"But be transformed"-Sermon for Proper 16, Romans 12:1-8:
Friends…it is good to be home. And, I choose the word “home” intentionally…not good to be back…or good to be in church…or good to return to meaningful work…though all are true…but good to be home. Absence has indeed made this heart grow fonder. Thus, in stepping away I realize, which I think is, in part, the intention of a well-earned and well used sabbatical, how much our family of faith means to me and to us…to Ashley, Amelia and Mei Mei. Home is where the heart is, and my heart is firmly planted in this family of faith, St. Julian’s, where we stand hand in hand, with God in Christ at our very center. I want to say a heartfelt thank you for allowing me this time to, as Paul says in our New Testament lesson today, be transformed by the renewing of my mind. For if sabbatical exists for anything it is for transformation through renewal…that is through rest, refreshment and restoration. And, I feel rested, refreshed and restored…renewed for the next season in our life together. There are too many to name…but I would like to offer a special thanks to the Rev. Demery Bader-Saye and Mel Bland for being our chief pastors in my absence…for both keeping a wise and loving hand to the plow in my months away (can we show them some love). Though back in the office for just a week, it is clear to me that good and Godly work has surely been done in these days while I have been away. We are stronger and more capable then when I departed on April 13th, and we are poised for another season of growth in both spirit and number. So, with all of my heart, again, I say thank you for all the love, support, prayers and hard work offered so generously to continue our God-given mission during my time away.
Though I tried to be a bit less wed to my newsfeed while on sabbatical, I am fully aware that the world, including so many living in our own community, remain in great need of the love that we both receive and give from this place…God’s own life giving, life transforming, ever renewing love. And…I am enthused, I am pumped to dive back into this good and Godly work we share that gives meaning to the living of our days and is the hope of the world. I will admit my bias, but I continue to believe that the love we have found in this place, God’s own love, and that we then share with those whose paths we cross, especially those who are feeling lost, alone, or in despair, is what God made us for…it is who God called us to be…individually and corporately…it is the one thing…the most important thing. So, let’s do it…let’s lean into the ministry God has placed into our shared life…being Christ’s own heart and hands that feed a hungry world…that help heal broken hearts…that shine light into this present darkness…together…always together. For, as Paul also notes in today’s lesson from Romans, we are one body made of many members…and each member has a divinely appointed role to play of vital importance, empowered by God’s grace suffused into each of our lives. I need you…each of you, and you need me, if we are together to discern and make known the will of God for the world God made and loves…what is, in Paul’s words, “good and acceptable and perfect”.
Now, it will take time for me to process the experiences and learnings that have made up the past four months of sabbatical. And, I am certain that stories will continue to emerge in future sermons and teachings…but I would like to share one today. As perhaps many of you know, the center piece of my sabbatical was a family trip to Europe, in particular, the Alps where we spent the better part of a month. My family loves the mountains…to be in them…to walk in them. We kept a distance log of our many hikes in five different countries, which totaled 180 miles. Each step of those 180 miles, we soaked in the beauty of God revealed in creation and the love, God’s love, that flowed so freely between us. And, one of those hikes, which was definitely in the top two or three for me, was in Grindelwald, Switzerland. Our initial plan was to take about a 5 mile “out and back” hike to a mountain lake called Bachalpsee. For the Star Wars fans, like me, among us, this stunning glacial lake and the mountains surrounding it where used by George Lucas as the background images for the planet Alderaan in “The Revenge of the Sith”, the third movie, and best in my opinion, of the prequel trilogy. And, its beauty is, indeed, otherworldly. And, as we arrived at the lake and sat down on its shore to enjoy a picnic, I noted a well-worn path that continued up beyond the lake to a saddle between two high peaks. And, looking at the path, I felt a strong urge to see what new view was lying at the top of the saddle…what wonder might be awaiting us on the other side. So, with some cajoling, I talked the girls into continuing the journey up the mountain. As these things go, it was a pretty steep ascent, and I second guessed myself several times. Of the four of us in my family, I am certainly the slowest and least fit, but we made it to the top of the saddle and were not disappointed. New mountain peaks emerged on the other side of the saddle and a great valley opened before us stretching down as far as the eye could see to the Swiss city Interlaken some 12 miles away.
Now, I was really glad we made the extra effort to climb to the top of the saddle, but, at this point, I was also fully ready to make our descent and call it a day. We had already added several unplanned, extra miles to the day’s trek. The beer garden in Grindelwald was, indeed, calling my name. However, the path that lead up to this saddle was not at its end. We could see it continue up to our right to a final peak that the signs called Fallhourn. But, friends, I was done…Mei Mei was certainly done…Ashley who can always keep going was good with whatever…so it was Amelia who stepped into the role of encourager. She pointed out that we had already come so far it would be a shame not to get to the very top. It couldn’t be more than a mile further. There looked to be a warming hut at the peak which might provide refreshment for the weary. The peak would surely provide even more breathtaking views…360 degrees of wonder. We couldn’t end the adventure yet. The best was surely still to come. And, with a few more words of Amelia’s encouragement, we indeed pressed on, somewhat apprehensively, at least for my part, up the mountain to the very top. And, again, we were not disappointed. The views, the ice-cold coke at the warming hut, the flowing endorphins, the sense of conquering the mountain…all together filled us with joy…pure bliss. The extra miles of effort, once at the top, seemed the obvious choice.
And, friends, I tell you this story because when we reached the top of the saddle well before the peak…enjoying that earlier view…tired and breathless…continuing on to the top…conquering Fallhourn…adding a couple of more miles to the journey…did not…did not seem the obvious choice. Instead, calling it a day and making our way down the mountain seemed the obvious choice…at least to me. But Amelia…Amelia…had her eye on the real prize. She knew that if we just pushed ourselves a little further we would know what we were really capable of accomplishing. She had the vision for the beauty and wonder that still awaited us if we continued the adventure…if we kept going…one foot in front of the other…all the way to the top. And, she, not me, was entirely right. She was the member of our immediate family’s body with the courageous prophetic vision and needed words of encouragement…to continue (please advance a slide). That is a pic of me and Amelia at the top.
We, St. Julian’s, are one body with many members…and together we have travelled many miles over the past seventeen years. We have seen many wonders and miracles…hearts and relationships healed…grief overcome...life-long friendships forged…forgiveness given and received…hungry people fed…underserved people loved and cared for…dark times of pandemic and deep division survived and even thrived through…land bought…buildings built…a parish established…and I could go on…but, friends, the path continues…the peak still lies ahead…the vision of who God has called us to always be and become…to grow in relationship, love all well, and seek ever greater intimacy with Christ…still always stands before us. And, like Amelia that day, we all have a vitally important role to play as members of this body if we are to reach the mountain’s top. We need all the prophets and ministers and teachers and exhorters and givers and leaders and cheer-leaders and more…those already with us and those still to come…we need all of us all together…chiming in, working hard, sharing our various gifts all suffused with God’s never-ending grace…to continue…one foot in front of another…the journey onward and upward…to the very next peak and the one that follows…till all is transformed…till every mind is renewed…till God’s Kingdom on earth is…as it is in heaven. Thus, our God-led journey up the mountain to its very top…together…always together…blessedly continues. Amen.