Easter 5 (A) + Out of the carrier + 5.10.20

(St. Stephen's, Jerusalem)

M. Campbell-Langdell
All Saints, Oxnard

(Acts 7:55–60; Psalm 31:1–5, 15–16; St John 14:1–14)

I remember the moment Alene and I walked into the shadowy space under St. Stephen’s church and monastery in Jerusalem, just outside the old city gates and across the way. The animated caretakers had pointed us there. We thought they were shooing us away from the church with its exquisite icons. But no, they were sending us down the short path to the place where Stephen died. And there it was: a rocky ground with what almost looked like a blood stain. But no, it had to have been water, and all round the walls, icons of Stephen and his sacrifice. And up in the sky, Jesus beholding Stephen as he gave his life.

It seems strange, this pair of passages today – that is – the gospel reading and the reading from the Acts of the Apostles. Jesus appears to comfort his disciples and Stephen loses his life. What to make of the contrast? But I think between them there is much wisdom for the current time.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry accompanied the clergy of the diocese of Los Angeles this week at our online clergy conference. And he told us a story about his cat. Well that might sound funny, but it was a story that preached to me. He said his wife and he have a cat. This cat is smart, because she knows the word “vet” and if they have to take her to the vet, they need to avoid using even the word “vet” around her. They just need to surprise her and even so it is a challenge to get her into her carrier. But once at the vet, and once her exam is over, she is very eager to get into her cat carrier. And Bishop Curry mentioned that to the vet, and the vet said “it is what she knows.” Even if it is not the best for her, he explained, she still clings to it because she knows the carrier.

And so Bishop Curry, in his inimitable way, encouraged us to think about how we as a church are a little bit like that cat and that carrier at the moment. We want so quickly to jump back into the vessels and places we know, and there is benefit to that. But he encouraged us to stay outside a moment and just explore what we are learning in this new time. How are we reaching new people via digital media? And how are we connecting with each other in new ways even if not everyone can meet online? How can we mine the sometimes deeper conversations we are having or different ways of doing worship and Bible study that embrace others and bring them back into however we re-enter our “normal” worship?

In Bishop Curry’s words I found a bit of the tension between Jesus’ words and Stephen’s actions as well as how they are not at odds. When you read the passage, Stephen feels a certain kind of peace in his martyrdom. He dies but he is at peace because he is one with God. He feels that peace that the world cannot give. He has found the path to peace in Christ. The peace that the world cannot take away.  

Jesus says to his disciples: “do not let your hearts be troubled,” and here I see not a promise that we will always be comfortable or content. But rather that we will be invited into challenging new experiences, but that Jesus will be alongside us. Thankfully we are not all called to be martyrs! But there are Christians in other parts of the world that still die for their faith. How can we honor them and Stephen?
And how can we look to Stephen and this passage in John and embrace Jesus’ peace, even in the discomfort of this time. How can we move forward faithfully even if not always comfortably?
I see examples of you all doing this so faithfully all around me. The bravery of those working in essential work. But also in the chutzpah of our parishioners who are older but still wish to shop, and have found safe ways to do so. I also find inspiration in those who let others care for them, when they are used to independence! I found so much joy and wonder in seeing a parishioner who is a professor in some video clips of her brave work at teaching online from home with a toddler. A delightful companion to be sure, but what a brave teacher. They don’t teach you in grad school how to lecture with a mischievous toddler with an eraserJ. So many of you are stepping up to the plate in ways you could never have anticipated. And it seems that while we many of us have a rhythm now, we also have the weariness of these uncomfortable ways that bears down upon us.
So be gentle to yourself at this time. Know that you do not have to do all things productively and if there is any grace you can give yourself or others, do it. Do not feel guilty if some parts of this give you comfort. But also do not stay there. Jesus promised to be our way even in strange times like these. He asks us to leave the cat carrier, but not the one that cares for us. Find that peace that salves your heart and then keep venturing on Christ’s way (even if it is at home). Because God is doing something new in us, and we will be wiser and stronger as a result.