Proper 28 C + Hobbit care+ 11.16.23

 

M. Campbell-Langdell

All Santos, Oxnard

(Isaiah 65:17-25; Canticle 9; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19)

Whose story or example of faith has inspired you? Please take a moment to think of someone or someone’s story that has inspired you.

Today, we see Jesus and the disciples marveling at the huge stones of the temple. And yet, even as such physically impressive structures exist, Jesus says everything we know might fall apart. But we must hang in there.

Alene and I had the pleasure of watching an inspiring film on Monday, called “Sarah’s Oil.” It is a story of perseverance in the face of incredible odds. In it, a young African-American and Creek girl living in Oklahoma after the turn of the 20^th century receives 160 acres of land due to her Creek heritage. She is only 11 when she acquires this land, but God speaks to her and tells her that there is oil on her land.
Her parents believe her, and her father helps her to connect with an oil company that begins to lease her land and look for oil. However, realizing how rich in oil her land will be, they pretend it has no oil and try to buy the land from her at a discount. She seeks out the help of a pair of prospectors with a mixed past, and together they find the oil she knew was on her land. Throughout, the oil company sends people to intimidate and threaten her life, but she not only stays true to her call to steward the land but also renews her faith in God as she calls others to be their best selves.
As I read the gospel passage for today, I couldn't help but think again of the film, and how Sarah is called to speak in court at eleven years old and is given words to say. Again, just as Jesus speaks about the endurance that gains us our souls, Sarah shows that she not only works to preserve her land and her family’s life, but is also concerned with the souls of those around her. She says to her white guardian, 'I am concerned for your soul.' And it touches him deeply, as he realizes that no one has shown care for his soul in the past.

I found Sarah’s story inspiring. How do we balance the tension between caring for the gifts that God has given us and also caring for our family? And how, in the midst of all that, do we tend to our souls and to the souls of all around us?

In today’s reading from the 2^nd letter to the Thessalonians, Paul says some words that can come off as awfully judgmental. For example, “Anyone unwilling to work should not eat.” Now, Alene studied the Greek here in this passage and noticed a couple of things. She says:

“Most scholars believe that the references in 2 Thessalonians 3 to idleness and work are directly related to the discussion of the end times in chapter 2.  Apparently, some believers had heard that Jesus was coming, or perhaps had already come, and decided that working no longer made sense.  Even worse, they were getting in the way of others who wanted to work.  The Greek word translated “busybodies” here is a play on words with the word translated “work” and literally means something like meddling or getting in the way of work.  The word translated “idleness” here has the connotation of being disorderly, like a soldier who isn’t ready to fight.  The writer isn’t referring to someone who has stopped to rest or someone who is unable to work, and he is certainly not talking about work for the sake of work.   These believers are like soldiers, prepared and trained for battle, but instead of watching and listening for the call to arms, they’ve taken off their armor and strewn it around, causing everyone around them to have to watch their feet or potentially stumble and fall.”

I found this helpful because the example of Sarah Rector in the film, as well as the kind of faith that I perceive Jesus is calling us to in the gospel passage today, seems to call us not only to live out our own faithfulness but also to encourage faithfulness in others. So if Paul is being harsh, it is on those who impede others in their attempts to live faithfully, not because he is somehow judging people who may just need to take a rest from time to time. Or may have physical limitations.

So how do we live faithfully? To live faithfully, this writer of Isaiah seems to imply, is to live long and free. To have good work to do. To experience deep peace. The wolf and the lamb will lie down together. We yearn for this. A time of peace and abundance. A time of freedom.

And to live faithfully is to seek out the welfare of others. In the past couple of weeks, I have had folks reach out to me to try to live faithfully together. Whether it is about speaking out on behalf of our local community and how so many were affected by the ICE raid a bit over two weeks ago, or whether it is to support a community organization so that it brings flourishing, or whether it is a surprise visit from helpers getting the apartments finally ready across the street after months of waiting, coming by to pick up the baskets you all lovingly compiled, every day there are invitations to faithfulness.
How can you demonstrate faithfulness by encouraging someone in their faith journey this week? It does not need to be extreme. It is probably best if you do not impose without asking permission. But really listen and see how you can help encourage another community member, neighbor, friend, or family member.
We are placed here to encourage each other. I think one of the best antidotes to the anxiety of this time is to do something for another. To reach out in care.

I saw something on social media this week about showing care in a Hobbit-like manner. Based on the endearing characters in the J.R.R. Tolkien Lord of the Rings Trilogy, who were very focused on home and hearth, the concept of hobbit-like care may sound silly, but I loved the idea. It shared ideas about reaching out to lonely neighbors with a phone call or a visit. Cooking warm soups and sharing them, inviting others over. I might add that handing a bag of groceries to a person whose SNAP benefits were not the full amount this month is another way to show care.

As the days grow shorter and as we anticipate the coming of Advent, how can we bring a sense of care to others? How can we find comfort for ourselves and provide some to a neighbor or friend in need? Perhaps that is like Johanna providing a home for a friend's dog for a few days while she undergoes surgery, or the many other kindnesses you all show to others every day.
Whatever it is, you will be led to it. Know that God loves you deeply and wants what is best for you. God will preserve you through difficult times. As it says in Canticle 9, “Surely, it is God who saves me; I will trust in him and not be afraid.”
Dark and destructive times may seem to be close at hand, especially when we see ICE raids just blocks from us. But the Spirit is here with us, guiding us. Helping us to be a helping hand for others. Providing encouragement. Never letting go of our hands. By our endurance, we will win our souls. And in the meantime, we also pray for those who seem disconnected from the source of that which truly fills their souls.
As we draw near to the hearth and to God’s warmth and love this Fall, may we be encouragers of hearts.

Amen.