Proper 19 C + Grito + 9.14.25
M. Campbell-Langdell
All Santos, Oxnard
(Jeremiah
4:11-12, 22-28; Psalm
14; 1
Timothy 1:12-17; Luke
15:1-10)
The day after tomorrow, many years hence in 1810, in a small
town named Dolores in Mexico, a priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla said to
the indigenous people: “My Children, a new dispensation comes to us today…Will
you free yourselves? Will you recover the lands stolen 300 years ago from your
forefathers by the hated Spaniards? We must act at once.”[1] And thus began the Mexican
independence movement. In most years, in just a little while, horses, trumpets,
and swirling dancers will appear out of this door to remind us of that fateful
day and Independence Days in various parts of Latin America. Sadly, those
horses and dancers are quiet today, due to logistical difficulties, but the
spirit of El Grito will be strong in Plaza Park today.
Hidalgo y Costilla claimed freedom from religious and
political tyranny for the people of Mexico. The Spanish government would not
embrace the Virgin of Guadalupe as a visitation of the Virgin Mary and was
oppressing the indigenous Mexicans.
Freedom is important! We know that various cultures celebrate
independence days, including the United States, and talk about throwing off
other oppressors, echoing the words of Exodus. It is natural for all God’s
people to desire freedom. But it is not so simple. This week, we saw a deeply
sad event occur- the misuse of a freedom in the killing of the controversial
figure, Charlie Kirk. I disagree with his words, but no one should be
assassinated to prove a point. We have to find another way forward.
Our scriptures grapple with this, too. There is a wrinkle in the typical
triumphal tale- yes, Israel is saved. But things go wrong, and that is what
Jeremiah is addressing today. We hear Jeremiah speaking in judgment against
Jerusalem because they have also done wrong. Jeremiah says we must repent of
our wrongdoing. And we must teach our young people to do better.
So, yes, freedom from religious or political tyranny is essential. But
it can also lead to damaging losses and trade-offs, even as its goals and ends
are noble. We have been seeing this recently in our country. The desire to
protect US freedom has led to immigrants feeling unsafe, unwelcome, and, in
fact, threatened.
In the reading from the first letter to Timothy today, we
hear Paul or someone in the school of Paul speaking to a group that has gotten
caught up in who is the in-group and who is the out-group. He points out that
he had been a blasphemer, but now accepts the gospel. He warns his readers not
to discount or disregard others so quickly.
In fact, the gospel story today reminds us that God is ready
for anyone to return to Her. No one is outside of God’s love and compassion. We
have to be willing to change our minds and return. When we do, we will be
welcomed with much rejoicing!
No normal shepherd will leave 99 sheep alone and go after
one, or at least that may seem foolhardy without backup helpers. Such a
shepherd would likely continue on the regular hill walking routes, hoping to
find the sheep, but fearing another wild animal had seen it first. But Jesus,
in his typical way, uses hyperbole to get us to think. God is not the usual
“shepherd.” God will not abandon us when we stray but seek us diligently. What
is impossible for humans- to be present to both the 99 and the one at once- is
possible for God. And God will embrace us with open arms. Will embrace anyone
who has distanced themselves from the love of God. God in Jesus, the Good
Shepherd, will keep seeking us even when all human shepherds have given up the
ghost, if not for being bad, simply due to human frailty. But God is not bound
by those limits.
How can we come back to God if we are afraid and focused on
who’s good and evil? And how can we pray for those who have strayed from God’s
word, trusting that even now God is seeking them like the hound of Heaven They
are, ready to embrace those who are most lost and acting out of fear.
We must listen to our young people, especially
male-identified figures, who feel angry and confused and show them a better way.
A more perfect way. We are all human, but there is wisdom in our tradition regarding
how to combat injustice in a nonviolent fashion. Perhaps the young adult
contingent of Sacred Resistance is just one answer to this, and I am sure there
are others. Whatever it is, we must hear our young people’s pain and alienation,
and be there for them however we can.
Because we must find a different way to be free. A way that
allows for the freedom of all. Let us pray and fight for freedom today. Not
just as a people in general, but internally.
This work is always going on, side by side. Internal freedom begets
external liberty and vice versa. Only after inner freedom is gained can we
truly see an end to all forms of oppression and the beginning of liberty for
all God’s people. God gives us the strength. May it be so. Amen.
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