Sermon
July 30, 2017 – St. Peter’s, Great Falls
Paul’s 8th Ch. Of his letter to the Romans
We are confronted by words and phrases that have entered the universal jargon and terminology that has entered the standard beliefs of Christianity. Like parables that we have heard over and over again – such as we hear in today’s gospel passage from Matthew – it is so easy to think, “Oh I know that, now on to the next thing…” And all the while our ears are blocked to the deeper significance of the message for us.
- predestination
- justification
- All things work together for good for those who love God
- Nothing can separate us from the love of God
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
We have often heard people say some variation of, “God will not give us more than we can handle.” Or, “It will all work out because God is on our side.”
Often, I think, that phrase is associated with this section of the 8th ch. of Paul’s letter to the Romans. “All things work together for those who love God…”
Those 2 phrases are not the same thing.
- "everything will be OK so no worries … and
- all things work together for good for those who love God
A story was written about Teresa of Avila – variations of it are commonly quoted – where the saints comments on how God treats “his friends.”
Teresa describes the journey thus: “We had to run many dangers. At no part of the road were the risks greater than within a few leagues of Burgos, at a place called Los Pontes. The rivers were so high that the water in places covered everything, neither road nor the smallest footpath could be seen, only water everywhere, and two abysses on each side. It seemed foolhardiness to advance, especially in a carriage, for if one strayed ever so little off the road (then invisible), one must have perished.” The saint is silent on her share of the adventure, but her companions relate that, seeing their alarm, she turned to them and encouraged them, saying that “as they were engaged in doing God’s work, how could they die in a better cause?” She then led the way on foot. The current was so strong that she lost her footing, and was on the point of being carried away when our Lord sustained her. “Oh, my Lord!” she exclaimed, with her usual loving familiarity, “when wilt Thou cease from scattering obstacles in our path?” “Do not complain, daughter,” the Divine Master answered, “for it is ever thus that I treat My friends.” “Ah, Lord, it is also on that account that Thou hast so few!” was her reply. citation
One of the goals of my ministry has been to seek never to speak in platitudes that I did not myself believe.
Always to be honest - in the face of whatever craziness or horrors I might encounter in the course of ministry. I met some pretty crazy scenarios.
I used to use the one phrase (For I am convinced …) in communion to the sick. One thing I knew at the bottom of my heart was that there was nothing that was going to separate them from God’s love.
They might get well or they might not. They might experience consolation and comfort from God. But they might not. I didn’t know.
But I could proclaim to them:
that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Whether they were beloved friends of God or not – this much they could know. Teresa knew that. Whatever might befall her –
Learning through my life – not that God would not give us more than we can bear but that there is nothing that can separate us from God’s love – that I could affirm with all my heart
What are the things we know?
I think I have shared with you before that one of my teachers in seminary told us that everyone had only a couple of things that they knew and could share with others. Four maybe tops. So that everything we talk about is some variation of those few things.
I am not just talking about things you know something about. Each of us has different kinds of expertise at doing things or knowing about things. I used to know quite a lot about making harpsichords. I used to be pretty good at skiing. I don’t do those things anymore so I wouldn’t claim it now.
For a preacher it’s not obviously good news that there are only 3 or 4 things that we have to say – all the rest is variation.
One of the things, however, that the information forced on me was to examine what are the 2-4 things that I “know” and have to say? I have settled in recent years on 3 basic things I have to say:
- God interacts with us through surprise. Unless we are open to surprise we will likely miss whatever God has for us. When we think we know what God is all about, what God is doing in my life or in the life of our nation – we will likely miss what’s really going on.
- It’s all gift. Everything we encounter in life is gift. We didn’t earn any of it. It’s all been passed on to us – from parents and ancestors, from our forebears going back millenia, to the gift of life … It’s all gift. Another word for “gift” is “grace.” It’s all grace.
- The goal of life is simple. It’s not happiness. It’s not wealth. It’s not success or popularity. It is simply to be grateful.
Partly because of this passage from the letter to the Romans, I am inclined to think that I might add a 4th thing I have to say, a 4th thing I “know”.
There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God.
The last profound affirmation has kept me going this past year, nothing can separate us.
Conclusion?
We need to be able to listen with ears and hearts that are ready to hear. All too often we hear what we expect to hear but miss God’s surprise for us. All too often we hear condemnation or judgment when what is given to us is the free gift of Grace and love.
I had a friend who was a pastor and was gay. He felt condemnation from God for many years and especially from certain passages of Paul’s letter to the Romans. He found relief and new-found joy when he realized that he was not one of those who did not know or glorify God and thus pursued sinful and ungodly ways – that’s the condemnation commonly read from Romans 1.
21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened…
We need to be able to stop and listen. “Wait! What?”
I am not one who has known and then rejected God. I have heard and seen a glimpse of God’s glory and I want to know more. I often don’t know how – but that is my goal and desire.
“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”
― Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude
Thankfully, we are in good hands through the love of God in Christ Jesus.
