Jesus Honors the Everyday; Sermon for Jan 7, 2024

 

Rev. George Miller

Jan 7, 2024

Mark 1:21-31

 

Last June we witnessed a horrific experience.  5 men went undersea to view the Titanic and died in a catastrophic implosion.

 

There was a tide of reactions as it captured our worse fears - deep, deep waters, claustrophobia, no way out. 

 

It was chilling to think of those men under all that water. 

 

There were those who felt no sympathy- these men were billionaires going on a foolish trip, spending foolish money.

 

Why were we discussing them dying horribly while the rest of the world was horribly suffering-  starving children in Somalia, 26 million people in Yemen struggling to meet the most basic of needs?

 

5 men died underwater while in Haiti 51 people died in floods and 6,000 were evacuated.

 

Where is our focus?  Who do we deem important and worthy of our collective attention?

 

Grace goes out equally to the families and children affected by the lives lost in the Titanic tragedy, Somali, Yemen, and Haiti.

 

Today we continue journeying with Jesus as he travels through the landscape of Mark.

 

After last week’s reading it has become clearer what an amazing, unique message Mark has.

 

Mark does not begin with the birth announcement of Matthew.

 

Mark does not begin in the Temple with an angel like Luke.

 

Mark does not feature profound poetry like John.

 

Mark starts in the bleakest, loneliest place one can be- the wilderness.

 

Mark chooses to tell us the Good News of Jesus Christ by first bringing us to a place of absolute nothingness.

 

In the wilderness where all the demons and wild things run free.  In the wilderness where loneliness is real and comfort does not exist.

 

THAT is where Mark dares to begin and introduce us to the Son of God.

 

From the wilderness, we see Jesus baptized, tempted.  Then, he enters the land of the living.  He proclaims, he tells.

 

He sees Simon and Andrew fishing and says “Follow me.”  He sees James and John mending and says “Follow me.” 

 

He sees a man enslaved by an unclean spirit and sets him free.

 

He enters the home of Simon and upon hearing that his mother-in-law is unwell in bed, Jesus enters her room and gives her the gift of wellness.

 

There is something astounding about this.  As Jesus embarks on his ministry, note who he interacts with and where he goes.

 

Jesus goes to where the people are.  He goes to the most everyday, typical locations, where everyday people are doing everyday things.

 

He goes to the lake where hard-working folk are trying their best to earn a living.

 

He goes into the family home, the most basic and important of all dwellings.

 

Jesus goes into this woman’s bedroom, the most intimate and personal of spaces.   

 

She has probably worked so hard and done so much that she’s exhausted in bed.

 

Jesus dared to reach out a hand, lift her up, and she’s made well.

 

She becomes the first person in Mark to experience a non-demon related miracle of healing.

 

Side note- once the fever leaves, she immediately served them.  Ever wonder if she was like “Dang, I really just wanted to sleep!”

 

But do you hear this?  How amazingly mundane this all is? 

 

Jesus first comes to men who are fishing; meets men who are mending. 

 

He goes into a multi-generational household to heals the matriarch.

 

The salvation of Heaven and gifts of the Good News are first given to regular, everyday people who

 

have seen their share of storms, dealt with their share of broken stuff, who tend to tasks like sweeping, washing, and figuring out how to make a dollar feed a family.  

 

It is to the people, the most vulnerable, the most underappreciated that Jesus goes.

 

Yes, Jesus goes to the local synagogue, but he doesn’t first go to the majestic and mighty Temple.  He does not go to the council of chief priests. 

 

He does not go to the courtyard of Pilate or the backroom where billionaires make deals.

 

Maybe if he had, he would not have been so feared, perhaps he would not have been killed, perhaps he would have been instructed how he could use his talents to make a buck.

 

That is not what Jesus does.

 

He goes out into the world, out to where ordinary life takes place, and he sees, and he speaks, he hears and he offers a hand.

 

Jesus says to those who work and those who mend and those who worship and those who are feeling unwell.

 

“Follow me.  Be made well.  Sit up.  Stand strong.”

 

Today we celebrate 34 years of serving Jesus.  Today we celebrate 34 years of doing our best to be Christ to the community.

 

Today we are thankful for all the ways in which Jesus has met us, and continues to meet us.

 

There are those of us who have been following Jesus from birth, those of us who are new. 

 

There are those of us who found Jesus when we were the most broken, the most unwell, the most tortured by spirits.

 

There are those of us who feel like we are following Jesus anew with enriched insight and a different understanding.

 

Whoever you are, wherever you are- in the wilderness, by the sea, in the church, at home, sick in bed, Jesus will meet you.

 

Jesus will come to you. 

 

Jesus knows who you are.  And Jesus is ready to call, ready to hear, ready to extend a hand.

 

Jesus is ready to say “Bienvenidos- Welcome into the Kingdom of God and welcome into the Extended Faith Family of Heaven.”

 

For that, let us say “Amen.”

 

Remembering Our Baptism; Mark 1:1-11

 

Rev. George Miller

Dec 31, 2023

Mark 1:1-11

 

After weeks of anticipation, our Christmas Season nears its end.

 

Today is Day 6 of the 12 Days of Christmas.  On Saturday our Puerto Rican friends will celebrate Dia de Los Reyes Magos- when The Wise Men come to Jesus with gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

 

These stories appear in Matthew and Luke, but not in Mark.

 

Mark’s Gospel does not begin in a Temple or a home, or feature shepherds or Reyes Magos.  It begins in the wilderness with a call to baptism.

 

How interesting that Wise Men travel from afar, so they can come to a town and offer gifts to Jesus.

 

While Mark has people leave their towns so they can travel into the wilderness to leave their sins behind and be baptized.

 

In Matthew, the Wise Men travel to see the face of Jesus, but in Mark, Jesus travels to the people.

 

While the Wise Men travel to give Jesus worldly gifts of economic value, Mark has Jesus travel to the people so they can receive gifts of the Heavenly kind.

 

Matthew shows Jesus receiving gold and myrrh, but Mark shows Jesus traveling to us so we can receive goodness and eternal life.

 

Here we are- the mystery and “the why?” and wonder of Jesus.

 

That while Jesus is the Son of David, the Son of God, Jesus does not use those titles to demand or seek gifts, rewards and accolades.

 

Instead, Jesus as the Son of David, Son of God, uses his position to seek us out, to give us heavenly gifts and to welcome us into the Kingdom of God.

 

Last week we prepared for Heaven to enter into our world through the birth of Mary’s Baby.

 

Today we prepare to become participants of Heaven through the words, miracles and actions of Jesus.

 

John invites folk into the wilderness so they can turn from their mistakes and be baptized in preparation for the Lord.

 

Jesus comes to John to be baptized and begin his earthly ministry and heal the world.

 

Jesus does not go to the Temple or City Hall, he does not go to the University…he goes to where the people are-

 

He goes into the wilderness, the lonely place, the scary place, the deserted place.

 

If Jesus were in Germany, he would have gone into the Black Forest.  If Jesus was in Florida, he may have gone to the Everglades.

 

Jesus go into the mysterious, unsafe place to be baptized and to begin his ministry to us and his ministry for Heaven.

 

How amazing that Jesus as the Son of God, doesn’t simply sit on a throne and say “You want to be healed, you want to be loved, you want to be seen- come and grovel at my feet.”

 

Jesus comes to the wilderness where we are.  He is baptized alongside us so that he can speak and share and be the Good News.

 

Today we have a chance to meet Jesus again and to follow.

 

Today, no matter who you are, no matter where you have been in your journey, no matter what cities, towns, desserts you have traveled through, you are invited to come forward.

 

You already confessed within your heart, you’ve already received the gifts of forgiveness.  Because you have repented, you are ready to recall and restore.

 

You are invited to come to this Holy Font, to reexperience the waters of Heaven and to remember your baptism. 

Jesus Reshapes Our Language; Luke 1:57-64

 

Rev. George Miller

Dec 24, 2023

Luke 1:57-64

 

This morning we gather with anticipation for the birth of Jesus.

 

Today there will be Carols sung, ancient scriptures read, and candles lit.

 

It is a joy to welcome Baby Jesus into our lives, to remember that even in the cold of winter there is a Light.

 

Another chance to journey to Bethlehem, another chance to follow Jesus, another chance to transform our lives.

 

Perhaps for today, following Jesus could mean paying attention to how Jesus inspires our language and changes the words we use.

 

For example, how Jesus will inspire us to call God “Papa”, and how Jesus will use the word “Blessed” to describe those who have difficult days.

 

But first- a language lesson, a lesson in something called “phrasal verbs.”

 

Phrasal verbs are something all native English speakers use and most of are unaware of. 

 

Apparently, all of us who grew up speaking English have a particular way of communicating that we are not aware of.

 

Phrasal verbs are used to describe things we are doing, about to do, or have done, such as “stand up”, “sit down” and “get away”.

 

But for those who speak another language and are trying to learn English, these phrases make no sense.

 

Why say “stand up” when all we have to say is “stand”?

 

Why say “sit down”?  Of course when we sit, we are sitting down.

 

How did “get away” even become a phrase?  How do you “get” away?

 

We say these phrasal verbs all the time, unaware we are doing it.

 

English has over 100 phrasal verbs that take up much space and time in our communication that could be spent sharing more chisme or drinking more Cafecito.

 

No wonder people who speak Spanish sound like they’re speaking so fast because they don’t have all these extra words.

 

It is fascinating when we learn about speech, what we say, such as today’s reading.

 

Zechariah has been unable to speak for 9 months.  His wife Elizabeth gives birth and when Zechariah confirms her choice of names, he has his speech restored and begins to praise God. 

 

“Gives birth” and “Begins to” are both phrasal verbs. 

 

Language is so fascinating.

 

As stated in the beginning of today’s message, one of the many gifts Jesus gives us is the gift of language.  Jesus will teach us new ways to speak.

 

1^st- Jesus will change what we call God.  For nearly 2,000 years the extended faith family has called God things like Yahweh, Lord, Elohim.

 

All powerful, stately sounding names, holy and royal, but in some ways, they are impersonal.

 

With just one prayer, Jesus changes that forever.

 

Jesus teaches us how to pray and how to address the Lord as “Abba.”  Abba means “Father.” But it’s more intimate than.

 

Abba is up close and personal, gentle.

 

Think of Abba as Daddy. Pa.  Papi, Pa-pa, tatay (ta-die), baba.

 

Jesus changes our speech to address God, creating the image of a parent who is there to care for, love, provide and be there.

 

Jesus changes how we address God, which changes how we interact with God, and how we understand God to be.

 

Jesus encourages us to speak of God as one who lifts us up, twirls us around, cares with a calming heart and endearing spirit.

 

Another transformative use of language that Jesus does is the use of the word “Blessed.”

 

In Luke 6 Jesus is with the crowds out in the community.  The people are living with diseases, enduring great pain, troubled minds, and paralysis of various kinds.

 

Jesus is amongst people who are very worried, very scared, people who have been mistreated, unseen, blamed for their lot in life.

 

Jesus calls them an unexpected name- he calls them “Blessed.”

 

In a world with so many words and ways to describe people living with sores on the bodies, tears in their eyes, and trouble in their spirits,

 

Jesus chooses to call them “blessed.”

 

His words change everything.

 

Jesus says “Blessed are you who are poor.”  “Blessed are you who are hungry.”

 

Jesus says “Blessed are you who are crying and depressed and feeling the winter gloom.”

 

Jesus could have called this group of people anything, anything at all, and yet he chooses to call them “Blessed.”

 

And by calling them Blessed Jesus gives them hope, Jesus fills them with inspiration, Jesus is saying “You are seen and you MATTER.”

 

For months we’ve asked  the question “Why Jesus?” 

 

Today, another answer comes our way- because Jesus changes how we speak, Jesus shapes the words that we use.

 

Jesus changes the world, with nothing more than air and sound and letters pieced together.

 

Jesus changes how we see God, how we see others, how we see ourselves.

 

So as we prepare for tonight, as we prepare to make way for the Light of Christ,

 

Let us also get ready to reevaluate how we speak,

what we say,

and reimagine what words mean.

 

For the words we use are the words that can bring hope for the world

 

and usher in brave new beginning.

 

For that, let us say “Amen.”

Rebuilding Community; Ezra 3:10-13

 

Rev. George Miller

Dec 17, 2023

Ezra 3:10-13

 

A few weeks ago at Bible Study we were reflecting upon family, Thanksgiving, traditions, days in the past and moments in the now.

 

Lisa was sharing what it’s been like this year with decorations and classic shows. At one moment she said, “I remember what that felt like.”

 

She said it with enthusiasm, a memory to summon hope for the world, summarizing what the time between November 23 and January 6 is supposed to be. 

 

“I remember what that felt like.”

 

The warmth of an oven filled with a turkey.  The fantasia of colors and flickering lights.  Anticipation of coming to church on Christmas Eve to sing “Silent Night” in a darkened sanctuary.

 

“I remember what that felt like.”  The joy, the love…yet there is also the pain, the loss.

 

Today’s reading captures all of this so well. 

 

We come to a complicated time in Jerusalem’s history.  About 50 years ago they were viciously attacked.  The Temple was burned to the ground.

 

A group of people are taken away to Babylon, as is all of the Temple’s cups, plates, silver, gold.

 

For fifty years, their house of worship lays desolate, it’s altar, chairs, steps no more, forcing the people to find a way to worship God, to maintain their spiritual identity,

 

to remember what it felt like when things were the way they were.

 

Fifty years have passed, and their enemy has been defeated and the people get to go back home, and are encouraged to rebuild-

 

to rebuild their homes, rebuild their fields, rebuild their Temple.

 

The first thing they do is set up the altar- the place where they offered gifts to God, the place where they showed thanks, repentance, community.

 

It is a day to remember- a big day in which they give offerings from sunup to sundown.

 

Next comes the plans to lay the foundation; folk give generously for the masons and carpenters.

 

In the 2^nd year of return the foundation is done and all of Jerusalem attends from priests in bright robes to musicians with cymbals.   

 

The people shout with gladness for once more they will have a Temple…but then we are told of the elders who weep loudly as they remember the first Temple.

 

There are family heads, religious leaders, who cry and sob while the crowd shouts and celebrates.

 

The author tells us that at this vital moment, you could not distinguish the tears from the laughter, the sobs from the singing…

 

… this is perhaps one of the most “accurate” stories in scripture, regardless if it really happened this way or not.

 

This moment of a community coming together and having two different responses couldn’t be any more true than if we were watching it unfold in real time.

 

How many of us here today can relate to those who are crying out?  How close to home does this hit in a post-COVID world?

 

How close to home is this for Emmanuel after a summer of having to worship in the Fellowship Hall not because we wanted to but because we had to?

 

How many people here today are finding that this is not really “tis the season”?

 

How do we shout for joy when Maureen has died without any of us having the chance to say goodbye, and Miss Roxie has moved to South Carolina?

 

Scholars ask why the people cry, but the real question is “How can they not?”

 

There are those crying for what has been lost, crying for folk who are no longer there.

 

There are those who are having the reality of their trauma set in.

 

Then there is another element- “Just how long is this going to take?” 

 

Sure, they put up the altar and yes they laid the foundation, but now they got to put up the walls, put in hallways, install the seats.

 

Who’s going to go to Marshalls and TJMAX and Sams Club to get the pottery and artwork and tchotchkes and bulletin boards?

 

How many committees and subcommittees is this going to take?  What’s the budget; what’s the timeline?

 

As with any project there are probably those who are excited about all the moving parts…

and then there are those who may be thinking-

 

Big deal- we put in the foundation, but it is a long time to go before this is completed. 

 

Will any of it matter; will I be around to see it?

 

Some see all the steps this endeavor will take, and they are excited; others see all the steps that are left to take and probably feel overwhelmed, defeated.

 

And the truth is, this project is going to take a good 23 years to be completed, so many of those alive to shout and sob today will not be there tomorrow.

 

But here is one thing to consider- this is not just a story about rebuilding the Temple…this is a story about the rebuilding of the community.

 

The community that was bonded by what the Temple meant, were wounded when the Temple was gone, and is coming back together with each altar, each foundation, each wall that is built.

 

This is a story about community, a community being restored, a community feeling a multitude of feelings all at once-   joy and sadness, loss and hopefulness, grief, and gladness.

 

Because that’s what it means to be part of a community.  What it means to be united around a common theme. 

 

What does it mean when a community allows space for people to feel different ways and to show their emotions?

 

Notice how the author does not try to dismiss the weeping or hide their presence; instead the author creates space for all the people, feeling all the emotions.

 

Which is what Jesus does. 

 

As we wait for the birth of Jesus, who becomes the living Balm of Gilead, as we prepare to once more sing “Silent Night”, we are mindful of who Jesus is and why we follow him.

 

That Jesus created a compassionate community in which there was space for sorrow at night and joy in the morning,

 

In which you can mourn and be blessed; in which friends do die, and as Jesus demonstrated himself, it is ok to weep for them. 

 

“I remember what that felt like,” Lisa said a few weeks ago; today we are reminded that we also remember.

 

In those memories, there is joy and there is pain, there is gladness and there is sorrow, there is hope and there is melancholy.

 

And with all those shared emotions comes another opportunity for compassion.

 

Another reason why we follow Christ, another reason why we as Emmanuel shine a light. 

 

And that is OK because that is what it means to be human, and that is what it means to be part of the family, the community of God. 

 

That even in our sorrow there is a Balm of Gilead.  And because Jesus is that Balm, we are able to laugh and we are able to weep, we are able to extend compassion and we are worthy of being comforted.

 

For that, let us say “Amen.”