I speak in the name of the one, true and living God: Creator and ruler of the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
Time to learn a new hymn. It’s a very short one from Taizé which repeats over and over again.
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Common Praise # 634)
Today we celebrate The Reign of Christ or Christ the King. It is also the last Sunday of the season of Pentecost, the last Sunday in the church year.
Today is our last regular reading from the Gospel of Luke for two years, and we end with not one but two very important readings from Luke.
Our first reading is called the Song of Zechariah. Does anyone know who this song is about? … There is a huge clue near the end of it. “You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation.”
Zechariah is the husband of Elizabeth. He is the father of John the Baptist. This song comes near the beginning of the Gospel of Luke, just after Mary tells Elizabeth that she is pregnant. The song tells us of the history of Israel and the promise of a new covenant; a covenant brought to life in Jesus Christ.
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Common Praise # 634)
Our second reading from Luke takes place upon Golgotha … the place of the skull, where Jesus is being crucified along with two convicted criminals. Even upon the cross, Jesus has compassion for those who are hurting him. They torment him and he forgives them. They taunt him and he explains their actions to God.
“He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!”
“This is the King of the Jews.”
“Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
None of them get it. None of them understand that Jesus is not there because of his own inaction. He is there because of their own sins. He is on the cross because of our sins. He is on the cross because of my brokenness, because of my sins.
Out of all of those gathered around Jesus, only one acknowledges his own faults. Only one of them does not push Jesus to save himself or anyone else.
What does he ask of Jesus?
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Common Praise # 634)
And then we have one of those words which we need to look at: “Paradise.” Paradise is not Eden, nor Heaven, nor Nirvana, nor even the Kingdom of God. Paradise is the Jewish name for the temporary resting place of the godly dead; those who are righteous when they die.
Jesus tells the convicted criminal who admits that he has done wrong, who asks Jesus not to be saved, but rather to be remembered, that they will both end the day in Paradise. Jesus tells him that he is right with God. His sins, which he freely confesses, have been forgiven.
In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high has broken upon us, shining on us, as we dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and guiding our feet into the way of peace.
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Common Praise # 634)
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Saint Andrew the Apostle - Who is he anyway?
May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
Today we are celebrating our connection to Saint Andrew. Who here can tell us something about Saint Andrew?
… Wait …
What is he known for?
- Fisherman
- patron of Scotland
- brother of (Simon) Peter
- the first apostles
- fisher of men
Does anyone know how much of this is from the Bible and how much is from other writings and later traditions?
… Wait …
The Bible actually says very little about Andrew. It says that he was a Galilean fisherman minding his own business when along came Jesus. The Lord called him, and Andrew got up and walked – he walked into the story of Jesus. From that moment on, his life was no longer his own; Andrew had no other story but the story of Jesus, the story that is told about Jesus, the story that Jesus himself tells.
The Bible tells us that he is the brother of Simon Peter and that, according to the Gospel of Mark, the first house that Jesus entered belonged to Simon and Andrew.
He is the son of Jonah or John and he was born in Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. He is always named near the beginning in any list of the Apostles. He is one of the few who clearly recognize Jesus as the Christ. He was often present when Jesus did something important.
Everything you know or think you know about Saint Andrew comes from somewhere else.
Saint Andrew appears quite often in the Gospels, but he almost never does anything. He does not have any major roles to play like Judas and Peter. He does not go off and do things on his own. He answers a couple of questions as part of a group, but he never asks questions. He never does anything to put himself forward, to stand out.
Does anyone know what it means that the church is decorated with white today? What about Saint Andrew says that we should use white hangings (the official term for them is ante-pendia which means hanging before)?
We use white when we commemorate Teachers of the Faith, Spiritual Teachers, Pastors, Educators,
Monastics, and Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Which of these applies to Saint Andrew? Or for that matter to any Apostle?
They are all Teachers of the Faith.
Does anyone know what it means that I am wearing Red vestments? What about Saint Andrew says that we should decorate with red?
We use red in the church when we commemorate martyrs and missionaries. Which of those was Saint Andrew? If you don’t know, you will find a hint on the front of your bulletin.
He was actually both. All of the Apostles were sent to proclaim the good news to the kingdoms. They were missionaries. Saint Andrew is also a martyr. But how do we know that? The Bible says nothing about the end of Andrew’s life.
There is much information that is available about what Andrew went on to do in his later life. His life is described by some of the Church Fathers who wrote in the earliest days of the Church. There are even two books, the Acts of Andrew and the Gospel of Andrew, which can be found in a list of books rejected from canon sometime in the 4th or 5th century. In fact, there is so much written about Saint Andrew that some of it must be myth: fiction written to explain some theological or moral point.
I believe the Saint Andrew described in the Bible is a very apt choice as the Patron of this church and as one of the Patrons of this Parish. I also believe that this Parish is being called to live into the rest of what Saint Andrew stands for. As we go forward into Advent, I would challenge you to find out more about our Patron Saint. Find out what it means to us as a Parish that your ancestors chose to dedicate this church in his name. I also ask that you bring what you find and share it with our community.
Let us pray,
Brother of Simon Peter, you heard John the Baptist say: "Behold the Lamb of God," and you chose to follow Jesus. Leaving your nets, you became a successful fisher of souls. Lover of the Crucified Christ, you too were crucified like him. Teach us to live and suffer for him and to win many souls for Christ.
Today we are celebrating our connection to Saint Andrew. Who here can tell us something about Saint Andrew?
… Wait …
What is he known for?
- Fisherman
- patron of Scotland
- brother of (Simon) Peter
- the first apostles
- fisher of men
Does anyone know how much of this is from the Bible and how much is from other writings and later traditions?
… Wait …
The Bible actually says very little about Andrew. It says that he was a Galilean fisherman minding his own business when along came Jesus. The Lord called him, and Andrew got up and walked – he walked into the story of Jesus. From that moment on, his life was no longer his own; Andrew had no other story but the story of Jesus, the story that is told about Jesus, the story that Jesus himself tells.
The Bible tells us that he is the brother of Simon Peter and that, according to the Gospel of Mark, the first house that Jesus entered belonged to Simon and Andrew.
He is the son of Jonah or John and he was born in Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. He is always named near the beginning in any list of the Apostles. He is one of the few who clearly recognize Jesus as the Christ. He was often present when Jesus did something important.
Everything you know or think you know about Saint Andrew comes from somewhere else.
Saint Andrew appears quite often in the Gospels, but he almost never does anything. He does not have any major roles to play like Judas and Peter. He does not go off and do things on his own. He answers a couple of questions as part of a group, but he never asks questions. He never does anything to put himself forward, to stand out.
Does anyone know what it means that the church is decorated with white today? What about Saint Andrew says that we should use white hangings (the official term for them is ante-pendia which means hanging before)?
We use white when we commemorate Teachers of the Faith, Spiritual Teachers, Pastors, Educators,
Monastics, and Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Which of these applies to Saint Andrew? Or for that matter to any Apostle?
They are all Teachers of the Faith.
Does anyone know what it means that I am wearing Red vestments? What about Saint Andrew says that we should decorate with red?
We use red in the church when we commemorate martyrs and missionaries. Which of those was Saint Andrew? If you don’t know, you will find a hint on the front of your bulletin.
He was actually both. All of the Apostles were sent to proclaim the good news to the kingdoms. They were missionaries. Saint Andrew is also a martyr. But how do we know that? The Bible says nothing about the end of Andrew’s life.
There is much information that is available about what Andrew went on to do in his later life. His life is described by some of the Church Fathers who wrote in the earliest days of the Church. There are even two books, the Acts of Andrew and the Gospel of Andrew, which can be found in a list of books rejected from canon sometime in the 4th or 5th century. In fact, there is so much written about Saint Andrew that some of it must be myth: fiction written to explain some theological or moral point.
I believe the Saint Andrew described in the Bible is a very apt choice as the Patron of this church and as one of the Patrons of this Parish. I also believe that this Parish is being called to live into the rest of what Saint Andrew stands for. As we go forward into Advent, I would challenge you to find out more about our Patron Saint. Find out what it means to us as a Parish that your ancestors chose to dedicate this church in his name. I also ask that you bring what you find and share it with our community.
Let us pray,
Brother of Simon Peter, you heard John the Baptist say: "Behold the Lamb of God," and you chose to follow Jesus. Leaving your nets, you became a successful fisher of souls. Lover of the Crucified Christ, you too were crucified like him. Teach us to live and suffer for him and to win many souls for Christ.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Saint Andrew's Day Message
May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
Sorry ... no spoiler today. You will have to come to church. (I will post the sermon after the service)
Sorry ... no spoiler today. You will have to come to church. (I will post the sermon after the service)
Monday, November 8, 2010
Remembrance Day Lament
I speak to you in the name of the one who died so that we might be free. Amen.
How many need to die before we finally get it?
How many need to come home wounded in mind and body?
How many need to sit at home praying that they will see their loved ones again, fearing that every call will be the one bringing news of their death?
Why, O God, do we have to hear over and over again about another soldier lost, more civilian casualties, the ongoing ravages of war?
We are all God’s beloved.
We are all made in God’s own image.
Why can’t we see that in each other?
Why can’t we respect our brothers and sisters?
Why can’t we look for what we have in common?
Why can’t we find joy in exploring our differences?
We give thanks to you, O God, that you hear our lament.
We give thanks to you, our Creator, that you made us in your image.
We give thanks to you, our Redeemer, that you walked among us to share our broken humanity.
We give thanks to you, our Sustainer, that you share our grief and take our fallen into the company of your saints.
How many need to die before we finally get it?
How many need to come home wounded in mind and body?
How many need to sit at home praying that they will see their loved ones again, fearing that every call will be the one bringing news of their death?
Why, O God, do we have to hear over and over again about another soldier lost, more civilian casualties, the ongoing ravages of war?
We are all God’s beloved.
We are all made in God’s own image.
Why can’t we see that in each other?
Why can’t we respect our brothers and sisters?
Why can’t we look for what we have in common?
Why can’t we find joy in exploring our differences?
We give thanks to you, O God, that you hear our lament.
We give thanks to you, our Creator, that you made us in your image.
We give thanks to you, our Redeemer, that you walked among us to share our broken humanity.
We give thanks to you, our Sustainer, that you share our grief and take our fallen into the company of your saints.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
A Vision for Tomorrow - All Saints finds Remembrance
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, Our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
This past Monday was All Saints Day. This coming Thursday is Remembrance Day. The way our church calendar works, both of these days are shifted to today. So today we celebrate both feasts.
What do All Saints Day and Remembrance Day have in common?
Well, there is the obvious. Today we remember those who fought and died for our freedom and on behalf of us for the freedom of others. I strongly believe that they are counted among the Saints, both those who have died and those who remain with us still.
Remembrance is not just about those who fought long ago. It is about the past, the present and the future.
We remember those who fought in the wars of the past who made it possible for us to live in a free world; those who defended the rights of religious and ethnic minorities throughout the world; those who risked and gave up their lives, their families, and their sanity for what they believed in.
We also remember those who fight today for the same rights; who fight for the rights of women and children; who fight so that others can do something as basic as to go to school.
We remember that we are a broken people. We pray for the coming of the Kingdom of God, for the day when war becomes unnecessary. We pray for the day when there is no longer a need for soldiers.
It is the same for the Saints. Last Tuesday we remembered our own loved ones who have entered into God’s Kingdom ahead of us. We count them among the Saints. We remember them and all who loved God in life today.
We also celebrate all who fear God today. This does not mean all those who are afraid of God. It means all those who believe that God has power to affect creation, that God has the ability to guide us towards a better life, that God loves us and walks with us on our lifelong journey.
Finally, we pray for the future of the Saints. We pray that there will continue to be people working towards the Kingdom of God after we are gone, that the people of God will know God’s presence in their lives.
But what does this all mean to us here?
Today we remember the richness of our tradition. We remember those saints who came before us: those saints who built this church, who formed this parish. We remember those who helped to establish the Anglican Church north of Smokey. We remember Simon Gibbons, who came here as a missionary and all those who struggled to build a life and a church here in those hard times.
We remember that we have a rich history of working with other denominations, from the very first days of our church here to the present. We remember that our ancestors, who all moved here from far and wide, worked together to make life here possible.
We remember the service that this church has given to the community. We have served as a meeting place. We have served as a place of worship. We have served as a centre for community outreach. We have even served as a base for mounting search and rescue parties.
We have served this community as it formed and grew into what it is today.
Today we still serve in many of the same ways. We still serve as a place for the community to gather, both here at church and in our halls. We still work with our brothers and sisters of other denominations. We still reach out with pastoral support for those in need within our community, at Highland Manor, at Buchanan Memorial Hospital, on their boats at sea, wherever we see the need.
We pray that we will continue to be of service.
That is where our work lies today.
This Advent we will be working on a mission statement for our parish. We will be seeking a vision of our place in this community, of our purpose here. As a parish, we will be looking for God’s call to us.
As members of the Body of Christ, we each do God’s work every day. We each have a vision of what our individual mission is in this world.
As a parish within the Anglican Church of Canada working with a unified vision, with a defined mission, we can make the world a better place. We can make the Kingdom of God just a little bit more present in our community today.
Thanks be to God!
This past Monday was All Saints Day. This coming Thursday is Remembrance Day. The way our church calendar works, both of these days are shifted to today. So today we celebrate both feasts.
What do All Saints Day and Remembrance Day have in common?
Well, there is the obvious. Today we remember those who fought and died for our freedom and on behalf of us for the freedom of others. I strongly believe that they are counted among the Saints, both those who have died and those who remain with us still.
Remembrance is not just about those who fought long ago. It is about the past, the present and the future.
We remember those who fought in the wars of the past who made it possible for us to live in a free world; those who defended the rights of religious and ethnic minorities throughout the world; those who risked and gave up their lives, their families, and their sanity for what they believed in.
We also remember those who fight today for the same rights; who fight for the rights of women and children; who fight so that others can do something as basic as to go to school.
We remember that we are a broken people. We pray for the coming of the Kingdom of God, for the day when war becomes unnecessary. We pray for the day when there is no longer a need for soldiers.
It is the same for the Saints. Last Tuesday we remembered our own loved ones who have entered into God’s Kingdom ahead of us. We count them among the Saints. We remember them and all who loved God in life today.
We also celebrate all who fear God today. This does not mean all those who are afraid of God. It means all those who believe that God has power to affect creation, that God has the ability to guide us towards a better life, that God loves us and walks with us on our lifelong journey.
Finally, we pray for the future of the Saints. We pray that there will continue to be people working towards the Kingdom of God after we are gone, that the people of God will know God’s presence in their lives.
But what does this all mean to us here?
Today we remember the richness of our tradition. We remember those saints who came before us: those saints who built this church, who formed this parish. We remember those who helped to establish the Anglican Church north of Smokey. We remember Simon Gibbons, who came here as a missionary and all those who struggled to build a life and a church here in those hard times.
We remember that we have a rich history of working with other denominations, from the very first days of our church here to the present. We remember that our ancestors, who all moved here from far and wide, worked together to make life here possible.
We remember the service that this church has given to the community. We have served as a meeting place. We have served as a place of worship. We have served as a centre for community outreach. We have even served as a base for mounting search and rescue parties.
We have served this community as it formed and grew into what it is today.
Today we still serve in many of the same ways. We still serve as a place for the community to gather, both here at church and in our halls. We still work with our brothers and sisters of other denominations. We still reach out with pastoral support for those in need within our community, at Highland Manor, at Buchanan Memorial Hospital, on their boats at sea, wherever we see the need.
We pray that we will continue to be of service.
That is where our work lies today.
This Advent we will be working on a mission statement for our parish. We will be seeking a vision of our place in this community, of our purpose here. As a parish, we will be looking for God’s call to us.
As members of the Body of Christ, we each do God’s work every day. We each have a vision of what our individual mission is in this world.
As a parish within the Anglican Church of Canada working with a unified vision, with a defined mission, we can make the world a better place. We can make the Kingdom of God just a little bit more present in our community today.
Thanks be to God!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Omar Khadr - the Modern Tax Collector
I speak to you in the name of the One, True and Living God. Amen.
- sing – Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he.
(He climbed up in a sycamore tree,
for the Lord he wanted to see.
And as the Savior passed him by,
He looked up in the tree,
And he said, "Zacchaeus, you come down from there;
For I'm going to your house today,
for I'm going to your house today"
Zacchaeus came down from that tree,
as happy as he could be,
He gave his money to the poor,
and said: "What a better man I'll be.")
What is it about tax collectors that makes them so attractive to Jesus?
Last week we were told that a tax collector was more deserving of the kingdom of heaven than an openly pious man. This week we hear that Zacchaeus, a man who has become rich by collecting tax for the Romans, has brought salvation to his house.
Why do we keep hearing about tax collectors?
I think that this is one of those times where our world just doesn’t fit with the world of Biblical times. We just don’t have the same kind of person in our society. We don’t have such a perfect target of social hatred.
Or do we?
During the cold war, the equivalent would have been a traitor, especially someone who was selling military secrets just for the money.
But who is it today? We have a perfect example currently in the news. Anyone?
Omar Khadr. Someone who is a citizen of a western country, who was born and grew up here, who goes somewhere else to fight against the west.
Think about how the US military has treated Omar Khadr and you know exactly how the people of Jesus’ time felt about tax collectors. If the people of Judah had not been under the thumb of the Romans, they would gladly have rounded up all the tax collectors and held them without trial until they confessed to being traitors. There was no question about their motives. There was no acceptable excuse for what they had done.
This is why Jesus choses tax collectors. Jesus uses them to show us what is wrong in our society. Jesus uses them to tell us that such an attitude does not fit in the kingdom of heaven.
So what does this tell us about how we should see the Omar Khadrs of the world?
Zacchaeus was a wee little man.
Omar Khadr was a child.
Zacchaeus was a son of Abraham, a member of the people of God.
Jesus tells us that we are all children of God, we are all beloved. Omar Khadr is no different. He is beloved of God.
Jesus tells us that we are to seek out and to save the lost. There is no question that Omar Khadr is one of the lost. He was taken as a child. He was told that God would reward him for killing in the name of God. He was convinced that his home country was his enemy. He was taught to hate.
Omar Khadr became a target for hatred. He is not the real enemy. The real enemy is an idea. The real enemy is the belief that one person can be hurt by someone else’s beliefs, not what they do, but just what they believe. It is this idea which leads to “cleansing wars.” This idea has no place in the Kingdom of God.
Most of us are never going to meet a modern version of a “tax collector.” But this Gospel can still lead us toward the Kingdom of God. Jesus uses the tax collector to show us that the most hated in society are part of God’s people. And if the most hated are included, then all must be included. There is no one who is not welcome at Jesus table. No one is so lost that they cannot be found. We are called to follow Jesus’ teaching. We are called to seek out the lost and bring them back to this (point) table. Back to Church Sunday is past. The invitations should just have started.
And as for Omar Khadr – I hope that he will not continue to be forgotten. I pray that someone will show him that he is beloved. He deserves to know that there is far more power to be found in love than there is in hate.
Thanks be to God.
- sing – Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he.
(He climbed up in a sycamore tree,
for the Lord he wanted to see.
And as the Savior passed him by,
He looked up in the tree,
And he said, "Zacchaeus, you come down from there;
For I'm going to your house today,
for I'm going to your house today"
Zacchaeus came down from that tree,
as happy as he could be,
He gave his money to the poor,
and said: "What a better man I'll be.")
What is it about tax collectors that makes them so attractive to Jesus?
Last week we were told that a tax collector was more deserving of the kingdom of heaven than an openly pious man. This week we hear that Zacchaeus, a man who has become rich by collecting tax for the Romans, has brought salvation to his house.
Why do we keep hearing about tax collectors?
I think that this is one of those times where our world just doesn’t fit with the world of Biblical times. We just don’t have the same kind of person in our society. We don’t have such a perfect target of social hatred.
Or do we?
During the cold war, the equivalent would have been a traitor, especially someone who was selling military secrets just for the money.
But who is it today? We have a perfect example currently in the news. Anyone?
Omar Khadr. Someone who is a citizen of a western country, who was born and grew up here, who goes somewhere else to fight against the west.
Think about how the US military has treated Omar Khadr and you know exactly how the people of Jesus’ time felt about tax collectors. If the people of Judah had not been under the thumb of the Romans, they would gladly have rounded up all the tax collectors and held them without trial until they confessed to being traitors. There was no question about their motives. There was no acceptable excuse for what they had done.
This is why Jesus choses tax collectors. Jesus uses them to show us what is wrong in our society. Jesus uses them to tell us that such an attitude does not fit in the kingdom of heaven.
So what does this tell us about how we should see the Omar Khadrs of the world?
Zacchaeus was a wee little man.
Omar Khadr was a child.
Zacchaeus was a son of Abraham, a member of the people of God.
Jesus tells us that we are all children of God, we are all beloved. Omar Khadr is no different. He is beloved of God.
Jesus tells us that we are to seek out and to save the lost. There is no question that Omar Khadr is one of the lost. He was taken as a child. He was told that God would reward him for killing in the name of God. He was convinced that his home country was his enemy. He was taught to hate.
Omar Khadr became a target for hatred. He is not the real enemy. The real enemy is an idea. The real enemy is the belief that one person can be hurt by someone else’s beliefs, not what they do, but just what they believe. It is this idea which leads to “cleansing wars.” This idea has no place in the Kingdom of God.
Most of us are never going to meet a modern version of a “tax collector.” But this Gospel can still lead us toward the Kingdom of God. Jesus uses the tax collector to show us that the most hated in society are part of God’s people. And if the most hated are included, then all must be included. There is no one who is not welcome at Jesus table. No one is so lost that they cannot be found. We are called to follow Jesus’ teaching. We are called to seek out the lost and bring them back to this (point) table. Back to Church Sunday is past. The invitations should just have started.
And as for Omar Khadr – I hope that he will not continue to be forgotten. I pray that someone will show him that he is beloved. He deserves to know that there is far more power to be found in love than there is in hate.
Thanks be to God.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Are you a Pharisee or a tax collector?
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
How many of you here have ever used Facebook?
I’m glad to see I’m not alone. For those of you who do not use Facebook, don’t worry. What I’m going to talk about was around long before it ever hit the internet. In fact they were around long before the internet.
How many of you have ever taken one of those quizzes with titles like “Which character on the Simpsons are you?” (I’m Flanders). One of the latest quizzes going around is “Why is the inquisition after me?” According to that quiz, I practice witchcraft.
Well, today we are going to take a quiz called “Which character am I in today’s parable?” I am going to make a few statements. All you need to do is keep track of whether more of them are true for you or more of them are false. Here we go.
There is only one right way to do things.
If I study hard enough, I can learn the right way.
Some things cannot be forgiven.
Prayer needs to be done in a dignified manner.
Following the rules will make me closer to God.
Being a sinner will make God love me less.
I’m a better Christian than my neighbour who isn’t here.
If you answered true to more often than false, you are a Pharisee. If you answered false more often, you are a tax collector. I have to admit right now that I am a sinner because I envy those of you who can easily answer false to most or all of those statements.
I want most of those to be true. It would make following in Christ’s footsteps much easier.
I would love it if all of my study could have taught me the “right way.” I would love to have a list to follow that would guarantee my place in heaven and God’s favour on Earth.
Unfortunately that’s not the way it works. The only real difference between the Pharisee and the tax collector is that the Pharisee cannot see that he is just as broken as the tax collector.
I am broken. I am a sinner. Sometimes I am a Pharisee. I hide behind my knowledge. I do all the right things and I believe that makes me better that those who don’t. When I do that, I am wrong. I am not better. I am just as broken. That is part of what it means to be human.
We – I need to learn from the tax collector. “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”
I’m going to make a few more statements. Once again, keep track of your true / false balance.
It is possible to do things right.
If I trust in God, I can find the right way for me.
Some things are easier for me to forgive than others.
The way I pray feels right for me.
Following a set of guidelines makes it easier for me to feel close to God.
I am a sinner and God loves me anyway.
I am committed to trying to follow Christ.
Congratulations. If you answered true to at least one of these statements, you are on your way to being a tax collector.
Being a Pharisee is easy. It is comfortable. It is not dangerous. No one can hurt me when I know I’m right.
Being a tax collector is risky. As a tax collector I have to put myself out there. I have to invite others to attack me. I have to expect that I will do it wrong much of the time.
I have to hope that at least occasionally I am doing it right.
Thanks be to God!
How many of you here have ever used Facebook?
I’m glad to see I’m not alone. For those of you who do not use Facebook, don’t worry. What I’m going to talk about was around long before it ever hit the internet. In fact they were around long before the internet.
How many of you have ever taken one of those quizzes with titles like “Which character on the Simpsons are you?” (I’m Flanders). One of the latest quizzes going around is “Why is the inquisition after me?” According to that quiz, I practice witchcraft.
Well, today we are going to take a quiz called “Which character am I in today’s parable?” I am going to make a few statements. All you need to do is keep track of whether more of them are true for you or more of them are false. Here we go.
There is only one right way to do things.
If I study hard enough, I can learn the right way.
Some things cannot be forgiven.
Prayer needs to be done in a dignified manner.
Following the rules will make me closer to God.
Being a sinner will make God love me less.
I’m a better Christian than my neighbour who isn’t here.
If you answered true to more often than false, you are a Pharisee. If you answered false more often, you are a tax collector. I have to admit right now that I am a sinner because I envy those of you who can easily answer false to most or all of those statements.
I want most of those to be true. It would make following in Christ’s footsteps much easier.
I would love it if all of my study could have taught me the “right way.” I would love to have a list to follow that would guarantee my place in heaven and God’s favour on Earth.
Unfortunately that’s not the way it works. The only real difference between the Pharisee and the tax collector is that the Pharisee cannot see that he is just as broken as the tax collector.
I am broken. I am a sinner. Sometimes I am a Pharisee. I hide behind my knowledge. I do all the right things and I believe that makes me better that those who don’t. When I do that, I am wrong. I am not better. I am just as broken. That is part of what it means to be human.
We – I need to learn from the tax collector. “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”
I’m going to make a few more statements. Once again, keep track of your true / false balance.
It is possible to do things right.
If I trust in God, I can find the right way for me.
Some things are easier for me to forgive than others.
The way I pray feels right for me.
Following a set of guidelines makes it easier for me to feel close to God.
I am a sinner and God loves me anyway.
I am committed to trying to follow Christ.
Congratulations. If you answered true to at least one of these statements, you are on your way to being a tax collector.
Being a Pharisee is easy. It is comfortable. It is not dangerous. No one can hurt me when I know I’m right.
Being a tax collector is risky. As a tax collector I have to put myself out there. I have to invite others to attack me. I have to expect that I will do it wrong much of the time.
I have to hope that at least occasionally I am doing it right.
Thanks be to God!
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