A
week ago at National Church Council meeting, those in attendance had a candid
conversation about the future of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. We
shared our fears, stress, and sorrows; our hopes and dreams, amidst the
realities of being church in the current Canadian context. Through the
conversation, National Church Council came to a place of shared hope.
We
do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live
to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or
whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again
so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. (Rm. 14: 7-9)
I
hear these words from the book of Romans as a place of shared hope. Paul’s
words confront the church – the ELCIC, Synods, individual congregations, Christians
around the world, this congregation, reminding us that our practice of church
is to the glory of God. Pressing upon us that God is in the business of
redemption and resurrection. And that we are graced with participating in
ongoing death, redemption, and resurrection.
Chapter
14 of Romans illustrates the significant struggles with diversity in the
Christian community – or rather communities- in Rome of 60CE. In this chapter
Paul speaks directly to the traditionalists (that was part of today’s reading,
staring, Some judge one day better than another…), while the later part
of the chapter is directed at the liberal contingent. Paul argues with both,
and all groups in between, that differences in worship practice and piety don’t
make anyone a better Christian or a better community. Such, is simply that
particular community’s way and expression.
What
matters, what really matters – what a community’s life depends on- is resting
in and belonging to Jesus Christ who died for all. In this belonging, God holds
all -traditionalists, liberals- in life, in death, in life; and whether a
community is currently in a time of life or death or life it remains in God. Is
this not a freeing perspective? Is this not a place of shared hope?
In
conversations, like the one I was part of with National Church Council, I
appreciate that once our fears are articulated, room in our hearts grows to
contemplate what really matters. For me, no matter what the church looks like
in coming days, there are aspects of Lutheranism that keep me grounded and preach
gospel to a hurting world, and for these I am willing to lay down my life. Deep
down I know that I can let a lot go, so long as the church continues to preach
that ‘grace changes everything.’ That there is nothing a person can do to earn
the unconditional love of God because God has already given and continues to
give this love. I value that Lutherans, since the 1500s, have welcomed the
asking of questions, theological reflection and conversation are for everyone, faith
education and teaching are for everyone by everyone. I appreciate commitment to
liturgy – both ancient and reformed at the same time- with a vast compendium of
music and hymns, prayers of the people, and persistence in Word and Sacrament. I
take comfort that Lutherans embrace the ‘Theology of the Cross,’ that in
vulnerability and suffering God meets us; in the reality of everyday life God
is incarnate and dwells among us. I can
let a lot go – buildings, present church structures at all levels, job security
– as long as those things I mentioned remain in the world. For me, my list of
what matters, speaks and proclaims a Gospel that the world is in such desperate
need of. The world needs a space and place of shared hope. We know this place.
Christians have lived in this place through millennium. Paul preaches to us: God is in the business of redemption and
resurrection, and we are graced with participating in ongoing death,
redemption, and resurrection.
This
cycle of death, redemption, and resurrection; of life and death and life- is
ongoing. This is baptized living, Kindom living. It is forever and always.
Matthew
plays with this thought in his Gospel. Peter asks Jesus how many times should
one forgive another member of the church? It is like asking: when have I paid
my dues, completed following the Law, when can I retired, when can I stop actively
participating?
Jesus’
response is a parable that directs hearers to what really matters. What is at
the heart of the forgiveness question, is one of living compassion and showing
mercy. Is there ever a time when a professed follower of Jesus can be done with
compassion and mercy? No – there is no end to being compassionate and showing
mercy. Compassion and mercy are the essence of a place of hope. Compassion and
mercy are how we proclaim a gospel to a hurting world. Forgiveness, compassion,
and mercy are how we participate in redemption and resurrection. Forgiveness,
compassion, and mercy is our reaction to God’s grace, and our proclamation that
grace changes everything!
In
the current Canadian context – and the crisis throughout the world- it is a
daily struggle for me to remember and live redemption and resurrection. I feel
afraid. I feel sad. I feel angry. I feel helpless. I feel tired. And I grieve.
And
in this heart space, in the valley of the shadow of death so to speak, I
am greeted with the words:
We
do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live
to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or
whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again
so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. (Rm. 14: 7-9)
A
place of shared hope - spoken through the ages, in times of community
squabbling, persecution, war, famine, natural disaster, exile, displacement…homelessness,
climate crisis, nuclear posturing, revoking of rights and freedoms…
A
place where shared hope is translated into redemption and resurrection through small
acts of forgiveness, compassion, and mercy—which are not so small, in fact they
are very large to the receiver, who is living in an unwell world.
And
when compassion and mercy are the grace received, grace changes everything.
These moments of redemption and resurrection are the heart of the matter, and
this matter is in our hands. It is never-ending that through forgiveness,
compassion, mercy, God’s kindom comes.
Our
practice of church – no matter what form it takes- is to the glory of God.
Pressed upon us this morning is that God is in the business of redemption and
resurrection. And that we are graced with the gift of participating in ongoing death,
redemption, and resurrection.
To
God the giver of life. Amen.
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