Matthew23:1-12; Micah 3:5-12
Micah, the 8th
century prophet/poet who gave us the inspiring words, “What does the Lord
require of you but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God”, woke
up one morning in a less than lyrical mood. In the third chapter of his
diminutive book, Micah lashed out at priest, prophets, seers and kings,
declaring them all responsible for the coming demise of the nation.
Eight centuries later
Jesus must have read Micah 3 for his evening devotion. The next morning, the
one who has calmed many a troubled heart, upset every soul within ear shout
when he ranted and raved at the scribes and Pharisees, claiming the whole lot
was a bunch of hypocrites.
I know a selected few
of you get real excited when texts like this appear on our lectionary radar
screen. Others wonder how words like these could have possibly slipped past the
ancient biblical editors. Sweet Little Jesus Boy could not possibly have suggested
members of the political and religious elite were headed to hell in a hand
basket. That is not only politically incorrect, it crosses some strict lines
concerning what ought to be said from the pulpit.
All I know is when
text likes this venture across my desk all kind of conflicting feelings emerge concerning
what I should preach on Sunday. Both Jesus and Micah have crossed that
dangerous line of mixing religion and politics. Some of you delight with glee
when I am tempted to cross that line. Others suggest I tread lightly.
For example, Tuesday
is Election Day. How do these texts impact the decisions we will make in the
voting booth? Many of my peers across the nation are using this hour to make
sure that their congregations know exactly how they are expected to do once in
the voting booth. If I were to preach from the selected texts this morning I
might be tempted to paraphrase Jesus and say, “Woe to you Democrats and
Republicans, hypocrites that you are.” But I would leave it at that. I will
simply encourage you to vote early and vote often.
Another possibility I might
consider is to continue our theme of Reformation Sunday. Earlier we sang
Luther’s best known anthem and we will conclude our service with a marvelous
hymn attributed to Calvin. I am certain all of you who claim Scottish ancestry
know that this year celebrates the 500th birthday of the founder of
the Presbyterian Church, John Knox. He was a firebrand if there ever was one
and probably cut his baby teeth on the third chapter of Micah. His tirades
against Mary Queen of Scots from the pulpit are legendary. While some marveled
at his courage others, questioned his Christianity. I quote, “Permeated with
the spirit of the Old Testament and the gloomy austerity of the ancient
prophets, Knox displayed no recognition of the gentle, mild, and forgiving
character of the Christian faith.”
While you know how
much I admire an Old Testament guy, perhaps we should wait until 2017 and
celebrate the 500th anniversary of the 95 Theses being nailed to the
Wittenberg Door. Luther is a lot less controversial than Knox. Besides, I know
the Stewardship Mission Team was hoping that I would preach a sermon to highlight
their Campaign and I actually considered it until I reread the verse where Micah
accused “the priest of preaching for money and prophets giving oracles for a
price.” Comments like that make me a bit nervous.
Fortunately one never
runs out of options on the first Sunday in November. Yesterday was All Saints Day.
Perhaps it would be the most appropriate if we took a moment to remember those whose
lives and resurrections we celebrated during the past year.
Please take a moment
of silence to remember:
Alice Fortune
John Stone
Margaret Martin
Tom Fletcher
Gerbo Taylor
April Varnadoe Boyett
Don Wheaton
In remembering them,
we celebrate the priesthood of all believers, a concept which connects to God,
connects us to God’s word, connects our past, our present and who we are as
members of Rockfish Presbyterian Church.
From the beginning of
time people have been trying to connect to God. In some cultures priest or
shamans were appointed to seek divine counsel. But our tradition is different. No
one is given the authority to speak for each of us. In the words of Luther,
“All Christians are priest, and all priests are Christians.” Calvin continued this thought by insuring
that laity and clergy alike would serve in ordained offices of leadership. It
is a gift, a celebrated gift that each of us hears God differently. It is the
connection of our voices, our experiences and our faith which work together to
allow us to be challenged by the word, inspired by the word and finally
celebrate the word. Being a priest gives each of us first class status in the
ministry of the church. For some folks this is a bit scary but our Protestant
Reformers knew exactly what they were doing. The priesthood of all believers
both challenges and liberates us. Yes, we each come to the text and to the
mission of the church differently, but we come as equals. We come as people who
respect each other and have the courage to express our differences gracefully.
We come with a degree of patience and with a sense of history. We come as old
timers and newbie’s, each with our own experiences. We come from a multitude of
denominations, but primarily we come as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Let me give you a few
examples. Let’s start with Margaret Martin and Tom Fletcher. What on earth did
they have in common? One was a man’s man; the other a Southern woman. One moved
here to retire; the other lived here all her life. One was city and one was country. One could
be abrupt, and so could the other in her own gentle way. One represented an invasion
of a valley loved, at least in the mind of the other. One represented progress
being halted, at least in the mind of the other. Both were faithful members of
this church. Where would Rockfish be without the witness of Margaret, Jim,
Buddy, and our Rockfish Valley neighbors who have been the priest of this
church for over 250 years? And yet, has the migration of the rest of us been
all that unhealthy?
Through the last year
I spent a lot of time with Alice Fortune, John Stone and Gerbo Taylor. Their
circle of friends and influence could not have been more radically different.
John was never without an opinion on anything. Alice preferred to talk baseball
and tell ancient family stories. Gerbo’s brilliant mind was slowly and
tragically deserting him. But each smiled at the mention of their church.
And then there was April
Boyett. Most of us never met her. She lived a difficult life, loving others but
never herself. Such is the nature of mental illness. But we knew Nan and Gene.
We entered into their struggle with their daughter. We supported them when she
died and accepted her as one of us without question. Such is role of a priest.
In our text this
morning Jesus said, “The exalted will be humbled and all who humble themselves
will be exalted.”
Sometimes the prophetic
side of us needs to be more pastoral. Sometimes the pastoral side of us needs
to be more prophetic. Sometimes both side need to listen to a third voice. Such is the role of the priest.
In other words, sometimes
John Knox needs to be leading the battle and sometimes the reformation happens
when Luther and friends share a beer together.
The only thing I have
found that is not acceptable is to sit idly by, completely uninvolved in the
life of the church. But why would anyone want to do that? You would miss the
joy, you would miss the fellowship, you would miss the honest exchange of
opinions, and you would even miss the occasional bruise. Most of all you would
miss the opportunity witness a church to growing together in faith.
Loud or quiet you are
a priest. Hands on or otherwise, you are a priest. Stubborn or reconciler, you
are a priest. Nurturing or being nurtured you are a priest, ordained to be a
servant of God, predestined to the ministry of God’s church.
Wow, I guess this was
a stewardship sermon after all.
Amen.
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