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Sermon March 27, 2022
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, MSW
The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen’s
Fourth Sunday in Lent
http://lectionarypage.net/YearC_RCL/Lent/CLent4_RCL.html
So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20
Please be seated.
Have you ever driven on Embassy Row in Washington, DC? Many of the embassies of foreign nations are on Massachusetts Avenue NW. It is fun to see the buildings and the flags of the nations flying outside the buildings. Actually, embassies are located throughout the District.
And living and working where I did, I was able to meet some Ambassadors and their families. In addition, working at The National Association of Social Workers, we often hosted groups of social workers and government officials from other nations. While I was there, the Executive Director of the Association headed delegations of social workers to different parts of the world. That’s how I was able to visit South Africa. We also did an exchange of information regarding cancer care with professionals in Hungary.
A couple of weeks ago, I heard that Ambassador Wendy Sherman was on Fox News regarding negotiations to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ambassador Sherman is the Deputy Secretary of State. I met her when I worked for the social workers’ association, because she is a trained social worker. I always like listening to her talk about various international issues. I think her social work background gives her some interesting insight into negotiating difficult and important agreements.
Ambassador Sherman was closely involved with the first agreement with Iran regarding nuclear weapons. She also was involved in negotiations with North Korea. She is often the only woman in the room.
I know a good friend of Ambassador Sherman’s. When I read the summary of her interview with Bret Baier of Fox news and knew she was once again part of the team trying to end this horrifying situation in Ukraine, I reached out to my friend. I told her I was glad Ambassador Sherman was involved. I told her I was saying prayers for her that the negotiations would go well.
My friend sent this message to the Ambassador and Ambassador Sherman replied:
“Please thank Rebecca. We all need prayers bur the Ukrainian people above all.”
Yes, the people of Ukraine, and I would also say Russia and the nations welcoming the refugees need our prayers. And so do all of the ambassadors working so hard to end this violence and destruction.
In our reading from Paul to the Corinthians, Paul likens the way we live to being an ambassador for Christ. In other words, we are to be representatives of Christ and even promote Christ’s way of living in this world.
Paul tells us that when we live in Christ or follow Christ, that everything is new. Everything has become new, Paul says. Now you might think Paul was being somewhat flippant. I mean it’s not like all of our aches, pains and challenges go away by following Jesus Christ. Yet, Paul is writing this letter to the Corinthians when he is in jail and facing death! Paul already told us he has a chronic affliction, too. How can everything be new for Paul in Paul’s situation?
Remember how Paul was persecuting the early Christians and responsible, even, for the stoning of Stephen? Then on the road to Damascus, Paul has a powerful conversion experience. He sees how wrong he has been. His whole life is dramatically changed and rearranged. In this letter to the church in Corinth, written while Paul is imprisoned and on his way to death, Paul is telling us that even these awful challenges are nothing compared to the life he was living before aligning his life with Jesus Christ. Isn’t that just amazing?
As ambassadors for Christ we have a different point of view on the world. We do not live for ourselves alone. We strive for the common good.
A couple of years ago, Ambassador Sherman wrote a book about her experiences titled Not For The Faint Of Heart: Lessons in Courage, Power and Persistence. The chapters tell a lot about what it takes to be an ambassador and to negotiate in some of the most difficult situations we face in our world. According to Ambassador Sherman we need courage; to find common ground; to use our power in the right way; to let go of some things; to build a great team; to have persistence; and to define success.
I think many of these attributes apply to our life as Ambassadors for Christ. Our parish is the team, isn’t it? In addition, we have the teachings of Jesus to love others, to be reconciled to God and to know that we are forgiven.
Living as an Ambassador for Christ is definitely not always easy. Yet one thing for sure is that our community and our world surely need it.
Amen
Transcript of Interview on Fox News March 13, 2022 https://www.state.gov/deputy-secretary-wendy-r-sherman-with-bret-baier-of-fox-news-sunday/
