Yours, Mine and God's - Some Thoughts on Pentecost 22

Pentecost 22 - Matthew 22.15-22

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 16So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ 18But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. 20Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ 21They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ 22When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

First...I'm not preaching this Sunday.

It's Laity Sunday, and I celebrate the life, witness and ministry of the Laity in this service. I'm amazed how many times people think that I'll "take the Sunday off," and not be there because I'm not preaching. Often there is surprise that I'm present.

Where else would I be? If I'm not present for this Sunday, then I really don't believe in the church, do I?

Although I'm not preaching, there are a couple of thoughts that come to mind on this text. First, why does this text always seem to show up during "stewardship campaign" season? Seems to me that such association, even if unintentional by the lectionary selection committee, vitiates the power of the text and puts it in a nice little box. Jesus' answer to their question was of such power that they were left "amazed." So much so that they just "went away." Granted, they were trying to get him to blaspheme. To acknowledge a human who ruled demanding to be recognized as "divine" would be the ticket they thought.

Instead, though, he offers a deeper truth. Give to the emperor that which is his, and to God that which is God's.

And here's the "aha" of this reading...it is all God's.

The One Jesus called "Abba," has dominion over all that is. It's an interesting point of conversation in a sermonic moment. We, who are of the Protestant work ethic, who value possession of personal property, the sense that we work for what we get, therefore we are entitled to it. If I hear Jesus right, and taking from the heritage of Mr. Wesley, nothing is mine. It's been entrusted to me. Whether or not I'll steward it well is solely dependant upon my exercise of that other gift of God for the world...free will.

But make no mistake about it. There are expectations and leanings of God through Gospel people to exhibit stewardship for the sake of the "widowed and the orphaned."

My freedom is not without responsibility.

Never has been. Never will be.

Watching children grow up is a reminder of how life is. In the past year, I've watched my youngest, now 4, discover the word "mine." I'm amazed at how many things he thinks are "his." And lest you create chaos, you best not touch what's "his" without permission.

We're teaching him the discipline of sharing. And we've learned that sharing works only to the point that it doesn't threaten the balance of what's left. When that's in jeopardy..forget it, you're on your own, and you're not getting anything else that's "mine."

Seems like that's a trait that transends childhood too often, doesn't it? Could that be something of what Jesus was getting at?

Never Mind

All that stuff written about my first class reunion?

Never mind.

My streak's intact.

"Something has suddenly come up," and I ain't goin'.

Oh, well.

Such is life.

But the post was pretty good, wasn't it?

By George, W.'s Right!

The time has come for all responsible Islamic leaders to join in denouncing an ideology that exploits Islam for political ends, and defiles a noble faith.

President George W. Bush October 6, 2005

Yes, indeed. I believe this to be true.

Substitute the word "Christian" for "Islamic" and "Christianity" for "Islam," and it's even more true.

So I guess the point is not whether Christianity is being used for political ends..shh, here's the dirty little secret....it is.

The question is whether or not there'll be responsible leaders courageous enough to denounce it, and offer the radical nature of the Gospel in it's place.

Will I?

Will you?

You see, it’s not about “them.”

It’s about you. It's about me.

Party Apparel - Pentecost 21

A quick preface.

I never manuscript sermons. And those of you who know me are wondering what I'm smoking - especially since this one was finished on Thursday, no less. This one just sorta happened.

Most frequently, the homiletical moment is scribbled or typed on a half sheet of paper. And while the script may not be as filled in as this one is, the methodology to get there is the same.

I live with the text each week. At this point in my ministry, I have not found myself capable of going several weeks in advance on the readings. I'm not convinced, however, that's a bad thing.

The centrifuge out of which spins points of contact between the text and life is the time spent weekly with four other clergy friends. Lectionary/Covenant/Support - the two hours spent weekly with these folks help me contexualize the lectionary from the lives we're living as clergy, friends, and all the varied networks of contact we bring in the room with us. In one form or another (itineracy can take a toil on group dynamics, don't you know), this group has existed since 1990. Even after moving away from it myself in the late 90's, and having not found what I needed for support in Jackson, I drove weekly to Memphis to continue my place in it.

So, in addition to all my other ranting and ravings, I'll also use this medium to throw out the thoughts and questions that emerge in preparation for the preaching moment. Maybe it'll be a manuscript - but I doubt it. I offer it not as authoritative, but as one who believes the questions of the Gospel live among us to be asked together.

Whatever emerges, jump in, something you offer may show up from the Saint John's pulpit some Sunday morning!

Pentecost 21 - Matthew 22.1-14

Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” 5But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. 7The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” 10Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 ‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, 12and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. 13Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 14For many are called, but few are chosen.’

I. INTRODUCTION

Let’s take stock of where we are in Matthew’s Gospel

Jesus has entered Jerusalem -

He taught using a series of parables as teaching moments for all to hear, but they were aimed squarely at the religious leaders. The people functioned as "grand jury" and in the face of Jesus' teachings, the indictments were obvious. The perceived influence of the Divine has been laundered to yield unaccountable power for the few at the expense of the many.

So, we get . . .

The Laborers in the Vineyard.

The son who said "no" but went to work anyway, the son who said "yes" but didn't go at all.

The tenants who kill all who come to collect the profits for the landowner.

The progression in Matthew is growing to a crescendo and it is becoming clear -something has to give. And we know in the Gospel story what that "thing" is...that, having had enough, the religious authorities conspire for Jesus' arrest, but even that is not done with any integrity.

Knowing that they've been exposed by his teaching, that their perversion of power and authority has been spoken aloud, and fearful that the politics of the moment would do them in, they coax the response they seek from their occupiers.

It’s the slash and burn politics of 1st century Jerusalem.

A coalition between Jerusalem and Rome, strange bedfellows, indeed.

The occupying nation-state will do the dirty work of the religious authorities. Sound familiar? Apparently, we've still not learned well the lessons of how we wrap ourselves in our religiosity while we crush dissent.

Maybe a quick press conference in which we really answer no questions but act like we're in control will help.

But lest we think we are buffered by historical distance, or are protected by our enlightened, post-modern superiority, WATCH OUT!...the universality of the Gospel confronts us as well.

The temptation to leave such hard teachings trapped in time perpetuates the very biases and prejudices we are called to shirk. Anti-semitism is birthed from the failure to recognize that Jesus' hard teachings and death were not only about the point in time he walked the earth confronting self-righteousness, unfaithfulness, and abuses of power at the expense of the voiceless.

These parables "cast alongside of our lives” expose our desire to claim residence in the Realm of God, but not adorn ourselves with the manifold expressions of faith that give witness that such an invitation matters.

We're invited to the Party that is the Kingdom of Heaven, where love and justice prevail, but are we willing to clothe ourselves in the apparel befitting such an occasion?

And if we are unwilling to yield the false sense of power and control over which we rule our little micro-kingdoms, then the Gospel makes us squirm today, and we are left ultimately with the feeling, like those religious folks so long ago, that something's got to give.

But the parables, if they do nothing else, remind us that we are not the only ones who would say "something's got to give."

God is saying it, too.

II. PARABLES AS FAMILIAR FORM

Jesus weaves this familiar story into the consciousness of his hearers. As it was with most of what Jesus taught, it was hewn from the wellspring of wisdom that resided already in the domain of the people. Often it was the Hebrew Bible. Other times, still, it was the folklore of the time.

A man had two sons

A man planted a vineyard

And today, a King is throwing a wedding banquet.

Already, there are preconceived expectations about where this story should end up. The turn of the parable is inevitable in our hearing of it. You know that the hearers are going to get "caught" in an unexpected turn. Are you ready for the parable to turn on you?


III. WHAT IS IN THIS PARABLE FOR US?

If the Kingdom of God is like a Party, why don't we start acting like it? Somewhere we've got this idea that Party and Piety are incongruent.

That's not what Jesus indicates.

Ever been to a great party? I mean a great party?

Aren't you “out of yourselves” in that moment? Pretense is gone, true joy and fellowship pervade every moment, and when it's time to leave it you wonder where the time went?

Would that more of our lives in community of the church mirror that spirit of togetherness and community to which the Gospel alludes.

Ah, yes, but then there's this. Ever receive an invitation to a party that you didn't want to go to? Be honest.

The thing about invitations. To some, they are wonderfully received gifts. To others, a flat out imposition.

Jesus tells of those first invited to the party...they wouldn't come. Too busy? An imposition? Didn't want to? Do you create an “excuse” for why you can’t come? Or, maybe it's that old "Brady Bunch" excuse, employing the words of Marcia, Marcia, Marica, that "something suddenly came up."

Who knows, but for this story - at the invitation, they were not willing.

BUT THE PARTY IS READY AND NO ONE IS HERE. Invite anyone, everyone. Notice that all are invited. Goodness and badness are no longer criteria for entrance - that you ARE is reason enough to receive an invitation.

That's how desperately gracious God is.

You are invited simply because you are, YOU!

God is gracious that way. God's character, often against our better judgment, is to allow entrance to those for whom we haven't the time of day, or whose lives, beliefs, politics grate on every fiber of our being. So, even if we rejoice at our invitation, we might think differently about it because of who else is invited.

I mean, really, do I want to be at a party with Pat Robertson? Jerry Falwell?

Do I want to be at a party with those who weaponize their religious zeal to exlude?

Do I want to be at a party with those who might welcome me, but not those I care about?

Do I want to be at a party with those who use God to justify war?


IV. AN INVITATION, ONCE RECEIVED AND ACCEPTED, CARRIES WITH IT THE RULES OF THE HOUSE

Admittedly, the end of this parable stuns us. And with Matthew, you've always got to cast someone into the outer darkness where there's all this weeping and teeth gnashing.

And over what? Somebody didn't have the right clothes on? Are you kidding me? C'mon, don't fixate on the garment. Consider what the garment means. You can't enter the party without honoring the expectations of the host. You can't enter Realm of God and keep the same mindset you had before.

David Buttrick says, "If you come into the Kingdom of God, do you think you can wear the same old prejudice you wear now?...You will want to match God's own unlimited generosity with an extravagant love for others, particularly those in need. Anything less would be out of place in the Kingdom."

The Host of the Party expects that if you’re coming, you’re at least going to put on the apparel befitting the event. To do otherwise is to “dis-grace” the measure of grace given you.

Contrary to our “once saved, always saved” friends, wherein you announce that as long as you believe, you’ll be fine, our spiritual forebear, John Wesley, talked about “falling from grace.” And to fall from grace is to fail in responding to grace’s impact on your life. While grace is free, it carries a requisite level of responsibility that shows by your inward and outward expression that grace received is motivating the servant actions of your heart. Anything other than that is to wear the wrong apparel to the party.

And if the Kingdom of God is a party, then we need to hear that some of the attire we wear is not welcomed, will not be admitted, and will be cast out if you try to bring it in.

Take our varied responses, or lack thereof, to the disaster on the Gulf Coast. Two distinct quotes typify what garment needs to be shed for it will not be admitted, and what needs to be put on:

"We finally cleaned up public housing in New Orleans. We couldn't do it, but God did." Rep. Richard Baker (R. La.) reported by Wall Street Journal

"It's a war of all against all--'you're on your own--in the center of an American empire. But now that the aid is pouring in, vital as it is, do not confuse charity with justice. I'm not asking for a revolution, I am asking for reform." Cornel West

V. CONCLUSION

There is wonderful good news here. You're invited. And to be at this party, you have a choice in how to respond. With God's lavish grace, why wouldn't we want to put on appropriate party apparel?

Take off the blind pursuit of power.

Disrobe yourself of the prejudices and biases that bind you.

Robe yourself in Christ.

Put on Love,

pursuit of justice,

hospitality,

forgiveness,

the willingness to give yourself away, which becomes an extension of the invitation you've received.

The invitation to the party is given, but the decision of what to wear must come from you.

In the Name of the Holy and Triune God. Amen.

My First Class Reunion - VDS, Class of '90

I never go to school reunions.

Never have.

High School? Wooddale HS class of '82?

Nope.

I have some reasons for that one. I'm not sure they're good reasons, but I have a few. I think it has to do with questions I don't want asked...questions I don't want to answer. Even after all these years.

But truth be told, I was only really close to a handful of folks anyway.

And then there's this.

I'm a preacher's kid. I had to move. Two times in my life I felt close to many folks who make up a grade. By the time I actually got into high school, I was pretty self-protective. I'd been burned once by leaving childhood friends in Mayfield, Kentucky. Once again, after recovering from that to leave new relationships a few years later in Jackson, Tennessee. By the time I got to Memphis for High School, culture shocked aside...I was running with shields up and phasers ready to fire.

Much of my personality, I think, comes from that fear that I can't afford too many people to know me - really know me - in part, because I've endured the pain of taking leave too many times. So, while I guess I'm an alright guy, there's far too much of me pushed beneath the surface.

Among the critiques I've continually encountered as an adult is that I'm "too serious." I don't think that's the case, so much... I'm just working hard to maintain the appearance that I've got my, uh, "stuff" together.

Sounds like I need a "Dr. Phil" moment, doesn't it? Yikes!

College Reunion?

I went to Memphis State. 20,000 students. Who am I going to have a reunion with, the Philosophy Department? Please...they're in my head all the time anyway, I don't need to go see them.

In about a week I'm going to go to my first one. I'm going back to the hallowed halls of Vanderbilt Divinity School to celebrate, in part, the class of 1990.

Vandy was the only place I applied for seminary. That probably wasn't the smartest thing in the world to have done. I think I shorted myself opportunities and experiences that could have been lived in a multitude of places.

But I don't regret it, now. In fact, the farther away I get from that experience, the more I'm starting to appreciate it for the richness of theological grounding it gave me. This was the place that gave me language for what were already many observations I had about the nature of God, the role of the Church, and the responsibility of the minister to function as theologian.

And this was the place that challenged my core - it confronted me with the reality that issues are not just issues, there are children of God attached to them, too often marginalized, in need of advocacy.

But those were hard days. First time really away from family. I served student appointments all the way through for not only financial issues, but also for the benefit of getting some pastoral experience immediately. There were some trade offs for the that decision, but, on balance, I think I was better for having taken the path I took.

I'm not sure how many of my classmates are going to be there, but I feel I need to be, if, for no other reason, to give thanks for that band of brothers and sisters who traversed those halls with me.

They came from different places and agendas, but somehow we clung to each other through those years and made it. We studied, anguished, practiced our craft, drank ourselves silly sometimes, and pushed each other to be more than we thought we could. It was fraternity house, residency, and clinical pastoral education all rolled up into one.

In the end, we were "congregation" for each other when it was clear that no one else could be at that time.

I'm thankful for that experience for many reasons. Foremost among them, there's a group of about 12 folks I ran with during those years who saw me for who I was and loved me anyway. In that crucible, there was no room for pretense. At times it was raw, other times vulnerable. Masks and put ons were not allowed, and each had the skill to recognize it and the obligation to call any of us on it when tempted to revert to it.

It was the first time in my adult life I experienced that on such a level. We've all scattered into the far reaches over these years. I've stayed in touch with 4 or 5 of that group. I want to know how all the rest of them are doing.

So, I'm going back. And even if the crowd is sparse, somehow walking those halls again--I'll remember, and when I do, I'll truly be glad.

What Can Brown Do For You? - Part II

Michael Brown - "Brownie." He's some kinda guy.

Apparently, he's the ONE allowed to play "the blame game."

I'm just spitballing here.

You stand before Congress, swear to tell the truth, blame everyone (and there's plenty of blame to go around), but not accept any responsibility (even W did that).

And, you proclaim that Mississippi and Alabama's responses went well, while Louisiana is disfunctional (any chance that's because MS and AL are Republican strongholds, and Louisiana is, well, Louisiana).

I don't know what world you live in, but I'm sure your doing a heck of a job.

Two Posts to Go See

Rather than cut and paste their work into my space, be sure to visit two blogs whose commentary on current issues are worthy of your time.

The first is from my friend of 30 years, Ed Kilbourne, whose blog, A Place to Watch the Rain offers a theological conundrum on the power play in the church with his post A New Low Pressure System. The larger questions raised are compelling.

The second is from Bishop Will Willimon (still can't quite get that in my head - maybe because I'm a Vandy guy, and he's from Duke, the "Vanderbilt" of Tobacco Road), whose blog, A Peculiar Prophet (man, we like ourselves, don't we? - of course I'm not planning on being appointed to the North Alabama Conference, can you tell?) whose post titled Thinking Like a Christian is a challenging examination of what is going on with the theological tug of war in the church. Be sure to read the comments posted in response to his article. There's much about Willimon's writing that drives me nuts (for me, it's what too much of his written work comes off as - self-aggrandizement wrapped in feigned humility, which often gets in the way of good theological insight) but this article is a nice piece of work.