Proper 14C + Joyous Waiting + 8.11.13

M. Campbell-Langdell

All Saints, Oxnard

(Isaiah 1:1, 10-20; Ps. 50:1-8, 23-24 LOC; Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16; Luke 12:32-40)

Hello dear ones!  Some of you know I was there with Jesus those thirty-some years ago and spent some time with him.  Let me tell you a small portion of my story.

Well, many of you know that about thirty years back I was in Judea minding my own business when I heard about this Rabbi, Jesus.  I went to hear him speak, walked a day in the heat from my home and found some other of his disciples just spending time at his feet. I must tell you that at that moment, my life was changed. You might think that I went to him, but really it felt like he came into my life and suddenly everything was different.  He shared so many stories with us, so much hope for a new way of living, freedom from the cares of this world. 

I will never forget the day he sat us down--the core group of disciples and those of us who had begun to hang around because we were just so inexplicably drawn to his loving presence--well anyway, this day he sat us down and told us that we didn't need to worry, because God had already given us the kingdom!

He actually used the past tense^[1] -- he said, your Father -- that wonderful name he had for our almighty, holy one-- it is his good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Wow, I thought, good, because walking to meet you and all the places we have gone since, I have about worn out my sandals!  I'll take some new sandals, if not the whole kingdom, please! 

But seriously, it was strange when he said that, because in a way it didn't make any sense. All of us were wandering around, dependent on the kindness of others for lodging and food, winding our way through the places Jesus went, as he taught and healed and we listened. We none of us felt like we had a whole kingdom at our disposal.  By contrast, the kingdom seemed to be in everyone else's hands.  We had none of the easy independence of the rich, who could travel so fast from location to location in chariots and carried every comfort with them when traveling on the road. We were homeless, at least for the moment, and didn't even know where the next meal was coming.  In a way, when Rabbi Jesus said this, it made no sense. 

And then we had his next statement, even stranger. I will never forget this one, either.  He likened us to being the servants of his household--as if the whole world were his house--which as we began to realize he was the Son of God--made more sense! And we were not just servants but he was a bridegroom. And after the many fun and exhausting times of partying, he was going to be back at any moment, and we should be ready for him.  But we wouldn't know when.  Well some of you may have heard others tell of these words that our beloved Jesus spoke to us, but these were some of the strangest.

As you all know, we "Hebrews" in Rome have had a hard lot of late. We have faced persecutions wherein we feared for our lives. We have been humiliated.  Our community has lost property as the authorities have seized our own homes and storehouses, all an effort to drive our community of followers of Jesus not just underground, but into the ground.

The authorities don't like what we do and what we believe as they fear it threatens them.  They don't understand us.  Or maybe they do.  But all this time waiting for Jesus, as one of his servants waiting in this household for his return, I cannot help but ponder the words he shared.

We know from our faith background that Abraham and many others kept the faith when all seemed lost.  We, too, are in a place where we feel our community is under threat. Abraham felt the threat too--remember he was almost dead when God came to him and gave him children, children that led to all of us. We have faith, too. We have faith that our bridegroom is out doing his joyful work but that some day--maybe next week, maybe many years from now, he's coming back.  I hope it's in my lifetime because I long to see our Jesus again, our sweet teacher and the Son of God.  And you know, I've realized, he was right.  God has given us the kingdom. Those days that we wandered with Jesus, we never went hungry for long before our needs were met, and God hasn't failed me yet, although I know I feared, just have all of you, for my safety in the persecutions.  But why? Dear ones, they are afraid of us because we already have the kingdom. The imperial government thinks they own the empire, but they don't own anything really because our God has promised us the kingdom.

But just as we know we are provided for even in these difficult times, we also know that Jesus didn't mean for us to be all about this household, this world now. No, our focus is on what will happen when our bridegroom returns, when he brings us all that festive wedding joy and we party with him once more.

We mustn't lose hope. We musn't lose faith that he will come to us again.  Because we know from our tradition that we have examples of faith.  For by faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance.  He didn't know where he was headed!  He was an old man.  I am an older lady now, too, and the travels have made my joints creaky. So I can only imagine.  But we have faith, too.  We have faith because we have examples of faith in our past, like Abel and Enoch and Noah, like Abraham and Moses and so many more.  And that faith was affirmed for us when Jesus came into our lives.  Jesus showed us in his life and in his death that we are not to shirk from the present difficulties because we have already won. God has already secured a place for us. But it is our job to remain faithful until the end. 

Well, dear ones, how do we remain faithful? We might fall asleep or get distracted and forgetful while waiting for Jesus if we aren't careful, if we just focus on the waiting.  That is where you may remember our prophet Isaiah, who told us so many years ago what our Lord said.  He said that we must learn to do good, seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan and plead for the widow. 

Jesus did all that too, and I begin to wonder whether part of taking care of the household of God and staying spiritually awake while we wait for Jesus isn't about remembering those words from so many years ago.  We must be quick to look for those who are in need.  We must take good care of God’s house, which is not only this church but this world.

There are so many affected by the persecutions that we must keep faith and hope alive, not only for ourselves, but for those who need our help.

Ah, as I said, I am a weary woman, and the night grows dark. I will share more with you from the writings of our friend later, for now perhaps this is enough.

But before we all pray for safekeeping on our way, let us think of the faith and the spirit of Abraham, whose progeny we are like the stars of the sky, and let us too be bold in faith. We know that the sacrifice of a life lived for others is the only real sacrifice God requires of us.  And brothers and sisters in faith, let us not be oppressed by the times, but remember our inheritance in Christ Jesus.  As we await our bridegroom with a sure and certain joy, let us live lives worth celebrating!

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[1] Richard P. Carlson, “Exegetical Perspective: Luke 12:32-40,” Feasting on the Word Year C, Vol. 3, 335-339.