Sermon By Vicar Fred Becker ----May 30 2010

Greetings, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit: “I still have things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. . . I still have things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” These words from our Gospel lesson today appear in what is commonly referred to by scholars as Jesus’ farewell discourse. This makes it sound like a final lecture tour discussing the role of God on earth which misses the emotion of what Jesus is saying. This “discourse” includes the passage where Jesus gives the disciples a new commandment, to love each other. It also introduces the Paraclete or advocate to them.

This week it is called the Spirit of truth. The Spirit is there to continue telling them things they are not ready for yet. At this point, Jesus has not died and been resurrected, so the Apostles have not realized he is God in the way they will soon. We see that Jesus is all about communication in this passage: "There are many things I have to say to you. He will guide you all the truth. He will not speak on this own but will declare to you the things that are to come. He will take what is mine and declare it to you."

Jesus is worried about his Apostles. He is worried about how they will handle the persecution that will be coming their way. He is trying to prepare them for such an experience. He wants them to know, the spirit of truth, the advocate will be with them in a way even Jesus can’t. And will continue to tell them things as they can bear them.

There is a lot of debate among theologians about who the Spirit of truth speaks to. Some contend it is just the apostles. Others believe the Spirit of truth comes to all believers across time and that the Spirit of truth is among us now. I can’t get away from the idea of things that we can’t bear to hear. There are things none of us can bear to hear. Those things change as we grow. As a kid: “its bed time now” are words we can’t bear to hear. Once we are grown: “I have to say good bye. I’m sorry your spouse has incurable cancer, or Alzheimer’s," are words we can’t bear to hear.

Or bigger ideas that we can’t bear to hear -- who can live in our neighborhood -- are changing, or who can marry. These can be words we can’t bear to hear. Or that God really loves everyone, even the people we may not. These also can be words we can’t bear to hear. Since there are still things we can’t bear to hear. Since our faith and the understanding of the world continues to change. There are many things I can’t bear to hear. I can fall into the later camp. The Spirit of truth is among us now and still at work in this world. The Spirit of truth guided the Apostles and guides us in all the truth as our understanding of faith and our world continues to change.

Last weekend after the confirmation service, after the promises and statements of faith had been made, after the Confirmands had been welcomed into the church as adults, after the pictures had been taken, the robes hung up and the bell choir put away the bells, I headed down to Philadelphia for a wedding at the Schaefer Ashmead chapel on the campus of Lutheran Theological School at Philadelphia. The fire of the Spirit was burning in the entire assembly as we witnessed Matt James, vicar here last year, and his partner John Weit, make vows to each other, in front of us, and God. They made vows to live together in a lifelong, committed, monogamous relationship --- to be married.

They are entering the unknown just like any other newlywed couple does. They made promises based on their love for each other, and on the presence of God in their lives. They engaged in a simple act of love and commitment that only a little while ago would have been impossible. Yet, it was something completely commonplace. They were two people making promises to each other, to us and to God to love and support each other for the rest of their lives. They said words that until recently we could not bear to hear.

The Spirit of truth is at work in this world. That simple act and others like it have the potential to tear the church apart but we won’t let them. We will continue to listen to all the truth that the spirit of truth is telling us. We will listen to the biblically rooted and faithful views held by both sides. We will hear all the truth and learn to live together through the changes coming our way.

This listening takes time. And we have been at it a while. With God’s guidance we will be at it for the rest of our lives. It takes a while to know who is speaking. As Jesus says, of this Spirit of truth, “he will not speak on his own but will speak whatever he hears and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me because he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

There will always be a new thing to challenge our beliefs and the Spirit of truth will be there to tell us all the truth. With God’s help we will listen. Amen

Musings on the Spirit.

Okay, I know it is well over a week after the Festival of Pentecost, but I can't seem to stop thinking about how the Spirit moves. Just think of it, there is this amazing thing that blows, speaks, guides and enlightens. But we don't exactly know what it is and have not quite learned to hear it, feel it, experience it -- and yet.

As you read previously on the day of Pentecost twelve young people were confirmed in my congregation, but those were not the only festivities for the day. I attended a wedding. Now for some what I am about to describe as a wedding "may be words that you are not able to bear." At least that is what my intern called them as he preached about the wonderful "Spirit of Truth" that guides us into truth. But back to the point --- my intern, I and a young couple from the congregation traveled to a wedding that took place at the chapel of a seminary. It was the wedding of my former intern and his partner.

It was a beautiful occasion. Both my former intern and his partner are 'worship geeks.' So, their wedding celebration was a wonderful  liturgical feast complete with great music, the Eucharist and preaching. But it was more than that. As the preacher, a young woman newly graduated from seminary, said, ". . . their love was a sign of the move of the Spirit." She also told us how they were a witness to God's love. Yes, for me these two young men's commitment to each other is a testament to love that can cross all kinds of barriers and obstacles. They are each amazing in their own right and an amazing couple.

The ripple effect of the Spirit's movements is still reverberating. This couple and the power of the Spirit so moved my current intern that he preached an excellent sermon on Holy Trinity Sunday.  I alluded to it above. How I witnessed this as a move of the Spirit is that on the morning that he was about to preach, he was not his usual outgoing, effervescent self. He was nervous. He told me that he had written two sermons, one that was about the Holy Trinity; he was not satisfied with it. The other was solely based on the gospel from the sixteenth chapter of John. And he wasn't sure about it. I told him to just preach and we would talk about it between the 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. services if necessary. So he preached.

And then I knew why he was worried. He spoke boldly of the union of these two young men as "words we are unable to bear" but also talked about a commitment to be in a lifelong monogamous relationship as "commonplace."  He lifted up the reality that this event, this union, this new idea had the ability to tear the church apart. But he also stated that the Spirit guides us and helps us to listen and hear the truth of God's love --- that's the implied promise in the text. In our listening and God's loving the church is spared. My intern was invested in this sermon. You could tell as he took deliberate breaths and almost couldn't get the words out. For the first time in his preaching he had clearly let his heart show. He dared to make himself uncomfortable and preach the gospel. And it was good!

This Spirit of God--whether we call it helper, advocate, counselor, Spirit of truth--has the power to change us, take away our fear, and help us act boldly. Two young men who dared to have a wedding, an intern who dared to speak about it out loud; these bold acts are a wonderful testament to the movement of the Spirit.

Where do you see the Spirit's movement in your life?

Growing Things

Every Summer, I try something new. I do something that I have never done before. In 2008, I stripped the wallpaper off the kitchen walls, painted and replaced the knobs on the cabinets. It was hard and time consuming. For at least a month I had a ladder in the middle of the kitchen floor, peeled wallpaper and blue goo all over the place.  It was a mess. When it was done, though, it was great. I felt a real sense of accomplishment, although I am sure I will never strip wallpaper again.

Last year for my something new project, I decided to start growing things. Although I live in a house, most of the backyard is taken up by a driveway and the only place to plant is in the shade of the garage. So, I decided to use my small back step to start a garden. Everything is in assorted flower pots, some big, some small and some medium sized.

This all started because the year before a member of the congregation gave me a pepper plant. I went home and re potted it and it grew like crazy. I had hot peppers for days. So the next year I decided to branch out. My back porch gets plenty of sun, so why not? And, I did at least, get to have tea and a salad or two from my very own garden. I grew butter crunch lettuce, peppers, chamomile, dill, and tomatoes (a tomato plant was another gift from a congregation member).

So, while I have vowed never again to strip wallpaper, here I am again planting, putting my hands in dirt and deciding what to grow. This year I have summer squash, jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, rosemary, mint, chamomile and radish. I am also thinking I should plant eggplant, my favorite vegetable-- that is if I can find a little more space. For now on growing things will be a continuing part of my life.

Every year about planting time, the church moves into the season after Pentecost. It is the season that green covers the altar. The scripture for this season is about discipleship and it is a time when the preaching and teaching is focused on growing closer to God through Christ. This is the image I hold as I water and watch my garden grow. How do I as a pastor, nourish and help those in my charge grow in this long season of growth? How do I encourage my congregation to tend to the reading of scripture, and to more wholly trust in God?

Like planting my back step garden this is something I will continually try and I'll ask God to help and guide me. Any suggestions?

What I Didn't Say!

On the day of Pentecost, twelve young people were confirmed in my congregation. I had the privilege of marking their foreheads with the sign of the cross, looking into their eyes and wishing God's blessings for their lives. That was the public part of it all. But what I didn't say to those beautiful fifteen year old confirmands is how grateful I have been to be a part of their lives,  how wonderful it has been these past seven years watching most of them go from little kids to teenagers. I am so very proud of them.

I sat with many of them in the past few months having conversations. I heard doubts about God; I heard the self-confidence in conquering the world; I heard wishes and passions and joy in learning. I saw some trepidation at the prospect of growing up in a crazy out of kilter world. And I saw smiles of accomplishment.

What I didn't say is that I will be here for them in years to come. I will listen if they have problems; I will answer when they have questions. I will laugh with them in their joy and I promise to cry when they are hurting. What I didn't say and what cannot be left unsaid is how much I love each of them.

Don't they look great?

Staring Blankly

You know, sometimes I like to do nothing. No matter the heavy issues that plague the world, I need a moment. I need just a small space in time when I can stop fighting battles, advocating for others and being all things to all people. Do you know what I mean? Sometimes in order to be the best that we can be, we have to just stop, take a breath and stare blankly into space.

The psalmist says, ". . . be still and know that I am God." It is necessary to take a rest from all the toil and trouble, from even the good and enjoyable work that we do in order to refuel and refresh.

This rest, for people of faith is called Sabbath. According to Marva Dawn, who writes extensively on the subject, Sabbath is a time of ceasing.  Most people think of the Sabbath as Sunday, and it is. For most people who are Christian, this is a day to cease from work, to worship God and to relax. But for me Sunday is a work day. As someone whose vocation it is to help others keep the Sabbath, Sunday cannot be mine. So, my best Sabbath is not a particular day, but those times when I really do get to cease. Those times when I get to stare blankly out of a window at raindrops or a flying bird or those times I stare blankly looking for and seeing the wonder and power of God are Sabbath for me.

Sabbath, can also be not just a time, but a state of mind. When our mind ceases the continual trying to figure it out, solve the problem or get things right; when a mind is set to total surrender and trust in God that is also Sabbath. This I feel is staring blankly in the face of problems, adversity or trials and trusting that God will see us through. It is that point at which there is nothing to do or when nothing can be done.

Indeed, staring blankly has been good for me. Whether I see it as a space in time or a state of mind keeping Sabbath expecting and trusting in the goodness of God helps me in becoming wholly who God would have me be.

Why don't you try staring blankly sometime?

Fierce Shepherds of Change

On May 4, I participated in a retreat facilitated by two members of a group called 'Beyond Diversity. This retreat was sponsored by the Summit Interfaith Clergy Council. This Council consists of all the houses of worship in Summit, NJ. There are Protestants, (both from mainline churches and the Black Church) Catholics, Jews, Unitarians, and Quakers who have as their charge to "seek the welfare of the city." We come together to support, diversity, affordable housing projects, anti substance abuse initiatives, the education of children and various other issues that help to make Summit a better community. Our retreat was for the purpose of talking about racism and white privilege.

We started with a game which had us talking one on one for thirty seconds, sort of a speed dating session but really short. We were asked to speak to each other about our earliest memories of differences and particular ethnic, and racial groups. This ended with debriefing, and more conversation. Next, we went outside and stood in a line holding hands -- together, in solidarity. This exercise was called 'race to the wall.' One of the facilitators began to instruct us and we were to step forward or backward according to our response to 'if/then' statements. The statements went something like this:

If you wake up in the morning and don’t have to think about race, take a step forward. 
If you have ever warned your children that people may not like them because of their race, take a step backward. 
If when you use checks, credit cards or cash you can count on your skin color not working against the appearance of financial liability, take a step forward. 
If you can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to your race, take a step forward. 
If you were ever told that you were not capable of achieving academic success, take a step backward.

After just two statements we were no longer standing in one line. We were not all together. Though we wanted to still be in solidarity, some of us had moved ahead and some of us were left behind. There were lots and lots of statements, many of them were like those found in the article, "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack," by Peggy McIntosh. At the end, the majority of the white participants were far ahead of those of us who were African American. Those of European descent hardly ever took a step backwards. This simple exercise was a blistering reality check of how race still holds sway in our lives, how even with an African American president, we have miles to go before we sleep. We still have hurdles to remove and obstacles to tear down before racism is a thing of the past.

At the end of the retreat, the Senior Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, when asked, what she needed to give up in order to do this work of abolishing racism, said that she needed to give up thinking that she could hover over and protect all the children of the world. You see, she with her flaming red hair and ivory skin is the wife of a man of color and has a young elementary school age daughter who might be considered mixed race. She describes herself as a mother bear who wants to protect her cub and all cubs or as a shepherd who would  fiercely stare down any wolf that dared to threaten the sheep.

Another question posed was: "what do you need from the others in the community in order to participate in this work?" And I told the UU Minister that I needed for her to take back what she thought she needed to give up. For me, an African American, to be a partner in this work with her, I need her to take back the idea that she can hover over, protect and fiercely stare down any danger, any oppression any inequality that would hurt any child -- girl or boy, black, red, brown, yellow or white. Because I believe that God gives us the power to do just that; I believe that God gives us the power to change the world; I believe we are able, to stare down any issue, including racism, that would hold down our children.

As a mother and grandmother I believe that the end of racism will come; I believe it will happen! Perhaps it will not happen in this generation but in the next; if not for my grandson at least for his children. And I need for her and the entire Summit Interfaith Clergy Council to believe with me.

As people of faith we can stare down the wolf that is racism and be fierce shepherds of change. I know we can! We can "seek the welfare of the city" by speaking up and challenging racism wherever we see it. Don't you agree?

Won't you consider becoming aware of white privilege and racism, and being a fierce shepherd of change?

Good News Pretty Please!

I sometimes wear a tee-shirt that reads, "PREACH THE DAMN GOSPEL." This is a shirt commissioned by the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadephia's bookstore. It is a phrase that was coined by Professor Timothy Wengert. Attached to the tee-shirt is a tag that explains the saying. Wengert says, " That there are structures in the public ministry is a necessity, but what those structures are is a secondary issue and must remain that. Otherwise something other than the Word itself becomes central for ministerial authority, which then loses its authority completely. To hear . . . [others] arguing over the structures of church authority is like hearing carpenters arguing over which hammer to use to drive in a nail. To all . . . Lutherans must learn to say:'Cut the crap, and drive in the nail! Preach the damn Gospel!'"

I am telling you about this because I have a serious pet peeve. I bet you can guess. Yes, it is when the gospel isn't preached. You see as a pastor I don't get an opportunity often to visit other congregations or to hear anyone else preach. Every now and then I get to hear my intern. When I do get to hear someone else preach, I am excited and I am anxious to hear the good news of Jesus the Christ. For the most part this is generally what happens. But when it doesn't, I am sorely disappointed. Now,I do realize that I have a particularly nuanced understanding of preaching. As a Lutheran I believe every preaching moment should consist of a little law---that is an explanation of what is wrong with us and the world or what God wants from us---and a lot of gospel, the good news of what God has done, is doing or will do for us through Jesus the Christ. A sermon should never simply be about what we should, ought, or need to do.

Now, I am not opposed to a little instruction, it is good to challenge folks to live in response to God's goodness--God's Grace--but I don't want to hear a preacher use the pulpit, and the Word of God to berate their congregation or call people on the carpet for something they have done or have not done. As far as I am concerned that's what private counseling or confession is for. But to sit for forty minutes and hear a pastor's rambling and proof texting about his issues in a congregation is more than annoying. It is a downright shame. What is it about us preachers, that when we get a captive audience--a congregation in front of us--that we go a little crazy?

Now, I will confess that I am tempted to go a little crazy myself on occasion especially when I am preaching about poverty, hunger or injustice. Yet, I know I must hold back from telling people that they must do better. My charge, my call is to let the people of God know that God's love, and mercy, that God's forgiveness enables, allows and pushes them to do better. It is indeed, the good news of what God has done for us in and through Jesus that is the focus, the center, the object and the subject of all of our preaching.

Isn't good news what you want to hear?