Episcopal Church and Student Center
1309 R Street * Lincoln, NE 68508 * (402) 474-1979 * www.stmarks-episcopal.org
Father Jerry Thompson
St. Mark’s on the Campus Episcopal Church
November 17, 2013
This morning’s gospel is not one I am especially happy to preach
on.
I’m far more interested in preaching on the Collect, which
is itself so wonderful; in other words, I am comfortable with
it!
However, if Jesus has taught me anything over the years, it’s
that – while there’s definitely a place for comfort – we all
grow far more by diving into what makes us uncomfortable and
finding him there.
So put on your swim trunks, and let’s take the plunge together.
We’ve been getting gospel readings this month that make us think
of Advent, the advent of the kingdom of God, for a reason.
In
the larger church tradition that our lectionary draws on,
including in other parts of the Anglican Church, the time
between the Feasts of All Saints and the First Sunday of Advent
is called “Kingdomtide.”
We have not generally made a great
deal out of kingdomtide in the Episcopal Church, but it does
make a great a deal of sense when you think about it.
This is the end of the church year, and when we Christians talk
about the end of things, the point at which all things reach
their consummation – their climax – and yes, there is a lot of
sexual language and imaging associated with it – that time is
the coming of the Kingdom of God, or the reign of God in its
fullest.
That reign has already begun.
In some sense, it
forever was, it forever is.
However, one quick look around us tells us that God’s reign is
not present in its fullness.
So at the end of the church year,
just as at the beginning of the church year, we’re invited to
ponder God’s reign in new ways – a promising, exciting, growing
prospect –and yes – an uncomfortable one, too.
The context for Jesus’ words in our gospel this morning is the
Temple:
the place of particular offering to the God of
Creation, the Lord God with whom these people have been in
relationship for millennia, stretching back through their
ancestors.
defines us:
This relationship has defined them just as it
Lovingly, jaggedly, in fits and starts, steadily,
faithfully.
In our gospel reading, people – including Jesus - are standing
around admiring the beauty of the temple.
here at St. Mark’s on the Campus, right?
We do it all the time
We admire the beauty
of the stained glass windows, or the frontals made by our own
Connie Backus-Yoder; We praise the music, or of the liturgy in
general; We compliment the lion in the courtyard or the quality
of the sermon or the work in the basement – whatever it might be
that is beautiful in one way or another.
There’s nothing wrong with doing that: it’s part of our
rejoicing in the gifts of the people of God and the way in which
we offer them to make God’s world – and in this case, God’s home
– more beautiful.
Our admiration and praise is part of our deep
thankfulness for the gifts God has given to God’s people – And
the beauty of God we participate in through our creations.
In our gospel reading, Jesus takes the opportunity to broaden
the perspective of those who will listen to him: “As for these
things you see, the days will come when not one stone will be
left on another; all will be thrown down.” Scholars say that
part of what is going on is the budding Christian community
dealing with the destruction of the temple around year 70 of the
common era, as the gospels are being set down in writing. How do
we deal with this reality as faithful people of God?
The writer
of this gospel has Jesus talking about that destruction which
will take place later.
Jesus could have actually said it. We
don’t know for sure, and your perspective on that depends on how
you understand the scriptures God has given us “to read, mark,
learn, and inwardly digest.”
I just can’t get away from our
collect!
The main point is that Luke weaves this conversation into his
story about Jesus.
The other point – or an other point – is that Jesus’ words have
meaning for Christians throughout time.
Think about it. Even
Sidnie’s very best sermon is not going to have the same meaning
forever.
Our words are part of the Spirit’s work in the world,
which is fluid and changing.
The very words that express truth
and speak to you today might not speak truth or be all that
meaningful in 500 years.
When I read some of the sermons preached in the fourth century
or in the sixteenth century or in the nineteenth century, they
might still speak truth – but if I were to preach them to you
today, you would not find them meaningful to experience, to
listen to.
ages.
The Spirit of God speaks differently in different
Of course!
Throughout this gospel this morning, Jesus is talking about
things that will happen to believers and in the world I was
talking to Kurt in passing this week about this gospel reading
and we found ourselves saying, “When haven’t nations been rising
against nations – and people suffering because of it?
“And when
haven’t there been earthquakes and famine – and innocent people
have suffered because of them?
“And when haven’t Christians
been betrayed by those whom they have trusted, and some of those
Christians been put to death?”
People of God are suffering
right now, today, in parts of the world because of the faith we
share with them.
The Sudan is a good example.
Even right here
in this community some people have suffered because they have
chosen to do what they believed was right, what they believed
God was calling them to do.
Life in God is certainly about beauty, says Jesus; it’s also
about some things that are not beautiful.
Things that are really hard.
Things that require a lot of trust
in God, just as it takes a lot of rust to create objects or
experiences that offer to our Creator the beauty that rests in
our hearts,
the beauty that God has placed there in making us. And which God
continues to provide within our souls.
“I will give you words and wisdom,” Jesus tells his listeners.
“You will be betrayed and you will be hated by all because of my
name. “But not a hair of your head will perish. “By your
endurance you will gain your souls.”
You and I don’t suffer in this way, thanks be to God!
Maybe
that gives us a different responsibility; certainly it makes us
responsible for acting on behalf of those who do suffer, just as
Jesus did.
On the other hand, we do suffer.
Our souls are not threatened
by the death of our bodies; that’s not the circumstances in
which we must trust, in which we must endure.
Our souls are far
more threatened by the temptation to see them out to a worship
of things – Some things that just that – stuff.
And other
things that are beautiful.
The first image that pops to my mind when I say that is a church
I was once in; I had stopped to pray for a few minutes.
It was
beautiful, with an enormous organ that I’m sure is lovely when
it’s played.
beautiful.
The organ sat up behind the altar area.
It was
The problem was that I felt like I was worshipping,
praying to, the organ.
And I found myself wondering what kind
of relationship with God that created for those who worshipped
in that place?
Did it not confuse the passing beauty with the
source of beauty?
Did it not move the heart away from the
creator to the created?
“As for these things you see, the days will come when not one
stone will be left on another; all will be thrown down.”
The
external beauty around us that we help to create will pass.
However, what those externals kindle within us, what they point
to, the One to whom they point – The beauty of God lasts forever
- and by God’s loving grace, we have become part of it – We, our
souls, to use that language, belong to Christ forever.
The center of who we are and who we were created to be – The
center that emerges from God and lives in God and last forever
in God – Unlike the beauty that is passing - Our center can
never be destroyed because it is one with God in Jesus Christ
our Lord.
And that is indeed beautiful to behold.
Amen.