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Christmas 2 Lesson: Jeremiah 31:7-14
January 3, 2010 Psalm 84:1-8
The Rev. Wallace Marsh Epistle: Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19a
St. James’ Church, Marietta Holy Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
It’s Time to Look Inward
I stumbled upon an article in Monday’s “USA Today” titled, “It’s Time to Look Inward.” The article was written by Oliver Thomas, who is the author of the book, 10 Things Your Minister Wants to Tell You (But Can’t Because He Needs the Job). Seeing as though this is a1,200 member congregation and I am now the only priest in the house during the week, I am going to take a gamble and say I have a little job security for now…and I am going to share with you aspects of this article.
As I was reading the article this week, I thought the title, “looking inward” tied in quite nicely with today’s Epistle reading from Ephesians. I am sure that you remember Paul’s metaphor that he uses in Ephesians and Colossians. What is the metaphor? Do you remember the metaphor? It is the metaphor of the body. In Ephesians, Christ is the head. And in today’s reading we see that Paul wants us to look inward. He says not once, twice, but three times-- We are to be “in Christ.” In essence, we are to look inward, where Christ dwells.
In the letter to the Galatians, Paul brings this idea of being “in Christ” to the extreme. He writes, “I have been Crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me.”
Paul says I am “in Christ,” and being in Christ changes who he is and the way he lives.
Back to the title of Monday’s article, “It’s time to Look Inward.” In so many ways the article is simply about what it means to “live in Christ.” It addresses the fundamental question that all Christians ask: How do we go about living “in Christ” each day of our lives?
The article presents three New Year’s resolutions of what it means to look inward…or in the case of today’s lessons, to be in Christ. As we begin this New Year, they are resolutions that I believe will help us individually, and as a church, as we attempt to live in Christ in 2010.
The first resolution: Become More Empathetic. Oliver Thomas believes that we live in a culture divided in politics, faith, and divided within our own denominations. People have always disagreed, but today’s world seems to have lost the ability to have a civilized and even and honest conversation about our differences.
While it is good to know who you are and where you stand, as people of faith we are called to be empathetic. It simply means that we should take the positions of the person we most disagree with seriously. Name the last time you sat down and had an honest conversation with someone you disagreed with? I am not talking about an email exchange behind closed doors – the last time you really had a conversation with a classmate or colleague you disagreed with.
When I deal with people who are angry with one another (which never happens in the church or with church committees), or with couples who are going through a tough patch in their relationship, my advice has always been, get in the other person’s shoes. Who are they? What is their story? What has brought them to this point? What are you all really disagreeing about? Part of reconciliation, part of forgiveness, part of growing as a person of faith is Empathy – stepping in someone’s shoes.
The theological significance of this Christmas season is about God stepping in our shoes – the Creator becoming the creature – being born as one of us, suffering as one of us, and dying as one of us. Empathy is central to our faith. Empathy is central to being “in Christ” Resolution number 1: Become more Empathetic.
Resolution number 2: Practice Compassion. When Paul tells us to be “in Christ,” one of the things that means is that we are to practice forgiveness and compassion. Time and time again in the Gospels, Jesus shows us what it means to practice compassion. He forgives others and he gives his life to those who do not deserve it.
How do you become a more compassionate person? The author of this past week’s article says that you practice compassion. Medieval theologians placed a heavy emphasis on what they called Habituts. It is a Habit, something you do, and in some weird sort of way it is a two way street: Habit begets Character and Character begets Habit.
What can you do to practice compassion? You can start new habits: bring cans for those who do not have food, you give money to our outreach ministries, you can go on a mission trip. You can do what desperately needs to be done in my house – you go through your closet and say I have not worn this in a year or two and someone else needs it.
Being in Christ means practicing compassion… “not only hearers, as St. James’ says, but doers of the Word.”
Resolution 1: Become more Empathetic. Resolution 2: Practice Compassion.
Finally, Resolution 3: Hold your tongue. Oliver Thomas quotes a passage from the Book of James, one that we read in our lectionary not too many weeks ago. James talks about what happens when we lose control of our tongue or spread false rumors. James writes, “How great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire.”
In your study of history, you probably remember that one of the great statesmen and diplomats, Ben Franklin, was the master of his tongue. If he got angry, he would count to 20 before he spoke…if he was still angry, he counted to 20 again before speaking.
Think of how much harm you have done when you lashed out at your child, parent, or your spouse in anger. It serves no purpose, and usually only makes the situation worse.
I think the idea of holding your tongue is a great resolution for us at St. James’ as we enter 2010. The Rector has retired, the budgets are tight, and we are in a period of transition and self-examination. During this interim period, I encourage you (and I will have to do it myself) to hold your tongue. Do not get caught up in the changes, if changes are made, and do not dwell on the past. We are in an exciting time, good things are happening and good things will continue to happen. Use your tongue to spread the good news about what God is doing in your life and the life of St. James’.
In this first Eucharist of the New Year, may you find yourself looking inward toward Christ. May you seek to live “in Christ,” through empathy, compassion, and spreading the “good news” of God in Jesus Christ.
May God bless you and St. James’ as we begin this New Year. AMEN.
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Sermons and Lectionary