Loading...Morning Prayer – Homily
February 19, 2017
Darlene Amsler
7th Sunday after the Epiphany
According to the Grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 3:10-11
In a little over a week, we will begin the season of Lent. Our readings this morning help us to prepare to explore our spiritual well-being. That being said, I will focus on the reading from I Corinthians, but will reference the other readings as well.
Paul tells the people of Corinth that they need a foundation – that foundation being Jesus Christ. Jesus is our firm foundation, much like Jesus’ parable about the foundations built on sand and rock. If our foundation is Jesus, then we should strive to be much like him. How are you going to build on your foundation? In Matthew, Jesus said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect.” That’s a tall order! Where to start?
In the Old Testament, we were given the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:3-17). For most of us, these are fairly easy to keep. Thou shalt not steal and thou shall not kill, no other gods… pretty easy, right? The reading from Leviticus refers to most of the ten commandments. It also says not to defraud one another or deal falsely. So, are the ten commandments enough? We don’t know everything. In Paul’s letter, he reminds us that God alone is wise, and if we think we know everything, we are sorely mistaken. Humbling words!
In today’s Psalm, the psalmist says, “Teach me O Lord, the way of your statutes and I shall keep it to the end.”
What are some of the ways we heard in our readings this morning? Other than the reference to the Commandments, we heard that we should show compassion for the less fortunate. In biblical times, the culture was very dependent on local agriculture. Leaving gleanings for the less fortunate was a way of sharing. Although we might not have a field planted, we can still share what blessings we have, both in material ways and with the gift of our time. I am reminded of the story of Stone Soup, a favorite in kindergarten. A clever man came to a village and offered to make a most delicious soup. He had nothing to share, but asked for a clean stone, which he put into a pot of water. Once the water started boiling, he commented that the soup would be made more delicious with the addition of carrots. Someone then offered to share carrots for the soup. Then the clever man suggested that some celery would make the soup very tasty. So, someone offered celery for the soup. On and on this went, until all kinds of vegetables were in the soup. In the end, the village did indeed have a most delicious pot of soup which they could all share and enjoy. Some might say that the clever visitor was a trickster, but I prefer to believe that he was an encourager and through his efforts, the villagers learned that by sharing and cooperative effort, they could all benefit.
Leviticus also tell us to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Who is your neighbor? It isn’t just the people living beside you. Our neighbors are all people… and as technology continues to make our world more connected, it is easy to see how people all over the world are our neighbors.
Norman Rockwell is one of my favorite artists. He is an American artist whose illustrations depict everyday life in America. By the way, he was an Episcopalian! His work includes many covers for the Saturday Evening Post. He began his professional career after art school at the age of 19. When he was 67, he painted a piece called the Golden Rule. It was used as a cover for the Saturday Evening Post. Nancy Reagan presented the painting to the United Nations on behalf of the United States in 1985. The painting depicts people of many nationalities, ages and religions. As was his custom, he used friends and neighbors, as well as some local exchange students as models for his painting. Interestingly, the rabbi is in real life the retired postmaster, and a devout Catholic! His wife Mary is in the upper corner. She had passed, but Rockwell painted her from memory, and had her holding the grandson she had never met. Asked about his inspiration for the painting, Norman Rockwell stated, “I’d been reading up on comparative religion. The thing is that all major religions have the Golden Rule in common. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Not always the same words, but the same meaning.” However, we must remember that it is “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, not “Do unto others as they have done to you.”
That is my segue to the reading from Matthew. “It has been said an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But Jesus tells us not to retaliate. Turn the other cheek, offer more than is demanded. If we are striving to be our best, our love is not shown by vengeful retaliation, but as Jesus says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Sun and rain fall both on the righteous and unrighteous alike. It is easy to love those who love you back. It is more difficult to love those who are not loveable. This is good to ponder as we prepare to read the Lenten book on forgiveness.
Lastly, remember what is said in I Corinthians, “You are God’s temple and God’s Spirit dwells in you.” While it may seem self- indulgent to make ourselves a priority, we are the Spirit of God. What we do and how we act does influence others. So as we prepare for Lent, take time to think about your temple – both physically, mentally and spiritually.
My friend, Debbi is a double lung transplant recipient. She is so very thankful for the gift she was given and her second chance on life. She is a wonderful Christian woman, and gives to others in many ways as she is able. However, she also takes very good care of her health and often reminds me, “If the pilot isn’t well, the plane won’t fly.”
So, as we prepare for Lent, remember – your foundation is Jesus Christ. Choose how you will build on it.
