The Cure for Care

Epiphany 8A
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Yesterday, I saw a miracle! The crocuses in our front yard bloomed. So too, several of our daffodils! In the garden, the peas are poking up through the soil, and the lettuces and radishes are growing like crazy! All around our house, we saw miracle after miracle right before our very eyes.

These may not seem like miracles to many. They certainly are not as flashy and spectacular as weeping statues or bleeding pictures of saints that draw so many of the devout flocking to see them or from which to obtain some cure for a disease; but they are miracles none the less!

Every year at this time, the earth comes alive again with the budding of plants, the greening of the grass, and the opening of flowers. Plants begin their cycle of life, which gives us life; and they provide us with such a dazzling array of colors and variety, that even the most talented artist cannot duplicate. These tiny miracles, the miracles of Spring I like to call them, speak volumes about the goodness, wonder, and love of God, our Creator; and they provide evidence of his existence and of his Providence in providing for our needs.

When I consider the wonders of all creation, which, despite our advanced scientific knowledge, still are beyond the reach of complete understanding by man, I am reminded that God is God, and that God is Good! While it is true that we as humans have made staggering advances in understanding the world and the universe, and that we may be able through this knowledge and technology to map the genes, split the chromosomes, and smash the atoms, we still cannot create – on our own and from scratch – one single gene, chromosome or atom. The best we can do is to duplicate and manipulate what God can do with a single word; and even then, our duplications and manipulations pale in comparison to the original works of God.

I am reminded of a cute little story about how the Devil went to God one day, to again assert his equality. So, God agreed to give the Devil the opportunity to demonstrate his power. God said, “I think I’ll make a man.” So God reached down, grabbed a handful of dirt, and created a man from the dust of the ground. The Devil said, “Oh, that’s easy! Just watch this!” As the Devil began to scratch together a little pile of dirt to begin making his version of a man, God said, “Um… just a minute… you need to use your own dirt… not mine!” With that, the Devil left, frustrated once more by the sublime and awesome power of God.

We take so much of what we see around us for granted; and in our search for spectacular and flashy miracles as evidence of God’s power and provision, we overlook all the joys and wonders of the Creation that are right in front of our eyes and that speak volumes about that power and provision. For my money, the opening of a simple crocus is just as powerful and spectacular a miracle as Jesus walking on the water. While it may not be as flashy, it certainly is more relevant to where we are today. We were not there when Jesus walked on the water, and have only the report of it as recorded in the Gospels, and we accept in "on faith" as true; but we see before us each and every day, the power, majesty, beauty, and goodness of God in the miracles of his Creation. These little miracles… the crocus, the daffodils, the peas and radishes, the birds returning from their migrations, even the pollen from the trees that we will all soon suffer through, do more to bolster my faith in God and to bolster my dependence and gratitude for God in providing all that I need, than all the stories of miracles past.

If we could grasp just how wonderful God really is, how much he cares for us, and how much he does for us (that we take for granted), we would have an entirely different understanding of our relationship with the Creator; and have an entirely different view of our place in the world and in the great Kingdom of God. This different view and understanding would shift our priorities around, and compel us to be more and do more for the glory of this great God.

This is precisely the point that Jesus is trying to make in today’s Gospel lesson. He tells his disciples that their focus is all wrong, which skews their priorities. They, like us, have been taught that prosperity equates to success, and that having "things" is a measure of status. In our consumerist, capitalist, greedy, selfish world view, we strive and kill ourselves - and even kill others, so we can obtain “things.” We want the best clothes, the best cars, the biggest houses, the latest gadgets, the flashiest electronics, the best food, and so much more. Sadly, we are never really content, even when we have achieved these “best” items and things. We always strive for more; and in our striving for “things”, we miss the point of what life, and a life of faith, are really all about. We miss the miracles all around us.

The “heathens,” Jesus says, are the ones who strive for these “things” always asking what we will eat, what will we drink, what we will wear, and where we will sleep? He points to the Creation, the flowers of the field which are more spectacular than Solomon in all his glorious splendor. He points to the birds, and reminds the Disciples that God in his goodness, feeds them. He asks the disciples if they, by stress and worry, can add a single minute to their life span; and if they cannot do so small thing as that, why worry about food and drink. Is not life more than food and drink?

Jesus says that our striving needs to be focused upon God’s Kingdom and His Righteousness, and everything else that we need, will be provided. This Kingdom of God and His Righteousness of which Jesus is speaking, is not about Heaven, nor is it about the self-serving, sanctimonious striving for religious purity. I think Jesus is talking about striving to establish God’s Kingdom and His Righteousness right here – on the earth, so that in the end, we will enter Heaven where God’s Kingdom is a reality and where He already rules in Righteousness. He has given to us, as His Ambassadors, the authority to make a little bit of Heaven right here and now.

For those of us who embrace the message of Jesus Christ, this striving for the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness should manifest itself, not in self-congratulatory pats-on-the-back because we are “saved” but rather, it should manifest itself in the form of justice, peace, and equality that we strive for and promote. It should manifest itself in our care for the Creation, which God has entrusted to us, and from which we all are fed – whether we grow our own food, buy it at the market, or receive it from a food bank. This striving should manifest itself in our efforts to treat others with dignity and respect as reflections of the Creator, whose image is impressed upon each and every human being. This striving should manifest itself, not in greedy, selfish, grasping, avaricious efforts to have more and buy more, but to be more and do more for God and for others. In doing this, in striving for the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, we will in fact, be establishing His Kingdom here, and implementing in real and powerful ways, the two Great Commandments – to love God and to love others; and we will be the beneficiaries of God’s benign and benevolent provision for all that we need in life… food, clothes, homes, and peace.

My friends, does it really matter if this provision for clothing comes from Macy’s or Goodwill? Does it matter that this provision for food comes from prime rib or hamburger helper? Does it matter that this provision for shelter comes from a big house or a simple trailer or apartment? I say "no"… for God our Creator will take care of us, and provide for us, if we will strive – not for the big house, or fine clothes, or prime rib, but for His Kingdom and His Righteousness. If we will do justice, love mercy, practice contentment, work for the common good, and reflect Jesus Christ to the world in all we do – we will then know the power and provision of God in our lives.

We will also experience and appreciate all the little miracles – those little Spring miracles – and the Summer, Fall, and Winter miracles as well, that point to the very existence, providence, majesty, and power of Almighty God. We will be more content, more stable, more caring, less stressed, less selfish, and our lives will be more in line with what Jesus taught us. We will also ennoble others and raise them up to this same, lofty plain… where success is not measured by prosperity but by compassion, and wealth is not counted in dollars but in blessings.

Sound idealistic and impossible? Perhaps; and it will remain idealistic and impossible, so long as we are unwilling to change our focus and allow that to change our priorities. Until then, we are no better than the “Heathens.” By comparison to this “idealist view” just look at the condition of the world today, and the destruction of society and of the economies, that has been brought upon us by our own greedy, selfish, avaricious striving for things. The nations of the world are bankrupt; and families are homeless, unemployed, and destitute… because we tried to have it all and buy it all - even if we had to charge it and mortgage our future and our children's future. We have been striving for the wrong things… and have done a great injustice to ourselves and to others by this striving as the "Heathens" do. When we strive for “things” that can be lost, eaten, stolen, or destroyed, we miss the “blessings” of what can last forever, and lose the opportunity to make a real difference in the world around us.

My friends, if you are stressed, worried, and filled with the cares of this life – of what to eat – what to drink – what to wear – and where to live; of how you are going to make it; or it you have been striving for money and things as a measure of your success and importance, then let me invite to take a good look around you and see all the miracles that point to God and His Providential Care for us. Then allow these miracles and the words of Jesus to change your focus, change your priorities, and propel you to strive for God’s Kingdom and His Righteousness in all that you do. Then, share these miracles and blessings with those around you, so that they too can experience God and begin their own striving for His Kingdom. This, my friends, is the best cure in the world for all our cares, stresses, and worries; it is the key to grateful contentment; and it is the way that God has always intended for us to live. Amen.

Love Your Enemies

Epiphany 7A

In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

In his book, “The Keys of the Kingdom” A.J. Cronin tells the story of a simple Scottish priest named Francis Chisholm, who goes to China as a missionary in the late 1800’s. He spends most of his life there, struggling with poverty, plagues, and constant civil war, but manages to build a strong little mission, with an orphanage, school, clinic, and of course a church. The story is fiction, but draws heavily on Cronin’s knowledge of the Church and of history, to present a compelling and accurate story that includes many of the inconsistencies of Christianity, especially as viewed by those who first hear the Gospel message.

Two constant themes surrounding these inconsistencies are presented throughout this story; first, the level of suspicion, bigotry and outright hatred that exists between members of different “Christian” denominations; and second, the attitudes of Christians towards conflict and wars. All through the book, the response of the Chinese people towards this religion of love, tolerance, salvation, and forgiveness – called Christianity – is one of complete confusion.

At one point in the book, during another of those countless Chinese civil wars, Father Chisholm’s mission faces complete destruction by an artillery battery. This battery has killed and wounded many in the neighboring city, and thousands flee as refugees. The decision is made to attempt to destroy the big gun in order to save lives and the mission. Father Chisholm and an officer of the opposing army who is disguised as a peasant, make their way in the darkness to the artillery battery carrying canned foods and money that have been demanded by the commander of the battery as a bribe; but in the bundle are really explosives and a can of gasoline.

The idea is that the “peasant” would place the bundle close to the big gun, fire a pistol into the gasoline, and blow up the gun; but when he fires, the gasoline does not ignite. A struggle ensues, and Father Chisholm throws his torch into the leaking gasoline, which causes a tremendous explosion, and which knocks him unconscious. When he comes around, he discovers that the gun has been destroyed, but so too, all the soldiers of the battery. In their haste to save the big gun, they got too close and were caught in the explosion and killed. The Chinese officer disguised as a peasant is thrilled, but Father Chisholm is horrified. He is relieved that the gun has been destroyed, but in the process, discovers that he has violated his most sacred principle by killing others. To add to this horror, the peasant officer, drawing from his observations of the inconsistencies of Christianity, states that he has never seen such a wonderful killing, and that another such killing like that, and he too would become a Christian.

Two weeks ago, I talked about the state of Christianity and the Church, and the level of inconsistency the world sees, which keep our light from shining. Today’s Gospel lesson, a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount, shows us in clear, uncertain terms, how we are supposed to live, love, and forgive. Jesus is careful to make the case that loving those who love us is in reality doing nothing; but, if one desires to be a true disciple, a true Christian, then one must learn to love ALL others, including those we often consider “enemies.” We must learn to forgive ALL others, and pray for them, including those whom we consider “enemies” and those who take advantage of us. This is a tall order, but these are the words of Jesus himself, whom we a Christians have vowed to follow and obey as our Lord and Savior. Yet despite these clear instructions from Jesus, we continue to see bigotry, hatred, wars, and even “excellent killings” on the part of those who profess this Savior and Lord.

To give another example of this gross inconsistency, we come closer to home. This is Black History Month in the United States; and I remember those early days when this observance, along with a national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., were both first being discussed. The level of acrimony and outright hatred that I heard and saw on the part of many white Christians in their opposition to such an observance or holiday, were shocking. I heard “Church folks” say they would NEVER observe Dr. King Day, and certainly wanted nothing to do with Black History month. Several years later, while teaching school, I wrote a poem for my students called “The Dream” in celebration of Black History Month, which was published in a book of poems. If you will indulge me, I’d like to share that poem with you today…

The Dream

(Written in celebration of Black History Month)

We started out as slaves

in the "Land of the Free,"

Herded onto crowded ships,

filled with misery,

We came across the ocean

from our native lands,

They sold us at the auction block

and placed us in iron bands.

They worked us and they beat us

and the split our family,

They tried to take our honor,

and our pride and dignity.

But our character was strong,

and our faith was supreme,

And now we're finally free,

living out a sacred Dream.

After centuries of struggles

and courageous fights,

The children of those early slaves

today have civil rights.

The heroes of that early fight

to set us all free,

Include the names of Tubman,

Douglass and Booker T.

The framers of the sacred Dream

to which we all cling,

Include the names of Marshall,

and Parks, and Dr. King.

But we have to work together

to keep that Dream alive,

And build a world where freedom

really has a chance to thrive.

A world in which the ignorance

and the hatred we still face,

Is replaced by equal treatment,

without regard to race.

Cause that Dream will only stay a

dream, and not reality,

So long as men are only free,

and lack equality.

Many of my African-American friends were surprised to learn that a white man had written such a poem, but were thrilled none-the-less. They were curious by my use of the word “WE” in this poem. I stated that so long as just one person is enslaved, we all are slaves by the injustice of the whole. However, their joyful surprise was nothing compared to what I encountered from many of my white friends, who also being “Christians,” were shocked that I should take to writing poems for “them folks”. (Of course, their phrase was not “them folks” but was the “N” Word.)

My friends, there is no excuse, no possible justification, for those who call themselves Christians, to harbor such bigotry and prejudice against black, Jews, or anyone else for that matter.

Immediately following these events, in response to my dismay and disbelief at the way in which I was maligned for writing such a “hateful” work, and to point out the gross inconsistencies I observed and experienced, I sat down and wrote another poem based on the old hymn, “Take My Life and Let it Be, Consecrated Lord to Thee”. I would like to share that poem with you, as well.

Take My Life

Take my life and let it be,

Alcohol and tobacco free,

With no dancin’ or other fun,

Down to the corner church I run.

But when I get there, you better look out,

Cause I can lie and I can pout.

With my Bible in my hand,

I'll sing the hymns while we all stand;

And at the “Amen,” we’ll all file,

Past the Pastor with a smile,

Then we’ll gossip ‘bout everyone,

Tellin’ tales ‘til the setting sun.

We’ll say a prayer before we rest,

To say “I’m Sorry” and be blest,

But in the morn if it don’t rain,

I’ll show the world I’m “born again”.

Cause I don’t smoke and I don’t drink,

And I don’t dance, and I don’t stink,

And I don’t curse, and I don’t swear,

And I don’t go with ‘them’ from ‘there.’

But I’ll gossip some and tell a lie,

And cross my heart and hope to die,

And hate my neighbor on the way,

And laugh at those who’ve “gone astray”

And take offense at the smallest stuff,

And bear a grudge and be real gruff,

But at least I’m sober and I’m clean,

Even though I’m downright mean.

So take my life and let it be,

Alcohol and tobacco free,

And when I die, I’ll feel so proud

When they wrap me in my burial shroud.

And I’ll stand before the Pearly Gate,

To hear my name called while I wait

‘Cause I was “Christian” thru and thru,

There’s room for me but not for you.

And when I hear the tragic news,

That some who smoked and drank some booze

Will enter Heaven after all,

I’ll stand alone, and there I’ll ball.

‘Cause despite my list of “don’ts and do’s”

I had no love for Blacks or Jews”.

I hated those I sat beside,

While singing songs of Eastertide.

So take my life and let it be,

Alcohol and tobacco free,

But free from sin and free from shame,

Could have been mine...

...through Jesus' Name.

We teach our Children that little song, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world! Red and yellow, black and white; they are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.” However, when one considers the realities verses our rhetoric, and when one takes into account the condition of the world with all its injustice, prejudice, and hatred compared to the sanctimonious hypocrisy that seeks to gloss over all these attitudes, it does gross injury to the cause of Christ, and makes his teachings nothing more than nice words which go unpracticed and unfulfilled in this world – by many who claim to be his disciples.

Another area in which we see such sanctimonious hypocrisy is that of war. I have been much impressed by the grass-roots demonstrations that we have seen in Wisconsin this past week, by workers who are protesting wage and benefit issues, and attempts to undermine their right to organize. However, I have also been greatly dismayed, that so many would turn out for a protest over wages and benefits, yet not one real protest or demonstration has been organized against the never-ending, immoral, and illegal wars that this country is waging in Iraq and Afghanistan (and now also in Pakistan!), which are killing thousands and bankrupting the nation. We are told that the war in Iraq is over, yet this morning I read that more troops from Fort Lee are going there! Why? We should be outraged, but we are silent. I mentioned this lack of national outrage to the wars to someone, and their response was “Do you want the Muslims to take over the world like they did Jerusalem and the entire Middle East!” As shatteringly ignorant as that statement is, I have heard it made by others as well… who also happen to be Christians. The so-called “War on Terror” has be reduced, in reality, to a war about resources (oil and minerals) and a war against the “infidels” – in the minds of both Christians and Muslims; and the irony is that both religions pride themselves of being religions of peace, love, tolerance, and forgiveness.

Are there extremists? Absolutely! But there is absolutely no difference between the Radical Muslim who is prepared to blow himself up in order to kill Americans, and the Radical Christian who is prepared burn the Koran and cheer the killing of Muslims by drones and bombs. They are each guided and controlled by a visceral hated of the other – in large part, based on ignorance and fear of their different religions of peace, love, tolerance, and forgiveness.

We are followers of Jesus… and we have taken baptismal vows as Christians to follow and obey him as Lord and Savior. We have also vowed in that same baptismal covenant, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being. These vows are based on the teachings of Jesus Christ himself, who said…

- Turn the other cheek.

- Pray for those who take advantage of you.

- If you are sued for your shirt, give them your coat as well.

- If you are forced to go one mile, go two.

- Forgive others so you may be forgiven.

- Pray for those who persecute you.

- And also, Love your enemies.

I’m sorry friends, but these words leave little room for justifying bigotry, hatred, intolerance, prejudice, racism, revenge, retaliation, or even war for that matter. They leave no room for Christians of one denomination to condemn or malign Christians from a different denomination. If we would be the Children of God, as Jesus suggests, then these ideals that Jesus teaches are the things we must not only read about and say “Amen” to, but believe and practice as well, so that we, as Jesus said, may be “perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect.”

Let me encourage you to examine your life, attitudes, and actions, and hold them up to the mirror of what Jesus is saying to us this morning in the Gospel Lesson. Then, if you discover attitudes and actions that appear to be in conflict or inconsistent with these teaching, let me encourage you to call out to this Savior you have embraced, for the grace and courage you need to change these attitude and actions. We may not be able to end all hatred, wars, and prejudice in the world, but perhaps we can do so in our own small part of it. It all begins when each one of us make the conscious decision to be part of the solution, and not remain part of the problem. Then, little-by-little, we may actually see the kind of revival in Christianity that so many are praying for. May God grant us all this measure of grace and courage to “…be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect.”

How's Your Love Life?

Epiphany 6A
In the Name of God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Well, today is Valentine’s Day; the day on which men all around the country will be expected to buy flowers, candy, jewelry, and anything else so that they may prove their love and demonstrate that they are indeed, romantic. Men, I hope for your sakes, that you are ready! Don’t make the mistake that some have made, by purchasing seat covers, pots and pans, or a new ironing board for your beloved on Valentine’s Day!

We don’t really observe Valentine’s Day at our house. That doesn’t mean that Pattie and I don’t love each other, or that there’s no “romance” in our life. Quite the contrary! We just feel that Valentine’s Day has become nothing more than just another day for people to spend money they don’t have, on things they don’t need, in order to convey the simple idea of “I Love You.” Just because we buy someone a box of candy, or a new bracelet, does not mean we “love” them. If we truly love our wives, husbands, girlfriends and boyfriends; and we really are “romantic,” wouldn’t we be better served to show that love throughout the entire year, in a thousand different ways – both big and small – instead of jumping through all kinds of hoops set up for us by stores and shops, in order to make a big splash on just one day of the year?

For Pattie and me, every day is essentially Valentine’s Day; because every day, our love for each other grows more and more. We show that love to each other all the time; and even as busy as we both are, we try to foster as much “romance” as we can. When we do go to a restaurant, we will sit on the same side of the booth, so we can hold hands. Many times, I’ll pack a lunch for Pattie to carry to work, and I’ll write a little “love note” on a napkin, or she’ll do the same thing. I still open doors for her, still help her with her coat, and still pull out her chair at table, even at home for supper. Sometimes we will buy each other a little gift, or a card, and place it somewhere where the other will “find” it and be surprised. Sometimes we’ll just sit together on the porch, or on a bench in the yard, watching the birds, holding hands, and not saying a word with our mouths, but speaking volumes with our hearts; or we’ll just take a walk, picking up sticks and leaves along the way, and talking about our dreams, goals, and ideas of life.

In the same way that Pattie and I show our love for each other, and even maintain that “romance” in our relationship, so it should be in our relationship with God and with others. In today’s Gospel Lesson, which is a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus makes some rather stringent and difficult statements. He rehearses part of the Law and Commandments, and then places upon the hearers of this Sermon an added dimension which, at first, seems rather harsh and hard; but which in reality, bespeaks this idea of the condition of our hearts. In these commandments and the application that Jesus points to, we see the fundamental idea of everything Jesus showed us and taught: Love God and Love each other. By observing these two Great Commandments, and making them a part of our thinking and living, we then reduce the risk of violating any one of the individual “Commandments”.

My friends, just like society’s view of Valentine’s Day, we could approach our relationship with God by making sure we have our chocolates, flowers, cards, and jewelry, and show up for this special day or another. In doing so, it becomes a shallow, sorry, and perhaps cheap display of our so-called “love” for God. Conversely, we can choose to live in that love and show that love each and every day, all year long. We would include God in our dreams, plans, and ideas. We could spend time just talking with God, or just sitting in the silence and beauty of His Creation. This is real communion, and real spiritual “romance,” if you will.

The same is true in how we interact and demonstrate our love for others. If we truly understood what Jesus was saying, we would have an entirely different approach to our world. We would live in such a way as to not do injury or hurt others. We would be more forgiving. We would be more tolerant. We would be more understanding and patient. We would be less selfish, and we would recognize our duty to care for others since they are reflections of the great God and Creator. In short, we would apply the Golden Rule in everything we do.

True Love, just like a garden, must be encouraged, cultivated, watered, fed, and even weeded from time to time. This is true in our romantic relationships, and it is true in our broader relationships with others, and with God. When a couple first “Falls in Love” – its all moonlight and magnolias. You remember those days of long ago, don't you! He’s was a prince and she’s was a queen. Everyone was polite, courteous, caring and careful; but then, something dark and sinister happens after the wedding. He turned into a loud-mouthed bossy so-and-so, and she turned into a whining and nagging so-and-so! How does this happen? What changes the prince into a loud-mouthed, bossy so-and-so, and the queen into a whining, nagging so-and-so? Simply, by neglecting each others needs and wants, by becoming selfish, by becoming too comfortable and complacent, by taking each other for granted, and by failing to cultivate, encourage, water, feed, and weed the garden of their love. And we think, then, that after treating each other terribly through most of the year, that we can somehow make it all “OK” with a box of chocolates or flowers one day a year, and call that "love and romance!" How silly is that!

The same is true in our relationship with God. We must be careful not to be come so comfortable and complacent that we take it all for granted. We must be careful not to neglect our walk and communion with the great Creator who gives us life. We must remember that, while God certainly does love us, we must also be busy encouraging, cultivating, watering, feeding, and weeding the garden of OUR love for God, so that we may walk that much closer with him and enjoy the benefits, joys, and blessings that come from that walk. Don't adopt and apply the same Valentine's Day mentality to our walk with God, which may ignore Him and may be indifferent through most of the year, and then tries to "make it up" at Christmas or Easter. Let us cultivate our love for God, and for others, throughout the whole year.

On this Valentine’s Day weekend, let me ask you this simple question – “How’s YOUR Love Life?” Are you like so many in the world who, on this Valentine's Day, will go mad trying to convince God and others of your love with gimmicks and tricks, presents and promises, flowers and fluff; or will you commit yourself to truly loving God and loving others – and to genuinely showing that love each and every day, all year long? Will you practice patience, tolerance, and forgiveness, in the same way that we expect God to be forgiving, tolerant, and patient with us? Will you in faith, tend to the garden of your love for God and others, by pulling out the weeds of indifference and neglect, watering it in joy, feeding it in peace, and cultivating it with humility?

Let me encourage you to make every day, Valentine’s Day, with your husband or wife, girlfriend or boyfriend, and especially so with God.

(Preached at All Saints Chapel Free Catholic Church, Dinwiddie, Virginia. on 13 February 2011.
Copyright 2011 - Mark W. Leavell. All Rights Reserved).

Light

Epiphany 5A - 6 February 2011

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

At our house, we have a fish tank. We really enjoy watching those fish swim around looking for something to eat. They will peck at the glass, peck at the plants and other little things we have placed in their tank. At night, we turn off the light in the fish tank, and the fish wander aimlessly in the darkness of their little world. In the morning, Nikki will go over the fish tank, and turn on the light. The fish spring to life, and gather at the surface, swimming around and around. Nikki will sprinkle a few flakes of food onto the water, and the fish go nuts. Those little fish have somehow figured out, that every morning, when that light is turned, on food will magically appear on the surface. They have equated light with food.

Similarly, every Wednesday evening, as we gather for the mid-week Mass in near darkness, with only a faint light barely illuminating the Church, we too have become condition to equate light with food. The Mass begins when I enter the Church carrying a lighted taper. I make my way to the Sanctuary, where during the signing of the “Phos Hilaron” – “O Gracious Light” I light the Sanctuary Lamps and Candles. After the lamps are lit we turn on the other lights and the place is then flooded with light. The contrast is often startling, with folks squinting and blinking their eyes to adjust to the brightness. We make our way through the Mass, in anticipation that we too will be eating, first as we feed on the Blessed Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood; and then afterwards, when we gather in the Parish House for our weekly Fellowship Dinner. We, like the fish in that tank, have come to expect something to eat once the lights have been turned on.

Human beings are instinctively drawn to light. In those earliest moments of Creation, God said, “Let there be light” – and there appeared the light. Light is an essential element of Creation, and from the earliest days of man’s existence on this earth, we have tried to cheat the darkness, as we wait for the dawning of each new day. With the discovery of fire, man could sit in his humble surroundings, illuminated by the flames of his newly discovered fire. Then came other forms of light with the advent of torches, oil-filled lamps, the development of candles, and then more recently, electricity and the electric light bulb. With each advancement and improvement in our quest to illuminate the darkness, we have made our world a little brighter, to the extent that now, lights burn constantly – even to the exclusion of seeing many of the stars in our night sky. Today, our world shines with the brightness of man-made light, and we have all but eliminated the natural darkness of our world.

However, despite our best efforts to cheat the natural darkness, we, like those fish, continue to grope in darkness. A Spiritual Darkness. We look for something that we cannot see; look for something to feed our hungry souls; look for something to believe in; something to give meaning to this existence and life. We are instinctively drawn to the light… because God has placed in each of us a desire for that light, the true light, that light of Creation; but instead of embracing that light and discovering the freedom, joy, and peace that God wants for us, we try to cheat, by satisfying ourselves with substitutes and man-made approaches. We have devised all sorts of philosophies and intellectual ideas and even some religious exercise to explain the meaning of life, and to cope with what we cannot see – cannot understand because of the darkness that crowds our souls.

My Friends, God turned on the lights when he sent his Son Jesus Christ; and like those fish, many have responded to that light. We, who have embraced the light of light – Jesus Christ – the Son of this living, creator-God, have shattered the darkness that enveloped our souls. His life and light shines through us, to be a beacon amidst the continuing darkness of this world.

Yet the darkness continues, because so many of us who have come to the light, are not shining as brightly as we could or should, and for some – not at all. Over the Centuries, Christianity and the Church have failed to illuminate the world with the Good News of God’s Love, and to be that light in the world, by covering the glorious light of God’s love with the bushel basket of indifference, prejudice, contempt, inconsistency, and a misguided drive for uniformity instead of unity.

Today, the world looks at Christianity with scorn and slight regard, because we have for too long been inconsistent in our application of the principles of Christ. We talk of love, while fostering hate. We talk of forgiveness, while carrying grudges. We talk of peace, while promoting conflict and war. We talk of caring, while ignoring the needy. We talk of justice, while enslaving others. We talk of humility, while promoting ourselves and our agendas. We talk of honesty, while lying through our teeth and cheating in business. We talk of equality, while holding on to old prejudices and excluding those who are different. We talk of purity, while entertaining ourselves with filth and filling our hearts and minds with garbage. We talk of simplicity, while striving to gain and hold onto more and more. We talk of patience, tolerance and forbearance, while we tailgate other drivers and complain about the slowness of service we receive. We talk about the Bible, but spend little or no time reading the pages of this same book upon which we take our oaths, with no idea of what is contained therein. We talk of Christian Service and even of Sacrifice, while laughing to scorn those who do serve and make sacrifices. We talk of Godliness, while living like the Devil. We organize great protests and lament what has been labeled “the absence of God in our society” while failing to pray or make God a part of our families and our homes

The world sees these great inconsistencies within Christianity, is confused by them, and put-off by them as well; and the result is that the world continues to grope in the darkness…while we, the so-called “Children of Light” and the Christian Church continue to march along, singing “Jesus Saves, living as we do - selfish, smug, and indifferent - and the result is we actually cover up the Light. We discredit ourselves, and do injury to the cause of Christ.

Who in their right mind would want to be a "Christian" if so many of us who fit this description are the only "example" of Christianity the world ever sees? The Devil doesn't need to attack us or the Church, because the truth is... WE are our own worst enemy! We talk of "Ecumenical Relations" while Protestants hate Catholics, Catholics hate Protestants, Protestants hate other Protestants, and Catholics hate other Catholics.... all in the "Name of Jesus" I thought we we're all supposed to be on the same team serving the same Savior.

Then on top of all this, we say cute little things like, "Love the sinner and hate the sin" and still expect people to flock to us. Where in the world did THAT come from? We like to categorize "sin" and make some things "abhorrent" and an "abomination" while excusing other "sins" with a wink and a nod. Need proof? Many "Christians" call women "murders" who made the difficult and painful choice to have an abortion and view them with contempt, while glad-handing the town gossip, welcoming the womanizer, and electing the crookedest business man in town to the Church Board. Many Christians rail against alcohol, smoking, and dancing, but think nothing of lying, cheating on their taxes, or worse! We tell homosexuals that they are reprobates and destined for Hell, yet turn a completely blind eye to the young couple who chose to live together without being married, even inviting them to teach a Sunday School Class. See the inconsistencies?

Listen, I'm not suggesting that we should become even more "puritanical" and root out "sin" by expelling and labeling folks even further - for to do so would empty our Churches faster than a the school house emptying at the last bell on the last day of school. Nor am I saying that "anything goes... just go wild!" What I am saying is that NONE OF US are as perfect or as nice as we imagine ourselves to be, and that a little more love, tolerance, understanding, and consistent application of Jesus' most profound statement - "Do unto others as you would have them do to you!" would go a long way in convincing the world that we are for real! Oh, and don't forget this one... "Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself!" That in itself should be enough, if consistently applied, to change the world by first changing the Church!

You've heard it said that the Church is not a museum of saints, but is rather the hospital for "sinners". But so many Christians act like Insurance Companies, doling out benefits to some, while denying coverage to others. We say one thing and do another. We judge and condemn some while giving a "pass" to others. How in the world will people ever see the Light and Love of Jesus in us, with this level of inconsistency?

If the Church acted more like an Emergency Room, offering "treatment" to all no matter who or what, instead acting like a spa or private clinic, maybe that alcoholic neighbor would just show up in Sunday School and seek to get "dried-out". Maybe that woman who has carried guilt for years because she did have an abortion might show up at Sunday Service, receive forgiveness, and know peace. Maybe that teenager who made a mistake and got pregnant would come to Mass, find love and acceptance despite her mistake, have her baby welcomed and baptized, and get her life turned around. Maybe that Methodist pastor who is struggling to keep her small church afloat would find a welcomed opportunity to partner with the Baptist or Catholic pastor to feed the hungry in her neighborhood. Maybe that Hispanic family who fears immigration and the hatred the comes out of so many "Christians" mouths against "foreigners" would visit the Church, and find someone who can help them in their desperate situation. Maybe that Muslim at work would see that Christians pose no real threat, because, while we may not agree on Jesus or Mohamed, we do agree there is a God, that we are created by God, are part of the Great Human Family, and therefore need to find a way to live together in Peace without suspicion or fear... and who knows, if we show him enough Jesus, maybe he will want some too!

Jesus said, “Let your light shine, so that others will see the good works that you do, and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Good words are nice, but Good Works make the difference. The people of this world will never be free of the darkness that covers their hearts and minds, until we who say we have come to the Light of Christ begin to let that light shine – not in words but in works. The world will never come to Christ until we who profess Christ live consistently like Christ. The World will never embrace Christianity until the deeds of Christianity match the rhetoric of Christianity. Until that happens, there is no need or incentive for the world to embrace Christ.

This is a radical departure from what has become the modern in-your-face, evangelistic, turn-or-burn, medieval-crusade-driven approach to the conversion of the world to Christ. This is a revolutionary departure from the simple-minded and self-serving approach to Christianity that constructs multi-million-dollar buildings while thousands go hungry; that preaches hell-fire and damnation while ignoring the fear and insecurity that already resides in the hearts of millions; that rejects all reason in the blind, puritanical pursuit of a purer and more fundamentalist religious expression; that demands rights without accepting responsibility; and that looks to the government to preserve and legislate morality and righteousness and has the expectation that somehow, the Kingdom of God will arrive on Air Force One - if we just elect the "Right" President.

My friends, this is nothing short of a call for Christians… ALL CHRISTIANS... Protestants and Catholics.... to be Christians both in words and deeds… for us to take off the blinders that keep us from seeing the needs around us; to get rid of the old religious baggage that maintains division and discord; and to reject the comfortable, complacent, worn-out and familiar forms of Christianity that keep our light obscured. This is a call to embrace that radical idea of really living like, and even being, Jesus in this world; and in so doing be that Light that Jesus calls us – nay – commands us to be!

If we would do this, then the world, like those tiny fish in that tank, will respond and recognize that their souls can and will be fed because we turned on the Light of Christ. The sincerity of our words will be backed up by the sincerity of our deeds, and they will see that Christianity is more than just another religion… it is a way of life that cherishes each and every human being created in the Image of God, and seeks to love them - no matter what! After all, that is exactly what Jesus did, and exactly what Jesus commanded.

But until this happens… until the Church embraces once more this radical “practice what you preach” approach to Christianity, learns to love others and do for others as Jesus would, and puts aside the misguided and almost hateful inconsistencies we see in the Church, and Christianity, the world will continue to grope in darkness and laugh us to scorn; and the Church will fall further into the abyss of insignificance and obscurity, making it even that much more difficult for those who truly are trying to reach the world with the soul-saving, life-giving, hope-inspiring message of God’s love.

We can start right here, right now, by examining our lives, rooting out the inconsistencies we see therein, filling our hearts and minds with the words of Jesus, and then putting those words into practice and action in everything that we do. And people all around us will see the Light that is shining in and through us, will see our good works, give glory to God, and then maybe join with us on this journey of faith – not through fear, but through love and sincerity. May God grant us all the courage and grace to embrace this radical approach, and be and do all that Jesus really expects us to be and do. Amen.

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.