11 Proper C

Charlotte Collins Reed
Christ Episcopal Church
July 21, 2013

11 Proper C

I received an email last week from someone who visited Christ Church last Sunday at the 8 o’clock service. The visitor was a 20 year old college student who converted to the Episcopal Church from Mormonism while a student at Utah State University. His parents live in Springfield and he was home for a visit.

In his email, our visitor thanked us for the warm hospitality he received here. He said that he was met at the door, greeted and given a bulletin. Someone walked with him upstairs to the church where he was greeted warmly by other worshipers. After the service, he was invited to coffee hour where he lingered and talked with people. Our visitor had been to four different churches in four different denominations during his time at home, and he wanted us to know how very welcome he felt at Christ Church.

Hospitality is important to us here, and email like the one from last week’s visitor make this priest almost sinfully proud. What I hope is that our hospitality looks effortless. But the reality is that good hospitality takes a lot of work. Someone had to schedule the greeters who meet people at the door, and the greeters had to get to church early to greet people. Someone else had to make the name tags that allow visitors to know who they are talking with. The bulletin that guides people through the worship service requires effort. The Altar Guild had prepared the altar in advance so people would feel welcomed and expected here. Since last Sunday was Christmas in July, the organist had also spent time preparing the music for the service. The coffee hour, which, after the 8 o’clock service is nothing short of a mini-breakfast, has to be prepared and served. The hospitality that hopefully looks effortless actually requires the effort of many different people as we welcome our guests to Christ Church.

This morning, we are invited to watch as Martha and Mary welcome Jesus into their home. Apparently the sisters did not have an agreement about the division of labor in welcoming a guest. Martha seems to be doing all of the work while Mary simply sits at Jesus’ feet and listens. When Martha complains that Mary has left her to do all the work, Jesus’ response seems to indicate that Martha’s work of hospitality is unimportant, and Mary’s attention to Jesus is really what matters. As someone who values hospitality and has some idea of the effort involved in making people feel welcome, when I hear Jesus chastise Martha for being busy caring for her guests, I take notice, if not offense. What is Jesus thinking?

Jesus, himself, in other places in the gospels, encourages people to go and do, rather than simply sit and listen. Last week, had we not been celebrating Christmas in July, we would have heard the parable of the Good Samaritan which comes immediately before the story about Mary and Martha in Luke’s gospel. In that story, Jesus uses the phrase "go and do likewise" twice in twelve verses. First, after the lawyer recites the summary of the law: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and soul and mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself," Jesus tells him to "Go and DO likewise." Then, when the lawyer wants to clarify the identity of his neighbor, Jesus him the story of the Good Samaritan, then tells the lawyer to go and DO likewise. Two weeks ago, we heard Jesus send 70 of his followers out, and he gave them a to do list. They are to cure the sick and proclaim the Kingdom of God. Jesus is always sending people off to do something. And while Jesus himself certainly took time to pray, he didn’t exactly let grass grow under his own feet, as he went from town to town, teaching, curing the sick, casting out demons, including the outcasts, and proclaiming the kingdom of God. So, what does Jesus have against Martha and her work this morning?

The answer is....nothing. Jesus has nothing against Martha and her work. Jesus says nothing to Martha about her work being unnecessary or bad, or that she is wasting her time. The text says that Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. Hospitality is a good thing. What concerns Jesus is not Martha’s work, but her distraction and her anxiety that pull her away from Jesus. Martha is a frenzied hostess. She is so distracted by her many tasks, that finally Jesus says "Martha, Martha. You are worried and distracted by many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her." Martha’s work is distracting her from Jesus, and she wants to engage Mary in that distraction as well. What Mary knows that Martha does not, is that Jesus calls us to listen first, so that our work, including our hospitality, will be grounded in Jesus’ words. The work that is grounded in Jesus’ words will be neither worrisome or distracted, but will be joyful and will point both ourselves and others toward Jesus rather than pull anyone away.

Martha understood the importance of hospitality. What Martha forgot is that hospitality is not an end in itself but a means to a deeper and more joyful relationship with the One she served. True Christian hospitality will not distract us from Jesus, but will pull both us and those we serve toward Jesus. May our work of hospitality always be grounded in the words of Jesus and may that same joyful hospitality always draw ourselves and others to the One we ultimately serve.

Amen.

Helen Myers

Charlotte Collins Reed
Christ Episcopal Church
July 19, 2013

Helen Myers

I have heard a variety of people say over the past few days that Helen would not have wanted this service today. She wanted no fuss over her life. She wanted a simple funeral home service. Not only were these her written instructions, she had even paid for that service in advance 17 years ago to make sure we followed her instructions. However, some how I doubt that this is the first time any of you have done something your mother asked you not to do. So, here we are, in this church that meant so much to her, in part because this church meant so much to your father. We are here, her family gathered, our singing accompanied by glorious music, making a good bit of a fuss over the life of Helen Myers. And you know what? I do not think she minds in the least. She most certainly did not relish the idea of grand and glorious worship to celebrate her life on earth and send her off to her eternal life with God, that’s for sure. But Helen would be fine with this service if this celebration is meaningful to you and helps you deal with the loss of your mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. Helen held each one of you dear, was enormously proud of each of you, and even toward the end, on good days, she loved looking at the photos you sent and telling stories about your adventures. She loved Thankmass, and your birthday visits, your phone calls and letters. She waited with great joy for each great-grandbaby. And she would be 100 percent in favor of anything that makes this day any easier for you. She loved you with the love that would put aside her own desires in favor of what would be helpful for you. And in Helen’s love for you, you know something of the love of God.

And so we gather today to celebrate her life. Jeff chose scripture readings for this day that so appropriately describe Helen’s spirit. To Jeff’s list I would like to add a couple of verses that will always make me think of Helen when I hear them. The first is from Luke’s gospel: "For to whom much has been given, much is expected." I will always think of Helen when I hear this verse because Helen quoted this to me on a regular basis. Helen was extraordinarily generous, not only with her love, but with her resources-from establishing a scholarship fund in memory of her husband, to gifts that made possible major projects at Christ Church to what I am sure were countless behind the scenes gestures of generosity. And her response when thanked for such a gift was always the same-a very matter of fact. "To whom much is given, much is expected." Helen knew her blessings were a gift, and she was only doing what she thought was appropriate of someone to whom much had been given.

The other verse is from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is admirable, whatever is lovely, think on these things." In Helen, we knew someone who not only thought, but acted on those things. In her gracious and loving way, she sought what was true, pure, and lovely, and by her example, she encouraged others to do the same.
And so, today, we gather to celebrate the loving, gracious, generous reflection of the image of God that was Helen Myers. But in the midst of our celebration, we are also here to grieve. For no matter how long and wonderful her 97 years were, or rough the last couple of years have been, no matter how hard it was to watch the last two weeks, no matter how relieved we are for Helen that she has been released from her suffering, we still grieve this loss. Helen was your mother, or grandmother, your whole life. As we send Helen off on her new journey, you also begin your new journey-a journey in which you take Helen’s love with you in your heart but in which you, and we, will miss her earthly presence. The scriptures well us that Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus, his friend. So we have no shame in shedding our own tears when our loved ones die. Treat yourselves with the kind of love Helen had for you as you walk this journey.


Lastly, and primarily, on this day we gather to proclaim the resurrection. In the reading from 2 Corinthians, we heard these words "We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence." Some 97 years ago, Helen was joined with Christ in his death and resurrection through her baptism. Last Sunday, in her death, Helen was joined with Jesus in new life. Today is not really about Helen, after all. Today is about God’s action in Helen’s life, through out her whole life, the way God worked through her, the way God blessed her, the way the love of God shown through her, and the way God has now received her into eternal life. To stay focused on God’s action in Helen’s life is to stay focused on what is true, and noble, right, pure, admirable, and lovely. Helen would be pleased.

Amen.

Christmas in July

Charlotte Collins Reed
Christ Episcopal Church
July 14, 2013

Christmas in July

The Midnight Christmas Eve service is one of my favorite Christ Church worship services. While each of our three Christmas Eve services has a special flavor, there is something sacred about coming to church in the quiet of the night in the pitch darkness, when the weather almost always poses a challenge, to welcome the birth of the Christ Child. There is a hushed tenderness about that service that seems fitting for the birth of a child, and yet at the same time, the choir and the congregation sing their collective hearts out in a joyful welcome. The jars of baby food that we have brought for the baby Jesus are brought forward to the creche with reverence and awe. At the end of the service, we have a lovely party in the parish hall to complete the festivities and when we drive home, the streets are quiet and all seems right with the world.

Why, then, do we celebrate Christmas in July? Just this week, people have said to me that Christmas in July is uncomfortable, confusing, weird (which I already knew), and inappropriate (with which I disagree). A parishioner sent me a text message from Kroger to let me know that the Salvation Army is now ringing Christmas in July bells outside the grocery store, and I have seen several signs around town for Christmas in July sales. Are we just looking for another excuse for a party?

Let me explain. On a random Thursday morning last month, as Liz, the parish secretary and I were trying to get the articles for July newsletter together, the doorbell rang. A mom, a dad, and their young teenage daughter needed a place to stay. They had been at Interfaith Hospitality Network, but left because they thought they had a place to live. But that plan feel through and now they were homeless again. Could we help? We had already helped this particular family with gasoline a couple of times in the past week, and they needed more help than our resources would cover, so we sent them to another agency that could help them.

No sooner had they left, than the doorbell rang again. A woman who we had also helped several times already needed another night in a hotel. She and her two children had been evicted from their apartment because the apartment was full of lead dust and the younger child has a significantly elevated level of lead in his blood. They had no food and no clothes since they everything they owned was contaminated with lead dust. We could give the mom food, and told her where she could get help with clothes at no cost, and eventually got her into Interfaith Hospitality Network until she could find a place to live.

The morning is now half over. And I am thinking that surely we have done our good deeds for the day. But no. On the phone was the case manager from Project Woman wondering if we could provide a client with a gas card to get to a job interview. At least that one was quick and easy. Then another person came by needing a gas card, then Ohio Edison came by to talk about trimming the trees around the power lines. Then the phone rang and the caller was a young boy who I had never met who had gone to Procter Camp last summer and wanted to know if he could go again this summer. We had no clue who this child was, but we figured any child with the gumption to call up a random Episcopal Church and ask to go to Procter Camp needed to be heard. And on and on went this very bizarre and sometimes frustrating morning. At one point I said to Liz, "You take the phone. I’ll take the door." Noon quickly arrived-the morning had not been dull-and my column for the Clarion was yet unwritten.

The reason we celebrate Christmas in July, as I wrote in that Clarion article eventually, is to remind me and to remind all of us that we encounter the Christ Child in our midst, homeless, hungry, without clothes, when we least expect him, not just in December when we’ve had weeks to prepare and can greet him in peace and tranquility. The core of the Christmas story is that Mary and Joseph, a young unwed couple with an unplanned pregnancy were taking care of bureaucratic red tape, when Mary went into labor and they had no place to stay. Homeless, hungry, no decent clothes for her child, bureaucratic red tape, no material resources to speak of...where have I heard that story before?

Christmas in July is not about romanticizing poverty and feeling good about serving Jesus. Some days Jesus is loud and demanding. He tries my patience and gets on my nerves, as I am sure he tries your patience as well, as you meet Jesus in your classrooms, at the hospital, in the Food Pantry, and in the many other places we work or volunteer, or in people we disagree with, or who have hurt us, or who we just plain don’t get along with. Christmas in July reminds us that the incarnation-God made flesh in the person of Jesus-is not just the tender scene we meet on Christmas Eve, although that is certainly part of Christmas. The messiah is not just the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace described in the soaring words from Isaiah, although those words certainly do describe Jesus. We celebrate Christmas in July because the incarnation is also uncomfortable, calling us to see Jesus in places we would rather not look and confront injustice and oppression when we see it. The incarnation is outrageous, calling us to treat strangers as the Holy Child. And the incarnation is challenging, causing us to question our values and see how they line up with our belief that we are called to seek and serve the Christ Child in all people, no exceptions. Christmas in July is our yearly reminder that our ministry in this place is not about outreach or doing good deeds. Our ministry is about Jesus.

Amen.

9 Proper C

Charlotte Collins Reed
Christ Episcopal Church
July 7, 2013

9 Proper C

One of the most memorable fireworks displays I have ever seen was over Lake Michigan when I was in seminary and we lived in Evanston, just north of Chicago. Don and Slocomb were out of town, so Caldwell and I had joined some friends for a 4^th of July picnic where all the talk was about the incredible fireworks over the lake later that night. As the evening progressed and the sky began to darken, we gathered up lawn chairs and blankets and headed to the beach, along with thousands of our closest friends.

At about 10 o’clock that night, the fireworks began and the show was mesmerizing. The colors were brilliant-purples, reds, blues, and yellows lit up the sky. The sound of each explosion was victorious. The atmosphere was electric. And the reaction of the crowd was appreciative, but hushed. Rather than applause and cheers, there was a reverent silence.. Perhaps we were all just tired at the end of a long, lovely day. But perhaps that magnificent display of power that symbolizes our independence as a nation also reminded us of our own vulnerability. In the face of such power, whether used for good or for ill, we can feel pretty small.

Interestingly, on this Sunday after the 4^th of July, all of our readings emphasize the strength that comes from vulnerability , and the independence that comes from our dependence on God and each other. In 2 Kings, the great and powerful Naaman, the mighty warrior, suffers from leprosy. As is fitting for a person of such great accomplishment, Naaman is sent by the King of Aram to the King of Israel to be cured, having heard from a young captive girl of a prophet in Israel who could heal the warrior. The King of Israel sent Naaman off to the prophet Elisha, not quite so fitting for a mighty warrior but, in the hope of a cure, Naaman will go to the prophet. The prophet, however, will only send a messenger to see Naaman, saying "Go wash in the Jordan seven times and you shall be clean." Naaman is furious. At the very least, he deserves an audience with the prophet, who could call upon his God to heal him with a great display of power. The nerve of Elisha to suggest that this mighty warrior bathe in the Jordan when Namaan has perfectly good rivers at home. But Naaman’s servants intervene to say "If the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult-in other words, something worthy of a mighty warrior-would you not have done it? How much more when all he said to you was ‘wash and be clean.’" Naaman actually listens to their counsel, washes in the Jordan and is cured. But without swallowing his pride and admitting his vulnerability, no matter how grudgingly, Naaman would not have been made whole.

Paul tells us the Galatians this morning to bear one another’s burdens and in this way fulfill the law of Christ. Now that sounds like a command for someone strong. Strength is required to carry someone’s burdens, be that strength emotional, physical, or spiritual. But just when we start to feel the least bit puffed up about our ability to carry someone else’s burdens, Paul comes back with "For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves." Paul is calling us to the strength that comes from humility-the humility that carries another’s burdens so that the other person can become strong. And the flip side of "Bear one another’s burdens" is "Let your burdens be born by one another." Strength and pride and rugged individualism are not the virtues Paul commends. Humility, vulnerability, and service are what Paul commends.

Lastly, Jesus tells the 70 as he sends them off to various town and places "See, I am sending you out like lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road.... Remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide." Lambs in the midst of wolves? That is not just vulnerable-that is borderline bad judgement. Then Jesus says ""When ever you enter a town and the people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, "The Kingdom of God has come near." Be humble and eat what is provided. Serve the people by curing their sick. And then say "The Kingdom of God has come near."

How do we know when the Kingdom of God has come near? Naaman wanted a complicated treatment plan to cure his leprosy, but he was simply told to wash in the Jordan and be healed. The Galatians were told to bear one another’s burdens to fulfill the law of Christ, and presumably know something of the Kingdom of God. The 70 were told by Jesus to make themselves vulnerable to those they came to serve, to eat what was provided, heal the sick, and then proclaim that the Kingdom of God has come near. Jesus’ promise to the 70 and to us is that, whether the world realizes it or not, the power of the Kingdom of God is made known when God’s people are willing to act with humility, serve the world with grace, and find strength in weakness.

Amen.