Sermon
Lord, when did we see you?
Is it possible that God is in our midst and we don’t know it?
This is perhaps the most profound question in scripture.
This passage does not really require much interpretation.
We don’t need to turn to the scholars to help us figure out what Jesus is saying.
In this particular story his message is clear.
We are to give food to the hungry;
Drink to the thirsty;
Welcome to the stranger;
Clothing to the naked;
Compassion to the sick;
Attention to those in prison.
When I read this I wonder why we spend so much time deliberating what our mission ought to be or where our resources should be directed.
It seems clear.
If we are to carry out the work of Jesus Christ in this world, Jesus, himself provides the ‘to do’ list.
This is not metaphor.
This is direction.
Let’s look at each command and see how we might fulfill them.
Feed the hungry.
Each month our local food pantry provides meals to hundreds of our neighbors.
Our Christian Action committee along with several volunteers, provided a meal for 120 people in Canaan on Wednesday night.
I think we are pretty strong on feeding the physically hungry – we might need some work on those who are spiritually hungry.
We tend to be most comfortable feeding those who readily identify as hungry – we want to be certain, however, that we are not missing opportunities to offer food, both literal and spiritual to those who might be longing for it.
Last week at Silver Lake the staff was instructed to ‘have 360-degree vision’ which meant always paying attention to what is around you-all around you. A good lesson for us.
I was thirsty and you gave me drink.
The Water Protectors at Standing Rock gave me a T-shirt that says ‘Water is life.’
I don’t doubt that we would offer a cup of water to someone who asked, but what sort of effort do we put into making sure that everyone in the world has access to water?
What have we done to ensure that clean water will be available to our grandchildren and all those generations that will come after us?
I have to tell you the children at Silver Lake this past week are very worried about the future of water.
They raised the issue several different ways, always looking for answers to the question, ‘What can we do?’
Where do our responsibilities lie in terms of advocating for water?
We are careful stewards of our money and physical resources, but what of the earth? Are we paying attention?
Clothing the naked.
We are good at collecting our used clothing to provide those less fortunate with clothes. This is a good way to recycle the things that clutter our closets or that we have simply grown tired of.
But what do we do to ensure that no child, or adult, will find themselves naked?
Do we advocate for good schools or fair wages to ensure that people have the ability to be self-sustaining – to buy clothes for their families?
Compassion to the sick.
This is another area where we are strong in our local community. We regularly visit those who are sick or homebound. We pray each week for those who are ill.
Is this enough?
Would Jesus be pleased with us and place us with the sheep?
Or would Jesus wonder why we were silent on issues of healthcare for the poor or care of those people in the world subject to disease and hardship due to a lack of knowledge or resources?
Attention to those in prison.
In the last few weeks I met two people ministering to those in prison. Rev. Marilyn Kendrick asked if she could come to worship one Sunday and share her passion for paying attention to the ‘mass incarceration of people of color’ in our country. Her mission is to help people understand that our prison system is in need of reform.
Again, the Silver Lakers looking at issues of racism this week raised some pretty challenging questions about the injustices present in our justice system.
The second person I encountered works as a chaplain at the Federal Prison in Danbury, Connecticut. He has spent a lifetime ministering to incarcerated individuals and has compelling stories to tell regarding the lives of the people he has met. He also offered to come and talk to us.
I know that many of you will hear this sermon as a political statement.
You will perhaps lament that the preacher has gone political.
I would draw your attention to the author of the words I spoke.
It is Jesus speaking.
Each of the issues that have been raised have traditionally defined the work of the church.
However, in the last few decades these issues have been politicized, serving to marginalize the poor and pushing to the voice of the church into the shadows.
I believe it is time for the church of Jesus Christ to stand up and reclaim the gospel.
If we want to be a strong, vibrant church, we need to be firmly committed to living as Christians.
Next week, we will begin the process of putting together a budget for 2018.
There is much talk on the national level about a budget as a moral document.
As we discern how to expend our resources, I invite us to look carefully at how Jesus might interpret our work.
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.”
I know that I would much prefer to be with the sheep in God’s eternal kingdom than with the goats in eternal punishment.
What about you?
Sheep or Goat?
Let’s talk about some of the ways we might live out Jesus’ call to care for those less fortunate than ourselves.
Let us pray.
Gracious, loving God of all creation, we come before you today humbled by the tasks you have assigned us. Help us, we pray, to move out of our self-centered worlds into your eternal kingdom. Guide us as we discern your call for us. Help us to balance the enjoyment of our own lives with the needs of our neighbors. Let us find joy in gathering as well as joy in service to others. We are committed to being the best disciples that we can be and we know that we need your grace to do so. Be with us this day, and all days, as we open ourselves to your presence. Hear now our prayers for those whom we love.
For those who are sick, we pray for healing.
For those who mourn, we pray for comfort.
For your beloved community throughout the earth we pray for an end to poverty, hunger, thirst, sickness and imprisonment.
Help us to find new paths to goodness and grace.
We turn to you now in the sacred silence of this Meetinghouse with the prayers of our hearts.