Proper 14 C + Ancestors + 8.7.22

 

M. Campbell-Langdell

All Santos, Oxnard

(Isaiah 1:1, 10–20; Psalm 50:1–8, 23–24; Hebrews 11:1–3, 8–16; St. Luke 12:32–40)

 

Last week, one of our parishioners visited her parents’ hometown in Mexico with her mother. It was very fun following her adventures on Instagram because she not only included photos of herself and her mother at certain nostalgic spots, but she also shared some photos of loved ones, some now dearly departed, and many photos were from many years back. These photos, of elegant and sometimes stoic women, told a story of a shared family history.

In the reading from the letter to the Hebrews today, we hear of another shared family history, that of our family in faith. It is a history to which we all belong.

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

This passage continues, mentioning Sarah and others of our ancestors of the faith. Why is it important to know this story, our history? I can think of a lot of reasons. One is because history gives us an anchor. Even though these folks did not see God’s promise completed in Jesus, and even though we still seek a better world, we have hope because of those who have gone before. They survived. We also have faith in God, who fulfilled the promise made to Abraham and Sarah, and who will fulfill the promises made to us.

This is a word of hope that we need at each stage of our lives. But it is even more urgent today, when we continue to live through a difficult time. Even though the situation with COVID seems to be slightly better, it still remains and affects our daily lives. And now there is monkey pox, and especially young people and others at risk need support with that. Our economy is troubled, and the protections throughout the pandemic have been slowly stripped away such that it might get worse. We don’t know when things will begin the upswing.
It is in times like these when we truly need words of inspirations that remind us that God, who faithfully accompanied our ancestors, continues by our side. God accompanies us also! In times like this, we must remember the tender words of Jesus:  "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

We are not a big church here at All Santos. We sometimes feel few and small, just as Jesus sees his disciples feeling in today’s gospel passage. But it is God’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom! We have the promise of a better life. A life of love and abundance, of belonging. If you are in a moment of sorrow or affliction, know that this is not the end of the story. Another day is coming. A day of sun and light and love. Without pain and full of joy. Hold onto that hope. Because it is coming. We have to keep hold of the faith, just as our ancestors did.

This hope is our blessing. It is a blessing that we have to share. See how in the next breath, Jesus says: “Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Now, this is the challenge, and ultimately, the bigger blessing. That the blessings we receive are not just for ourselves. They are to share. Because, just as we heard from last Sunday’s gospel reading, true wealth is found in sharing in community. It is not to not have possessions. Neither is it not to have housing and our basic needs met, because God is that nurturing parent who knows what we need and how to take care of us.

But as people of faith, we always claim the promise of God’s abundance over the fear of the world, and the fear of scarcity. And in that faith, we share.

In the reading from Isaiah today, people have focused so much on the religious rituals that they have forgotten the poor and the oppressed. This makes me think of a small section of our Evening Prayer in the Prayer Book that says “Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten” and the response is: “Nor the hope of the poor be taken away (BCP p. 121).” Let not the hope of the poor be taken away. We have all met people whose hope has been robbed of them. But God says, we are the hope of the poor. Each one of us, in doing our little part, can restore a little bit more hope and dignity to each person in need.

This week we had Vacation Bible School at church. Cindy shared about the scriptures with the children and they played and colored. The theme was “I can make a difference,” so the children also put together hygiene kits with the assistance of your donations. These small kits will be handed out as a sign of hope and a recognition of dignity those who need it most.

In our small way, we are teaching our children the message of Isaiah:

“Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.”

It may be our little grain of sand in a work of good that our ancestors began many years hence. But year after year, those little grains of good will become a vast beach. And we will show a wave of the compassion of our God to the world. Together, we will build a better world, with God’s help!

Amen.