Loading...Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, o Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Please be seated.
When I was asked this week what my homily would be about, I replied, “service to others.” I think it’s pretty clear that the readings today follow a common theme – service to others.
But what can be said to this congregation about service to others. I think that for a small congregation, we do a fantastic job of serving others, both individually and collectively. I could name all the ministries and organizations that benefit from our time, talent and treasure, but we’d be here a while and chances are, I’d miss something or someone. This congregation strives to make the world a better place, both socially and environmentally, so what new message can I provide?
Often writers are encouraged to answer the question words when writing – who, what, when, where, why and how. So I’ll attempt to use some of these words to explain how we can use the readings today in our lives.
I’ll start with “who”. “Who” of course is us. We are the ones who should serve others. Paul’s letter to Timothy reminds us that our faith has come from generations of faith believers before us. God has given us a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. Relying on the power of God, we should go forth and serve others… “not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace.” When we make or renew our Baptismal Covenant, we answer several questions with “I will, with God’s help.” Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? So, we have made a commitment to serve others in our Baptismal covenant and every time we renew that covenant.
Next I will address “how”. How are we to serve others? Today’s psalm tells us that evildoers will “wither like the grass, and like the green grass fade away. Put your trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and feed on its riches.” Sometimes we have to trust that we are doing the right thing when we serve others. We have to have faith that what we are doing is right and what others truly need. The psalmist tells us to be patient and not be discouraged by evildoers. Paul’s letter to Timothy talks about faith… faith that comes from generation to generation. Many of us are here because we were brought to church as children by parents or grandparents. So it was with Timothy. Paul reminds him to renew his faith, to remember the spirit of love and self-discipline that God has given us. And in Luke, Jesus uses a parable with a mustard seed to explain how even how the smallest deed can be important. I still have my mustard seed from when I was a young girl. (show necklace) It was popular then to have one in a small glass ball. It made it look larger than it was, but it was still small. The thought of it being able to uproot a mulberry tree like this (show picture) is a powerful example of how the tiniest amount of faith can accomplish great things.
How should we serve? Here is a little story that explains how we should act without being told, and before the need might be there. It is called “When the Wind Blows”. A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, “I can sleep when the wind blows.” This puzzled the farmer, but he liked the young man, and hired him. A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm. They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters on the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace. The young man slept soundly. The farmer and his wife then inspected the rest of the property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements. The tractor had been moved into the barn, and the barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. All was well. Then the farmer understood the meaning of the young man’s words, “I can sleep when the wind blows.” By doing what was expected of him, faithfully and loyally, even when the skies were clear, he was prepared when the storm came. By serving our Master, faithfully and loyally we can be prepared for the day we will meet Him.
That brings us to “when”. When does serving others take place? Habakkuk, the writer of the first reading today, lived in the 600’s B.C. He was an unusual prophet because he openly questioned what he considered God’s inaction. ”O, Lord, how long will I cry for help and you will not listen? Or cry to you “Violence” and you will not save? Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous – therefore judgement comes forth perverted.” You see, over 2500 years ago, many of the same problems we face today were also prevalent. One only has to watch the evening news to hear about shooting, destruction and loss of life from flooding and wildfires, political accusations, corruption in business and our government… I could go on. Indeed, we may wonder why God allows this to happen. There were problems 2500 years ago, there are problems today and there will probably be problems 2500 years in the future. But God answered Habakkuk, “Write the vision, make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. For there is still a vision for the appointed time…If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come.” So we must have a vision and share it with others. But of course, today, we will not use the same kind of tablet to share it! And we must be patient… it will surely come.
I’ll skip “where”. If we let ourselves be open to God’s will, He will show us where we are needed.
Next comes “why”. Why should we serve others? In Luke, Jesus tells his followers that we are to serve God as a servant serves his master. We should not expect reward or praise. I don’t know about you, but I am rarely thanked for vacuuming or doing the dishes at home. I’m sure you are not thanked for doing things you are expected to do.
Finally, “what”. What can I expect from serving others? All this talk about obligation makes us think we will not benefit from serving others. But if we do it without expectation, we might be surprised at the benefits we reap. Not only will we be prepared for the Master, but we will find increased faith and love.
I’d like to share a poem with you by Edgar Guest. I think it is more appropriate to read it at the end of my message, rather than at the beginning.
I would rather see a sermon than to hear one any day
I’d rather one should walk with me, than merely tell the way
The best of all the preachers are the ones who live their creeds
For to see good put to action is what everybody needs
I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done
I can watch your hands in action but your tongue too fast may run
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true
But I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live
When I see a deed of kindness I am eager to be kind
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them but the one who shows the way
Who stands with men of honor, learns to hold his honor dear
For right living speaks a language which to everyone is clear
Though an able speaker charms with his eloquence, I say
I would rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day
Perhaps a fringe benefit of serving others is that this might be the only sermon some people may hear or see. A grateful recipient of goods from the church told a parishioner recently, “I hope I can do this for someone some day.”
Every once in a while in life it is good to stop and do a check. So maybe today, we can take some time to ask ourselves-
How am I serving others?
Am I doing it with a cheerful heart?
Am I doing it for my benefit, or for the benefit of others?
What does God call me to do?
Can I sleep when the wind blows?
