit at your table. He knows everything about you, and wants
to sit by you anyway. For real.
Amen.