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Again, the memory of clouds and rain fades further, to a pale shadow of their once strong presence, Tuesday / Wednesday. Today is crystal-clear, bright, blue, warm — you should change your plans and come visit. You really could get a tan you didn't have to apologize for today.
On the way in this morning for breakfast and worship, my drive paralleled a marathon in progress. I thought they, the runners, presented such a perfect micro image of us the church. Here they were, of ages varying from kids with their infinite batteries of energy installed, not yet old enough to break a sweat let alone knowing how to, to folks with many decades under their belts, also not breaking a sweat, but because they knew how not to. Some in family groups; some paired in relationship or friendship; others moving on independent paths between and through the groups. Everyone on the same, but individual, journey to the same goal.
They were united by their purpose to persevere to the end. They had to be aware of the diversity in their number. They had to expend different levels of effort and willpower to achieve their goal. By achieving their goal, they were also achieving the goals of everyone, since I assume that the proceeds of this event were to benefit some worthy cause, as these events usually do.
Obviously, I could go on in this vein for a while, but you get it. Equally obvious: I have been spending too much time around people who write sermons. It does rub off on one, you know.
Last night after dinner, we had a wonderful evening of music provided by three very different groups at different times. We thanked people for their service to the church. We heard amazing stories of hope, signs of what can be done. Ask someone who was there to tell you about St Matthew's in New Brunswick: a congregation so small it could not afford a pastor for a long time, and now could no longer afford to pay for the upkeep and repair of their church building. So, what did they do? Close? Nope. They bulldozed their church and where it had been built a 45-apartment, low-income housing building, with a common space in it that hosts church on Sundays. It and they are thriving. They now have both an outreach mission and a pastor. Simply amazing.
Today we gathered for what turned out to be a wonderful closing worship service, Bishop Susan Johnson presiding. Bishop Michael Pryce, Eastern Synod, preached. The music was as it has been the whole convention: marvelous and uplifting. I mentioned to the choir in passing that regular choir practice was Wednesday night at my congregation, and that since John insisted we start bang on time, they needed to allow enough travel time for traffic and distance.
Texts: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43
Bishop Michael reflected on reunions and gatherings, familial and ecclesial, the diversity of them and within them. He said that he had come to realize how important it was that these people had chosen to come to together, and what would be lost if they were to decide not to come together. "We gather to affirm and build up the hopes and dreams that support our common life. We dream new dreams. We hatch new plans. We do this knowing we will be sent out, to be the hands and face of Christ."
He said it is said the truest test of faith is whether it will let anything stand in its way. The people in today's text certainly showed themselves to be people whose faith would not let anything stand in the way. He said Christ also was a person who did not let the accepted rules stand in the way, ignoring the distinctions of class and gender as well as the purity codes of that time. "This is a savior who refuses to be domesticated or contained, and people flocked to him."
Bishop Michael said that if we don't find people breaking down the doors to get in our churches, is it because they don't find Jesus there? "Not many people are going to break a sweat chasing down a tame, safe, domesticated Jesus. That's not what they crave. They crave the genuinely undomesticated Jesus of the Gospels."
He reminded us that St Augustine wrote that "hope has two lovely sisters: anger and courage. Anger so that what must not be will not be. And courage so that what must be shall be." Hope is more than wishful thinking. "Hope's flame is dim if it is not moved by a passion and willingness to act for what is good and what is just. And then willing to bear the price."
"There is a cost to being a church in mission to others. And make no mistake: if we are doing that work we are going to get dirty, bruised and scratched."
Later, he said, "Our table talk this week has been vigorous. And, our opinions have been expressed with great passion. Even as we valiantly and correctly seek a unity of opinion on difficult issues, we must never forget to nurture, to guard and care for the unity in mission that is wholly ours."
He said it was ours to decide whether we build up or tear down that common mission that is ours from God. Will our coming together further contribute to the fear or despair that characterizes so much of human life today? Or are we going to leave here truly light in spirit that we can share for the world's salvation? He said we all had important decisions to make.
He finished with the words of Scripture used to dismiss us on Thursday from worship into the work of the convention, and used today to dismiss us from worship into the work of the church: "Let love be genuine, hate what is evil, hold fast to that which is good, love one another with mutual affection, outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer, serve the Lord." Romans 12:9-12
Grace and peace be to you
One more bit I have to share with you. I am sitting in one of the common spaces of the Student Union writing this, so I have access to the wifi. In front of me are two groups, separated by less than 15 feet. One is a group of six Lutheran adults with their LBWs in hand, still sharing the fellowship of the convention and the just completed worship service. Occasionally, their conversation has wandered from the usual social glaze about home, hearth, kids and politics to a serious discussion of what limits faith and the power of love in outreach to overcome suspicion and fear, and then back.
The other is of a group of 10 students, 8 girls, 2 guys. The girls are doing most of the talking, the guys appearing to be content with listening, and probably with the male-female ratio. Piercings. Laughter. Hugs. One girl with a great, beautiful full-head shock of the absolutely whitest hair I have ever seen. Another with red hair that has to be seen, cannot be described. And yet a third girl beautifully dressed in classic Japanese style, precise hair framing her face, a flower perfectly-placed, her clothes demurely in the kimono style till you get to her very short mini-skirt and sheer stockings. They are having great fun simply sharing time with friends. It is invigorating just to watch.
The two conversations mix in the air of this place, each group unavoidably hearing some of what is said in the other, yet seemingly unaffected by the incongruity. Or, is it congruity? In this moment, living together in the midst of our disagreements seems oh so possible and oh so desirable. The way it ought to be. Can be.
Yep, for sure, too much time around sermon writers.
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