Human Beings Not For Sale: a sermon for 2nd Sunday after Epiphany

This past Wednesday, Jan. 11^th, marked the US’s National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Did you mark the day?  Did you even hear about the day? We watch a lot of American news and talk shows on television, we see pop-ups on FB, in our Twitter feeds, celebrity posts from across the US ---- I didn’t see one post or comment about Human trafficking.  Citizens for Global Solutions wrote of the Awareness Day, that it started in 2007, “making [2017] the 10^th year the world virtually ignored it.”

2017 marks the 500^th Commemoration of the Reformation.  This is a big deal in Lutheran world.  The Lutheran World Federation created a theme for the three years coming up to the event; and as a vision and direction for continued reformation in Lutheran communities and across reformed traditions.  The theme is: liberated by God’s grace – with a threefold focus- salvation is not for sale, creation-not for sale, and human beings -not for sale.

The words of scripture we heard earlier is the Good News slapping us in the face.

In a world, where 21 million people are trafficked for labour (according to the International Labour Organization); where there are growing numbers of refugees and displaced people; where economic refugees face poverty, homelessness, and  addiction; where the sex trade is a multi-billion dollar industry; where gangs and large networks of crime, drugs, arms, money laundering, prey on the disadvantaged; where teens run away, and 1 in 3 Canadians report abuse before the age of 15; where Aboriginal women are missing and murdered in astounding numbers…the Gospel’s voice is often overpowered by circumstance. The Good News from scripture today should jolt us to wake up; we are hearing something different from what we hear in our every day lives.

This morning we are slapped in the face with the Gospel.  If I had a magnetophonon, it would be the tool I would use to amplify the voice of the Good News. Each reading directly proclaims the invaluable worth of human beings. Do you feel invaluable? Do you believe yourself to be priceless? The Good News shakes us, waking us up to say an emphatic “YES.” Yes, I am invaluable.  Yes, I am priceless.  Yes, I have worth.

Isaiah the prophet speaks on many levels: he speaks of himself as prophet, he speaks of Israel as a people, he speaks of the Messiah to come, and he speaks of us. Put yourself into the words of the reading.  When the prophet refers to “me,” hear the words as applying to “you.”

The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb God named me.

God made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
God made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away.

And God said to me, “You are my servant, … in whom I will be glorified.”

It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel;
I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Is this not what we saw with our own eyes in Jace’s baptism?  A candle was given to Jace, and we proclaimed the Good News, the invaluable worth of Jace as a human being, as a child of God: “Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.” --- that God’s salvation may reach to the end of the earth; yes, that’s right, through this little baby.

Before we proclaimed to Jace to let his light shine, we didn’t question whether or not Jace has light to shine, we proclaimed that he does. There was no argument or debate to be had; Jace receives God’s grace, therefore there is light to be shared.

Jace’s baptism reminds all of us that we too are washed in the waters of life, dying with Christ, we rise with Christ with a calling to be light to the world for the glory of God, that God’s salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Every time there is a baptism and we re-live the story of Christ’s death and resurrection, and the Spirit whelming our humanity, our value is proclaimed.  The Good News shakes us, waking us up to say an emphatic “YES.” Yes, I am invaluable.  Yes, I am priceless.  Yes, I have worth.

The Psalmist chimes in this morning with words valuing human beings. Once again hear the “me,” as referring to yourself.

God drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

God put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord

Once again scripture speaks to an impressive calling - putting much worth on human life – here the person’s experience of God, the grace received, is lived out such that others see the person’s actions, faith, and life.  And the way the person lives their life has those around them putting trust in God. That is amazing!  That is Good News.

Not to be outdone, the Apostle Paul explains, in a new way, the truth found in Isaiah and the psalmist, to his generation.  Paul is thankful for: the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift

You are right, you have heard this already this morning, through the waters of baptism this community is not lacking in any spiritual gift.  We prayed for Jace, and remember it was prayed for us, for a life of meaning and purpose and worth, through a “the spirit of wisdom and understanding/ counsel and might/a spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in God’s presence.”

At baptism, the congregation welcomes the newly baptized with the words:

We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share: join us in giving thanks and praise to God and bearing God’s creative and redeeming word to all the world.

It is not unlike the proclamation of John the Baptist to his disciples, “Look here is the Lamb of God;” we are that voice to those around us, take note, look, the Lamb of God is working through us. Our call to be light in the world is as easy as the example Jesus sets after his baptism.  Jesus turns to John’s disciples who are following him and he gives them an invitation, “come and see.”  Proclaiming the Good News is as easy as inviting others to “come and see.” The invitation itself is telling the person they have worth and value.  Come and see says: I see you, I want to share with you my place, my church, my God; you are not alone, I think about you, you are a part of something bigger than yourself.

As Christians who are Lutheran, we have a specific responsibility in this year of commemorating the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation, ---to amplify, magnify, proclaim--- that human beings have been liberated by God’s grace. We are to proclaim the Good News that human beings have worth, so much so that God became human to live among us, to be incarnate and to die – so that conquering death every atom of creation is redeemed; invaluable and priceless.       Since human beings have worth, human beings are not for sale.

We may have missed the US National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, but, it is not too late to live out the promises made in baptism: to proclaim Christ through word and deed, care for those and the world God made, and work for justice and peace; all this can be fulfilled by marking the Canadian National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, coming up on Feb. 22^nd. 

Go to events, fill your social media pages with blips about human trafficking, sign petitions that will help set people free, send notes and emails telling people they have worth, remind your God-children that they are a beloved child of God, ease the burden of someone living on the margins, invite people to “come and see.”

As baptized beloved children of God- invaluable- and continuing in the reformation tradition of which we are a part, may our lives be lived such that we can proclaim as the Psalmist did:

I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation;

see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. -Within and beyond the walls of the church.

Baptism of Jesus

Every year, early in January, we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord.

After we have made our New Year’s resolutions, about items in our lives we hope to change in the next 12 months, we are reminded of what it means to live as a Jesus’ follower.

And unlike New Year’s resolutions that are solitary pursuits, celebrating Jesus’ baptism, draws us back to the community of faith and the family of God. The very waters of baptism put us on an appropriate, purpose-giving track; trumping the resolutions we made to ourselves only a week ago.  

Yesterday was the Feast of Epiphany, when the church celebrates the arrival of the Magi to pay homage to Jesus.  Epiphany means “manifestation,” particularly to the nations (that’s everyone outside of Judaism). Epiphanies are moments of seeing God through the person of Jesus. There are three great epiphanies celebrated in the church: the wise men’s adoration of the child, Jesus’ baptism where he is revealed as the beloved of God, and the miracle of turning water into wine.

Today, sacrament is the manifestation of Christ in our midst- a manifestation of grace and mercy; a grace and mercy we are then to witness – to share- in the world.

But, let’s hit rewind for a moment.

I began by saying that this Sunday is one that reminds us of what it means to live as a Jesus’ follower.

Jesus’ baptism event is read back into the passage from Isaiah 42, as a fulfillment of that prophecy in first century Judea.

The prophet wrote: I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.

The prophet also wrote:  I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,…I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

From the Apostles in the book of Acts we hear:  [Jesus] commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead.

Here we have the “what” of being a Jesus’ follower; to bring forth justice; to be a light to the nations, opening eyes that are blind, bringing out the prisoners from the dungeon and those who sit in darkness; to preach and to testify Jesus was ordained by God.

All of this doesn’t just happen because we decide that these actions should be our New Year’s resolutions. All of this happens through us, because what was said of Jesus, holds true to the followers … we have had the spirit put upon us in baptism, we are called in righteousness (for we have died and risen with Christ), and thus, we are given as a covenant to the people.  God gives us to be a light to the nations.

Think of yourself as a light bulb or a light. What do you picture?

Are you a flashlight; lighting a path? Are you an emergency exit light; showing a way out? Are you a lighthouse; marking safe passage? Are you a flame; bringing comfort or warmth?  Are you pilot light; a project starter? Are you an ordinary ceiling light; lighting the room with continued essential ministry? Are you a laser light; pointing to the fundamentals?  Are you a search and rescue light; looking for those who are lost? Are you a strobe light; calling people to come see what’s up?

When you picture other people sitting with you in church this morning, what type of light are they?

We are quite an array of light --- all reflecting light --- in different ways, in different places, in various times.

This morning, in light, of the star that led the Magi to Jesus, consider yourself a star.

You are a baptized child of God.  You are a Jesus’ follower.  You are seeking for something outside of yourself. You are here.  You are part of this community. You are participating; worshiping, praying; that makes you special; unique.  You mean something to me, and to those around you.  You are missed when you are not present. Your life has meaning. By being here you share yourself with others.  You shine God’s light. You are a star.

I am a person who loves stores that have a section with classroom aids for teachers.  Banners, growth charts, stickers, bulletin board cutouts, and posters.  This past week I was in Staples and purchased something just for you---- something to use and then share.  All of you are being given an A+ in the form of a star.

You are faithfully here this morning.  You share yourself in this community.  You shine God’s light.  You are a star.  (handout stars)  Now I invite you to write your name on the star. 

We have spent a fair bit of time reflecting on the assets we have as a community of faith. In the readings today, there is little doubt that the people of the stories are huge assets to what God was doing in the world. The prophet Isaiah spoke both warning and hope, mixed with a future of repentance and light; a star in that he continued to speak God’s word, bring light into the darkness, and call people back to covenant with God.  John the Baptist and Jesus star in the Matthew text, John acting and bearing witness to the presence of God, and Jesus being the manifestation of God. The Apostles are seen preaching and testifying to what they had witnessed; they are responsible for the immediate continuation of Jesus’ ministry; they are stars.

You are a star, as you further the prophecy of Isaiah; as you like John bear witness to the manifestation of God – through the sacraments to start with; and as the Apostles sharing the Jesus’ story with other people --- you are a light.  You are also a bright asset.

In Neil Pasricha’s book, The Happiness Equation, he tells a story of his friend choosing a university to attend.  The friend was bright and his choices included to Princeton, Yale, Harvard, and Columbia.  Neil asked his friend how he decided: what publications had he read, was there a specific professor he wanted to work with, et cetera – that’s how Neil had picked the university he attended.  His friend, however, used the “Bench Test.” He rented a vehicle and visited each campus – not for a tour- rather, he found a bench (like a park bench) as close to the middle of campus as possible. He would sit down and watch and listen. He listened to conversations and watched interactions.  The friend knew that university students spend more time outside of class in conversations and walking to and from class, than in class; it was the interactions and friendships formed that would directly influence his actions and his thinking; they would make who he ended up being.

The Bench Test is putting oneself in a new situation for a short time; immersing oneself in the situation to test and then patiently observe one’s reaction to that situation. It’s about finding oneself.

I think the Bench Test is more, this kind of exercise is one that can take you to a new situation, to sit on a bench – to watch, to listen- and then determine how to shine light in that space, to those who are there.

At one time, perhaps even without knowing it, we have all done the Bench Test here --- well the pew test. The pew test has had us find in this place hope, community, grace, peace, ideas, et cetera; epiphanies.  We have experienced manifestations of Christ. How do I know? If you hadn’t you wouldn’t keep coming back.

You are an asset. You have Good News to share.  You have a community to share with the world. You have a place to invite others to come.  Invite your friends to come and do a bench test – a pew test.  Share your light; after all it is God’s light.

Finally, I am going to ask you to place your star on the offering plate this morning.  As you place your star on the plate, consider that it is you, offering yourself to God, re-covenanting to live as a Jesus’ follower --- ushering in justice, grace, and mercy; being a light to those imprisoned in darkness.  You are an offering and commit to inviting others to share in this Good News.

Star Maker,   For the vastness of the sky, and the plethora of stars, I give you thanks.  You see I am waiting.  I am waiting for hope, for peace, for happiness.  I am waiting to feel love, forgiveness, and grace. I am waiting for a renewed creation and for the birth of God in the now.

Gazing at the vastness of the sky-- the stars—calms me and gives me comfort; in the vastness and beauty, I am stilled – and therein I know that You, Star Maker, are God. In the stars is written that all will be well.  Amen.

JOCHEBED: To Be Mother and Not Mother

The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt;

and she bore to Amram: Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam. – Num. 26: 59

As a waiting expectant mother who adopted children, the story found in Exodus 2: 1-10 is full an overwhelming array of feelings. I am reminded of my jealousy, and the fall out on the children’s part, when letters were received from their birth mother, wishing them all the love in the world, and a promise of some day being together again to start from the moment they were taken. I recall having to explain (with a heavy heart) again and again, that the birth mother loved them, but, due to horrendous life experience and trauma, she was unable to fully care for them.  My heart aches as one is currently living in precarious circumstances (having disowned me)-  and is more akin to the birth family. I am proud that the children have grown into wonderful young adults and carry with them, even exhibit from time to time, the faith and wisdom I tried to impart.

For mothers (parents) who adopt children, and for birth families from whom children have been taken; it becomes a mess of what it means to be mother and not mother.

For the princess to adopt Moses and let Jochebed be his nurse; to be mother, and not mother…

For Jochebed to wet-nurse Moses, her own son, for another woman to see him grow into adulthood; to be mother, and not mother…

Exodus 2 tells the story of Jochebed, a holy mother of faith and wisdom.  She births a son at the time when the powers that be were eradicating life – genocide via the slaughter of children. Jochebed’s faith and wisdom recognized the baby was destined for greatness.  Her faith and wisdom are seen in the ingenuity to hide the child for three months. With careful planning she saved the child (knowing the papyrus was protection from the crocodiles, plaster would smooth the inside for the comfort of the baby, and bitumen would make the basket waterproof). Jochebed placed the basket in the area where the princess bathed and her daughter kept an eye on the basket, ready to run and find a wet-nurse for the princess.

As wet-nurse, mother and not-mother, I imagine that Jochebed sang her faith-songs as lullabies, and whispered her God-stories into the baby’s ears. She treasured these moments in her heart.

Jochebed, suppressed her own maternal need to keep the child, out of such motherly love that she selflessly gave child to others (the world) for higher purposes – purposes which at the time were unknown.  She had faith in what was to be.

By living in the paradox, of being mother and not mother; Jochebed was the Mother of Israel, a mother to a myriad of children– her son Aaron founded the Hebraic priesthood and served as priest for 40 years; her daughter Miriam was leader of worship; and Moses made it all possible by being liberator and leader of the Hebrew people out of Egypt through the desert.

To be mother, and not mother, meant being every mother.

God,

Give us all – women, men; old, young;

Hearts with the capacity for selfless love.

That we might be mother, and not mother,

To those around us.

That faith and wisdom are shared

through love, shown, regardless of relationship,

Making us be every mother ---

A mother who sings faith songs as lullabies,

And whispers God-stories in the ears of those in our care.

For the healing of the world,

Amen.