No Regrets 9-22-13

God, of mighty power, teach us to see ourselves as part of that power.  Give us courage to dare and strength to last.  May all that I say and all that we share bring more light to the world.  Amen

            Seems there were two farmers standing out at the fence that divided their farms, perhaps chewing on a blade of wheat.  “What,” says Tom, “are ya’ gonna’ plant this year in that field over yonder?  Are ya’ gonna’ plant corn?”  “Nope,” says Jake, “’fraid of the corn bugs.”  “Gonna’ plant taters?” asked Tom.  “Nope,” says Jake, “’too much chance of them ‘tater worms.”  “Well, whatcha’ gonna’ plant?” asked Tom.  “Nothin’,” says Jake.  “I’m playin’ it safe this year.”  We may laugh at Jake, but we may also realize that we may be a little too much like Jake a little or a lot of the time.  Tom and Jake may remind us just a bit of the three workers in today’s parable. 

            Let’s briefly review the story.  A rich man or woman is going away on an extended vacation.  Worker 1 is given five talents.  Worker 2 is given two talents; and, worker 3 is given one talent.  The only rational that is given for the different amounts is that they are given according to each one’s ability.  After a very long time, the rich man or woman returns from the vacation.  The three workers come in.  Worker 1 tells the rich owner that he has invested in a great deal and has doubled his five talents and now has ten.  “Woo-hoo!” says the owner, “way to go!”  I will give you a lot to be in charge off.  Worker 2 also doubled her investment and she tells the owner that she now has four talents.  “You go, girl!  That’s what I’m talking about!  You’ll be up at the top of my list for more responsibility as well”.  The final worker, a shy, timid young man, comes to the owner and says, “you know that you are very demanding and I was afraid of your response if I didn’t do well.  So, I did the best thing—I buried the talent in the ground where nothing could touch it; so, here it is—exactly like you gave it to me.”  What comes next is so surprising that the worker is knocked off his feet in disbelief.  “You lazy, lazy man,” says the owner, “You could have at least put it in a bank where it would have earned the pitiful amount that savings earn these days.  You didn’t even do that.  Your talent will be taken away from you and given to my Ten-Talent Man.  Out with you!”  Well, I have to admit that the first time I read this parable, I didn’t see that ending coming.  You’ve got to sort of like our scared-to-make-a-mistake guy.  We’ve probably all been there.  Playing it safe instead of stepping out to take a risk. 

Now, talents in this story has two meanings:  a ‘talent’ was a measure of money in those days, but talent also means ‘gift’, ‘special aptitude’, or ‘exceptional skill’.  Though the story seems to indicate that, for practical and didactic purposes, Jesus is talking about money, that isn’t necessarily so.  For our purposes here today, the second meaning or that of ‘gift’ is the more important.  Some talents are easier to identify than others.  We may listen to Barb sing and say, “God gave her a great voice” or we may look at Ar’s banners and say, “she has a creative talent.”  We may look at David’s cakes and say, “that really takes talent”; or, look at Genette’s treasurer’s report and note how good she is with keeping records.  We may listen to Paul read the Gospel and reflect on his ability to read with great emotion; or be impressed with Karen not only because of her ability to read and write braille, but also because of her ability to inspire others to get involved in things.  These are all talents.  Every one of us has talents.  Though some might try to argue with me, I believe that there is no one who has not been given at least one talent.  So we are all a part of this week’s story.

I look at the comparison like this—God is not only the source of all our talents, but gives the ownership of the talents or gifts to the Universe to hold for the common good of all that is.  We come along and are loaned talents and gifts to use for that same common good.  Once we have been given gifts, it becomes our responsibility to discover and utilize these gifts so that when this life is over and the Universe holds them again for the next recipient, we return more than we were given; in other words, we will be in a place of “no regrets”.  We have no regrets for not using all our talents and God has no regrets for giving talents to someone who failed to use them to make this earth and the whole of creation a better, more whole, healthier place. 

Let’s think about this in the context of the church.  As you know, we are in that annual time we call by various names with the same end result—our Fall Stewardship Campaign.  Today, we will hand out Estimated Giving Cards for you to take home and reflect and pray over.  You will notice that these sheets are not just about money.  They also include time and talent.  The purpose for your completion of these ‘estimates’ of time, talent, and treasure enable me, the Board of Directors, and Team Leaders to responsibly plan for the year to come.  Today, we are specifically talking about talents.  So, let me tell you how your estimate of the talents you will share with the church helps us.  Right now, we are sorely in need of people to step up and fill leadership positions.  One of the by-products of rapid growth is that the demand for leaders often exceeds the number of people who step forward to lead.  And all of our ministries, from the worship team to the choir to hospitality need additional people willing to serve at some level or another.  Our care team needs more people who feel that one of their talents is caring and ministering to those who need our care.  In order for all the current leaders to know if their ministries can grow, we must know how many of you will decide that this is the year you have decided to give more than just money to this community, you also want to give talents and time.  Just as we want to be financially responsible, we also want to be responsibility with our ministries.  We want to be able to plan with full knowledge of who can be counted on next year.

 Back to our parable—we may want to feel sorry for our third worker.  Not only is he given only one talent; he is severely reprimanded when he fails to meet the owner’s expectation that he be responsible to make something of that talent.  But, we are not to feel sorry for him or to make excuses for him.  Each of the workers was given talents according to their ability—right then and there, our excuses seem to vanish.  The closer I get to the end of my life on this earth, the more I learn about life itself.  And one thing is certain—I do not want to be left with any “if only’s” at the end of my life.  “If only I had done this,” or “if only I had used this talent for the good of the world”.  I hope to come to the end of my life with my talents fully used up and having left the world a better place.  There is a prayer I have adopted as a daily prayer.  It is inspired by a very famous quote from Marianne Williamson.  It seems to be one of the guiding principles of the last half of my life.  This is what I try to pray every morning when I arise.  “God, let this be a day when I am not afraid to play large for all to see.  Let me be used to cause an impact on the world greater than anything I have ever expected.  Use the gifts which you have loaned to me to bring more light to all who need it in this church and anywhere it is needed.”  Now, praying this prayer does not, of course, guarantee that I am going to be able to be used in this way each day.  Things, no, I get in the way, and I take my day back, sometimes almost before it has gotten started.  But, I must be clear about this one thing—I am taking back the talents for that day—I am burying them in the dirt, so they will be there for me to pull out the next day and start again.  I know, that more than anything, God desires that we stop taking our talents and hiding them again and again.  God desires that we play large, take risks, be all that God created us to be.  When we share who we are and the gifts we have,  when we are willing to risk making mistakes or be seen as foolish by some, or step out into places we have never been, we, like the first two workers, are honoring our God in whom we live and move and have our being.  We breathe in courage and we breathe out all that we are for all who need what God has entrusted to us.  And, together we say, “no regrets, use me, use me, use me.”  Amen and amen.   

Your Name is Now “Rock” 9-15-13

God of many names and expressions, call us to you today and show us how to be your children.  May all that we speak and ponder upon be from you.  Amen

            Greetings from Nazareth!  I am Simon Peter’s brother Andrew.  I’ve come to tell you the story of my brother and how it is that he became known as “the Rock”.  Now, I will admit that it’s confusing right off the bat.  People call Jesus the Rock upon which we build our lives.  He is referred to as the Cornerstone; and, most of the time, when you talk about the Rock—even now—you are talking about Jesus.  But, Jesus himself designated my brother, Simon, as the “Rock” (capital R) upon which he will build the church.  But, I’ve gotten way ahead of myself. 

            I’ll never forget the first time I saw him, Jesus, that is.  Simon and I along with Zebedee’s boys, James and John, had fished all night.  We were washing our nets though I don’t even remember why since we had not caught a darn fish—oops, can I say that here?  Anyway, we’d pulled our boats up to the edge of the lake and were busy getting them ready for the next night.  We looked up and there was this man standing near to us.  I wish I could tell you what it was about this man, who, of course, turned out to be Jesus that made him so different.  All I know was that he absolutely radiated peace and serenity.  There was no denying that he had something the rest of us didn’t have; but once you got to know him, you knew that he wanted you to have it, too.  He called to us and went out in one of our boats. First, he spoke to the folks who had suddenly appeared almost from nowhere.  I don’t remember what he said exactly, all I knew was that I was in the presence of someone who had travelled where I had not yet gone.  After he finished preaching, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”  Now, as you get to know Simon, you’ll find out that he often spoke before he thought, he was just like that, always, how do you say it—putting his mouth in motion before his brain was in gear.  So, he up and tells Jesus that we already tried that all night long.  But, he did it anyway, just because Jesus asked.  When Simon tried to pull the nets back up into the boat he couldn’t do it, they were so heavy with fish.  James and John brought their boat back out to help and both boats were so full of fish that they sank—just like that, right then and there.  Simon seemed to know who Jesus was first, he was always the more intense one of the two of us.  Some people thought we were twins, but, really, I am much taller than Peter.  But I digress.

            Simon begged Jesus to leave him because of all the bad things he had done in his life; but, Jesus didn’t budge.  He said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid, leave your nets and come with me to fish for people.”  Fish for people, I couldn’t believe my ears; but, off we go with this man who would become our very lives for the next three years.  Now, it wasn’t all smooth sailing, if you’ll forgive my boating metaphor.  We were thrown out of towns and, a lot of the stuff Jesus said to us, we didn’t really get—at least not the first time he said it.  There were wonderful adventures and some frightening ones, too.  Everywhere that we went, people crowded around Jesus.  He healed sick people, countless sick people.  He cast out demons and ate with sinners.  He seemed all about second chances, making people whole.  But, enough about Jesus—you came to hear about my brother, my big brother who would become the most famous of all of us. 

            My brother had many wonderful experiences with Jesus.  Why, one time when we were crossing over a lake and a storm came up, we were terrified.  Jesus came to us and I swear to you, he was walking on the water.  Simon or Peter as he was called by then, of course, had to try it, too.  And, he almost made it until he got afraid and started to sink.  That’s when he called out to Jesus and Jesus saved him from drowning.  Jesus didn’t seem to hold it against Peter that he didn’t have enough faith.  For Jesus, it just seemed natural.  Maybe next time, Peter could do it. 

            Let me tell you about how Simon got a new name.  Jesus was talking with us and wanted to know what people were saying about him.  Who did they think he was?  Several answers later, he said, “Who do you think I am?”  Simon said immediately, “You are the Christ, the Messiah!”  Jesus was quick with his praise for Simon’s answer.  He said, “You know this because you have been told by God.”  Then he told Simon that his name was now “Peter” which means “the rock”.  He told Peter that he would build his church, God’s church, on him and around him.  Peter, I worked hard to call him “Peter” after that, seemed to understand some of what Jesus was saying, but later we realized that the timing wasn’t right for us to really understand.

            Peter also went up the mountain with Jesus and with James and John.  None of the rest of us got to go, but we were used to that—those three seemed to be special to Jesus.  For a long time, Simon didn’t tell me what happened, but after Jesus was gone, he told me about Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah.  Then he told me how embarrassed he was for what he said.  Apparently, and this is no surprise, when Moses and Elijah appeared, Peter went on about building tabernacles or tents to remember the event.  By the time Peter was done making plans, it was all over and he had basically missed it because he was so busy in his head thinking of things to do and say.  Peter struggled with this all the time—needing to just stop and listen for a while.

            We went on through the villages and towns, performing miracles and healing people.  All of us were now empowered to perform miracles even though our faith faltered at times and Jesus would have to show us what to do.  It was a hard three years—those years with Jesus—and, yet, it changed my life forever.  None of us were ever the same, you can count on that.  Finally, things started to wind down.  First Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey—it was quite a scene.  That last week was all about Jesus.  Even though we didn’t know what was about to happen, it was if we all slowed down and really tried to listen.  Passover was coming and on the eve of Passover, we were all at the Passover meal with Jesus.  Jesus began talking and called us to remember him in a very special way.  I think that you still do it, why, yes, I see the table here.  Jesus told us that one would betray him.  He wasn’t even talking about Peter at the time, but by now you know how Peter was.  Peter said quickly, “I will never betray you.”  Jesus said sadly, “Yes, you will.  In fact, by the time the rooster crows you will have denied me three times.”  Peter was devastated.  He could hardly talk and that was really something for Peter.

            You all know the rest of that story, Jesus was arrested and, sure enough, Peter did deny knowing Jesus three times that night.  When Peter realized what he had down, he was so very sad.  His heart was broken and he couldn’t believe that God would ever use him again, but he was very wrong on that count.  Peter was one of the very first ones to see the empty tomb.  He was ecstatic and, when Jesus began appearing to the disciples after his death and resurrection, it seemed that all would be well. 

            Jesus, of course, eventually left this earth and the disciples and all the other followers are waiting—as then were told—for what is next in Jerusalem.  When the gift of the Holy Spirit arrives and it seems as if chaos ensues, it is Peter that calms the crowd and gives the sermon of a lifetime.  All through the next years, Peter travels and spreads the Gospel to all who would listen.  I went with him on some of the journeys, and others accompany him as well.  He plants churches all over the region and travels to them, speaking to them about the nitty-gritty of the Gospel.  It sure looks like Jesus’ prophecy has come true.  My brother, Peter, later became known as the first Pope.  It was amazing to watch Peter grow into everything that he needed to be to fulfill Jesus’ prophetic words on a simple hillside long ago.

            So, that’s Peter the disciple.  Let me tell you about Peter, the brother.  Simon, Peter that is, always loved but he was searching for more in his life.  He was more than a fisherman even before he met Jesus, he questioned and never settled for easy answers.  But he was kind, always kind.  His heart was soft, waiting for someone like Jesus to open it up for the good of the world.  And Jesus did.  Peter was never perfect.  Right up to the end with Jesus, Peter continued to make mistakes—some really hurtful mistakes.  But Peter never walked away from the Gospel and Jesus never turned on Peter.  I think that Peter sent me here to tell you that if you open your hearts, that you can have a “rock” experience.  You can be a rock upon which God builds a mighty community here—a community that will change the world.  Peter was just a fisherman, and you are just, well, whatever you happen to be.  God makes us into rocks—building material for the Church itself.  Peter would want me to leave you with this thought:  “When God calls, answer, “I am a rock—I am your rock—use me, use me, use me.”  Amen and amen

           

           

Communion: Loved in Community 9-1-13

Holy and most gracious Yahweh:  We are such a new community still struggling to know what you want us to be to the world.  Give us ears to listen.  May your Holy Spirit enliven our worship, our fellowship, and our prayers.  In the presence of the God of many names, we say “amen”!

            Now, you may well know that much of the New Testament consists of letters from various apostles to the new faith communities all over the region.  Paul was the most prolific if we take the number of letters included in the canon to be any indication; but, John wrote letters, Peter wrote some and there is at least one letter of uncertain origin or destination—the letter to the Hebrews from which our New Testament lesson came today.  Paul, however, is the author who speaks the most about the nature of community.  Today, I have chosen to read to you a letter that I believe would be very much like the letter he would write to Open Circle.  I have tried to get into the mind of Paul; we share the same Holy Spirit and worship the same God.  So, with both gratitude and apologies to Paul, I share with you a letter very much like the one I think we might receive.

Dear ones of the faith community of Open Circle.  I, Paul, your friend, am writing to you as I believe Jesus Christ would write to you.  I greet you with the grace and peace showered into our very lives by the Gracious God we serve. 

Do you know that God has intended for communities like Open Circle to grow and flourish from the beginning of time.  God knew about your fellowship and wanted it to be the kind of church that would further God’s reign of justice on this earth.  Your faithfulness gives God great joy!  You study the teachings of Jesus Christ and other sacred writers.  Your search for inner truth has not gone unnoticed by God.  You are playing your role in the bringing in the reign of justice and peace for all of God’s people.  By receiving from others and by listening to the teachings of Jesus and meeting him in your journey you are learning the way of abundance.  Our God supplies your every need, and every need for everything on the earth. 

You have experienced a divine energy—an energy that utilizes all the energies that come together in your community.  You have endorsed and valued diversity and allowed diversynergy to grow among you.  This Body of believers is actually the Body of Christ here on earth.  Your celebration of communion shows your commitment to this community you call “Open Circle” and God calls “the sacred Body”.  All of this energy is generated from the great mysteries of the world—the vastness of the oceans, the wildness of the open seas, and the hush of the great forests.  It also springs from the lives of the saints—those who have walked this road before you following sacred teachings of Jesus Christ and others who work for God’s reign of justice.

            It wasn’t always so.  Prior to Open Circle some of you questioned whether or not you still belonged in any expression of the Body of Christ; but, now, you flourish amongst all the others in your fellowship.  God wanted something better for you and so you were lead to this place with these people.  This is God’s gift to you—from beginning to end.  And God calls you to do good work.

            We must not take this for granted.  It is still recent that some of you feel comfortable and you are still learning about how God works.  Be sure to learn of the great tradition of the law and the prophets so that you may know where this idea of a set-apart community comes from.  By the time Jesus walked on this earth, there was much discord and hatred between peoples.  Christ Jesus tore down the walls that existed between ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’.  We are all one through the mystery of Christ Jesus and in our commitment to peace.   It is as if we are all ‘new’ in Christ and being new creations we are different people.  In Christ, we got a fresh start.  And we all share the same Spirit and have equal access to God.

            This is what I am trying to say:  You don’t have to wander alone anymore.  This faith community is now your home community.  You’re no longer strangers or outsiders.  You belong here—here in this place just as you are.  God is using you to build a building; so, no matter how you got here, you have a very important role to play.  God used the apostles and the prophets for the foundation.  And, now, you and all people who believe in the goodness of God are being used—cemented into the walls with brick and mortar.  It’s taking shape and God, with all of us, rejoices.

            So, now you know some of what I was preaching and what got me in so much trouble.  I’m in jail as I write this to you.  That’s ok, I’ve been here before and it will all work out through the grace of god.  We are so blessed to have known the risen and living Christ.  Finally, after all those centuries of ignoring the prophets, the people have someone to listen to and to emulate.  This is my life’s work to bring everyone to the knowledge that God accepts and loves them exactly as they were created to be.  But, God did not call you into the understanding of acceptance only to see you make little effort to share this good news.  You will be equipped by God to do this holy work; do not be unsure. 

            I’m living proof of that—here I am, talking about things that are way over my head—for God, through Christ is generous above all that we can imagine or dream.  My present troubles?  Oh, they are nothing and will certainly be resolved soon.  My present response to the knowledge of this vast and never-ending love is to kneel and pray to the God of all Creation.  I pray that you will truly experience the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love.  Plant your feet firmly on the ground and know that God can do anything—in fact, God can do more than you can imagine.  God, though, does not push us around or force us to develop our faith.  God works within us, the Spirit working deeply and gently within us. 

            In faith communities, God calls us to be mature.  You’ve got to walk the walk.  Watch out for detours—detours which may feel good for a while but which do not promote the growth of the Spirit in your lives. 

            Now here are some ways you can love each other in this community.  Be alert for differences and speedy to mend relationships.  God has given you people with amazing experiences and the ability to do many things.  To some God gave the gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving in sync with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.

            Let’s not spend too much time being “new”.  You must get in step with each other if you are to fulfill the great calling of God for this community.  You must be truthful with one another.  As parts of Christ’s body we are all interconnected and so the truth must prevail.  If you have righteous anger about things that mar God’s wish for justice, you are right to do so and to work for the end of that situation.  Watch your conversations.  Remember, words are a gift and are to be used in helpfulness.  Don’t grieve God’s heart.  The Holy Spirit was given to you to strengthen you and send you into the world to do God’s work.  What a gift!  You must not take it for granted.  And this is very important—be gentle with one another and sensitive to each other’s hurts and discomfort.  Forgive each other as quickly as you are able.  Refusing to forgive harms both you and the other person.  As you come to celebrate the memory of Jesus Christ in communion, be sure your hearts are right with one another. 

            If you pay attention to all the miracles of God and explore how they cause you to feel, you will know exactly what to do for others.  Just like children, we learn how to be from our Creator Parent.  Don’t hold back, for God did not hold back with you; but, rather God blessed you extravagantly.  God doesn’t love to get something back from us—you should love like that.  So, wake up, and allow God to use you to spread love, and justice, and peace.  These are difficult times; work for the reign of God’s righteousness. 

            And this is what I have to say to you about how you get along with each other.  Out of respect for Christ, attempt to be courteously reverent to one another.  Treat each other as special gifts for you from your Creator God.  When you come to God’s table, come celebrating the many gifts you have in this very room. 

            Well, that about wraps it up for now.  Be prepared and work together in love.  You have a big job to do for the glory of God. Utilize all that God has given you—truth, righteousness, peace and faith will stand you in good stead throughout your life.  Learn to pray and spend time in God’s presence.   Don’t forget to pray for me and for good people all over the world who are imprisoned for trying to spread God’s hope.   One of my friends will let you know how I am.  Good-bye friends.  May love and faith be yours from God, the Creator.  May you experience the grace of Jesus Christ in your daily life in the world. 

In the service of Christ, Paul, the Apostle

Amen and amen.