The Rev’d Mary K. Erickson
Associate Rector
Acts 17: 1-15, Psalm 66:1-11, 1 Peter 2:1-10, John 14:
1-14
God called us
into a community to live our faith fully engaged with one another and the rest
of the world.
“Come, Lord, work upon us, set us on fire and clasp us close, be fragrant to us, draw us to your loveliness, let us love, let us run to you.” (A prayer of St. Augustine) In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
“Do not
let your hearts be troubled. Believe in
God, believe also in me. In my Father’s
house there are many dwelling places.”
These words are some of the most comforting words in the Bible. It is
understandable why they are often heard at a burial or memorial service.
We
are not to be troubled. Easier said
than done isn’t it? No matter how many
times I hear these words of Jesus, I find myself often troubled, worried, or
fearful. And quite frankly, I find I am
not alone. While personalities vary, it
seems that most of us struggle, especially during difficult and transitional
times. I believe it is human nature to be prone to such states of mind
and heart. And it is out of our natural
state that we are called by the supernatural…by God. God our Creator loves us and longs for our
joyful and faithful obedience so that we are not troubled. God wants us to be
at peace even now. As I was preparing
for this sermon I read of an old and worn Christian paraphrase (said the
author) that I think is worthy of resurrection: It simply says “All the way to heaven is heaven.”
All
of these words speak of life in God.
They are simple and straightforward. “Do not let your hearts be
troubled. I am the way, and the truth and the life. All the way to heaven is heaven.” And we respond from our complicated and overly committed lives
with longing. We long for such simplicity. We long for the authentic life and
we especially long for a little heaven on earth. Unfortunately, the simple and straightforward way of Jesus Christ
does not translate into the easy way.
We know
that the Gospel of John was written during difficult times for the early
believing community. Many of the early
followers of Jesus had been expelled from the synagogues and some were even
persecuted. Like Thomas and Philip, a
number may have questioned their trust of Jesus Christ. Some may have found that their own way had
been easier before they became believers.
Maybe some were even thinking to deny Jesus and return to the old
ways…it might have been safer as well as easier. But John wrote a compelling story…so that those who read or heard
it might believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.
I am
confident that these words gave strength, courage, and meaning to the lives of
those early and believing communities. I believe they found and were given the
courage and strength to persevere in the way of our Lord. Moreover, Jesus promised, “I will do
whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
With this promise the fragile early communities not only survived they
thrived.
These
words continue to speak to us today. We
Christians continue to pray in the name of Christ because we follow the way and
teachings…because from the beginning of creation we have been instructed to
glorify God in all we do…and we have come to know by our own experience that
when we follow…we are changed.
To
follow Jesus Christ is the way
of truth and life…That is the Christ-centered way of participation in the life
of God. When we live our lives
according to the way of Jesus Christ, we give honor to the one who was perfect
in his obedience. We also know from the gospels and our own experience that the
way is not easy. For the way of Christ is not the way of the world. So we have divine assistance. Jesus not only came to show the way but also
continues to dwell among us and sustain us …all the way to heaven---into God’s
dwelling place.
A number
of years ago I worked at a large geriatric complex. With the help of customer satisfaction surveys, the executives
gleaned that we had some room for improvement. So they hired a well-known firm
to come in and teach all the staff a new way of hospitality. Much of the training was familiar and
oriented towards raising morale, but they also introduced one very important
aspect…or should I say re-introduced for those of us who had manner-minded
parents. They taught us that it is not
good manners to point. Rather, the new
way was to take people to their destination. And such a way has become pretty
popular…especially in retail. Even in the grocery store it is the rare employee
who points, rather I am escorted to the item I seek. Sometimes, I feel like I don’t deserve such hospitality—I often
feel like I am taking my guide away from his work. But then I remember, he is doing his work and tell him thank
you.
If it is
the first time in a nursing home, it is helpful to have someone show us the
way. Even if it’s the first time finding
a particular item at the store, we appreciate the assistance. Now if it is the first time going to heaven
or the first time jumping from the heavens…like out of an airplane…we are
exceedingly grateful for the one who takes us to our destination. On his first
pilgrimage to Cedartown, Georgia for the Leap of Faith, 40th
birthday, fundraising event, our rector and several loyal followers each made
their initial plunge in tandem with another skydiver. Harnessed and safely attached to an experienced skydiver, our
rector and his brave team tumbled out of the plane, plummeted towards the
earth, pulled the cord for their parachutes, and returned to earth all the
while in the safe arms of their tandem instructor. It was quite an adventure for them and for those of us who
observed. I am confident when I say
none would have made that leap without the presence of those caring and
experienced skydivers. And I saw each
one of them give thanks to their guide.
Just
like making that fall from the heavens, the pilgrimage to heaven cannot be made
with a few directions and gestures.
Jesus came here not only to point the way but to take us all the way to
God where a place has been prepared for us.
For the important journeys of life, it is not adequate to be told where
to go and what to believe. In
particular, the way of Jesus Christ, the way to God is not simply to be
pointed. Now I am sure all of us have encountered people who prefer to point
the way, rather than live the way. It
lacks integrity, however, for deep in our souls we know that authentic faith
speaks truth only as it is lived.
We gradually
come to understand that to be fully engaged in the life intended for us…we are
to live according to God’s precepts 24 hours 7 days a week. The challenging
part, especially in a culture that idolizes individual will, is to let go of
our will in order to allow God’s will to dwell within us…now. God fully
understands the challenge and will guide us to let go and follow—to worry less
and trust more. With God’s help our lives become a guide for others. In doing God’s will and not our own, our
thoughts, our words, our heart and our hands become a cross we each carry 24/7.
(Forming shape of cross) Our life, a unique cross in this world, becomes the
meaningful authentic life we are seeking.
Furthermore,
we are not alone in this world. God
called us into a community to live our faith fully engaged with one another and
the rest of the world. And now we
recall his confidence in us…that those who believe will also do great works…
even greater works than his, because he was going to the Father. So we gather
and together bear the divine cross of Jesus Christ in this world. For the
church is Jesus Christ in the world. It is then we realize that just as Jesus
prepares a place for us, we are also to prepare a place for others right here
in this life. With God’s help we make
that dwelling place in our minds, in our words and hearts, and we make it here
in our worship of praise and thanksgiving.
We dwell here in the body of Christ as participants in this loving
community. In so doing, we are a little
less troubled and understand a little bit more… “All the way to heaven really
is heaven.” Amen