Chase the Ace vs Joan Baez ---Pent 13A

You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.

Jesus is speaking to Peter.  Heaven forbid Jesus would be speaking to us.

Those who listened to the news this week, will have heard of a church in Gould, Newfoundland.  This parish started a lottery 10 months ago as a fundraiser. Raising money for the church cemetery, the church tower, the food bank, and for regular maintenance.   The lottery was all about money. And from what I could find on the Parish web-site, or not find in other ministries, it was all about money to keep the parish properties (expect for a little to support the food bank). The money was self-serving.  The wider community, many probably not thinking about it, were being asked to shoulder the cost of keeping the parish alive, because the people of the parish could or would no longer do it for themselves.

The popularity of Chase the Ace was huge. Over the 44 weeks the lottery ran, Chase the Ace attendance increased so much that security, traffic attendants, porta-potties and other logistics had to be put in place. This past week over 60,000 people descended on the town to be there to see, or be, the winners of the $2.6 million pot. 

60,000 people came to church, to the parish hall, with excitement and hope; and left never having heard the Gospel, or participating in God’s grace.  In fact, when reading the news, the only mention of God, was declared by the winner who said, “Oh my God, oh my God I can’t believe I won.”

If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

A Lutheran Bishop who served in Alberta, continually told churches and stewardship conferences, that it only takes 10 tithers in a congregation for a congregation to have their needs met and to be able to offer good programs and do fantastic ministry in the community. It takes ten financially faithful people to allow a congregation to broaden their focus beyond themselves. They also provide a heart and share an attitude of thanksgiving and thanks living that rubs off on the people around them.

The church is to be about following Jesus example.  He tells the disciples that his labour (his work) is leading to his own suffering and death, and then life. Jesus is about to bear the cross on behalf of the whole world.

Bearing the cross of others, is not adding new ones or burdening others with false hope; bearing another’s cross is not a get rich quick scheme.  The cross is about hope that produces hope; sharing Good News that feeds the masses, opening up and outpouring grace to heal the broken hearted and a hurting world.

For those who want to save their life will lose it,

I wonder what would have happened in Gould, if people, or even a person, took on the responsibility of planning a large scale revival, a healing event, a community outreach program, a Gospel band tour; something as big as the lottery.  Would they have the gut to present it to the parish council? Would the council say it was too much work?  Would the same money used for the lottery event, be put up for security, parking attendants, porta-potties and directed to an actual ministry? My experience tells me that the ideas for Gospel events, would be put aside as pie-in-the-sky: too risky, too much money, too much trouble. 

This is one example where the church, Christians, us, have become a stumbling block to the message of Jesus and barriers to people from experiencing God’s grace, because we have set our mind not on divine things but on human things.

 and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

I met one of these people this week.  Not face to face, but, rather through the broadcast of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2017 Inductee Ceremony.

One of the inductees took the stage with a simple charismatic presence.  Her name, Joan Baez. Baez began as a folk singer in the 60s, singing  songs like “We Shall Over Come,” “We Shall Not Be Moved,” while standing beside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at his rallies and marches; inspiring a generation of song writers to speak to civil rights, human rights, and at anti-war demonstrations.  Her life’s work included continuing calls for justice and peace through Live Aid, Amnesty International, and the like.

At 76, she has not changed.  The Rolling Stone magazine wrote: Her induction speech was a chance for her to reiterate her lifelong commitment to political activism.  She said, "What has given my life deep meaning and unending pleasure has been to use my voice in the battle against injustice,"... And Baez was quick to remind listeners that this battle is ongoing. "Where empathy is failing, and sharing has been usurped by greed and the lust for power, let us double, triple and quadruple our own efforts to empathize and to give of our resources and ourselves," she continued. "Let us together repeal and replace brutality, and make compassion a priority. We the people must speak truth to power, and be ready to make sacrifices." 

To the mainstream she may not be remembered, perhaps not even by people of the 60s, other than those whom she mentored, spoke to, who’ve attended an event she was part of. People won’t remember the personal sacrifices she made – choices of putting her reputation on the line, her life in some cases; or holding back 60% of her taxes to protest the Vietnam War. Her voice, the Good News she proclaimed is still heard in the music that continues to be sung; living proclamation of the Gospel spread through following generations of musicians and activists. … and by those who singalong with the songs on the radio, or at a concert, and have a moment of hope for the future, a palpating of the heart to suggest a focus for one’s passion and life.

What will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

In her induction speech, Joan talked about the influence 60s folk music had on Rock and Roll.  She talked of starting her career in vinyl, moving to 8-track tapes, changing to recording on cassettes, to albums on CD, and now full circle back to vinyl ---- The story of her music has come full circle too.  The activism of the 60s, the protests, civil rights and human rights, participation in wars like Vietnam (but today in other places in the world) once again are the headlines of the news, in full colour; and once again the times require the same prophetic voice!  She was preaching from the story of her life, with no regrets, only a passion and a hope, that others will do the right thing --- bear the cross of others.  In this way individuals, churches, communities will not forfeit their life --- they will bring life.  In fact they will bring passion to life and 60,000 + people, hearts filled with hope, will flock to be part of it

Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.

You can’t tell me  – well you could, but, I won’t believe you- that attending a lottery draw has more hope than standing in solidarity (bearing the cross) with our neighbours.  You can’t tell me that fundraising out in the world for internal purposes is as life giving as the passion of being a prophetic voice or the excitement of being in the crowd singing and demanding justice.  You can’t tell me that those 60,000 people who visited Gould are better off today than they were yesterday, save perhaps the winner.  But the thousands who heard Joan Baez’s induction speech – or better yet – the song she sung afterward sneaking in a line directed at Trump’s administration; cut to the heart, was a slap on the face, was pure Gospel – it is still affecting the hearers, days later.  People are googling it, reflecting on it, writing about it, preaching about it.

Her story is being shared, as an example of one, among many who has eyes set on a vision of world – hope for a world --- that is as the kingdom of God is described.

Jesus’s listeners were told that some would not taste death before seeing the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. In a round a bout way, sure in Jesus’s death and resurrection… but what of those who witnessed the kingdom before Good Friday and Easter; the blind who could see, the deaf who could hear, the lepers cleansed, prisoners set free; the poor, the oppressed, the forgotten, the sinner, given worth; those who experienced grace at the hand of God; is this not the coming of the kingdom?  Justice, hope, Good News for all people; in Jesus’s time, in Joan’s time, in our time. 

Get on with it. Move the stumbling blocks.  Stop setting your minds on human things. Focus on divine things, choosing to bear the cross – yours and that of your neighbor. Participate in the coming of the kingdom by being a prophetic voice, singing of justice, rallying for rights, being a purveyor of peace, labouring in love, and speaking to the powers that be with the very way you live your life ---- live TRUE hope, not wasting time and energy on false hope that does not last --- face the world, your neighbourhood, with a heart turned towards being in mission for others.  

And then watch… imagine ….

60,000 people come to church, to the parish hall, with excitement and hope; out of anticipation from what God is doing and has yet to do.  And having heard the Gospel, and participated in God’s grace, go back out and share the news, the mention God over and over, “Oh my God, oh my God, I have experience God --- come and see.”

That’s where I place my money.  That is where I place my heart. Labouring in love so all may see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.

An Absurd Abundance --- Pent 8A

On a regular day, a walk to the Halifax waterfront, is a lovely experience.  It is just like the Theodore Tugboat  cartoon portrays; the harbour is full of working ships and boats. There are the tugs: Hank, Emily, George, and Foduck.  Other ships that the tugs interact with are: Phillip and Philmore the Ferry Twins, Pearl and Petra, the Pilot Boats, Northumberland Submarine, Rebecca the Research Vessel, and Bluenose the Sailing Ship.  There is Guysborough the Garbage Barge and visiting ships like, Kingston the Cargo Ship, Queen Stephanie the cruise ship, and Canso Colossus the supertanker. The episodes happen in the Big Harbour.  The main focus of the tugs, is to always make the Big Harbour the friendliest harbour in the world, and to always do a good job with their work related tasks.

This weekend is different.  A walk on the waterfront is a barrage of extra ships: tall ships with masts towering over the docks, large crews on and off the ships, people milling around everywhere; plus single and family sailing crafts of all varieties; and lets not forget the power boats and adventure kayaks.

The tall ships festival is like the reading from Matthew.  The kingdom of heaven is like, and again the kingdom of heaven is like, and again the kingdom of heaven is like…and yet, again, the kingdom of heaven is like.

On a regular day, each of us goes about our every day routines and tasks. We set to work amongst and interact with the people who live in our neighbourhoods.  Ideally, we take our faith into the world and live Christian lives that demonstrate compassion and justice.  Each of us is expected to love our neighbour, to spend some time in prayer, and to read scripture or a daily devotion. We go about inviting others to church and to experience God’s love.  We go about sharing --- loving to tell the story of Jesus and his love.  The main focus when leaving this church, is to always make the Big Harbour (where we live) the friendliest place in the world, and to always do a good job with our work related tasks.

This weekend is different.  The scripture reading for today is meant to be a barrage of extras! The parables are to inundate the senses and overwhelm us, just like the masts and rigging of the tall ships.  The extra ships in the harbour, is extra work for the tug boats. And it becomes obvious to them the necessity and importance of their daily work. The scripture today is meant to pull disciples into action.

Many parables are thrown our way: now remember that the parables from past weeks have just been told to the crowds --- the parable of the sower and the parable of the weeds among the wheat; today Jesus continues first with the parable of tiny mustard seed that grows into a big shrub, then the little bit of leaven that leavens the whole loaf; followed by the parable of the treasure in the field, the pearl of great price, and the net full of fish.  As if one parable was not enough to describe the kingdom of heaven, one is added upon another in rapid succession.  How could one ever keep up and digest the parables enough to come up with a meaning…unless, the point of the first entry into the parables is the feeling of being overwhelmed with the sheer vastness of the kingdom of God?  Perhaps the point, as one commentary read, is “the absurd abundance” of the kingdom of God.

Counter to the expression and understanding of the religious tradition of Matthew’s time, wherein the tree of life (big and beautiful) is the symbol of God’s kingdom – not a straggly mustard shrub; where it is unleavened bread that is holy --- not loaves of rising bread.  The parables are about changing perspectives, describing the kingdom as beyond expectation, beyond description, beyond understanding…and the parables suggest that God’s kingdom constantly changes through the ages; growing bigger and bigger.

It is interesting to note that Jesus leaves the crowds and enters a house with the disciples before explanations are given about the parables and before the parables about the treasure, pearl, and fish nets are given.  It’s as if there was a message here, just for the disciples; just for us.  The point of the message is the “what next?” As disciples, as faithful followers, what now?

While away on vacation, Tim and I attended a conference. At the conference, the guest speaker, Brendon Burchard gave a keynote address focused on people being successful.  His take was that success in life is completely about the relationship one has with fear.  Brendon claims that the people whom you consider to be courageous, put-together, and successful have one thing in common; all of them address fear head on.  It is not that their lives are perfect, or that there is no fear in their lives, rather, they have developed methods to be in relationship with their fear.   One method, true to all, is practicing faith.  Faith is taking a step, or a movement, from the current place to another.  It means not becoming a slave to fear, or stagnant.  It takes a step of faith… knowing that one will be different as soon as the step is taken. It is sacrificing the person I am in this moment, in faith to be changed to the person I will be in the next.  It is choosing to face the fear of the unknown, rather, than, letting the unknown change around me and by doing so increase the fear already present within me.  Sacrifice and action is succeeding; facing fear is faith lived into the future.

The disciples have illustrated facing fear and living faith into the future. Perhaps this was the point Jesus was making with the parables told specifically to them.  They were like the man who found a treasure, who discovered the pearl, and were willing to give up everything for it– leaving their fishing nets, their jobs, their families and friends, their time and resources--- by sacrificing, and taking a step, the disciples gained the treasure, the pearl; Jesus; the incarnation of the kingdom of God.

Our what now, is moving, with a little more sacrifice and bigger steps of faith, to take on fear face to face. It is living faith as modeled by the disciples after Jesus death and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

I am not sure how many of you would guess this, but, I am afraid of people.  What I mean by this is that I am by nature shy.  I get nervous around people when expected to talk or do anything other than watch.  I am fearful around people because I am an introvert and am not keen on sharing my feelings or thoughts.  People tire me out. You can imagine that much of my time being a pastor takes me outside of my comfort zone. 

I had a woman in the church office, not so long ago, who wanted to pick my brain.  This woman is an artist by trade and is deciding on her next project or purpose within the community (she just moved to a new area, so is starting from scratch). She came to me to confess that she has a low self-esteem and needs some direction in how to accomplish the creative ideas she has.  She said that she came to me because I, in her eyes, am successful, especially in putting creative ideas into action.  She didn’t realize that the success she interprets, is a daily ritual of staring fear down.

I do all kinds of things to face fear --- each one requires taking a step of faith.  The thing with fear is that it never goes away; it is the demon on the back so to speak.  Ever present, it requires practicing faith; moving a step just because if I don’t fear wins.

Facing fear, for me, includes visualizing the future.  I practice conversations with people before I call them on the phone or knock on their door. I picture myself standing here preaching.  I imagine myself working a room during a social time or fellowship hour.  I contemplate invitations extended to neighbours and others I meet to events or Sunday services.  This is all before conversations, preaching, interaction, invitations happen.  I consider this to be part of my daily work as a diligent working tug boat in God’s harbour. I step through fear in faith into the vastness of God’s waiting kingdom. By doing so dispelling the darkness of fear in myself and hopefully with those encountered beyond my fear, and perhaps theirs as well.

Today we are inundated with the absurd abundance of the kingdom of God.  If we can feel the sensation of being overwhelmed by the expanse of God and God’s kingdom; adding to the parables of today all we have learned here over the years in our every day work – prayer, grace, love, forgiveness, hope, faith, joy, endurance, justice, mercy, peace, repentance, wisdom, community---- we have an exorbitant treasure too big not to share. And so big, that staying and standing in fear takes more energy than stepping out in faith! 

Your main focus when leaving church this morning, is to make the Big Harbour (where we live) the friendliest place in the world, and to always do a good job with your work related tasks; in doing so fear is abated and the kingdom shines in absurd abundance. 

Installation - Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Hosick

This afternoon I bring you greetings on behalf of Bishop Michael Pryse, Synod office staff, and from your Lutheran sisters and brothers throughout the Eastern Synod. Welcome to the beginning of a new expression of being In Mission for Others, in the Atlantic Ministry Area.

I am going to take a moment and talk about a particular aspect of Jeff’s life, relating it to the Gospel and Jeff’s pastoral role in our midst. The particular aspect is what I will call “Jeff’s open house policy.” In the not so distant past, I took the time to complete a doctorate degree at Acadia Divinity College in Wolfville.  It required traveling to Wolfville, a coupe of times a year, for intensive weeks of courses.  Jeff made the whole process easier by opening his home in Kentville as home base for me during those weeks. I appreciated having a short drive, a place to lay my head, and a person who translated the Baptist world I was studying in – to something I understood.

Over the years, I was warmly welcomed: sometimes given my own room, depending on roommates – Jeff sometimes took the couch giving me his bed and ensuite.  I learned quickly and with amazement that Jeff’s door was always open.  There were people who dropped in. People living in a separate apartment, another downstairs, another upstairs, Jeff, myself --- all sharing one kitchen, one bathroom, one driveway. And then of course the dog whom Jeff had taken in. And the people all had a story, mostly colourful, interesting, and surprisingly shocking. There were a few long term tenants, but, there were those who were drifters leaving of their own accord, others that Jeff had to evict. And through it all Jeff was the gracious host, with an open door; and as tenants came and went; were in trouble with the law, partying, keeping extra people in their room, stealing, dealing with addictions, opening bags of psychological luggage, and leaving behind a garbage dump of possessions--- Jeff continued to keep his door open.

I learned over my time with Jeff, that he wasn’t opening his house out of some kind of martyr syndrome, or out of stupidity. Although the rent that was collected was helpful and at times needed, the secret is that Jeff’s open house policy comes from an open heart policy.

Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.

Jeff’s role among us will be lived from his open heart policy.  Take a look around you.  Notice your neighbor. It is quite obvious by the groups of people who have gathered around Jeff this afternoon, that we have all been infected by Jeff’s heart. We would not usually find ourselves in each other’s presence.  Jeff’s open heart, open house policy, open welcome --- draws us closer together, to honour and respect each other and the light within the other. 

The section of scripture read from Matthew’s Gospel, speaks of reward.  It would be a dishonor to the word if we focused on the reward, or needing a reward, or the expectation of a reward in a simple understanding of receiving a tangible item for an action or services rendered.  This would be Jeff simply receiving rent, as payment for offering space. Jeff’s open house policy was more than that.  Matthew is talking about a deeper kind of reward – one that requires risk, being uncomfortable, working in unfavourable conditions.  

Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; the prophets’ reward, according to the Biblical record, and examples from this past century, often meant ridicule for the prophet, who stood alone, worked alone, angered people by saying words they did not want to hear, and in some instances their words brought prison, death, martyrdom.  And whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous;  in the time of Matthew this also required walking courageously; facing persecution by one’s own people who understood scripture differently, abuse by the occupying people who interpreted proclaiming the good  news as disturbing the peace and inciting insurrection – in both cases disciples were put to death by stoning or left to rot in prison, maybe to face gladiators, lions, and tigers.

Being a disciple, a follower, welcoming others – all people- forming relationships, focusing on healing, forgiving, reconciliation, proclaiming the good news… was not … is not… welcomed by all.  People didn’t want to hear about it.  People didn’t want to do it.  What was the reward for them in providing welcome and hospitality?

 And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.

There is a story from the end of WWII, where towns in Germany and Russia experienced a movement of prisoners of war being marched back to their places of origin.  On one such march, a Russian mother watched as German POWs were marched down the street.  Crowds had gathered, and there was much jeering, lots of derogatory comments, stones thrown; pleasure being taken in humiliating the foreign POWs.  In this milieu a Russian mother was watching as a young German soldier – tired and famished- fell; she was the first to run out into the street, people trying to pull her back, and she offered him -the enemy- a piece of bread.  She too became the object of disgust. When asked why she had acted in this way, she responded that she was a mother feeding a son. Her hope was that a German mother would treat her son in the same way as he was hopefully being marched back to Russia, to her arms.  This woman, this mother, worked from an open heart policy.

Lutheran Professor Elisabeth Johnson reflects: What would happen if we stopped expecting people to come on their own initiative through our church doors, and instead took seriously our calling to bring the gospel to them? What would happen if we truly believed that we bear the presence of Christ to every person we encounter, in every home, workplace, or neighborhood we enter? What would happen if we saw every conversation as an opportunity to speak words of grace, every interaction as an opportunity to embody Christ's love for the neighbor?

What would happen if we all lived from an open door policy, an open heart policy?

I live in Halifax, and one of the civic events growing in popularity, is Open-Doors Halifax. Twice a year, different buildings and venues around the city, open their doors to welcome the community inside.  There is a map and there are people present to welcome guests at each venue.  Some of the venues allow people to see spaces they otherwise would or could not, like the inside of the town clock, privately owned historic buildings, newly constructed apartment or condo units.  At most of these Open-door events, the Mosque, opens its doors… and do they provide a welcome.  The event isn’t so much about showing off the building as it is about building relationships with the community.  The Mosque is filled with an array of the faithful – representing Muslims from many countries and traditions. People are given one on one tours; tea is poured; stories are shared; sacred items are displayed; individuals talk about their faith; lectures and discussion panels are offered on a wide variety of topics; one can learn to put on a hijab; public officials and police are invited and visible; questions are welcomed and answered.  People from the greater community have learned and come, ready to remove their shoes; many women now come with their own scarves to cover their heads.  When a Mosque in Quebec experienced terror directed at their community, -- the next day at the time of prayer --- Halifax neighbours joined hands, circled around the Mosque, facing outwards, to keep out those who would come to harm Muslim neighbours.  Open doors at the Mosque, has not only helped us understand each other, it has grown relationships and opened hearts.

Jeff has been invited into our midst to open doors and to open hearts. He bears the presence of Christ to every person he encounters, in every home, workplace, or neighbourhood he enters.  In each conversation he is called to speak words of grace, and in every interaction sees an opportunity to embody Christ’s love for the neighbour.  May his example of discipleship compel and empower us to do the same.  May we share a cup of water with all on our door steps, all sitting beside us, all whom we are afraid of starting a relationship with. May our purpose be ministries of healing, forgiveness, reconciliation, welcome, hospitality --- for the healing of the world.