Easter 3 A + Precious + 4.30.17
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M. Campbell-Langdell
All Santos, Oxnard
“Precious in
the sight of the Lord is the death of his servants (Ps. 116:13).”
Today in the English service
and Spanish service we honor two servants of God, Evelyn, Cindy’s aunt and
Eduardo, Haydee’s husband. And I often wonder—what does it mean that the death
of God’s servants is precious in his sight? Perhaps it has something to do with
the fact that, even though death makes us farther from our loved ones, they
become closer to God, and he delights in receiving them.
Today we remember these
servants who have gone to be with God. Particularly Evelyn and Eduardo but also
all those we hold in our hearts. We remember their many accomplishments-for
Evelyn the feat of breaking into the male-dominated world of photography
management in Hollywood during the post war years and her love of travel with
her Italian husband. For Eduardo, it was excelling at his skill as a mechanic
and supporting his family. While on the surface they did not have a lot in
common, they both had complex relationships with God. And they both had flaws.
As we all do. So their family and friends must remember them in their entirety,
trying to understand the flaws and forgive them and thanking God for the gifts
they shared with us on their earthly sojourn.
They were both people with
questions about God-just as we heard about Thomas last week having questions
and affirming us having questions in our faith journey. Questions are good.
Searching for God is good. Because we know that in searching for God, we find
God.
And usually this process of
finding God is not a result of a finely honed argument presented to us but
rather it comes in a revelation while sharing together with other Christians or
other people of faith. One commentator on this gospel passage about the Emmaus
encounter points out that Jesus does not prove his resurrected existence to the
disciples by arguing with them-true they felt a burning in their hearts,
something connected-but it was truly as they broke bread together that his real
self was revealed. That they found God was there with them.[1]
This is so true, isn’t it?
Wonderful conversations can stay with us for years, but to truly experience
God’s presence often you must have some kind of Christ-encounter. Something
that goes beyond what your mind understands and your eyes see and breaks
through to your heart and consciousness at another level. And these moments
don’t usually happen when you are expecting them. They just come together.
I was at my book club the other day and a person mentioned how harmful the traditional interpretations of the scriptures that are read as condemning homosexuality are. And I felt in that moment that it was an opportunity to share God’s love. Not by convincing, although there are many arguments and ways to interpret the scriptures in an affirming way, but just by first stating what we believe and how we believe differently about these scriptures as Episcopalians and beginning to show another way. The arguments will follow as they are helpful for my friend. But the main thing in that moment was to use that as a possible Emmaus moment to reveal Christ’s love for all people, Christ’s invitation of all to the table, to that person and that group.
I was at my book club the other day and a person mentioned how harmful the traditional interpretations of the scriptures that are read as condemning homosexuality are. And I felt in that moment that it was an opportunity to share God’s love. Not by convincing, although there are many arguments and ways to interpret the scriptures in an affirming way, but just by first stating what we believe and how we believe differently about these scriptures as Episcopalians and beginning to show another way. The arguments will follow as they are helpful for my friend. But the main thing in that moment was to use that as a possible Emmaus moment to reveal Christ’s love for all people, Christ’s invitation of all to the table, to that person and that group.
I had a different Emmaus
moment with Evelyn. A few times when I visited her with Cindy or just stopped
by I brought communion with me, just in case. I knew she had not taken
communion in a long time and felt a bit disconnected from her childhood faith
in some ways. And a couple of times, she was not up for it. But on one
particular visit, the timing was just right. Evelyn was ready. And we took
communion, read about a strong woman in the Bible, and followed it up with a
lively discussion of her experience as the first woman running the office of a
Hollywood photography studio. We joked about how she was a nasty woman in the
best way! And it was such an Emmaus moment, because in the breaking of the
bread we felt connected to Evelyn and saw her connect to God afresh. Thanks be
to God!
I didn’t have the pleasure of
meeting Eduardo, but from all I have heard from Haydee and others who loved
him, there were moments of God breaking in shared with him, also. Chances are,
it wasn’t when a brilliant argument was made, but it was in a simple moment of
sharing. Perhaps sharing a meal. Perhaps just a cup of coffee or a “booster”
when he was sick. If you can today, remember those moments, if you had a moment
of pure connection, whether they were with Evelyn and Eduardo or another loved
one. Remember that hidden somewhere in that moment was the love of God. The
love of God for your loved one and the love of God for each of us. Because we
are precious to God.
I invite you to think of the Emmaus moments in your life. When have you felt most connected to God by connecting with others in community? When have the words you have heard about God finally come clear and rung pure as a bell, inflaming your heart with fire? In what quiet moment have you simply been present to another and felt God in your midst, too?
I invite you to think of the Emmaus moments in your life. When have you felt most connected to God by connecting with others in community? When have the words you have heard about God finally come clear and rung pure as a bell, inflaming your heart with fire? In what quiet moment have you simply been present to another and felt God in your midst, too?
Because “[Christ] was destined
before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for
your sake. Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the
dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God (1 Peter
1:20-21).”
Our hope is let on nothing
less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Let us look for those moments when
we truly connect and share the faith, because in breaking bread and building
that faith together we are all made whole in God. Amen
[1] Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, Matt
Skinner, “Working Preacher Sermon Brainwave Podcast: #538- The Third Sunday
after Easter,” https://www.workingpreacher.org/brainwave.aspx?podcast_id=878.
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