My first time to preach at my field education site...and what a Gospel passage to preach on. I was blessed to sign-up for week 20C (yes, I voluntarily picked this week). All in all, things went well and I received alot of very nice feedback. I suppose much of the credit goes to God and the fact that nearly every parishioner is extremely pastoral to their new seminary intern. Below is the text of my sermon:
One quiet morning nearly 500 years ago, the sun crawled above the eastern horizon and slowly filled Inigo’s room with light. The warmth and brilliance of the early morning sun woke Inigo to the newfound day and to the stark reality that he must endure yet another day of painful rehabilitation; just as he had the day before and the many days before that. As Inigo lay in his bed, he remembered his glorious days in the Court of Castile, as Page to Juan Velazquez (Treasurer of the kingdom); he remembered the enchanting evenings of dancing with ladies of the Court; he remembered the thrill of gambling and swordplay with his rambunctious friends; he remembered the prestige and honor of being a military leader. But those days seemed to be nothing more than distant memories now. Inigo’s life had drastically changed after the cannon ball shattered his leg during the battle of Pamplona. It wasn’t that Inigo lacked courage. No, he even endured painful surgery to reset his shattered leg in the hope that his life could return to the way it had been before the battle. However, Inigo’s life would never be the same as it once was, and he now had to faithfully respond to his present reality: “What will I do? What will I do?”[1]
As Inigo struggled through each day of his recovery, sometimes even near death, he sought solace by reading books. He had hoped to boost his spirits with some romance novels (perhaps recapturing some of the intrigue of the Court of Castile), but his host could only provide Inigo with books on the lives of Christ and the saints. Inigo spent many hours reading these books and surprisingly found the lives of the saints to be fascinating. He also spent many hours daydreaming: sometimes dreams of his former life of luxury, ladies, and love; and sometimes about the lives of Christ and the saints. As Inigo contemplated his daydreams, he discovered that he felt very different several hours after his dream, depending on if he dreamed about his former life or if he dreamed about Christ and the saints. Perhaps his dreams were prompting him for a faithful response to the question: “What will I do?” The manager in Luke’s Gospel account is faced with a life changing dilemma that demands a response to this very same question: “What will I do?”
The parable told by Jesus in our Gospel reading this morning is about a dishonest manager…or dishonest steward, which I prefer because I think we can all relate to being stewards of God’s gifts to us. In this parable account, Jesus wastes no time in telling us that the steward has been accused of squandering his master’s property and the steward will be dismissed as a result. We don’t know how much the steward has squandered or how long he has been deceiving his master, but we do know that his actions are serious enough to merit the steward’s dismissal. Luke’s use of the Greek word “diaskorpidzo” (dee-as-kor-pid'-zo), which means to squander, scatter or waste, might provide some insights. Luke uses this word only two other times in his Gospel account: the first time in Chapter 1, in Mary’s Song of Praise (The Magnificat) as she gives thanks to God for He “has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts”; and a second time in Chapter 15, in the parable of the Prodigal Son, “the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living.” In both cases, God’s action of “scattering the proud” and the Prodigal Son’s “squandering of his inheritance”, there is a sense of great consequence to the action. Luke obviously means to convey that the dishonest steward wasn’t just reaching into the petty cash drawer to buy a blueberry muffin and a grande cappuccino at Starbucks. Luke’s use of this word shows intent to convey a meaning of significant transgression against the master’s house. The steward’s actions have been discovered, and his life will never be the same. We do not hear the steward plead his case to his master. We only hear the steward as he faces his present reality, “What will I do, now that my master is taking my position away from me? What will I do, I am not strong enough to dig? What will I do, I am too ashamed to beg?”
The steward does take action, and perhaps we are surprised by his plan. He calls in his master’s debtors and significantly reduces their debts, one by one. The steward reduces the first person’s debt by 50 jugs of oil and the second person’s debt by 20 containers of wheat; both amounts are considerably more than most 1st century family businesses would produce in a full year’s time![2] For a man already in deep trouble, brazen actions such as these likely catch us off-guard. However, even more surprising than the steward’s actions may be the praise from the master, commending the steward for his shrewd actions. A parable is supposed to catch its listeners off-guard and this one does not disappoint…even in our contemporary hearing. But where is the Good News in this unlikely ending? What are we to make of Jesus’ parable story?
Although there has been some scholarly debate regarding the meaning of the parable and Jesus’ additional words of instruction (vv9-13), most biblical scholars agree that Jesus means to show that the steward has acted shrewdly with worldly goods in order to secure a stable future for himself and his family.[3] This meaning is reiterated in verse 9, “And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.” Here, Jesus means to teach his disciples that their Christian ministry, like our ministry, will involve service in the world…and the world is not always a caring place where everything goes according to plan. This world, the earthly world, is full of riches and poverty, love and hate, life and death…even death on a cross. Although piety is most easily practiced from the safety of one’s home or church, Jesus is teaching his disciples, and us, that we will be faced with difficult circumstances from which we must not retreat. The Gospel, itself, presents each of us with powerful life changing lessons that can shatter our former lives like a cannon ball and present us with a new reality…a reality grounded in Christ. The dishonest steward, in his shrewd actions, is an example for us in his use of worldly goods to achieve successful results. However, Jesus also warns that use of worldly goods to serve a desire for wealth alone results in separation from God and God’s purpose for us. Service in the world requires us to use the resources of the world for the glory of God’s Kingdom.
Inigo of Loyola, known as Ignatius after his conversion, was already a man of the world. In his last days of rehabilitation, he found that his daydreams of Christ and the saints provided him with a peaceful sense of purpose. Confident that he had found the answer to the question, “What will I do?”; he gave his fine clothing to a poor man, dressed himself in simple clothing and sandals, and began his journey toward a life of ministry. Ignatius faced many challenges as he faithfully pursued his calling: he didn’t know Latin (an entrance requirement for the university), he was imprisoned by the leaders of the Inquisition and the Dominicans for teaching about Christ without proper credentials, and he was forced to leave the Holy Land during his pilgrimage. Each episode made him stronger, and he continued to realize that a balance of Gospel study and work in the world were important to his mission. When Ignatius finally developed his spiritual practices, he called them Exercises, for he knew that developing a deep spiritual relationship with God would be hard work in this world; and when he helped found a new religious order, The Society of Jesus, the Order was not to be a monastic group, for Ignatius understood that the Jesuits needed to be in the world doing the work of Christ. Each of us will face challenges during our Christian journey on earth. When Christ’s call presents newfound challenges, how will each of us faithfully respond to the question: What will I do?
AMEN
[1] Personal history of Ignatius of Loyola obtained from Loyola University Chicago website, 09/15/2007, http://www.luc.edu/jesuit/ignatius.bio.html
[2] John Nolland, Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 35B, (Dallas: Word Books, 1993), 799.
[3] John Nolland, WBC, Vol. 35B, pp. 803 and Fred B. Craddock, Luke, Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Louisville, John Knox Press, 1990), pp.190-192.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Compassion and Action: The Good Samaritan (Proper 10C)
Well, as I enter my seventh week of Clinical Pastoral Education at The Goodwin House, a continuing care retirement community, I will have the opportunity to preach on last week's lectionary. I figure I'll focus on the Gospel, although such common Gospel stories make me nervous...everyone in the congregation already "knows what it means"...or at least they've heard a thousand sermons on the scripture passage. But, hey, I'll add my voice to the chorus and hope for the best. Here goes...
The lawyer said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
On a cold and snowy Christmas Eve, a solitary man grasps the frigid handrails of a bridge and stares into the icy, churning water below. In an anguished state-of-mind, with his insurance policy sticking out of his jacket pocket, he is confident he will make the world a better place by ending his life in the freezing water below. Suddenly, a man jumps off the bank of the river into the icy water and begins to cry for help. The despondent man on the bridge, without hesitation, jumps into the water and saves the man’s life. Those who know George Bailey well would not be surprised to learn of his selfless act. George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart in the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life” is an intelligent, ambitious young man with great plans for his life: college, international travel, and an architect of magnificent buildings. George never realizes any of these personal goals because he continues to act selflessly for others. However, throughout the movie, George continues to struggle with his desire for worldly success versus his commitment to help those in need. This struggle is behind George’s despondency that Christmas Eve. This same struggle is one we all must face and is at the center of Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan.
Our Gospel reading today begins with the lawyer’s question to Jesus regarding the greatest commandment. Unlike Mark and Matthew’s Gospel account, where Jesus directly answers the question, Luke’s account tells of Jesus answering the question by turning another question back to the lawyer. The lawyer’s response shows that he already possesses the answer he sought from Jesus. Luke’s account then continues with a second question from the lawyer, which prompts Jesus to tell the story of the beaten man along the road to Jericho. At the end of the story, the lawyer again answers Jesus as if he already possesses the knowledge he seeks. So what lesson does Jesus hope to teach the lawyer who already appears to know what he asks…and of course, to teach us as well?
To start, Jesus means to teach a new perspective. If we look closely at the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus tells the story from the perspective of the man who has been beaten and robbed.[1] As we hear the story, Jesus invites his listeners to encounter the three men along the road as if we are desperately waiting to be rescued. From this vantage point, as we lay injured in the road we notice an approaching priest coming from Jerusalem. Imagine the hope that blossoms from this sight, only to be dashed as the priest begins to fade from view as he walks to the “other side.” Hope renews itself as a Levite comes into sight, only to disappear along the same path on the “other side” of the road. Finally, the unlikely appearance of a Samaritan and our thoughts quickly turn to the remote possibility of receiving any help from this man, but suddenly the Samaritan draws near and we are saved!
Most Biblical commentaries will point out that the priest and the Levite should not be vilified for their actions. Jesus does not say why they did not stop: perhaps they were scheduled for Temple duty and did not want to make themselves unclean or maybe, traveling alone, they feared the bandits might still be in the area and rob them as well…this was a dangerous road, after all. We do not know why they didn’t stop, but if we actively listened to Jesus’ story, we do know what it feels like to watch them walk past without helping someone in need. Jesus tells this story from the perspective of the beaten man so the lawyer (and we) might gain an understanding of what it means to be in need and develop a compassionate approach toward others. Although we don’t know why the priest and the Levite didn’t stop to help the man in need, we do know that they lacked the compassion to put the man’s needs ahead of their other priorities that day. The story of the man robbed on the way to Jericho may be an extreme example of need, but we encounter people in need every day who depend on our compassion.
Once we have accepted Jesus’ teaching of compassion, his second lesson for us is action. We must listen and learn the Good News of Christ, as is made plain in this Sunday’s Gospel lesson of Martha and Mary, but the lawyer proves that knowledge alone is not good enough. Jesus has not called us to become scribes and lawyers of his Gospel. No, he has called us to discipleship. He has called us all to a ministry of service, especially service to those in need. Jesus also knows that without compassion, it may be difficult for us to leave our personal agendas behind and help those in need. Only through a compassionate understanding of those in need can we develop the mercy to act as the Samaritan did for the beaten man.
George Bailey’s story is an interesting example of someone struggling to reconcile competing desires of personal gain and service to those in need. Throughout his life, George has compassionately served those in need and, as a result, he feels his life is going nowhere. His frustration and despondency grow until he looses sight of the good he has created for those in need. George’s tragic Christmas Eve experience is similar to our experience of becoming the beaten man in Jesus’ story. George’s overwhelming emotions of anxiety, loneliness and failure enable Clarence, the Second Class Angel, to open George’s eyes to the truth of the world around him. Once that truth is revealed, George’s new perspective leads him to appreciate life as never before. It is this perspective that strengthens us to boldly go into the world and do likewise. Amen.
[1] John Nolland, Luke 9:21-18:34 (Word Biblical Commentary 35B; Dallas: Word Books, 1993), pg. 592.
The lawyer said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
On a cold and snowy Christmas Eve, a solitary man grasps the frigid handrails of a bridge and stares into the icy, churning water below. In an anguished state-of-mind, with his insurance policy sticking out of his jacket pocket, he is confident he will make the world a better place by ending his life in the freezing water below. Suddenly, a man jumps off the bank of the river into the icy water and begins to cry for help. The despondent man on the bridge, without hesitation, jumps into the water and saves the man’s life. Those who know George Bailey well would not be surprised to learn of his selfless act. George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart in the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life” is an intelligent, ambitious young man with great plans for his life: college, international travel, and an architect of magnificent buildings. George never realizes any of these personal goals because he continues to act selflessly for others. However, throughout the movie, George continues to struggle with his desire for worldly success versus his commitment to help those in need. This struggle is behind George’s despondency that Christmas Eve. This same struggle is one we all must face and is at the center of Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan.
Our Gospel reading today begins with the lawyer’s question to Jesus regarding the greatest commandment. Unlike Mark and Matthew’s Gospel account, where Jesus directly answers the question, Luke’s account tells of Jesus answering the question by turning another question back to the lawyer. The lawyer’s response shows that he already possesses the answer he sought from Jesus. Luke’s account then continues with a second question from the lawyer, which prompts Jesus to tell the story of the beaten man along the road to Jericho. At the end of the story, the lawyer again answers Jesus as if he already possesses the knowledge he seeks. So what lesson does Jesus hope to teach the lawyer who already appears to know what he asks…and of course, to teach us as well?
To start, Jesus means to teach a new perspective. If we look closely at the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus tells the story from the perspective of the man who has been beaten and robbed.[1] As we hear the story, Jesus invites his listeners to encounter the three men along the road as if we are desperately waiting to be rescued. From this vantage point, as we lay injured in the road we notice an approaching priest coming from Jerusalem. Imagine the hope that blossoms from this sight, only to be dashed as the priest begins to fade from view as he walks to the “other side.” Hope renews itself as a Levite comes into sight, only to disappear along the same path on the “other side” of the road. Finally, the unlikely appearance of a Samaritan and our thoughts quickly turn to the remote possibility of receiving any help from this man, but suddenly the Samaritan draws near and we are saved!
Most Biblical commentaries will point out that the priest and the Levite should not be vilified for their actions. Jesus does not say why they did not stop: perhaps they were scheduled for Temple duty and did not want to make themselves unclean or maybe, traveling alone, they feared the bandits might still be in the area and rob them as well…this was a dangerous road, after all. We do not know why they didn’t stop, but if we actively listened to Jesus’ story, we do know what it feels like to watch them walk past without helping someone in need. Jesus tells this story from the perspective of the beaten man so the lawyer (and we) might gain an understanding of what it means to be in need and develop a compassionate approach toward others. Although we don’t know why the priest and the Levite didn’t stop to help the man in need, we do know that they lacked the compassion to put the man’s needs ahead of their other priorities that day. The story of the man robbed on the way to Jericho may be an extreme example of need, but we encounter people in need every day who depend on our compassion.
Once we have accepted Jesus’ teaching of compassion, his second lesson for us is action. We must listen and learn the Good News of Christ, as is made plain in this Sunday’s Gospel lesson of Martha and Mary, but the lawyer proves that knowledge alone is not good enough. Jesus has not called us to become scribes and lawyers of his Gospel. No, he has called us to discipleship. He has called us all to a ministry of service, especially service to those in need. Jesus also knows that without compassion, it may be difficult for us to leave our personal agendas behind and help those in need. Only through a compassionate understanding of those in need can we develop the mercy to act as the Samaritan did for the beaten man.
George Bailey’s story is an interesting example of someone struggling to reconcile competing desires of personal gain and service to those in need. Throughout his life, George has compassionately served those in need and, as a result, he feels his life is going nowhere. His frustration and despondency grow until he looses sight of the good he has created for those in need. George’s tragic Christmas Eve experience is similar to our experience of becoming the beaten man in Jesus’ story. George’s overwhelming emotions of anxiety, loneliness and failure enable Clarence, the Second Class Angel, to open George’s eyes to the truth of the world around him. Once that truth is revealed, George’s new perspective leads him to appreciate life as never before. It is this perspective that strengthens us to boldly go into the world and do likewise. Amen.
[1] John Nolland, Luke 9:21-18:34 (Word Biblical Commentary 35B; Dallas: Word Books, 1993), pg. 592.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Living in the Present
My Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) has been going well. Along with attending many orientation sessions, we have focused quite a bit on active listening and being present to those we visit. Although it may appear obvious, in order to provide pastoral visitation to others, one needs to block all other distractions out of your mind and be present...really present. My current reading of Blaise Pascal's "Pensees" happened to bring up this very subject. Entry #47 of Pascal's book begins, "We never keep to the present. We recall the past; we anticipate the future as if we found it too slow in coming and were trying to hurry it up, or we recall the past as if to stay its too rapid flight." In his concluding paragraph of this section Pascal continues, "We almost never think of the present, and if we do think of it, it is only to see what light it throws on our plans for the future. The present is never our end. The past and the present are our means, the future alone our end."
Pascal's reflections provide well needed advice...at least for me. In the midst of learning how to be a pastoral presence to those in need, of being a seminarian with anxieties of homework and other obligations, and trying to be the best husband and father I can be: learning to live in the present is an important lesson to learn. I'm reminded of the words of the Lord's Prayer, "Give us today our daily bread." Today is enough for each of us...the hard part is convincing myself of this every day.
Pascal's reflections provide well needed advice...at least for me. In the midst of learning how to be a pastoral presence to those in need, of being a seminarian with anxieties of homework and other obligations, and trying to be the best husband and father I can be: learning to live in the present is an important lesson to learn. I'm reminded of the words of the Lord's Prayer, "Give us today our daily bread." Today is enough for each of us...the hard part is convincing myself of this every day.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Time flies!!
Well, the summer heat has arrived and the last time I posted on this blog my ice scraper was still on duty in my car. The 4Q was much kinder than the 3Q and I have been able to salvage my sanity and finish the year. I recently returned from the ordination service (transitional diaconate) of my close friends...very exciting! After a rather busy month, I now turn my energy toward my Clinical Pastoral Education at a continuing care retirement community. I am looking forward to experiencing pastoral education at a sight with folks that have the wisdom of many years. Older folks tend to be quite honest in their feedback of how things are going...and I'm looking forward to an enriching experience with so many folks who have lived very interesting lives.
I will try to improve my efforts of keeping this blog up to date and full of my CPE learings, as I think there will be many opportunities for me to improve my pastoral skills.
I will try to improve my efforts of keeping this blog up to date and full of my CPE learings, as I think there will be many opportunities for me to improve my pastoral skills.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Spring break at last!
Well, I've survived 3Q and have lived to enjoy spring break. Now it's time to catch up on all those things that have been drifting along without any attention for so long. I've finally added a picture of Father Ryder, my great-great Uncle and the namesake for my middle name. I'll be slowly getting used to adding more thoughts and pictures to my blog as time goes by, but for now, back to the long list of things I've been putting off!
Friday, March 9, 2007
3Q finals
OK...so I just started this blog, partly because I'm quickly losing my mind to all the papers, books, and tests that are on my list of things to do. I thought this blog would be my one attempt at something that I'm not get graded on...or at least it won't go on my transcript. I'll be checking back in to keep my sanity and try to get this up and running during the break.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
