Loading...
Sermon September 11, 2022
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, MSW
The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen’s
14th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 19, Track 2
https://lectionarypage.net/YearC_RCL/Pentecost/CProp19_RCL.html
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Luke 15:6
Please be seated
It was probably 1970 when I was in 7th grade that I joined the youth group of my church. It was a fairly large group and we came from all around the Harrisburg area.
Our church was pretty large and there were a number of adult Sunday school classes that met in a huge area that at one time was actually the sanctuary. The area had a main floor and a balcony and was partitioned into smaller areas where the various classes met.
There was a large open area in the center and a small elevated platform, almost like a stage.
We were young. We were so passionate about making change. We had a young youth pastor and some young adult leaders. Somehow, it was decided, probably by the older high school youth, that we would perform a thought-provoking presentation during the adult Sunday school.
The presentation consisted of us singing – we later had a singing group that traveled around – and reciting various pieces of prose and poetry. I’m sure we talked about love and peace.
We wore jeans and even no shoes! That was really provocative at the time.
One of the pieces that a woman from the high school recited came from the final piece of the 1970 autobiography of the folksinger Joan Baez, titled Daybreak.
After writing that a friend told her it would be “risky to write about Jesus,” she goes on to say:
“Jesus, gold and silver—standing naked in a roomful of modern men. What nerve. Jesus, gold and silver – you have no boots on, and you have no helmet or gun – no briefcase. Powerful Jesus gold and silver with young, thousand-year-old eyes. You look around and you know you must have failed somewhere.
Because here we are waiting on the eve of destruction with all of the odds against any of us living to see the sun rise one day soon.
You, Dear Reader –
You are Amazing Grace.
You are a Precious Jewel.
You – special, miraculous, unrepeatable, fragile, fearful, tender, lost, sparkling ruby emerald jewel, rainbow splendor person. It’s up to you.
Would it embarrass you very much if I were to tell you … that I love you?” pg 191
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells parables that ultimately show how precious we are to God. It’s a familiar parable. The righteous folk who follow every one of God’s laws, are grumbling because Jesus is eating with people who, it seems, intentionally ignore God’s rules and laws. Shouldn’t they be punished and shunned for their bad behavior? Why “waste” time on them? Can their behavior and actions really ever change?
But Jesus goes on to say that no matter how far away from God even one of us moves, God will search us out…will try to find us. And will rejoice when we are found.
We are precious jewels, indeed. We are loved. We are sought out. We are forgiven. We can be redeemed. We are receivers of Amazing Grace!
Today we start our annual time of reflection about what we imagine and estimate we can give back to God through our parish community. We have our time. We have special skills, abilities and interests or talents. We have our financial resources or treasure. There are packets at the back of the church for those of you here today. Others will have received a packet in the mail. These packets present you with an opportunity and a way to plan how you will participate in our life together.
All we have and all that we are comes from God who created us in God’s image. We are precious jewels. Let us give and shine.
Amen
