August 28th, 2022

Sermon by Pastor Ron Nelson

August 28, 2022, Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Turtle Island

Sirach 3:17-29, Psalm 68 3:3-10, Hebrews 12:18-24, Luke 14:1-14

IF YOU LOOK IN THE FRONT OF THE ELW, PAGE 46, UNDER LECTIONARY 22, YEAR C, YOU WILL

SEE SIRACH IS AN “OR” FOR TODAY. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT SIRACH

THAN THE ONE I AM USING BUT AT LEAST THEY ARE HONOURING SIRACH. LIKE WISDOM,

WHICH WE USED THREE SUNDAYS AGO, SIRACH IS IN THE APOCRYPHAL DEUTEROCANONICAL

BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. THIS SECTION IS BETWEEN THE OLD TESTAMENT (OT) AND

THE NEW TESTAMENT (NT). MANY MORE BOOKS THAN WHAT IS IN THE CANON, WHICH WAS

APPROVED IN ABOUT 300 AD, WERE WRITTEN AND THESE HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY MOST

CHURCHES. TODAY’S BOOK’S FULL TITLE IS, ‘THE WISDOM OF JESUS SON OF SIRACH’.

IF YOU HAVE NOT BOUGHT A BIBLE RECENTLY, WHY NOT BUY THE “NEW REVISED STANDARD

VERSION OF THE NEW ANNOTATED OXFORD BIBLE WITH THE APOCRYPHA.” NO, I DO NOT GET

A COMMISSION.

SIRACH WAS WRITTEN IN ABOUT 180 BC AND SEEMS TO BE WRITING AGAINST THE GREEK

PHILOSOPHERS. QUITE FRANKLY, THOSE PHILOSOPHERS WERE/ARE A PROBLEM. THE NT AND

MOST OF OUR THOUGHT PATTERNS TODAY WERE INFLUENCED BY THE GREEKS AND WE LOST

THE ABILITY TO “THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.” AS I SAID NOT TOO LONG AGO, THE HEBREW

WRITERS ALWAYS RECOGNIZED THERE ARE/WERE ALTERNATIVES TO THE WAY WE THINK. SO

AS THE GREEK WRITERS WERE NARROWING DOWN THEIR VIEWS OF GOD, SIRACH WAS

SAYING, LOOK AT THE WISDOM OF ISRAEL LEARNED IN THEIR LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

NOW I KNOW MANY PEOPLE GIVE UP ON THE OT BECAUSE OF THE KILLINGS AND THE

MISTRANSLATIONS OF GENESIS ETC. BUT IN DOING THAT, WE MISS WHAT WAS REALLY BEING

SAID. THE WRITER OF SIRACH IS STRESSING THE ESSENTIAL ROLE THAT HUMILITY PLAYS IN THE

LIFE OF PEOPLE WHO SEEK TRUE GREATNESS. REMEMBER THIS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EATING

AT THE TABLE.

I JOKE ABOUT THE FACT THAT IT IS, “HARD TO BE HUMBLE WHEN YOU ARE PERFECT IN EVERY

WAY.” THE TROUBLE IS MANY LEADERS DO NOT PRACTISE HUMBLENESS, GENTLENESS,

COURTESY, AND CONSIDERATENESS. SIRACH SAYS, “WHEN CALAMITY BEFALLS SOMEONE

PROUD, THERE IS NO HEALING.” THIS SHOULD BE THE “BACKGROUND MUSIC” FOR OUR LIVES.

DO WE WANT TO HEAR THAT OR DO WE WANT TO HEAR THE MUSIC OF THE “HORN-

HONKERS?”

THE GOSPEL STORY FOLLOWS THIS UP WITH THE BIBLICAL HUMILITY THAT JESUS IS TALKING

ABOUT. “FOR WHOEVER EXALTS HIMSELF WILL BE HUMBLED, AND WHOEVER HUMBLES

HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED.”

THE LETTER OF HEBREWS FOLLOWS UP ON THAT BY PUTTING OUR SIMPLE CHRISTIAN ACTIONS

ON A LEVEL OF SYMBOLISM ANYONE WOULD ENJOY HEARING. FOR INSTANCE, WE CAN

ACTUALLY “TOUCH” THE GOD AMONG US AND COME INTO CONTACT WITH GOD’S SPIRIT AS

WE INTERACT WITH THE PEOPLE AROUND US. COVID DID NOT ALLOW THAT AND WE ARE STILL

SUFFERING FROM SOMETHING BEYOND THE ACTUAL CAUSES OF THE DISEASE. YES, HEBREWS

HELPS US SEE WHAT A GOOD LIFE CAN BE. SOMETHING WE HAVE BARELY TASTED IN

MOMENTS OF GRACE.

THIS IS THE SORT OF VISION THAT FREED JESUS TO BE JUST EXACTLY WHO HE WAS, WHETHER

OUT ON THE ROAD, OR PRAYING ALONE, OR AT A PARTY. JESUS LOVED PARTIES/BANQUETS.

WE NEVER HEAR THAT HE REFUSED THE OFFER OF A GOOD MEAL. AND ONCE HE WAS AT THE

PARTY, HE WOULD TRANSFORM THE TABLE INTO A SPACE FOR EVANGELIZING REPARTEE. YES,

JESUS HAD A QUICK MIND AND A SPLENDID GIFT OF “REPARTEE.” [I LOVE THAT WORD.] WHEN

JESUS WAS AT A MEAL THERE WAS ALWAYS SOME CONTENTION, “WHY DOES HE LET HER

TOUCH HIM?”, “WHY DOES HE EAT WITH SINNERS?”, “WHY DO THEY NOT WASH THEIR

HANDS?”, AND FINALLY AT HIS “LAST MEAL,” “THE ONE WHO WILL BETRAY ME IS WITH ME AT

THIS TABLE.” BUT JESUS ALSO HAD ENOUGH WIT/REPARTEE IN EACH SITUATION THAT EVEN IN

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD WHEN IT WAS/IS NOT VERY PEACEFUL, IT WAS/IS NEVER

BORING.

DOING WEDDINGS WAS NEVER MY FAVOURITE MINISTRY BUT WEDDING BANQUETS WERE

FUN UNTIL A COUPLE YOUNG MACHO GUYS HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK. [WATCHING AN OLD

PASTOR DO THE CHICKEN DANCE ALWAYS GOT SOME PEOPLE EXCITED. I AM SURE THERE ARE

SOME HOME MOVIES OF THAT HAPPENING.] WEDDING BANQUETS WERE ONE OF JESUS’

FAVOURITE SYMBOLS FOR THE REIGN OF GOD. SO, JESUS WOULD USE THE OCCASION TO

EXPLAIN WHAT THE REIGN OF GOD COULD/SHOULD BE LIKE. GET OUT OF THE RUT OF ALL

PEOPLE HAVING TO BE THE SAME. REPEATING THE SAME OLD IS LIKE SERVING LEFTOVERS

WEEK AFTER WEEK. SO JESUS SUGGESTED THEY START INVITING NEW PEOPLE TO THEIR

BANQUETS.

BECAUSE OF OUR SANITARY LAWS TODAY, THE RESTAURANT CANNOT TAKE THE LEFT-OVER

FOOD AT A BANQUET TO FEED THE HUNGRY BUT I KNOW OF TIMES WHEN THE GUESTS TOOK

THE LEFTOVERS TO A COMMUNITY FOOD KITCHEN. MAYBE NEXT TIME THEY COULD INVITE

SOME OF THE STREET PEOPLE TO THE BANQUET???

I GUESS THAT IS WHY AT 82+ I KEEP WRITING SERMONS, SO THAT WE CAN LOOK AT THIS

PORTION FROM LUKE TODAY AND SAY IT IS JUST OFFERING US SOME WISE ADVICE. I THINK

THE WRITER OF LUKE GIVES US SOME REASONS THAT HE WANTS US TO SEE MORE THAN JUST

GOOD ADVICE IN THIS TEXT. THIS IS A SABBATH MEAL IN THE HOME OF A PHARISEE WITH

SOME “CHURCH” PEOPLE. JESUS’ ADVICE ABOUT SEEKING A LOWER PLACE AT THE TABLE

SOUNDS LIKE GOOD SHREWD ADVICE. BUT IT HAS TO BE MORE THEOLOGICAL THAN THAT OR

WHY AM I HERE?

LUKE’S GOOD SAMARITAN AND THE PRODIGAL SON PARABLES WERE MORE FASCINATING. BUT

THIS PARABLE IS TOLD IN THE SECOND-PERSON SINGULAR AND WE RECOGNIZE THE TYPICAL

AND THE ORDINARY. THE OTHER TWO PARABLES I JUST MENTIONED SEEMED PRETTY

OBVIOUS BUT THIS ONE HAS TO BE LOOKED AT MORE DEEPLY.

SO LET US AGREE THIS IS NOT A PARABLE ON MANNERS, SOCIAL ETIQUETTE OR THE LIKE. IT IS

NOT TELLING US HOW TO SECURE GOD’S GOOD GRACES AND GAINING SOME HEAVENLY

PAYBACK. YOU SEE JESUS KNEW WHO HE WAS. SO WHEN HE WATCHED/WATCHES PEOPLE

JOCKEYING FOR POSITION, THERE HAD/HAS TO BE A PLAYFUL GLINT, A TWINKLE IN HIS EYES,

WHEN EVERYONE IS FINALLY SETTLED IN THEIR PLACE AND THEN JESUS SAYS, “NEXT TIME YOU

GIVE A BANQUET, INVITE, THE POOR, THE CRIPPLED, THE LAME, AND THE BLIND.”

DINA AND I JUST HAD LUNCH WITH A FRIEND WHO BECAUSE OF A FIRE IN HIS APARTMENT

BUILDING ENDED UP LIVING WITH SOME “EXTREME CHRISTIAN PEOPLE.” WHEN THE GROUP

GETS TOGETHER, THEY LIKE TO EAT. OUR FRIEND MADE THE MISTAKE OF SAYING, “WHY DO

YOU NOT SHARE THIS WITH THE HOMELESS” AND AS THEY SAY, “THAT WENT OVER LIKE A TON

OF BRICKS.”

WHAT COULD HAPPEN AT SUCH A DINNER? THE ENTIRE TENOR OF THE GATHERING WOULD

CHANGE AS THE GUESTS ENTERED INTO THE SACRAMENT OF THE TABLE WHERE EATING

TOGETHER CAN BE A LIVING EXPRESSION OF SHARED HUMANITY. YES, EVEN IF JESUS SAID IT

LIGHTHEARTEDLY, HE WAS SERIOUS ABOUT THE GUEST LIST. EVERY MEAL JESUS SHARED WAS

ABOUT COMMUNION. EXCLUSIVITY IN COMMUNION IS ALWAYS SACRILEGE. IN FACT, IF WE

ARE THOSE WHO ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR CONVERSIONS, THIS IS IT. SEEKING COMMUNION

WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT IS WHAT IT IS REALLY ALL ABOUT. YES, AS OUR VALUES

GET REARRANGED, IT WILL BE UNCOMFORTABLE BUT IT WILL LEAD TO ENJOYING THE PEACE

OF COMMUNION AT THE MEAL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR US - - FOR ALL OF US, WITHOUT

DISTINCTION.

WHEN THE ORIGINAL GROUP GATHERS A FEW WEEKS LATER, THEY MIGHT BURST INTO

STORIES ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES, ABOUT IDEAS AND PERSPECTIVES THEY HAD NEVER

BEFORE IMAGINED. IT IS NOT HARD TO IMAGINE JESUS SAYING, “THIS IS WHAT IT IS LIKE IN

THE REIGN OF GOD.” IN FACT, FOR INSTANCE, BY USING SIRACH TODAY WE ARE TELLING THE

ORTHODOX AND ROMAN CATHOLIC’S THAT WE ARE AT LEAST JUST AS OPEN TO THE WORLD AS

YOU ARE.

TODAY’S READINGS FOCUS ON HUMILITY AND TEACH US HOW TO ATTEND TO THOSE WHO ARE

THE MOST-NEEDY. AFTER ALL THESE CENTURIES LATER, THEY SEEM ESPECIALLY RELEVANT

TODAY. FOR US TO KNOW HOW TO CONDUCT OURSELVES WHEN WE LIVE IN A CULTURE THAT

PROMOTES SUCCESS, POWER, AND SELF-AGGRANDIZEMENT AT EVERY LEVEL, IS SO

IMPORTANT. AWARENESS – BOTH OF SELF AND OTHERS – IS ESSENTIAL. JESUS CALLS US TO

FOREGO OUR OWN WANTS, PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE IN NEED AND EXPECT NO REWARD IN

RETURN. THAT SOUNDS A LOT EASIER THAN IT IS AND SO WE CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT IT.

YES, IN JESUS’ DAY, SHARING A MEAL WAS A PROFOUND ACT OF SOLIDARITY. TO SIT AT A

TABLE WITH SOMEONE IMPLIED THAT YOU WOULD PRAY TOGETHER, AND THAT IMPLIED YOU

SHARED A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND WITH ONE ANOTHER. WHILE NOT EVERYONE

PROBABLY THOUGHT IT THROUGH IN THOSE TERMS, JUST LIKE WE PROBABLY DO NOT DO IT

EITHER, BUT THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT IT WAS/IS ALL ABOUT. THAT WAS WHY THE JEWS COULD

NOT EAT WITH THE GENTILES, THEY DID NOT PRAY IN COMMUNION, AND THEY COULD NOT

EAT WITHOUT PRAYING? THEREFORE, THEY COULD ONLY EAT WITH “THEIR OWN.” SO SAD!

QUITE SIMPLY FOR THEM AND US, ENTERING INTO COMMUNION WITH ALL GOD’S PEOPLE

DOES NOT PUT US ON THE SOCIAL PAGE OR SOCIAL REGISTER BUT ACCORDING TO JESUS, GOD

WOULD BE IN OUR DEBT. AS I SAY, THAT IS BEYOND MY PAY GRADE, MY PURVIEW. BUT IT

SOUNDS PRETTY GOOD TO ME. YES, I/WE NEED GOD’S MERCY, AND WHEN WE RECOGNIZE

THAT, WE WILL FIND IT MUCH EASIER TO OFFER MERCY TO OTHERS. I AM SORRY I AM

LITERALLY NOT THERE SO THAT WE COULD BE EATING AND DRINKING AROUND THE TABLE

TODAY.

INCIDENTALLY, THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR’S ROUND TABLE WAS THAT THERE WAS NO

PECKING ORDER AMONG THE KNIGHTS. EVERY KNIGHT WAS EQUAL.

SIMILARLY, THE FAMILY KITCHEN TABLE IS/WAS THE SYMBOLIC, IF NOT A LITERAL PLACE

WHERE THE FAMILY PRAYS, SHARES FOOD, MEMORIES ARE PRESERVED, LAUGHTER REIGNS,

EVERYONE MATTERS AND YES, SOMETIMES WE EVEN CRY TOGETHER.

THE TABLE IS NOT A PLACE OF COMPETITION OR ACCOMPLISHMENT, IT IS ONLY A PLACE OF

FELLOWSHIP AND WELCOME. IS IT ANY WONDER, THEN, THAT THE TABLE IS ALSO THE

CENTRAL PLACE OF GATHERING AND COMMUNION WITH GOD AND WITH EACH OTHER. THIS

TABLE OF THE LORD IS THE HOLY PLACE WHERE THE VISION OF JESUS FOR A NEW WORLD

BEGINS TO TAKE PLACE. AT THIS TABLE, THERE IS NO POSTURING. WE ARE ALL EQUALLY IN

NEED OF FORGIVENESS, OF GRACE, OF GOD. AT THIS TABLE THERE IS NO COMPETITION, THERE

IS ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE. AT THIS TABLE THE ONLY WAY TO COME TO IT, IS WITH HUMILITY,

WITH OUTSTRETCHED HANDS AND BEING OPEN TO ALL. IF IT IS TRUE HERE, AT THIS TABLE,

MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, IT IS AND WILL BE TRUE EVERYWHERE ELSE AS WELL. YES, THE MEAL IS

OVER, JESUS STANDS UP FROM THE TABLE, AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL REMEMBER THAT

EVERYWHERE JESUS IS, THERE WILL BE A FEAST/A BANQUET. AND WE WILL REMEMBER THERE

IS ROOM FOR EVERYBODY AT THE TABLE, NOBODY CARES WHO SITS WHERE, AND EVERYBODY

SHARES IN ABUNDANCE.

BUILD A LONGER TABLE,

NOT A HIGHER WALL,

FEEDING THOSE WHO HUNGER,

MAKING ROOM FOR ALL.

FEASTING TOGETHER,

STRANGER TURNS TO FRIEND,

CHRIST BREAKS WALLS TO PIECES,

FALSE DIVISIONS END. [ACS 1062 V. 1]

MAY WE BUILD SUCH A PLACE AMONG US

WHERE ALL PEOPLE ARE EQUAL IN LOVE.

GOD HAS CALLED US TO WORK TOGETHER

AND TO SHARE EVERY-THING WE HAVE. [ELW 523 V. 3]

LET US GO NOW TO THE BANQUET,

TO THE FEAST OF THE UNIVERSE.

THE TABLE IS SET AND A PLACE IS WAITING,

COME, EVERY-ONE,

WITH YOUR GIFTS TO SHARE. [REFRAIN]

AMEN.

August 21st, 2022

Sermon by Pastor Ron Nelson

August 21, 2022, Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Turtle Island

MOST OF US DO NOT LIKE TO HEAR THE WORD “DISCIPLINE,” ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS APPLIED

TO US. WE PRESUME IT IS GEARED TO TAKE AWAY OUR FREEDOM, AND IN THE LONG RUN

ALWAYS COMES WITH SOME SORT OF PUNISHMENT.

SO, IN SOME WAY, THE ANTIVAXXERS THINK THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO DIE AND TO CAUSE

OTHERS TO DIE AND WE SHOULD NOT GET IN THEIR WAY. I GUESS THE GUN COWBOYS HAVE

THE SAME IDEAS. YET A TYPICAL DICTIONARY DEFINITION OF THE TERM SAYS, “IT IS SIMPLY

THE PRACTICE OF TRAINING PEOPLE TO OBEY RULES OR A CODE OF BEHAVIOUR.” OBVIOUSLY,

OUR “HORN HONKERS” DID NOT/DO NOT WANT TO OBEY ANY RULES. DRIVING ON THE RIGHT

SIDE OF THE ROAD, WEARING SEAT BELTS AND A HOST OF OTHER SUCH LAWS SAVE LIVES BUT

THERE ARE THOSE WHO WOULD RATHER DIE THAN TO BE TOLD WHAT TO DO.

SO, WHEN THE AUTHOR OF HEBREWS WRITES ABOUT THE “DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD.” HE IS

SIMPLY TALKING ABOUT THE UNIQUE RULES AND BEHAVIOUR PATTERNS THAT JESUS

EXPECTED THEM/US TO OBEY. OUR FIRST LESSON FROM ISAIAH TALKS ABOUT A GOD WHO IS

LORD OF ALL NATIONS AND TONGUES. GOD KNOWS THERE ARE THINGS WE NEED TO DO, IF

WE ARE TO LIVE WITH ONE ANOTHER. IN ISAIAH, THE RECENTLY FREED JEWS ARE

ENCOURAGED TO RETURN TO THE PROMISED LAND, TO COME BACK TO THEIR HOMELAND

WITH A NEW UNDERSTANDING TOWARDS THE GENTILES. THE GENTILES WERE NOT SIMPLY

“NON-JEWS.” THESE “FOREIGNERS” WERE/ARE ALL INCLUDED IN GOD’S PLAN FOR SALVATION.

YES, THAT IS IN ISAIAH WRITTEN THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO.

YET THE CHURCH IN 1493 IN THEIR, “DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY” SAID, “ANY “NEW” LAND YOU

DISCOVER BELONGS TO YOUR COUNTRY AND ANYONE LIVING THERE CAN BE DONE AWAY

WITH. “A GOOD INDIAN IS A DEAD INDIAN.” WELL, THEY MAY HAVE SAID IT MORE FORMALLY,

BUT THAT IS WHAT THEY/WE SAID. SO, IN A SENSE WE WERE BEING GOOD TO THE

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE BY PUTTING THEM IN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS, EH? IT WAS BETTER THAN

BEING DEAD, RIGHT? WERE WE NOT “GOOD CHRISTIANS” OR WHAT?

AS ROGER KARBAN SAYS, “I AM CERTAIN A NUMBER OF HOLY, PIOUS JEWS WOULD HAVE

PETITIONED THE HOLY OFFICE – IF THERE HAD BEEN ONE – TO HAVE ISAIAH DECLARED A

HERETIC.”

SO, ISAIAH AND JESUS TRIED TO INSTIL IN THE PEOPLE WHAT DIVINE DISCIPLINE REALLY WAS.

THE “SAVED” WILL INCLUDE PEOPLE WHO WE THROUGH THE YEARS HAVE PRESUMED TO BE

OUTSIDE OF THE “TRUE CHURCH.” “THERE WILL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH WHEN

YOU SEE ABRAHAM AND ISAAC AND JACOB AND ALL THE PROPHETS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD,

AND YOU YOURSELF WILL BE THROWN OUT.” “THE LAST WILL BE FIRST AND SOME ARE FIRST

WHO WILL BE LAST.”

YOU ALL KNOW THE SET UP TO A JOKE, RIGHT? “A MAN WALKED INTO A BAR….” WELL, WE

SHOULD HAVE BEEN READY WHEN THE PERSON IN THE GOSPEL ASKED, “LORD, WILL ONLY A

FEW BE SAVED?” REMEMBER THIS IS BEING ASKED TO THE HOST OF THE EVER-OPEN TABLE. IT

COMES JUST AFTER JESUS HAS ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO KEEP KNOCKING ON A LOCKED DOOR,

TRUSTING THAT THE PERSON WILL EVENTUALLY OPEN THE DOOR, AND SAY, “WHAT’S UP?”

REMEMBER, THE WRITER OF LUKE WAS WRITING THE GOSPEL NOT AS A DOCUMENTARY BUT

TO HELP A PRACTICING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY TO DEEPEN THE LIVING OF THEIR FAITH. IN

THAT CONTEXT WE REALIZE THAT THE STORY FOCUSES ON TEACHING, EATING AND DRINKING,

WHICH WERE/ARE THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST. I WAS

SURPRISED WHEN PEOPLE HERE IN CANADA LIKE MR. NATAN OBED, THE INUIT LEADER, SAID,

THERE WAS TOO MUCH “WORSHIPPING” GOING ON WHEN THE POPE WAS HERE. WE CAN

DISAGREE ON WHAT THE POPE SAID, LIKE YOU CAN DISAGREE WITH MY SERMONS, AND HOW

WE WORSHIP BUT THAT IS WHAT WE DO. THE THEME OF THE EUCHARIST SUBTLY PERMEATES

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE. FROM THE HUNGRY BEING FED IN MARY’S SONG [THE MAGNIFICAT]

THROUGH THE BEATITUDES AND THE TEACHING SURROUNDING THE LORD’S PRAYER, LUKE

EMPHASIZES GOD’S ROLE IN FEEDING THE HUNGRY.

I AGREE WE LOST A LOT OF WHAT THE EUCHARIST SAYS AND DOES WITH ALL THE “BELLS AND

WHISTLES” OUR ROMAN FRIENDS DID IN EDMONTON AND QUEBEC. I MORE AND MORE

BELIEVE WE HAVE LOST THE MEANING OF A TABLE, WITH THE EUCHARIST BEING SERVED FROM

AN ALTAR THAT WE HAVE TO WALK UP TO. [YOU WILL PROBABLY WANT TO CANCEL MY NEXT

WEEK’S SERMON, EH?] THE BANQUETS JESUS DESCRIBES IN THE GOSPEL ARE IMAGES OF THE

REIGN OF GOD, AND WHEN THE RISEN LORD APPEARS TO THE DISCIPLES, HE EATS WITH THEM

AND THEY RECOGNIZE HIM IN THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD. [THAT EMMAUS STORY WAS

USED AT ONE OF THE POPE’S SERVICES.] ALL OF THIS SUGGESTS THAT THIS STORY OFFERS A

REFLECTION ON THE EUCHARIST.

SO WE NEED TO ASK, WHAT WAS HAPPENING WHEN JESUS SEEMED TO REJECT SOME OF THE

PEOPLE? “WE ATE AND DRANK WITH YOU, AND YOU TAUGHT IN OUR STREETS.” BUT THE

LORD REPLIED, “I DO NOT KNOW WHERE YOU CAME FROM.”

THINK ABOUT IT, DOES THIS SOUND LIKE A WARNING THAT IT WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH TO SAY,

“WE EVEN FORCED OURSELVES TO SIT THROUGH PASTOR RON’S SERMONS, BLESSED

OURSELVES AND RECEIVED COMMUNION AND IT STILL WAS NOT ENOUGH?” WHAT IS A

GAL/GUY SUPPOSED TO DO?

IN TODAY’S LESSON FROM ISAIAH, GOD SAID, “I KNOW YOUR WORKS AND YOUR THOUGHTS.”

WHAT HE DID NOT SAY WAS, “I SAW YOUR CHURCH ATTENDANCE CARD.” GOD THEN WENT

ON, LIKE JESUS IN THE GOSPEL, PROMISING THAT PEOPLE OF ALL NATIONS WILL PARTICIPATE

IN THE JOY OF DIVINE GLORY. AGAIN, AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE. WHAT “DIVINE GLORY” MEANS

IS BEYOND MY PAY GRADE.” BUT MY GUESS IS, IT WILL BE GOOD. SO, IN THIS LAST CHAPTER

OF ISAIAH, GOD CALLS ALL THE NATIONS, NOT JUST A CHOSEN PEOPLE, NOT JUST WHITE

EUROPEANS, BUT ALL PEOPLE, THAT NOT EVEN THE ONCE-HEREDITARY PRIESTHOOD CAN BE

RESTRICTED TO A CERTAIN CLASS. DOES THAT MEAN EVEN WOMEN CAN BE

PRIESTS/PASTORS? EVEN POPE FRANCIS HAS NOT GOTTEN THERE YET. THANK GOODNESS

OUR PART OF LUTHERANS HAVE.

ALL OF THIS SHOULD LEAD US TO RECOGNIZE THAT “EATING AND DRINKING” WITH CHRIST IS

GENUINE ONLY, WHEN OUR TABLE IS OPEN TO ALL, AS JESUS’ TABLE/LIFE WAS/IS. BECAUSE OF

THE “DO NOTS”- OF OUR FAITH, IT IS EASY TO OVERLOOK THE FACT THAT THE HISTORICAL

JESUS DEMANDED HIS FOLLOWERS TO BE LIKE HIM.

THE GOSPEL TODAY BEGAN WITH A QUESTION ABOUT NUMBERS, A QUESTION IMPLYING

EXCLUSION. JESUS REPLIED ABOUT HOW TO GET INTO THE MASTER’S MANSION. HE MOVED

FROM A QUESTION OF COMPETING FOR LIMITED SPACES, TO UNDERSTANDING HOW TO BE

READY TO ENTER THE PLACE TO WHICH WE ARE ALL INVITED. JESUS EXPLAINS THAT THE

“SAVED” WILL BE THE PEOPLE KNOWN BY THE OWNER. YOU SEE, SALVATION BECOMES THE

EQUIVALENT OF BEING KNOWN BY GOD, AND WE BELIEVE ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED AND

KNOWN BY GOD.

NOW WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, IS MORE THAN RITUALS AND MAKING THE RIGHT SIGNS

AT WORSHIP. IT IMPLIES THAT WE LISTEN SO DEEPLY TO GOD THAT HER WORD LIVES IN US.

JESUS IS SAYING THAT HE REALLY KNOWS ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE ALLOWED HIM INTO THEIR

LIVES SO COMPLETELY THAT THEY REFLECT AND ACTUALLY REPRESENT HIM IN THEIR OWN

CONTEXT. THIS WOULD BE LUKE’S VERSION OF, “I KNOW MINE AND MINE KNOW ME.” IF WE

UNDERSTAND WHAT JESUS SAYS IN THIS PERSPECTIVE, WE SEE HOW JESUS’ REPLY TO THE

QUESTION, “WILL MANY BE SAVED?”, AND FLIPS THE FOCUS BACK ON THE QUESTIONER. IN

ESSENCE, JESUS IS ASKING, “ARE YOU SEEKING MY WAY OF LIFE OR JUST SOME PRESTIGIOUS

STATUS?” THOSE WHO SEEK RANK WILL FIND IT BUT IT WILL BE SHALLOW, THOSE WHO

FOLLOW JESUS DOWN THIS ROAD AND THROUGH HIS DOOR WILL FIND THAT THEY ARE THE

LEAST MADE FIRST, THE LOWLY WHO WILL SHINE WITH GOD’S OWN GLORY.

ONE OF THE CORE GOSPEL CONUNDRUMS IS THAT ONE CANNOT SAVE ONESELF. WHENEVER

WE STRIVE TO BE PERFECT OR FOCUS ON SIN AND FORGIVENESS, WE REMAIN THE CENTRE OF

OUR ATTENTION. THE PASSAGE THROUGH JESUS’ NARROW DOOR TAKES US BEYOND SELF-

CONCERN INTO THE REALM OF KNOWING WE ARE LOVED AND ARE THEREFORE FREE TO LOVE

ANY AND EVERYONE ELSE. WHEN WE UNDERSTAND THIS, WE WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT IT

MEANS TO PROCLAIM, “LORD, BY YOUR CROSS AND RESURRECTION YOU HAVE SET US FREE.

YOU ARE THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.” YOU SEE IT IS NOT HOW MANY WILL GO THROUGH

THE NARROW DOOR, [WILL BE SAVED] BUT HOW MANY WILL LET IT HAPPEN TO US/THEM? IS

IT NOT IRONIC THAT THE NARROW DOOR FOR ENTERING INTO GOD’S KINGDOM AMONG US,

REVOLVES AROUND OUR DEVELOPING A VERY BROAD MIND, SOMETHING MANY OF US

CONVENIENTLY FORGET. WHO WOULD NOT BE INTERESTED IN ACCEPTING GOD’S ENDLESS

MERCY?

TODAY’S READINGS REMIND US THAT NOT EVERYONE RESPONDS IN THE SAME WAY TO WHAT

IS OFFERED. LIVING THE GOSPEL IS A JOY AND A PRIVILEGE, WITH ULTIMATE RICH REWARDS.

BUT WE KNOW THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF A SMOOTH JOURNEY. THE DISCIPLINE REQUIRED

MAY NOT BE FOR EVERYONE – EVEN THOSE WE LOVE. ALL WE CAN DO IS TO EMBRACE THE

INVITATION ISSUED TO US AND PRAY THAT COUNTLESS OTHERS WILL JOIN US IN DISCIPLESHIP

WHEN THEY ARE READY.

SALMAN RUSHDIE RECENTLY SAID, “A POEM CANNOT STOP A BULLET. A NOVEL CANNOT

DEFUSE A BOMB. BUT WE ARE NOT HELPLESS. WE CAN SING THE TRUTH AND NAME THE

LIARS. WE MUST WORK TO OVERTURN THE FALSE NARRATIVE OF TYRANTS.”

YES, LIKE ISAIAH, JESUS PUSHES US OUTSIDE THE COMFORT OF OUR LITTLE LOCAL COMMUNITY

BY REMINDING US THAT HE HAS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES AROUND THE WORLD. IF WE FORGET

THAT, WE WILL BE STANDING OUTSIDE THE NARROW DOOR AND WILL BE WATCHING A

DIVERSE GROUP OF OTHER PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE DOOR.

TODAY ON WEARY NATIONS

THE HEAVENLY MANNA FALLS,

TO HOLY CONVOCATIONS

THE SILVER TRUMPET CALLS,

WHERE GOSPEL LIGHT IS GLOWING

WITH PURE AND RADIANT BEAMS

AND LIVING WATER FLOWING

WITH SOUL REFRESHING STREAMS. [ELW 521, v. 3]

AMEN.

August 14th, 2022

Sermon by Pastor Ron Nelson

August 14, 2022, Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Turtle Island

JESUS SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES: “I CAME TO BRING FIRE TO THE EARTH.”

FORGET THOSE SWEET HOLY CARD IMAGES, YOU MIGHT FIND IN YOUR FAVOURITE BIBLE

STORE, WHICH HAVE HONEY DRIPPING FROM JESUS’ LIPS. JESUS WAS NO WIMP. JESUS WAS

NOT APOLITICAL. HE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN A ZEALOT, HE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR

MILITARY CONFLICT, BUT HE RECOGNIZED IT WOULD TAKE SPIRITUAL CONFLICT TO BE A

DISCIPLE.

IN OUR TRIP THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF LUKE THIS YEAR, WE HAVE PASSED A DIVIDING LINE, A

MEASURE NOT OF WORDS OR CHAPTERS, BUT OF INTENSITY. THE NEW TONE BEGAN IN LUKE

9:51, WHICH TRANSLATED LITERALLY, SAYS, “WHEN THE TIME CAME THAT HE WOULD BE

TAKEN UP, HE STEADFASTLY SET HIS FACE TO GO TO JERUSALEM.” NOT MUCH BEFORE THAT,

JESUS HAD TOLD HIS DISCIPLES THAT THE MISSION THEY WERE SHARING WOULD ENTAIL

SUFFERING AND DEATH. [LUKE 9:22-23]. SO, JESUS PURPOSELY SET OUT TO CONFRONT HIS

FATE IN JERUSALEM.

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN TELLS US THAT WHEN JESUS DECIDED TO GO TO JERUSALEM, THOMAS

LOOKED AT THE OTHERS AND SAID, “LET US GO ALSO TO DIE WITH HIM.” YOU SEE, THEY HAD

NO REASON TO THINK THAT THE REST OF THE STORY WOULD BE A PICNIC: JESUS AND

EVERYONE IDENTIFIED WITH JESUS WERE HEADED TOWARD THE INEVITABLE CONFLICT WITH

THE RELIGIOUS AND CIVIL AUTHORITIES OF THE DAY. FROM THE BEGINNING OF SCRIPTURE

GOD’S PROPHETS ARE CHOSEN BY GOD OR JESUS TO BE THE CONSCIENCE OF THE PEOPLE.

THEY ARE TO PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD.

BY THIS STAGE IN JESUS’ STORY, JESUS KNEW FULL WELL THAT HIS MESSAGE THREATENED THE

POWERFUL PEOPLE. JESUS ALSO KNEW THAT SCRIPTURE AND TRADITION TESTIFIED THAT

PROPHETS NEVER FARE WELL WITH ANYONE WHOSE PLANS AND SCHEMES DO NOT PRIORITIZE

THE COMMON GOOD. YES, WANTING TO DO GOOD JUST GOES AGAINST THE GRAIN OF SO

MANY PEOPLE. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WATCH THE NEWS.

>HOW ELSE CAN YOU EXPLAIN ANTIVAXXERS, FOR INSTANCE?

>HOW ELSE CAN YOU EXPLAIN PEOPLE YELLING AT NURSES AND DOCTORS?

>SHOOTING EACH OTHER IN THE STREETS ETC.

NOW, JESUS’ COMMUNITY TURNED PRIMARILY TO THE PROPHET ISAIAH TO HELP THEM

INTERPRET JESUS. ALL THE PROPHETS WERE JESUS’ FRONTRUNNERS AND THEIR LIVES

PROVIDED A GOOD FORETASTE OF WHAT HE WOULD EXPERIENCE AS GOD’S MESSENGER. BUT

INSTEAD OF THE USUAL ISAIAH, TODAY WE HEAR ABOUT JEREMIAH, THE “BEST” COMPLAINER

AMONG THE PROPHETS. MAYBE THAT IS WHY HE IS A FAVOURITE OF MINE? JONAH DID LOTS

OF WHINING ALSO, BUT I HOPE WE KNOW JONAH’S COMPLAINING WAS MORE OF A COMIC

RELIEF THAN SERIOUS PROPHECY. IN TODAY’S FIRST LESSON, JEREMIAH HAS BEEN DEALING

WITH A KING WHO WANTS TO KNOW GOD’S WILL, BUT HE LACKS THE COURAGE TO OBEY IT.

SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD POLITICIAN, EH? SO, JEREMIAH KNOWS AND TELLS HIS PEOPLE THAT

THEY ARE IN AN UNWINNABLE WAR. CHAMBERLAIN PROBABLY TOLD THE TRUTH AS WELL,

BUT I AM GLAD WE HAD A CHURCHILL. SO, AS WE HEAR IN OUR JEREMIAH PASSAGE, THERE

ARE GOOD REASONS WHY PROPHETS ARE OFTEN TEMPTED TO KEEP THEIR MOUTHS SHUT.

THE OFFICIALS SAID TO THE KING, “THIS MAN [JEREMIAH] SHOULD BE PUT TO DEATH.” NOW

THAT IS ONE WAY TO MAKE CERTAIN THE PROPHET DOES NOT DELIVER GOD’S WORD, JUST

KILL HIM.

OUR LOCAL MAYOR HAS NOT KILLED ANYONE BUT SHE SURE CAN SWEET TALK SOMEONE OUT

OF SAYING WHAT “HE REALLY THINKS.” YES, YOURS TRULY AT A CANADIAN CLUB LUNCHEON

DID NOT TELL HER WHAT HE REALLY THOUGHT. ROMERO, BONHOEFFER, MLK, TWO

KENNEDYS, DIED FOR THEIR BELIEFS AND IF “MY FRIENDS” ON THE RIGHT HAD THEIR WAY

TRUDEAU AND BIDEN WOULD JOIN THEM. JUST LOOK AT THE “HORN HONKERS’” PARADE

SIGNS.

JEREMIAH IS EVENTUALLY DELIVERED FROM THE OFFICIALS, BUT EVERY TIME HE OPENED HIS

MOUTH TO TELL THE PEOPLE WHAT GOD WANTED OF THEM, HE HAD TO REMEMBER HOW

CLOSE HE HAD BEEN TO BEING KILLED. IN FACT, IN CHAPTER 20 OF JEREMIAH, JEREMIAH

HIMSELF WISHED HE HAD NEVER BEEN BORN.

WHY WOULD ANY DECENT POLITICIAN WANT THE JOB? EH? SAD TO SAY MANY OF OUR

LEADERS WANT AFFIRMATION RATHER THAN REALITY.

JEREMIAH WAS PERSECUTED AND NEARLY KILLED FOR THE MESSAGES HE PREACHED. SO,

WHAT GIVES PROPHETIC PEOPLE THE DETERMINATION TO DEFY MORTAL THREATS? THE

MEMORY OF SOME OF THE “CLOUD OF WITNESSES” MENTIONED IN THE LETTER TO THE

HEBREWS TODAY, MAY GIVE US A HINT. REMEMBER JOAN OF ARC? HOW MUCH OF THE

STORY IS TRUE OR??? BUT FOLLOWING WHAT SHE DESCRIBED AS “VOICES”, SHE SAVED THE

REIGN OF KING CHARLES VII OF FRANCE, BUT ENDED UP BURNED AT THE STAKE ON MULTIPLE

CHARGES, INCLUDING HERESY [INTERESTINGLY HOLDING FAST TO HER EXPERIENCE OF FAITH

RATHER THAN OBEYING THE CHURCH AUTHORITIES WAS CALLED HERESY.] WERE THERE SOME

GOOD, KIND PEOPLE IN THE GOVERNMENTS AND CHURCHES WHO DID NOT TRY TO BEAT “THE

INDIAN OUT OF THE INDIAN” IN THE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS? WE WOULD HOPE SO, BUT THE

MORE I HEAR, I AM NOT SURE. ALL KINDS OF THINGS WERE SAID ABOUT JOAN, INCLUDING

THAT SHE “DRESSED LIKE A MAN.” SHE WORE TROUSERS, CAN YOU IMAGINE? BUT LET US BE

CLEAR, LIFE THEN AND NOW ALWAYS COMES DOWN TO JEALOUSY OF RELIGIOUS AND

POLITICAL LEADERS WHO LOST/LOSE THEIR CAUSE TO PEOPLE LIKE A JOAN OF ARC. JUST

REMEMBER, WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOUR, NEW IMMIGRANTS, LGBQ, THE LIST IS ENDLESS OF

PEOPLE SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE STATUS QUO. I HAD NEVER HEARD THE IDEA THAT JOAN

OF ARC WEARING MEN’S CLOTHES WAS ONE OF HER SINS? OSCAR ROMERO WAS KILLED BY

POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS WHO FOUND HIS DEFENSE OF THE POOR AND THE TRUTH

WAS A MORTAL DANGER TO THEIR RULE. MLK JR. PREACHING ABOUT EQUALITY AND JUSTICE

BROUGHT HIM MULTIPLE THREATS, BEFORE HE WAS ASSASSINATED.

EVERYONE WHO IS MOTIVATED BY WHAT HEBREWS CALLS “THE JOY THAT LAY BEFORE

HIM/THEM,” HAS THE CONVICTION THAT LIVING THE TRUE VALUES OF GOD, NOT SOME

INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH VALUE, IS WORTH “THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP.” THE TITLE OF

BONHOEFFER’S BOOK. YES, I BELIEVE THAT RELIGIOUS PEOPLE ACTING FOR THE COMMON

GOOD, HAVE TO BE INEVITABLY INVOLVED IN THE POLITICAL AS WELL.

MARTIN LUTHER DID NOT LIKE THE LETTER OF JAMES. BUT IT IS JAMES THAT TELLS US THAT

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS A SHAM. THAT IS A BURDEN WE LUTHERANS HAVE TO BEAR. IF WE

IMITATE JESUS, WE MUST BE AWARE OF THE DIVISIONS IN SOCIETY THAT WE WILL COME INTO

CONTACT WITH AND THAT IN SOME CASES WE WILL CAUSE.

SO LET US GO BACK TO HEBREWS. “WE MUST RUN WITH PERSEVERANCE THE RACE THAT IS

SET BEFORE US, LOOKING TO JESUS THE PIONEER AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH.” BEFORE

ANY OF JESUS’ DISCIPLES SUSPECTED JESUS WAS DIVINE, THEY WERE CERTAIN HE EXPECTED

THEM TO INTEGRATE SOME OF HIS PROPHETIC CHARISMA INTO THEIR OWN LIVES.

THE AUTHORS OF HEBREWS AND LUKE BOTH TEAR INTO US FOR NOT BEING BRAVE ENOUGH

TO PROCLAIM EVEN THE SMALL BIT OF GOD’S WORD WITH WHICH THE SPIRIT HAS GIFTED US.

NOW WE KNOW WE ARE NOT “FULL-TIME” PROPHETS BUT AS OTHER CHRISTS WE

FREQUENTLY RUN INTO SITUATIONS IN WHICH WE SAY NOTHING, WHEN SOMETHING SHOULD

BE SAID. WE SHOULD NOT PRETEND TO BE OVERLY PIOUS, BUT ESPECIALLY AMONG FAMILY

AND FRIENDS NEITHER, FOR INSTANCE, SHOULD WE HESITATE TO CONFRONT RACIAL OR

PREJUDICIAL REMARKS. IT SEEMS THAT THE JOY OF AN EARTH ON FIRE WITH THE LOVE OF

GOD, AN EARTH ON FIRE WITH GOD’S JUSTICE, WAS THE VISION THAT DREW JESUS OUT INTO

THE WORLD. COULD IT BE THAT THE FIRES THAT ARE LITERALLY DESTROYING OUR PLANET

COULD MAKE IT WORTHWHILE FOR US TO TAKE SOME SMALL STAND ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS?

INVITING US TO SEEK INSPIRATION FROM THE CLOUD OF WITNESSES, FIRED WITH THE JOYFUL

VISION OF GOD’S REIGN ON EARTH.

MAY TODAY’S WORSHIP REMIND US THAT FAITH DEMANDS ACTION FOR THE COMMON GOOD

--- NO MATTER WHAT THE RISK.

JEREMIAH’S STORY IS TOLD IN TODAY’S FIRST READING. BECAUSE HE DARED TO SPEAK AN

UNPOPULAR TRUTH TO A DISINTERESTED AND HOSTILE PEOPLE, HE WAS THROWN INTO A

CISTERN AND WAS LEFT TO DIE.

IN OUR SECOND READING, THE AUTHOR OF HEBREWS TELLS OF THE MARTYRDOM OF JESUS

AND ENCOURAGES US TO BE STEADFAST IN OUR STRUGGLE AGAINST INJUSTICES.

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE PRESENTS JESUS AS A REVOLUTIONARY WHO HAS COME TO SET THE

WORLD ABLAZE AND BE A SOURCE OF DIVISION.

NO MATTER HOW WE LOOK AT THESE THREE LESSONS, EACH OF THEM IS TELLING US THAT

FAITH IS A FIGHT FOR TRUTH, FOR JUSTICE, FOR MERCY AND FOR OBEDIENCE TO GOD AND

NOT THE RULERS OF THE DAY. SOME OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED CONFLICT AROUND OUR

FAITH. I DO NOT THINK ANY OF US HAVE PAID THE PRICE OF DISCIPLESHIP IN BLOOD AS MANY

HAVE DONE AND SADLY, STILL DO. HOW DO OUR CONFLICTS REFLECT WHAT JESUS TOLD US

TO EXPECT? ARE OUR EXPERIENCES MERELY UNCOMFORTABLE OR INCONVENIENT? DO OUR

LIVES REFLECT THE SERIOUSNESS OF OUR COMMITMENT TO THESE LESSONS TODAY? YES, IT

CAN BE JARRING TO REMEMBER THAT OUR DISCIPLESHIP CAN DISTURB OUR PEACE, AND YES,

EVEN DIVIDE US FROM ONE ANOTHER. WE CANNOT ALWAYS PREDICT WHEN OUR TESTS OF

DISCIPLESHIP WILL COME, NOR WHERE WE WILL CROSS THE THRESHOLDS THAT DIVIDE OUR

LIVES INTO BEFORE AND AFTER, OLD AND NEW. TODAY’S LESSONS INVITE US TO KNOW WHAT

IS WORTH LIVING FOR, OR YES, MAYBE EVEN DYING FOR, IF IT COMES TO THAT.

LEAD ON, O KING ETERNAL!

TILL SIN’S FIERCE WAR SHALL CEASE,

AND HOLINESS SHALL WHISPER

THE SWEET AMEN OF PEACE,

FOR NOT WITH SWORDS LOUD CLASHING,

NOR ROLL OF STIRRING DRUMS,

BUT DEEDS OF LOVE AND MERCY

THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM COMES. [ELW 805]

AMEN.