August 19, 2007 Sermon
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Proper 15 - C
August 19, 2007 Allan Conkling
Years ago when I worked in mental health, back in the days when posters were popular, I had a poster on my office wall that said, "Not to decide is to decide." It was amazing just how "on target" that saying was. Whatever changes a person makes in life, one first has to get off dead-center to begin. Painful as it is, you have to start somewhere. Moreover, if you don't make decisions in life, others will. "Not to decide is to decide" is still a good saying.
The Gospel passage from Luke for this morning is one of the most difficult passages in the New Testament. Mention this reading to even the most faithful churchgoer and most will look at you quizzically, and say they have never heard it before. Jesus under stress? Coming not to bring peace on earth but fire and division? I thought this was the Prince of Peace. I thought we just sang, "Glory to God in the Highest and peace to his people on earth?" I thought Christianity was a peaceful religion? Put this alongside the OT reading: "God's word is like a hammer that shatters rocks in pieces, a flame that devours the stubble of grass," and we have something which does not sound peaceful at all. So what is going on here?
There is an urgency and frustration in the words of Jesus. At this point in Luke we are already on the road to Jerusalem, headed for the final showdown. Our Lord is looking forward to his "rendezvous with destiny." Here, Jesus speaks to his followers and challenges them with a point of decision. He says in effect:
"Come on people...You have heard the teachings, seen the miracles, seen me in action. It is now time to decide: Are you with me or not? What is important to you in this life...and whose side are you on?" No decision is a decision.
What we have before us then, is nothing short of a clarion call, a wake-up bell, to take seriously the journey of faith. Jesus calls upon his disciples to be committed and be active in their faith. To live as if the end is near--and for Jesus that was the case.
Of course, I read this for us today: Here we are, just coming through another sleepy summertime at Emmanuel. This is the time of year when we talk about getting "fired up" again for our church; to get involved and get our kids involved in the many activities at church.
For the past several weeks I have been encouraging us all to invite new folks to church. We want to have a Visitor's Sunday September 16, and I think we have lots to share. However, I also feel like we should place an asterisk by the invitation...for what we are inviting people to is not a social club or another community organization. The invitation to the Christian life is an invitation to walk in the footsteps of Christ, to walk the way of the cross.
Jesus was under stress as he made his way to Jerusalem. The "City of Peace" was to give no peace for him. In his desire to proclaim the Kingdom of God--God's imperial rule--Jesus also became the first casualty. This is where it can get scary: At a very real level there are times when we, as his followers, are called to stand at odds with the ways and goals and values of the world. Jesus came with a message of radical transformation of human institutions. He preached God's love and inclusion of those who were at the margins of society--the poor, the outcast, the lost, the hurting. He spoke of justice with a voice of prophecy; a message of truth and mercy that would, like a fire, burn the straw of injustice, hardness of heart, complacency, and comfort. To be a follower of Christ was then, and is now, to make a decision to be ever vigilant of not just our own needs, but the needs of others: To lay down our lives in the service of a different master; to make this church a haven of blessing...and to become stewards of life as it is entrusted to us.
Ours is a peaceful religion--but peace is not the absence of conflict. As someone once said, "the call for decision is the call for division." As tempting as it would be to not get involved in "social issues", not to speak out when we know something is wrong, is not an option. If we do not, other voices will continue to prevail: "Not to decide is to decide."
As we get ready to start back with the fall routine this would be a great time to take a "spiritual inventory," as it where, of our faith and our church. The notion that Christians always get along, or that we don't have differences, or that Jesus represents a vote for the status quo just is not true. When the Spirit of God really takes hold of us we can expect things to be lively indeed!
Of course, the other place to take inventory is within us. Look at your calendar. How do you spend your day? Is God an active part or an afterthought? Look at the books or magazines you read. We read the paper, professional journals and "summer novels"...but how much time do we spend reading the Bible? Each day God will reveal something to you in the pages of scripture--but you have to pick it up first.
Jesus said, "Where your treasure is there will your heart be also." There are times when our values, goals, and beliefs will run counter to the ways of the world. If they do not there is a problem!
It boils down to one point: What is important in life? Just remember that indecision is not an option: "Not to decide is to decide."
Copyright © 2003 Emmanuel Episcopal Church. All rights reserved.
Revised: 08/30/07