Epiphany 3 A + Helpers + 1.25.26
M. Campbell-Langdell
All Santos, Oxnard
(Isaiah 9:1–4 ; Ps. 27:1, 5–13; 1 Corinthians 1:10–18; Matthew 4:12–23)
Good morning and welcome!
Mary Oliver’s famous “instructions for living a life” from
her poem, “Sometimes,” go like this:
Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.[1]
Today’s readings seem to be about paying attention, being
astonished, and telling about it.
Today, as we continue in Epiphany season, we have another
call story of the disciples of Jesus. Jesus says, “Repent, for the Kingdom of
heaven has come near.” These are the same words that John the Baptist used, and
some wonder at what Jesus meant by repent. There are those who point out that the
word “repent” may not just be a call to get right with God, but also a sort of
“Heads Up!” “Pay Attention” or something like that.
When I was at a rally at a park in Ventura last Saturday, one
of the speakers told us to “Wake the Heck up,” although in less polite
language. And I thought of that when I heard that Jesus‘ words today may have
been a similar call to wake up, to pay attention. In this case, the speaker
wanted those gathered to be aware of what is happening all around us, of the
dangers to our democracy. While I appreciated this call, I also felt that most
of us there probably were awake; that is why we came out on a perfectly good
Saturday to try to make a difference. But what Jesus was saying was a bit
different. He wasn’t just saying wake up to the empire and all the challenges
that the people of God are going through. No, he was saying, “Wake up!” The
Kingdom of Heaven is here, near, operating in the midst of all the difficulties
that you see around you.
I think we have to remember this. Yes, we are facing many
difficult things. But the Kingdom is here. We are not alone, and even now, the
Spirit is at work. Doing good all around us, even in the midst of dark times. The
Spirit is at work wherever helpers are active, those trying to make a positive
difference. The Spirit is at work in our Food Pantry, and in countless collective
mutual aid actions in the community.
I love that in this gospel, there is a sense of a communal call. We each have
our relationship with God, but the call is always in community. In the same
way, Paul tells those in Corinth: You aren’t baptized to a specific disciple,
but we are all baptized in Jesus. We are all together. None is more important
than the other. And we can’t each solve all the world’s problems, but together
we can heed Christ’s call and do our one thing. Nuestro granito de arena, as we
say in Spanish.
Why is the cross foolishness? It was foolish because it
didn’t make sense as a sign of good news. It had been an instrument of torture
and death. But because of Jesus and what he did for us, and because he rose
again, it became good news. One of our little ones asked me the other day how
the cross was made. I said that it was made by putting two pieces of wood
together and that Jesus got really hurt and even died, but that God made him
live again. And because of that, the cross, which had been bad news for so
many, became a symbol of good news for us Christ-followers. But this good news
is not just for us individually, but is always lived out in community. In
caring for each other, together. In sharing whatever gifts we have. And in each
doing our part.
This year, we travel through the Gospel of Matthew, which is
all about Jesus meeting the needs of the people. Feeding as well as healing.
Basic needs are important. I have noticed that while moral support is important,
I am also trying to send food or funds to those most affected at these times.
At the same time, there are always those who will try to take advantage, so we
need the wisdom of the community to make good judgments on how to share
resources.
As Michael Card says, the call is to community. And together
we make a material difference. But it is not just the material. We must be open
to the spiritual needs, too. But that doesn’t come from us individually; it
comes from God and from life lived out in community. This astonishes me. We don’t do it alone, but
in community, with God’s help, all things are possible.
How then do we share our experience? If you feel a light has
come into your life via church or your faith, how do you share that? Yesterday,
Marsha and Justin shared about their experience of faith through music. Not all
of us are called to that ministry, but we can encourage a friend who is having
a hard time, invite them to church, or have coffee and just talk. We can pay
attention to each other. Sometimes, when we pay attention, we realize what a
joy it is to be surrounded by the beings God has put in our path. Sometimes,
when we are on a frantic path and just trying to get things done, other humans
may seem like obstacles. But if we pay attention, we will realize that everyone
in our lives is here to teach us something. In that way, even the most
seemingly ornery person is a miracle, a blessing.
So today, pay attention. Where do you see the kingdom at
work? Where do you see people working for the good of others? Be astonished
when you see what the Spirit is doing all around. And then tell someone about
it, so God's love can keep spreading further and further, to encompass the
whole world! Amen.
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