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Good morning and Happy Mother's
Day. I hope you enjoyed our breakfast. I was instructed by the crew at
yesterday's spring clean-up to keep the 8:30 service short for breakfast. A
reminder that no matter what the Sermon says, it is hard to compete with the
aroma of bacon wafting down the hallway.
The well-respected early twentieth century theologian and engineer Frank B.
Jewett was fond of saying, "You must believe in God despite what the
clergy says."
Even with human limitations to speak and sometimes to hear, the Word of God
still permeates our existsence. It still bridges the divide between human
intentions and God's design for His creation. In other words, as one seminary
professor was fond of saying when sophomoric students said or did something
incredibly stupid at worship, "Jesus will still talk to us."
Jesus will still talk to us no matter what words I use, or your ability to
hear them. The good words of grace are not conditionally based on eloquence
of tongue or even clarity of thought. Take a look at the disciples in today's
Gospel lesson, John 14:23-29. The disciples are confused, bewildered,
frightened. They are ignorant of the Lord's intent. They are confused about
His teachings. They are broken and faulty people. Yet Jesus continues to talk
to them.
Thecrew is obviously worried about the future when Jesus drops the bombshell
on them, that He is going away to prepare a place for them (14:3) and that
where he is going they can not go (13:13.)" The cataclysm that would be
Good Friday was fast approaching, and they were hoping to avoid the pain and
shame that was to come. Perhaps in denial about the days ahead, they wanted
reassurance.
Jesus gives them reassurance. Jesus still talks to them. He tells them not to
worry; these words profoundly punctuated and placed against the horror of the
week ahead: "Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be
afraid."
With the religious authorities slandering their names and reputations, with
the government threatening torture and terror, with livelihoods and wordly
goods at risk, Jesus tells them not to be burdened with worry and troubles.
Let that sink in for a minute, the absurdity and audacity of it all.
How can it be? How can He speak of peace when they are so preoccupied? What
is He talking about? Why does He call them (and us) to put aside the burdens
of care? Who will take care of them and lead them and guide them when He
leaves?
And here is the answer, the reason that they can continue on, the reason for
their hope is that He will always talk to them: Verse 20. The Advocate, the
Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said
to you." The word that is used here in Greek is PARACLETE. Not the
yellow Tweety Bird, and not the shoes with spikes on the bottom. PARACLETE,
literally meaning "the one that stands beside you."
The reason that they were able to continue on was that they would never be
alone. These people who did not understand were not abandoned. These people
who would face trials, troubles and tribulations would never have to face
them alone.
Do you worry? Do you feel that you have to shoulder your problems alone and
that no one completely understands you? Do you sometimes fear the future? Do
you not understand all that is placed before you? You are not alone. The
Paraclete, the advocate, the defender and friend is right beside you.
As with the disciples, life can be difficult, but it need not be lonely.
Normally, I would end the sermon here.
Except for one more important thing: Jesus says in the scripture that He
gives us this peace and presence. "Peace I give to you." Whenever
wae are fiven the present of od's presence, it is for us as disciples to
share with others.
Everything God gives to us is given to us as stewards. To
be stewards of this Peace that Jesus gives to us is our calling. We as a
congregation certainly strive to do so in many and different ways. There are
some people who are very lonely and worried about the future, and they have
been placed on our doorstep in the name of our government. I want to
encourage you to take the Word to those being held in bondage at the
Elizabeth Detention Center that they are not alone, and to share with them
the words that we have received.
Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
AMEN.
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