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Preparing for this morning I found myself casting about for some direction. I tapped into a number of sources looking for just the right insight or some catchy phrase. I could say this, focus on that, zero in on Luke, or the situation Moses found himself in. Finally, in exasperation, I said just listen to yourself! And I said that’s it! Listen!
We gather each Sunday to hear the words of scripture but hearing the word or any word for that matter is only the beginning not an end in and of itself. Listening is a huge part of Lent-when we are reminded to turn away from the noise, excitement and temptations of the secular world and reconnect with the word of the Lord. But listening can be a tricky thing! When we take on symbolic sacrifices as acts of penitence we need to make room for truly listening to the word.
Having spent years in the classroom and coaching there were many times when I know my students and athletes heard me but their tests and competitions would often suggest that I was the only one listening. And if you have ever watched a Peanuts animation you have to wonder why the parent or teacher is portrayed as a sound Wah-wah-wah-wah. Yep. I hear you- got it- moving on! There were many times when raising my 2 sons that my wife would say I was talking too much which was to say I wasn’t listening enough. It is truly a balancing act. When all is said and done you have to be ready, or convinced that listening is much more important than just hearing. It could be frustrating when you think you might have some bit of wisdom to share and there is no connection. Sometimes a little trickery would be helpful. When my students or my sons would say I don’t get it I heard everything you said I would resort to a somewhat flippant, attention grabbing, remark that I have co-opted from a friend-“You need to pay attention to what you’re not listening to!!”
An early lesson in listening for me involves my father, brother, and a bicycle. Earlier my father had presented my with his bicycle which was a huge thing with massive balloon tires. It wasn’t the most advanced model on the streets but was his and he was proud to give it to me and I was very happy to have it. Whenever I would go out on this monster he would always remind me to be careful and responsible. Yep Dad I’ve got this! One day my brother and I were racing around the neighborhood on our bikes and I looked over to be sure I was faster than him when I ran straight into a parked car and there I was splayed out like some abstract piece of art on the trunk. As I gathered what was left of my dignity I did that human thing of looking around to see if anyone other than my brother had witnessed this and check the car for damage which, amazingly, there was none. It was then that I discovered that I had flattened the front tire and bent the fork back far enough that I could not ride the bike. Then my brother made that troubling remark famous for siblings -wait until Dad hears about this-you are going to be in so much trouble! Not wanting to experience my Father’s anger which in my mind was legendary I panicked, I rationalized, then I made up a story that did not involve a car; did not make it look that I had not heeded my father’s advice; and somehow convinced my brother that he was in trouble too. To make a long story short I got home, told my story, dad listened, and then said he could fix this and I would assist. He expertly took the bike apart, beat on the fork with a large hammer he lovingly called the persuader and fixed the tire. It wasn’t long before the job was finished and when he presented the bike he said there-good as new. I was feeling pretty good about myself right about then, maybe even a little smug-that is right up until my father said -now don’t run into any more cars! I was flabbergasted! I had been caught out! I could expect nothing but his famous temper yet it never came. Now I didn’t know if I was in trouble or not. I had tried to manipulate the situation and have things my way yet he had seen right through it! Then this wry grin came across his face as he told me he had run into the back of a Packard when he was about my age and my grandfather had shown him the way to repair the bike.
There was more to this exchange than just words and I would have to look back on it to fully understand that this was a great example of forbearance and he said so much more by not saying much at all. The take away was listen and learn from this. I still love you but you don’t always get things your way! In a way this is a light hearted nod to Paul’s words from this morning’s reading-“So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall”.
In our l lives we often look to shape events to our needs. We want to make things easier yet scripture always brings us back. In today's reading from the book of Exodus, we find Moses minding his own business, tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro. Suddenly an amazing thing happens to him. The angel of the Lord appears to him in a flame of fire out of a bush, and he looked. Although the bush was blazing, it was not consumed by the fire. This amazing event got Moses' attention, and he turned aside to see what was going on. And when God saw that Moses was paying attention, God spoke to him, telling him that he was standing on holy ground, and further identifying himself: "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Sharing an extended quote taken from Sermon’s that Work which matches the theme yet says things better than I could" We hear Moses equivocate and quibble about his worthiness to carry God’s message almost as if he wants to keep things simple and manage things his way We are just as good at quibbling and making excuses as Moses was. We're not worthy. So what? Scripture maintains over and over again, that unworthiness never stopped God from using whomever God wanted, to bring about God's purposes. What if they ask something we can't answer, what if they won't pay attention, what if they even laugh at us? Doesn't matter. God is with us. But we don't have what it takes, we're too old, too poor, too small, too whatever. We're just not able. Well, guess what? (And this is where it gets good) God is not interested in our ability nor in our disability. God is interested only in our availability. If we listen and make ourselves available to God, God will use us in ways that we never expected. God knows what God is doing, even when we don't
In the Gospel today, Jesus’ is being asked about justice. He is being asked about the sort of justice in which we are interested: the justice that affects us. We want a God who loves us unconditionally – but does that mean we want a God who wants us just as we are? (Do we want acceptance on our terms-we hear but do not listen) Should God let us be less forgiving? Should God grant us a pass and let us write those dreadful e-mail messages we’re sometimes tempted to write. Does unconditional love allow us to be dishonest or scream for our rights while denying others the same-who lets us judge, and divide, and moan, and behave as if we were spoiled children?
Jesus doesn’t give them or us an easy answer when asked about Pilate’s massacre and the tower of Siloam. That’s the problem. Jesus simply says: Repent. There’s no explanation; instead Jesus tells a story. He tells of a gardener who plants a fig tree that grows, is loved and cared for, but produces no figs. The gardeners suggest it should be pulled up. Some might have suggested that as it looked nice it should be left alone. But the owner gives it a year. After that permission is given to weed it. Now that doesn’t sound very “unconditional.” yet it is a reflection of Divine forbearance and much could be said for paying attention to what we may not be listening to. Amen
Special thanks to Sermons that Work
3/11/2007
- The Very Rev. Anthony F.M. Clavier, who has most recently served in France in the Convocation of American Churches in Europe, has returned to the United States and is interim rector of St. Thomas a Becket Episcopal Church in Morgantown, West Virginia.
3/18/2001
-- The Rev. Barbara Beam is Vicar of St. Nicholas Church in Noel, Missouri
