Sermon by Deklan Jay Lewis.

Growing up in the 90s, I was told that being gay was a sin and that HIV/AIDS was proof of that.

I was taught to see gay people as willfully disobeying God and that I shouldn’t associate with them. Later in life, I was told that Muslims were terrorists, that they all hated Christians and wanted to kill us. Purity culture taught me to guard myself against temptations regarding members of the opposite sex and that just being alone with one could lead to all manner of sinfulness. These were all cultural norms, and they formed the way that I viewed certain people and caused me to avoid engaging with them, to the point of basically alienating them and myself, out of fear. 

This behavior is a symptom of the human condition and was very present during Jesus’ lifetime too. Jesus came to break those patterns and stereotypes and dividing walls. The story of an afternoon by a well in a town he had no business being in, talking to a woman he had no business talking to, is in itself an example of a learned bias, as we have all heard this story told from a particular perspective. But what if our teachers, our cultural interpretations, and assumptions are wrong? 

I did a lot of reading this week as there is no shortage of commentary on this passage.

One of my favorites said this: “In the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, we find the longest conversation Jesus has with anyone in the Gospels.” That right there should tell us something! “Contemporary interpreters tend to miss much of the significance of this encounter because they make it into the tale of the sinful and ignorant foreigner whose life turns around because she meets Jesus—the bread and butter of a revival preacher’s repertoire.” Oof! Where have we heard that before?

Did you ever read a story or hear a guest speaker talk about the most pitiful lost soul you could imagine coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus and turning from addict to evangelist, or the missionary stories about the witch doctor becoming the village pastor? It’s miraculous, charismatic, but still carries a level of shame; it ties that person forever to their less-than-desirable (in our eyes) past. That’s what we have done to the Samaritan woman. 

We’ve laid out the case: she was at the well in the middle of the day… why would she do that? She must have been an outcast! She had 5 husbands, and the man she currently lived with was not her husband at all. We have labeled her: Whore, Prostitute, Loose Woman, Serial Divorcee! The kind of woman you want to avoid.  Why do we do this to the women in the Bible? Why do we assume the worst and paint them as scheming, deceitful, fornicating women of very low or no morals? Why do we not believe women, even today, when they tell the truth about things that have happened to them? Why do we blame them for the things that men have done to them? 

According to every source I read this week, there is NO way she could have divorced multiple husbands! It was not possible in those times. For a woman to get a single divorce was virtually unheard of, but 5, no way! So what then could have been the explanation? The most likely story is a familiar one, if you know your Hebrew Bible. Anyone recognize the name Tamar?

I’m gonna switch gears for just a second to address the other questionable elements in this stories setting… the well at midday.

The writer of John’s gospel relies heavily on some themes; one of them is the contrast between darkness and light. At the beginning of the previous chapter of John, there is another story of Jesus revealing himself to someone. In that story, Nicodemus, a Pharisee and known leader in the Jewish community, comes to Jesus, in the dark of night, to ask Jesus about his identity. Without going into all the details, Jesus shares with Nicodemus some of the mysteries of God; he shares about being “born from above,” and about how God loved the world so much that God sent Jesus. But despite being a teacher of Israel, Nicodemus doesn’t understand, and we are left to imagine him leaving, even more in the dark than before.

Here is an alternative explanation as to why the Samaritan woman was at the well at midday: it was a literary device, employed by the writer of the Gospel, to draw a comparison and drive home a point. Nicodemus, a man of the law, came in darkness and left more confused than when he arrived. The Samaritan woman, an outsider, if not outright enemy to the Jews, meets Jesus in the light and can see and understand what Jesus is saying and who he is. One slinks back home in the shadows and utters not a word to anyone; the other runs back to the village and tells everyone about this man she has met.

Another important image in this story is the well itself. According to various sources, the people hearing this story would have immediately recognized the well as a symbol, used throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, to indicate that there was to be a wedding. Several of the patriarchs met their future wives by a well. The writer of John employs imagery of Jesus as the bridegroom throughout the Gospel.

Now lets put it together, a woman, who has been married 5 times, goes to a well at midday and finds a man there. Could this story be an allegory for the relationship God, through the person of Jesus, was to have with God’s people. The Samaritans, and the Jews, were like vulnerable women, who had lost their husbands and found themselves at the mercy of new, less sympathetic, often abusive, self interested husbands. One commentator I read this week described the woman as “wedding-weary”. That phrase really stuck out to me… she wasn’t some floozy who was excited about the prospect of another husband, she was weary, like the people of God.

Think of the number of times the Jewish and Samaritan people were conquered and exiled, then sent home just to be conquered, exploited, and exiled again. Was that the fault of the people? Was it the woman’s fault her husbands had died or left her, failed to value her the way she should have been?

And we only get this story, this reminder that all people are important to God, that God will pursue them and bring them back, because the person of Jesus, or this Gospel’s depiction of him, was not afraid to go to a town his people would have actively avoided, and sat by a well until a woman came to draw water. Then he talked with her and shared intimately with her things that he had shared with no other. He put aside all judgement and engaged with the child of God that was before him.

If we are to be changemakers in this world, we must first be mind-changers.

We have to change our minds about people and get to know them as they really are, not as the world or society, or our culture would want us to see them. We may have to put ourselves into uncomfortable or vulnerable situations.  Jesus never promised that it would all be comfortable and that we could do it with our prejudices and holier-than-thou attitudes. The change has to begin in us, if not we will miss a world of prophets because we have counted them as prostitutes.

In the book of Genesis, there is a story about another woman who has gotten a bad rap; her name was Hagar, and she ran away because of the harsh treatment by Sarai. She was special, like the Samaritan Woman. The Samaritan woman had the longest recorded conversation with Jesus and was the first person Jesus revealed himself to, and Hagar was the first person to give God a name, El Roi, the God Who Sees, because I have seen the God who sees me.

El Roi, open our eyes and hearts to the truth only you can reveal. Help us to be critical of the things that we have been taught, of the ways our culture, family, and religion have shaped us to see. Give us eyes to see others the way that you see them and the courage to humble ourselves so that we may begin to learn from them and from you about the richness and potential that comes from embracing your incredible design of diversity. 

May it be so. Amen.
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I have been reminding us of the importance of reading the text rather than thinking we know what it says.

Today’s scripture is one of those that we can easily confuse with the sending of the 12 disciples, which occurs in all three synoptic gospels. Luke sends the 12 disciples out in chapter 9 with very similar instructions to those found in today’s reading.

This led me to do a bit more research about the similarities and differences in the two stories. The similarities which can lead us to confuse the two include:

• Take “no baggage” only what they are wearing
• Find a home who will receive them and stay there
• If they are not received in a town, “shake the dust off” their feet as a sign of coming judgment against them
• Announce “the kingdom of God has come near”

However, the differences are also worth noting:

1. Luke 9 uses just the 12 disciples which is symbolic of the 12 tribes of Israel. Matthew even names that they are to go to “the lost sheep of Israel.” Whereas, Luke 10 sends 72 which correlates with the Genesis 10 account of the descendants of Noah which populate the earth. Therefore, this message is for everyone rather than only Israel.
2. Luke 10 has a sense of urgency and danger. So, they are to “greet no one on the road” as that would have taken up important time and they are “as lambs among wolves” which leads into the judgments against some of the towns in the next verses.
3. And when the 12 returned, Jesus took them off by themselves to rest. Whereas when the 72 return, Jesus proclaims “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” as the forces of evil were impeded.

Another piece of both of these stories, is the importance of collaboration, which is the piece that I want to focus on.

Jesus’ directions to go out in pairs meant they were to work together, as this work is not meant to be done individually. Then his direction was not to take along any extra provisions, which meant they had to depend on the hospitality of those they met, and deeper connections would be made. The power of their testimonies and healings would be greater. All of which was proven true.

This points towards the truth of our interdependence; however, we prefer to think of ourselves as independent. We want to serve others – to give out of our abundance. It makes us feel good about ourselves. But Jesus challenges this thinking and calls for us to be vulnerable and connect through our needs so that those we serve can also serve us. This levels the power dynamic and puts us “on equal footing” with those we are helping.

Stop and think for a moment about when you were helping someone else.

Did you think you needed as much help as they did? I know I haven’t. This also helped me to think about the truth that we cannot be healers unless we ourselves are healing. Carl Jung’s theory of the “wounded healer” suggests that our wounds give us a unique perspective to relate to another who is wounded. In helping another find healing, healing comes for us too – not a healing of removing the wound but making meaning in the woundedness and finding peace.

Our wounds give us common ground for healing. If we deny that we need healing, we cannot heal. This is at the root of our toxic individuality, which is hurting us and causing more division.

Think of those you know who think they have no faults, no need to confess, no need for forgiveness. They are difficult to be around. When we demand that things be the way we want them, that we only sing the songs we like, then we leave no room for the diversity which is in every aspect of God’s creation.

It is like the African proverb: “If you want to go fast, do it alone. If you want to go far, do it together.”

And today on this World Communion Sunday, it seems very fitting that all around the world we are remembering Jesus and the meal he shared with the disciples.

A meal that he has invited us all to share equally. All are welcome. All are fed. We share the bread of life and the cup of forgiveness, knowing that we are all in need of healing and that Christ meets us here, offering meaning and peace to all. Thanks be to God!

May it be so. Amen.
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The Parable of the Sower is one of my favorite parables.

In fact, I asked it to be used for my grandfather’s funeral as he had grown up on a farm and always kept a large garden himself. If you garden, it is easy to understand that the character of the soil makes a difference and that there are many uncontrollable variables that affect the harvest. Too much rain – too little rain; other creatures – birds, bunnies, groundhogs, or deer; plants that limit sunlight to others or take away too much of the water. And yet, with some effort, the seeds can find just the right space and create an abundant harvest.

In this scripture, we also have the benefit of hearing Jesus explain this parable to the disciples, which is not usually the case. In studying parables, I have learned that they invite us to engage with them and study to understand them. They are designed to encourage us to look at the parts of ourselves we would rather ignore – places where we act like those who are wrong. They can take us out of our comfort zone, and we may choose a narrower interpretation to prevent their “sting.”

Parables are intended to remind, provoke, and disturb us, and they usually contain a “surprise” element for their 1st century readers. So looking at the original context and language is invaluable.

Let’s begin by looking at some other things we know about today’s scripture.

First, this is one of those rare scriptures that appears in all three of the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; and Luke 8:4-15. This tells us it was an important story for the early church. Oftentimes, the lectionary skips Jesus’ answer to why he uses parables, but there is a challenge in these words.

In verse 12, Jesus implies that he shares to “nudge people along” the path of understanding – as he is doing with the disciples. Although in our simplistic, capitalistic minds, we hear that those who have will receive more and those with little will have what they have taken away. This is a great justification for increasing the wealth of the rich and depriving the poor of what they need. But this is NOT an economic statement but one about wisdom. Those who are wise and understand will be given more “insider information,” while those who don’t will not receive it.

In Matthew, this scripture comes between the Pharisees conspiring to destroy him (12:14) and the people of his hometown rejecting him (13:54–58). This may sound a bit harsh but it could be part of what is meant to be surprising.

God won’t spend extra time on those who aren’t trying.

How engaged with our faith might we be with God? In the other scriptures this summer, we considered what they told us about God. So, what do you think?

It doesn’t tell us God’s role in this, but the church has taught that God is the sower. How do you envision the Sower? I would say this is an extravagant farmer who sows with reckless abandon. God does not seem to care whether the seed falls on the path, in the rocky ground, among the thorns, or on good soil. God just sows – leaving the harvest up to chance! Is that how you understand God?

There is beauty in that God is willing to give everyone a chance! All are worthy! All are welcome!

This is what we say with our “inclusive refuge.” And what does it say about us? We are reminded to see and listen. It appears that is the way to become “good soil,” although that is not specifically named. The traditional interpretation of this parable is that we are to consider what type of soil we are.

In the Come Sunday, I invited us to wonder about what if we are the seeds that God sends to the many different places.

I know, Jesus’ explanation says that the seeds are “the word of the Kingdom.” However, I have also heard it said that we are the only “word” or “Bible” some people will ever read. So…how well do we represent “the word” of God in Jesus?

Said another way – How well do we live Jesus’ teachings?

And to push us a bit further, what if we are to become sower patterned after the one in the parable? Are we willing to be that generous with the gifts we have? Are we sharing the “the word” in all the places we can?

If we go back to verse 11, Jesus said this is about the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. What does this parable say about the kingdom? That some will know it and others will not? Or is it that some accept the invitation and thrive but others will not?

The “word” is given to all. Where are you?

May it be so. Amen.
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On Wednesday, I had to go out, but I had the privilege of deciding when I went.

So when I looked out, and it was raining, I decided to wait for the rain to pass. While I waited, I was thinking about the fact that not everyone has the privilege of making that choice. Those who are without shelter have limited choices. Those who use public transportation and are unprotected from the elements may not have this privilege.

God created all that exists – including the weather and in our intelligence and our arrogance, we have created the means by which to ignore God’s parameters. We created lights so we could stay awake at night, but then we decided that since we could stay awake, people should work during the night hours. And we created cars because they were more convenient than carriages, and they work in all temperatures and all weather. So we have to go to work in the rain and the snow in the frigid cold and brutal heat.

I just wonder if we have not done ourselves a disservice. And I wonder if we do a disservice to others by expecting others to work all sorts of hours to make our lives more…complete? So we can have what we want whenever we may want it? So we have the emergency care we need – yes. But have we bought the lie that we have to work on all days – in all conditions to make money for others?

As an older person, these are the things I’m beginning to think about. Who am I trying to please with my life?

Our scripture from Isaiah 40 is part of a poem of exilic hope written to the people of Judah during the Babylonian exile – People who felt hopeless and forgotten by God.

Here, the writer asserts that God is both creator and ruler of the world, who promised them a joyous return to their homeland & reminded them that they are not alone. God has not abandoned them, even if they were told this happened as a consequence of not following God’s laws. God was still active in the world and was with them – even if they don’t notice or feel God’s presence. Just as God is still active and present with us – even if we don’t notice or feel God’s presence.

In Matthew’s Gospel, John is criticizing those who are exploitative and self-serving. When the institution loses sight of the higher and greater good of all, we are in jeopardy. When we make money by causing another’s suffering, we have lost our way, and Matthew is very clear that there is a type of “hell” waiting for us whether it is described as “an unquenchable fire” or where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew uses that line six times in his gospel as he is clearly using fear and intimidation to encourage faithfulness. Personally, I am not fan!

BUT – When do we stop and consider how our living affects others? What have I done through my words? What have I done through my silence?

If I asked you right now to name a few people whom you see as exploitative and self-serving, you could at least give me your top three – if not many more! But as Matthew also says, “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye but do not notice the log in your own eye? – Matthew 7:3

I don’t know about you, but those at the top of my list for exploitation and self-serving actions are hurting many more people than I think I do; however, this is a good reminder that I may not realize who all I affect by buying the cheapest items made in sweatshops by forced child labor. The reality is that we are terrified of not having enough power or enough money.

White Christian nationalism is about these trying to preserve these two things, and it will fail because God is about diversity.

Look at all that we have considered this summer there is diversity in everything God created!

So why do we think that only white men with money have the answers, especially while they try to hide their own sins! We are part of an ecosystem – and it only works when we all play by the rules.

And Jesus laid out the rules very simply: Love God – Love one another. Care about people other than yourself and your group!

When everything is shared, there is less poverty and crime because when everyone has what they need, there is less need to cheat and steal. We honor the natural and social world by caring for others and making sure others have what they need.

So, what do you want to be grain or chaff?

May it be so. Amen.
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As we begin today, let’s start with a bit of Bible study, as some of you may have been surprised by the scripture choice of Sirach 42:15-22.

This book is part of what is called the Apocrypha, which, if included, comes between the Old & New Testaments and is viewed as an extension of the Hebrew Bible. Sirach, also known as The Wisdom of Ben Sira (meaning Son of Sirach), is known as wisdom literature like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes and is written as a teacher’s guide to students.

It is known for encouraging “Fear of the Lord,” meaning observance of these teachings and the laws of Moses, because to the writer, keeping the laws guarantees God’s blessings. This is a poem of praise to God as the creator. What is striking to me is the level at which we are known to God according to this scripture.

“God explores both the Abyss and the human heart, and is intimate with them to their depths; God knows all things, and watches over the signs of the times. God declares the past and future and discloses the traces of things held in secret. Not a single thought is unnoticed by God, and not a word is hidden from God.“

Take a moment to consider that. Not a single thought is unnoticed by God.

As a teenager, I remember being told to never be in a position that would be embarrassing if Jesus showed up. Obviously, that was meant to put the “fear of God” in me!

But do you believe these statements? Do you believe that God knows everything? Omniscience? Since I believe that God is with all and in all, I do believe that God knows everything.

Do you believe that God declares the past and future?

As God knows everything, God knows the past. As for the future, I believe God knows infinite possibilities for the future. If you believe that God knows the future, then you believe in predestination, which follows the premise that God has already planned out everything that is to happen.

I don’t believe that God would plan for good people to suffer or plan for us to hurt each other in the horrible ways we do.

Do you believe God discloses what is held in secret? This question leads me to another: If so, to whom does God disclose the secret? The adage of “We are only as sick as our secrets” comes out of self-help programs and is repeated because of its truth.

I do believe that God has our best interests in mind, so encouraging us to be honest about our secrets with God and those who can be trusted not to hurt us with this information is helpful to us.

And it is at this point that I saw the connection to the work I have been doing with the Gestalt Pastoral Counseling.

Our bodies hold our shame and guilt as well as our minds and hearts. And our shame and guilt skew our perception as well as increasing our overall suffering.

But God is also able to heal us when we engage with God/Jesus/the Holy Spirit or whatever name you wish to use for the Divine. Unlike the government wanting to listen in on our private conversations, God listens and knows in order to bring healing, wholeness, and love.

So another question is: Do we trust God enough to be open to God’s healing?

Or do we gain something from our secrets or suffering? Yes, welcome down the “rabbit holes” of my thinking. In addition to reminding us of all that God did in creation, I think this scripture is another reminder that we are not God.

I believe the Jewish theory that there is a space within us where a sliver of God resides and our call as God’s creation is helping to mend the brokenness of the world. Our gospel reading invites us to consider what we do with the most precious thing we have–which, by the way, is meant to be the love of God that we know best through the life and teachings of Christ Jesus.

This begs the question: Do you consider the love of God to be your most precious thing?

If not, what then is more important to you? If so, what are you doing with it? How are you showing and sharing it?

The point of this scripture is that we are not to hide our faith or the love that we are so grateful to know. It is to be on the “lampstand” – obvious in the way we live our life – written on our faces by the way we encounter others. This has been taken by some to mean that one makes a show of it – asking others if they are “saved” or “if they know Jesus.”

I think God is looking for how we treat our neighbor, the stranger, the one in need. Are we willing to use our resources to make sure others have what they need?

This is at the heart of the Good Samaritan story. What does the love of God ask of us? Are we diligent in growing our faith through study, prayer and action?

May it be so. Amen.
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I just finished reading a book called “The Night Watchman” by Louise Erdrich

Which is a historical fiction piece about the congressional 1953 “Termination Resolution” that made American Indians subject to the same laws and entitled them to the same privileges and responsibilities as other citizens. This all sounds very good; however, they already had citizenship, and what it did was take away their protections and their land. So these people who were already living in poverty, were now expected to move into the towns and cities and become assimilated. It took away their land and tried to take away their culture.

And why did we do this? Because they were not considered worth the cost of our support. We viewed them as “others” or “things” rather than people just as we have done with African-Americans and all of the non-white immigrant populations that have come to our country.

On this, the 250^th anniversary of our country, we need to admit that we have both a beautiful story to tell and many times failed to be our best selves. We brag about being a “melting pot,” but what we want is for everyone to conform to White Anglo-Saxon European Christian ways. And just to be clear, making someone out to be our enemy who we have the right to ‘rule’ is not new! It has been going on since the beginning of time. It is even described in our Holy Scriptures.                      

Today, as we consider these scriptures from Genesis and Proverbs, we are called to consider how we can become even slightly better rather than relenting that it is a helpless cause that others will just have to endure. Where, my friends, is the humility in that?

Now if you received the Come Sunday and read it, you are aware that there is a challenge in our scripture too. In Genesis 1, the pronouns used for God are plural – “Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness.” (v. 26, NRSV) This has been a point of contention for scholars over the centuries with no clear answer.

Please do not misinterpret what I am about to say; this does not provide a clear answer; however, it is interesting when read beside Proverbs 8. The plural pronouns could refer to God & Wisdom – another theory is that they refer to the Trinity – Father, Son & Holy Spirit.

Historically speaking, Genesis is believed to have been written and compiled between the tenth and sixth centuries before the Common Era, whereas Proverbs is believed to have been written in the sixth or later centuries BCE. Some scholars believe that the female characters described in Proverbs are remnants of ancient goddess worship within Israelite society. But what may be even more profound is that over the millennia God has not tired of us and our foolish, destructive ways.

Or as the writer of Hebrews says, “What are humans that you are mindful of them or mortals that you care for them? You have made them for a little while lower than the angels.” – Hebrews 2:6-7

If we include at this point what we know of the Genesis Ch. 2-3 stories, we will remember that God made a couple, but the couple was not able to follow the rules. They already showed their defiance by eating from the tree that was off-limits. They had everything, and yet, it was not enough!

This same truth applies today! Most of us have what we need and more, and yet we are SO afraid of losing it or not having enough that we demonize others and deport them out of our fear.

Our fear of losing something – Our fear of losing our power as the majority – Our fear of losing the ability to set the rules. And yet, we were created as part of God’s abundant creation with the ability to reproduce and prosper.

And in that scripture, what did we focus on? In the Revised Standard Version that some of you may have grown up with and the New Revised Standard Version, the word is “dominion.” The Inclusive Version used the word “responsible.” The Hebrew word means “to subdue,” so we realized God gave us authority over everything else – we were “King of the Mountain” and everything else had to submit to us.

But with this, we have forgotten that we did not create ourselves. We are all subject to God, the Divine, the Holy – or whatever name you wish to use – who created life. We were created to support and care for the rest of life with a respect for it.

It seems like the wisdom here is to have the humility to recognize our place in the grand order of things. But I wonder if wisdom has been replaced by our longing for power and control.

So I leave you with this question to reflect on: “Does what I do, or give, or offer, make any difference? Does it mean anything?” And a quote from distinguished environmentalist and academic, best known for his work in ecological design and sustainability education, Davis Orr: “The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind.”

May it be so. Amen.
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Last week I preached about the ground and humility and I felt that I got a dose of humility as that sermon did not flow like it normally does.

So I had to sit with why that was true, and maybe the reason is that I, too, have a difficult time believing that the ground we walk is sacred all the time, rather than just when a miracle occurs. Even though I look for God’s mysteries and graces in nature, I also take much of it for granted.

I wonder if this is why there are more creation stories in the Bible than the first two chapters of Genesis. Just as we needed four gospels to begin to understand who Jesus was, what he taught, and the difference he made to the world, we need multiple creation stories to remind us that this world is not just about us and what we want.

They remind us that we are a piece in the web of life that is God’s creation.

Psalm 104 reminds us to be grateful to God for all that is created, and to recognize that God is also the one who sustain us through it.

“All creatures depend on you to feed them at the proper time.” v.27 “Take away your breath – they die and return to dust.” V.29b

And how does God feed us at the proper time? By creating a system that creates more life, sustains it, and then, as it dies, creates new life in its place. Every plant and animal can reproduce not for itself but for the benefit of creation. The oak tree produces acorns, which can create other oak trees to supply needed shade on hot days as well as cleaning the air, but they also supply food for the rabbits and squirrels which supply food for larger creatures, including us.

The Genesis scripture gives a bit more detail on this process as we hear God command the Earth to produce vegetation – “Plants that scatter their own seeds and every kind of fruit tree that bears fruit.” In this, we see the abundant potential of God’s creation. The Earth’s vegetation will produce enough food for all its creatures – including us. And God saw that it was good!

But, we have always had a mindset of scarcity and never believed in the abundance of God. So, we have hoarded resources and are still trying to deny folks of food, water, shelter and safety. We are told that groups of people – Black, Brown, and Indigenous people, and the LGBTQ community are to blame for our pain rather than realizing that all people – regardless of who they are, where they live or how they live are created by the same God and are entitled to the same gifts of creation that we are. And for those who are struggling, we say their lack of hard work puts them there rather than acknowledging that we have created systems to protect the white, straight people out of our fear.

Metaphorically speaking, we too are God’s seeds with abundant potential to care for creation and all its creatures.

We were created to reproduce, care for each other, and the rest of creation. So I’m wondering what seeds within you do you nurture through your relationship with God? What are the “seeds” you plant with those around you? Within each of us is a call from God. That call wants to help us be the best version of ourselves. If we are struggling or hurting, God wants to heal us. If we are unsure of our way, God hopes we will listen for God’s guidance Which will lead us to abundant life now and for eternity.

Hear this quote from former President Jimmy Carter – “I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. I’m free to choose what that something is, and the something I’ve chosen is my faith. Now, my faith goes beyond theology and religion and requires considerable work and effort. My faith demands—this is not optional—my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.”

This means the types of “seeds” he tried to plant with others – Seeds of patience, kindness, generosity, and faithfulness – Come to my mind when I think of him.

Yesterday we had our first booth at the Lancaster Pride festival, and we were planting seeds.

We were planting seeds with people who did not know us and were unsure what kind of church we were. The booth directly next to us reminded us that there are a lot of people with religious trauma, they were a counseling service that offered services for religious trauma.

In our booth, we had this beautiful mural that was designed and painted by Deklan, Monica, and Monica’s brother, which had the tree of life on it, but just the branches. We invited attendees to put something on the tree, and they did! Once this mural is finished, I hope you’ll take time to really read what people wrote. Because we asked them to share the ways they’ve been hurt, and some people did. We also asked them to write their hopes for the whole community, LGBTQIA+ and beyond.

I want to share with you just one interaction I had while I was there. A woman and her young child came up, and her child had just the biggest smile, so I said, “What a beautiful smile you have.” The mom then asked what our booth was doing, and I explained. She looked at me, a little concerned, and asked if her child could just color on one. I said, of course, so I handed him a flower, and he used his markers to decorate it. When he was done, I asked if I could put it up on the board for him. He ripped up his flower, and the mom looked scared. I just put out my hand and asked, “Would you like me to take the pieces?” To ease the mom’s mind, I said, “It’s okay, this is what this is about. It’s about making space for everyone, however they need to be here and express themselves.” I think she was afraid I would be angry that the child didn’t do it right. She thanked me because I knew they just needed some grace. So what if the child didn’t do it the way we planned? It’s about knowing that her child was accepted and that she was accepted and cared for.

That’s what PRIDE is about. That no matter who you are, you are a child of God. You are loved and worthy of God’s love and grace just as you are. We had a chance to make a difference in that mother and son’s lives, just in that short interaction. But hopefully, they got a different sense of the church. There was a different sense of the church in the parking lot, telling attendees they were going to hell for going to Pride and bringing their children to Pride. But inside, there were people, like us, who just offered them grace.

That’s who we are called to be, people who offer love and grace.

May it be so. Amen.
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So this week, I could go on at length about the problems of the world.

As we were hit by a cyberattack, which not only overwhelmed our email system but also, through my email, got into some of my personal affairs. The good news is that after changing some passwords, this seems to be resolving. The bad news is that it occupied way too much of my time this week! It took my mental and emotional energy.

I also saw an email from my friend Megan Malick in her post for The New Path, where she states that this is a time for “Invisible Grief.” Around Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and graduations, these happy occasions have expectations that we will act in certain ways, which may not align with how we are feeling.

Like we talked last week, about how we don’t know what physical or health challenges one is dealing with, we also don’t know what grief may be there. The point of my sharing this is I think that was also true for the disciples during today’s scripture.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on the events leading up to today.

The person, Jesus of Nazareth, whom they had spent so much time with and whom they had come to know as the promised Messiah, was killed by the Roman Empire, and they couldn’t – didn’t stop it. They watched him die and knew his body was buried.

But three days later, they were told of his resurrection. The women found the tomb empty, and “two men in dazzling clothes” showed up and reminded them that he had told them this was what would happen. The women ran and told the disciples, but they did not believe. Then Peter went to the tomb and, after seeing the grave clothes, “he went home, amazed at what happened.”

Then Clopas and a friend were walking and talking on the Road to Emmaus, and a man joined them to listen and then shared the story of faith. And at the meal, he was revealed to be the risen Christ in the breaking of the bread. So they went to the disciples, who are still huddled together, and told them what happened. While they were telling the disciples their Emmaus Road story, Jesus Christ showed up among them and asked for something to eat and ate it to prove that he was a physical being and not a ghost.

Then he stayed with them for 40 days, where they may have thought everything was going back to how it had been. Until he took them out to Bethany, raised his hands, and was physically lifted into the sky and disappeared.

Emotionally, they had been at their lowest and were unsure of how to proceed, when suddenly Jesus was back with them. This had to have taken them a moment – to go from deep sadness and grief to joy-filled surprise. I’m sure they needed some time to believe what they were experiencing. It’s a “pinch me so I know it’s real” moment. I can only imagine they were thinking, “Now what?!?” In their bewilderment wondering, “What are we to do?”

That’s when “two men in white robes” show up and ask them, “Why are they standing there staring at the sky?” Which sounds a bit insensitive, but the point is that they are to be about the work of Jesus. He had empowered them to do the healing work he had done and asked them to continue his mission by being his witnesses to the ends of the earth.

This was their role – to be witnesses – and they did it. This is what led to the creation of the Christian church. Because of their witness, the writers created the gospels. They were the storytellers of their time.

What are we to do with their stories, with our holy scriptures?

I think we are called to be the messengers who share the stories. Like the disciples, we cannot get stuck reminiscing about the past – about what the church used to be – about what we once did. We are called to look forward to what still can be, to listen and discern what the Spirit is saying to us.

Today, we will be praying a Litany of Gratitude for this space as it has seen baptisms, weddings, and great celebrations. It has also housed funerals and times of great loss and grief. This sanctuary has held it all, and the Spirit here still invites us each week. And the Spirit will journey with us as we go to the Bachman Center next week and be with us there for the summer during the renovation. There we will have a blessing of the space and give thanks for the Spirit that is always present when two or more gather in Christ’s name.

When we return after the renovation, We will rededicate this space for the continuation of its mission – of it being a place of inclusive refuge, a place of compassionate justice, and a place of environmental advocacy.

And our role is to continue to consider how we are living that out in our ministries. How are we reaching out to our community to tell them about the inclusive refuge we are working to be? How do we tell them that we care about injustice in our world? How do we tell them that we are working towards being better stewards of the environment?

May it be so. Amen.
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If you don’t know this about me, the word “obey” has negative connotations to me.

I was raised in a house, yes, I said house, not a home, Because although we looked similar to the Brady Bunch, we were not – we co-existed. So when I am told to “obey,” I want more specifics. Obey what rule? Who wants my obedience? And for what reason?

I am one of those people who does not respond well to “Because I told you so,” even though I used that line on our children, too. It is with this context that I approach this week’s scripture.

So if we look at the problem in the scripture, we remember from last week, we are still in the 14th chapter of John.

This was written to Jewish people who have been ostracized from their Jewish community -put out of their synagogues for believing in Jesus as the Messiah. It was NOT intended to create new followers but to sustain the faith of those already following “The Way.” This happened in the late first century.

Again, this context is crucial to working through the language of John’s gospel. Our focus verse for this week is the words of Jesus saying,

“Those who obey the commandments are the ones who love me, and those who love me will be loved by God.” – John 14:21a

And…being me…I want to know which commandments we are referring to. In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives the “New Commandment.” In John 13:34 and two other times later, “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other.” I would add to this, “Love the Lord your God”

Because they are Jewish – That is the first and most important commandment. It is also the one used by Jesus in the other Gospels where Jesus says, “Love the Lord your God with all of your being and love your neighbor as yourself.”

But do you hear the difference? John’s version is inwardly facing. We are to love “each other.” It doesn’t say anything about our neighbor. And the answer to the question of why the difference is the same reason that John’s Gospel appears to look harshly at “The Jews.” Because John’s audience is the minority who are grieving the loss of their community.

They are the outsiders trying to find their way of living “The Way!” Jesus’ statement is an invitation to participate in God’s loving mission!

In the Acts scripture, Peter has just had a dream where God told him there is no such thing as clean and unclean in creation.

All creatures in creation are clean and can be eaten as all people are clean and worthy of baptism and inclusion in God’s Beloved Community. So Peter has an attitude adjustment and welcomes the Gentiles. Here I think the words of Mahatma Gandhi are relevant: “Whenever you are in doubt… recall the face of the poorest and the most vulnerable person whom you may have seen, and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to them“

The love that God has for us and the love we are being called to share is an expansive love rather than exclusive.

It seeks to help us grow in knowledge and wisdom to find more hope, peace, love, and joy in the world. So, as we gather, we have to remember to make space.

For instance – for those with disabilities we cannot see. It is allowing others to name what they need that includes them rather than deciding that we know best. And if we are honest, we have done that A LOT!!

This is a humble love that wants the best for others without declaring what that is. God declared God’s ultimate love for us in sending us Jesus, so that we can learn to love as God loves. And this love transcends greed, prejudice, self-Interest, fear, and narrow-mindedness. Instead, God’s love is one that embraces all people and creation! This is the love we are called to experience and to share!

And I leave you with the wisdom of Gandalf… A dismayed Frodo said, “I wish it need not have happened in my time.” And Gandalf responds, “And so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

We don’t choose the times we live in, but it’s often the case that the times choose us, to live out our faith, our resistance, and our healing. It is seldom, if ever, fun. Or easy.

But remember the words from 8th Chapter of John’s gospel where Jesus says, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” – John 8:31-32

May it be so. Amen.
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Before we get into the three conversations that make up today’s reading, I want to say a bit more about John’s gospel and the location of today’s scripture, John 11:4-37.

Last week, I talked about the “signs” or miracles John uses to prove his point that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, Savior of the world. And this chapter contains another “sign” – The resuscitation of Lazarus.

I recently read the argument for calling it a resuscitation rather than a resurrection because Lazarus is going to die again. He did not have a resurrection as Jesus did, nor does he ascend to heaven.

In this scripture, we also have the fifth of the seven “I am” statements of Jesus, “I am the resurrection and the life.” – John 11:25. Interestingly, the 11^th chapter is the middle of John’s gospel, and is a literary hinge designed to shift our perspective from seeing “signs”. To see “God’s glory so the Son of God may be glorified.”

This story is so empowering for believers because Martha and Mary tell Jesus with their words and actions what they are thinking. They both believe in Jesus – Martha confesses, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.” But Jesus also experiences their pain and grief.

So when life doesn’t go the way we want or the way we have prayed for it to go, we can stand in the assurance that we can also tell God what we think. We can name our pain – our disappointment – our anger and know that Christ will be moved by it. That does not say that we will have our prayer answered – Because we cannot know or understand all the ways of God – But God is listening and will join us in whatever we are feeling.

We, like the sisters, want to avoid uncomfortable outcomes. And in our grief, we are invited to “let go” To let go of our expectations, to let go of our need for control, to let go and accept what is. Like Jesus, we can “feel all the feels” and express them – No matter who we are – this is what makes us human.

As we celebrate the work of women in our congregation, I want to highlight today Nora Beck Smith, whose story connects with the conversations and hard questions raised by today’s scripture.

Underlying Nora’s story and her call was a yearning from within and important questions about who she was and what she was meant to do. Being a member of St. John’s and then Church of the Apostles, she brought her questions to Rev. Glenn Rader, who was honest enough to admit that he didn’t have the answers to her questions. But he took her to Lancaster Theological Seminar, where she could explore her questions in a safe and nurturing environment.

A Jesuit priest taught Christian history during her time and invited them to see themselves in the stories of scripture and to creatively write about their experiences. This helped her to develop her questions and deepen her faith.

Nora was the first minister to join Rev. Schellenberger & Rev. Rader with this congregation, and we give thanks for her curiosity and call, which she shared with us.

As we are one week from Holy Week, there are a three take-aways that I want you to have today.

The first is that John’s gospel is favorable towards women. In this gospel, women are more than just important characters; their words have been preserved. This Jesus engages women in conversations without demeaning them. In this gospel, it is a woman – Martha in our scripture today – who declares who Jesus is, rather than Peter, who does it in the other gospels.

It will also be a woman, Mary Magdalene, who is the first witness to see the risen Christ. For women’s history month, this is worth noting.

Also, as we will be reading John’s gospel through Holy Week, I want to make sure that when you hear the words “the Jews,” you realize it is often referring to the religious leaders. All the characters of John’s gospel are Jewish – The Samaritans are not considered Jewish because they don’t look to Jerusalem as their holy site. But all the others are.

I say this because this can be read as the most anti-Semitic gospel, and that is not helpful or accurate. So as you read the scriptures, I want you to be sensitive to this. Our Jewish brothers and sisters are very scared right now. I will also name those of the Jewish people that I know support the state of Israel, but not the policies and wars of Netanyahu.

Rather, Jesus models and teaches us to care for those around us- whether they are family or strangers. Caring means empathizing with their stories and wanting the best for them. We are to be creating a world based on mutual care and compassion, not about who has the biggest weapons, biggest egos, and forces others to submit to promote their way of living.

In John’s gospel, Jesus says that he came that we may have life and have it abundantly – John 10:10. Let us work towards an abundant life for all!

May it be so. Amen.

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