Peace Be With You

It was close to midnight, when the still-wet-behind-the-ears, 25 year old Pastor, was called to the manor.  Jeannine was dying.  Jeannine, a woman in her early 60s, who, over the years had lost her physical self – including her voice—to MS.  Jeannine was about to die. Her family, three grown children, lost and scared and sad --- and relieved; hope-filled for her.

The pastor arrived at the manor, scared; not knowing what might be needed or expected, the pastor was armed with a prayer book, communion, anointing oil, and belief that death is not the end. Trembling the pastor took a deep breathe, knocked lightly on the door, and walked across its threshold. In silence, with a gentle nod, to the family members the pastor went to Jeannine’s side a touched her hand. The family paused and breathed; relaxed a little ...the walking in of the pastor, the pastor’s acceptance of death, the assurance of hope, all conveyed in the silence…this was Jesus saying: Peace be with you.

As the night wore on, for the most part, the family locked themselves in the room.  They shared memories, said to their mom their “I’m sorry-ies,” “thank yous,” “I love yous.”  The family joined hands around Jeannine, offering her permission to die and prayers of safe passage.  This was Jesus saying to Jeannine: Peace be with you.

When Jeannine died, the family, the wet-behind-the-ear pastor, were no longer scared.  The room filled with a glow, time momentarily stood still, and in the next breath the room was washed in a gush of feeling that settled in the hearts of those present: peace be with you.

 Last Sunday the first resurrection story we heard, was of the women, who had gone to the tomb to anoint Jesus with spices. The stone was rolled away from the entrance.  There was a young man there who told them to not be afraid, to go tell the disciples Jesus had risen and that Jesus would meet them in Galilee.  The women left terrified and amazed.  They said nothing to anyone for they were afraid.

Today, the second resurrection story we hear, has the disciples behind locked doors because they are afraid. Afraid of what has happened, afraid for their lives, afraid because of the chaos on the street, the disagreement among the religious leaders, and the political unrest. The disciples have heard the women’s story and hope that their words are true.  To varying degrees, they believe that Jesus is alive. And yet, wonder, are anxious, about what comes next.  They are afraid to move, but, can not stay behind closed doors forever.   And into this fear, anxiety, hope, and tenuous belief, Jesus becomes present and says: Peace be with you.

On Easter we heard the words: do not be afraid, the most repeated phrase in scripture.

Easter two, we hear the words: peace be with you.

In both circumstances, the words are spoken to people who are afraid, scared, confused, anxious.  The speaking of the words doesn’t change the circumstances at all: Jesus still died. Jesus is not in the tomb. The political and religious leaders are fighting.  There is chaos in the streets. The people spoken to, are still full of questions and have no idea what will happen next.  The words have changed none of these things.

The words are the sort that penetrate to a deeper level --- past the suffering, they settle inside the fear and anxiety to dispel it; to cradle the broken heart and comfort the aching spirit. The words don’t change the circumstance, the words change the very fabric of the person facing the challenges the circumstance presents.

There are a number of cultures in the world who greet each other by offering God’s peace between the parties.

Jews greet each other: Shalom Aleichem.  Aleichem shalom. Peace unto you.  Unto you Peace.

According to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, it takes two people to make peace. No two peoples’ opinions are the same, so the greeting is said in two ways.  The first person states a desire to create peace, while the responder agrees to wanting unity.  This is the greatest blessing two people can share, making their desire for peace and unity in the public realm. When sharing “shalom,” it is not their peace, rather, it is God’s peace and the hope of the fulfilment of the promises of the covenant. In a similar manner in Moslem culture the greeting and response is a passing of Allah’s peace: As-salāmu ʿalaykum.  Alaykum as-salam. Peace be upon you. Upon you peace.

On Sunday mornings we share Christ’s peace. Peace be with you. And also with you.

These words are more than a simple “hello.” These words are a greeting that is meant as a blessing.

When I extend myself to say peace be with you, I am drawing into the depths of my being, from a place where at one time my aching spirit has been comforted, at another time my broken heart cradled, and yet another time when anxiety was dispelled.  It is a place from where I dare to hope, a place from where my belief comes.  For me to say to you, peace be with you, the Spirit moves through me to resurrect the risen Jesus who appeared to the frightened disciples two millennium ago. The words don’t change the circumstance, the words change the person within the circumstance.

Some of you who have recently lived through crisis or difficult circumstances, or those who follow me through different social media platforms, will know that these words – Jesus’ words- peace be with you --- have become my go to blessing. Every time I say them, I mean them.  These words are not empty words.  I pass on the greatest gift I have to offer, my most precious treasure; A risen Christ.

Yesterday, as I shared peace be with you  - in words and hugs, with the individuals of a grieving family, I was surprised when one responded and also with you. The words are not said seeking a response…but, the response penetrated through me. In the moment, my spirit hungrily received those words, and I was changed.  The words settled into my grief, dispelled any remnants of doubt I might have had, and captured the essence of why I was present in that room in the first place – to be a tangible witness of Jesus’ presence. The sharing of the blessing, created fullness and wholeness of Spirit.  For a moment doubt was swallowed up in faith, and death was enveloped by life.

As I reflect on the story of the fearful disciples, and particularly on Thomas – who doubted, who was sceptical, for a moment- I can not help but notice that those with whom I have the privilege to walk are fearful and doubt from time to time; I have doubt and am afraid more than I care to admit; the world is one circumstance after another that seems to breed fear, doubt, and anxiety.

Circumstances do not change...

But, Easter has given the community the words to counter our reactions and the reactions of others to the circumstances that are. Here we practice sharing Christ’s peace with each other, to resurrect Christ, so that Christ and Christ’s peace can be shared in the world.

There have been those who eloquently speak with voices that sound like the voice of God:

Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught, For by grace we have been saved through faith.  And through these words Jesus said, Peace be with you.

Martin Luther King Jr. shouted, I have a dream…   And Jesus said, Peace be with you.

Mother Theresa pleaded, Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the action that we do. And in that Jesus said, Peace be with you.

Nelson Mandela proclaimed, I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.  And Jesus said to the people, Peace be with you.

Outside of a written down sermon, I am not so well worded. To have the right thing to say at the right time, especially if it is a time that involves fear, chaos, anxiety, or doubt, is a gift.  Thanks be to God, Easter two gives us words, the Word, to speak into the darkness of the day. Peace be with you.

And the response, and also with you, to buoy up the other, to dispel doubt and fear, to complete the circle, to fully resurrect Christ and bring wholeness to that which is broken.

Practice using these powerful words, this Word, over and over. Resurrect Christ at every opportunity.  

Peace be with you/and also with you. Amen.

Hearts Inscribed (Lent 5B)

Once upon a time writing was produced in a very different way than we write today. Writing was not as easy as word processing hundreds of words in an hour, and having the luxury of deleting as fast, or faster than we can write them down.  Writing was not as easy as grabbing a fresh piece of paper and scribbling down some notes.

Once upon a time human stories, histories, and transactions were recreated in stone.  Scribes were workers in stone.  They chiseled images, hieroglyphs, and letters onto monumental pieces of stone. It took time and precision. And their written text lasted down through to today.

Once upon a time, humans formed clay tablets for the purpose of recording written documents.  Into wet clay, scribes would use stylists, to push letters into the tablet. When the clay dried, the text was preserved, indented, in the clay. Archaeologists find these texts today, on tablets, seals, and writing on various styles of pottery.

Once upon a time, humans used homemade papyrus sheets and scrolls to put down their written words. Papyrus was made from layers of reeds, one layer vertical the next horizontal, put together wet they bonded together as the sun dried them. As the scribe wrote with ink across the slightly bumpy surface the papyrus soaked in the ink.  At times, words written on papyrus were scraped off and bleached in the sun, so the page could be used again.  Today when ancient scrolls are found the words written are read, but, more interesting is the second reading of the ghost texts that had been scraped off earlier. The written words can still be read with the correct light.  The ink had seeped into the papyrus and could not be entirely removed.

With these forms of writing in mind, hear again the words from Jeremiah:

This is the covenant that I will make…says the Lord; I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Writing, to the first people hearing Jeremiah’s words, was not a simple scrawl on a piece of paper; something that could be erased later or crumpled up and recycled.  Writing was not graffiti on a building that could be removed with sweat equity and the right chemical. Writing was inscribing.  I will inscribe it on their hearts. Whether chipping a rock surface, pushing characters into clay, or ink seeping into the fabric of the papyrus, writing meant a change to that which was written upon. The item was changed, permanently, never to be the same again.

When we hear the words of the Lord from Jeremiah, do we hear that God writes on our hearts – inscribes our hearts – such that our hearts are changed forever?

Philosophically perhaps, we have entertained such an idea.  In the reading from Hebrews, we hear of Jesus who learned obedience through suffering, and was made perfect; becoming the source of eternal salvation.  The Gospel tells how a grain of wheat must die, change – permanently-, so that it can grow and bear much fruit. It is alluded to that Jesus is to die, and through the death, the ruler of the world will be driven out, all people will be drawn to Jesus; God’s name will be glorified.

What does it mean when growth, fruit, perfection, salvation, glory, follow after heavy statements:  through suffering, through death--- ?

I understand today’s readings via a story I retell. I have shared it with you before; it is not my own story; it has been written and retold many times; a parable of the Perfect Heart.

There is a young man in the centre square of the city.  He is pontificating on the beauty of his perfectly shaped, precisely working heart. He is proud of his heart – gleaming without a flaw to be seen – the heart has drawn the attention of bystanders.  A crowd grows to a catch a look and to praise the beauty of the heart.

After a period of time, when a large crowd had gathered, an old gentleman, wobbled into the centre of the square.  The crowd parted with gasps as he walked directly to the pompous young man. The crowd had gasped for they were shocked by the heart beating in the man’s chest.

His heart was old, discoloured, beaten, scarred, and bleeding. The old man confronted the youth and said, “Your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine.”  To which the youth protested: “Sir your heart is falling apart, it has gouges and holes, bulges and patches.  How can it be beautiful?” 

After a long pause, the old man explained that although his heart did not look perfect, he wouldn’t trade it for all the world.  Every hole was made when the man loved or had compassion.  He would take a piece of his heart, rip it out, and give it to the other. Sometimes the other would give him a piece of their heart in return and he would add it to his heart.  The pieces didn’t quite fit perfectly, but, the man’s love was woven with the love of the other.  Some of the scars and nicks, the bleeding; were the places where love was not returned to him and his heart waited for a day when those relationships would be healed.  His heart was a lifelong masterpiece created by love --- it was a creation of risk, as the interchange of love can be a tricky thing; giving, receiving, forgiving, thanking, were not always shared in equal measure.

The young man, and the gathered crowd, thought about this.

And as they did, the old man reached into his heart, took a piece and offered it to the young man. The old man had made another hole in his heart. 

The young man responded by taking a piece of his perfect looking heart and gave it to the old man. He placed the love of the old man in his own heart.  It didn’t fit perfectly, there was a jagged edge.  He was humbled and the perfect heart, became one of beauty, as love and compassion took root.

No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more. ...I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.

I was asked how it is that people turn out the way they do. How does one have the attitude of the young man? How does another have an old heart? There are examples in many of our families where one sibling embodies compassion, another anger, another indifference. They grew up in the same house, same parental figures, you would think the same values.  Somewhere though experiences and interpretations of the experiences were different, and so too then are the individual’s ability to self-differentiate and to take risks.  Perhaps it has to do with what has been, is allowed, to be inscribed on the heart.  Was there so much anger or fear that love could not penetrate and write on the heart?  Did the individual dwell on surface matters, creating walls for self protection, so that any love offered was superficial --- not changing the substance of the heart at the core of their being?  Were other’s hearts so scarred and left bleeding, the person so exhausted they could not build walls, so the rawness simply welcomed any kindness offered? Did the kindnesses grow and grow until the heart was mostly whole and began reciprocating? Are some people more prone to taking risks?

I wonder if in the giving and receiving of the pieces of our hearts – in the midst of messy relationship living- God forgives our iniquities and remembers our sin no more, because the brokenness is replaced with shared brokenness, a shared love that is centred and directed on wholeness through dying to self and growing fruit …fruit that is the permanent change of sin into relational living.  

This is the fullness of God’s covenant and the last words we hear before entering Jerusalem with Jesus next Sunday – the week where we walk with Jesus to the cross. Today’s scriptures are to remind us that the event coming, Jesus’ death, was God inscribing God’s heart, with a love and ultimate compassion born out suffering and death. God risking God’s heart out of love, to draw people to Godself… this is writing that inscribes -permanently changes one’s heart when it is witnessed and experienced.

Earlier we prayed Psalm 51:

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

This is a risky prayer on our part. Creating a clean heart, a right spirit, restoring joy of your salvation, a willing spirit... in essence, we are asking to be the “old man” from the parable of the perfect heart. We are asking God to flood our hearts with the cleansing power of God’s gift of life --- love that casts out fear, love that melts wrath, love that conquers death.  We are asking that God’s gift of life – ultimate love—work through our spirit so we can be God’s presence in the world. Applied this means that we will risk loving –everybody, anybody, somebody, nobody—and we do this even though it will mean suffering and dying. We will be humbled, hurt, scarred --- and maybe not right away, but, down the road, love will be returned. Through relational living, our hearts will be made new, restored to joy …for as Jesus said: when I, [when Love] is lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.

I will put my law within them, I will write – inscribe-  it on their hearts;

 I will be their God, and they shall be my people.